Posts by: AlanMc

Walk the Ocean Floor and Coast Up Magnetic Hill

Driving on the Trans Canada Highway along the edge of the City of Moncton you can’t miss one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province of New Brunswick. A cluster of hotels and other services marks Magnetic Hill. The natural phenomenon of the Magnetic Hill has been a tourist attraction for many years and now boasts a cluster of entertaining activities for the whole family. First you will want to drive up Magnetic Hill. It is a very convincing and intriguing optical illusion. You drive to the end of the road and place your car in neutral. It […]

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Kouchibouguac & Fundy Parks

Two National Parks in New Brunswick offer two very different experiences of the Atlantic coastline. Kouchibouguac National Park on the northeast coast borders the Northumberland Straight. The land here is relatively flat so the several hiking trails are ideal for short or long walks that are quite easy for the novice. They range in length from less than a kilometre to the 11 kilometre Kouchibouguac River Trail. It is one way to access the wilderness Sipu Canoe Campground. Wilderness camping in Kouchibouguac National Park is available to hikers, canoe and kayak paddlers and bicyclists. For the drive-in campers during the […]

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Saint John – Visit a Museum and Ride a Jet Boat

The industrial engine of New Brunswick, Saint John, is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding region including St. Martins and the Fundy Trail Parkway, the Kingston Peninsula and the towns in Kennebecasis Valley. But you should not miss walking around the downtown of the city itself. It has many fine, often steep streets lined with Victorian buildings all built after the Great Fire of 1877. In the centre of town is Market Square, a hub of activity where you can eat, shop and take in a variety of summer entertainment. The complex of restored commercial buildings on the waterfront […]

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Fredericton for a Family Friendly Vacation

Families visiting Fredericton in the summer will delight in having the kids experience the life of a soldier in the Fredericton Garrison. Dressed up in a redcoat uniform, children are given a special tour of the barracks, guardhouse and cell block. Then they are led to the parade ground for drill instruction where they learn to march and turn like a soldier in the early 1800s. To top it all off a review is held of the platoon of little ones which is sure to make every parent proud. This experience in re-enactment takes place in the Fredericton Garrison. For […]

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There’s Plenty to See and Do on Grand Manan

Visiting the Bay of Fundy islands of New Brunswick will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your trip down east. The islands of Grand Manan, Deer Island and Campobello are all easily accessible by car and ferry and each has a unique flavour. The largest island Grand Manan has much to offer in the way of very unusual vacation possibilities. The ferry to Grand Manan departs from Blacks Harbour which is roughly halfway between Saint John and Saint Andrews. If you have bicycles you might consider leaving your car at Blacks Harbour. Bikes are easy to manage on […]

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Acadian Peninsula – Heritage and Nature Up Close

It is in the region of the Acadian Peninsula in Northern New Brunswick that you can really discover the heritage and vibrant life of the Acadian people, A day or two of immersion in the culture of the area will show you how much the Province of New Brunswick is shaped by its French speaking population. First you will want to visit the Village Historique Acadien in Caraquet. It is a large living history community that includes several domestic and commercial buildings, farms and workshops, around a pleasant lake that is crossed by a covered bridge. The costumed villagers will […]

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Fundy Trail Parkway an Unforgettable Oceanside Experience

One of the greatest wonders among many that surround the Bay of Fundy is the Fundy Trail Parkway. It starts 10 km to the east of St Martins. Just follow the road after you have crossed the two covered bridges at the harbour in St Martins. The Fundy Trail Parkway gives access to the wilderness environment of the coast of the Bay of Fundy. Numerous lookouts along the way have been developed with the intention of providing the best views of the coastline. You will find that when you stop at any one of these it is impossible to avoid […]

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Explore 19th Century New Brunswick at Kings Landing Historical Settlement

The drive from Fredericton towards Woodstock along the banks of the St. John River (on the Woodstock Road or route 102) allows one to take in the beauty of the St. John River Valley. The route north from Fredericton on the Trans Canada Highway or route 2 is faster but certainly not as scenic. Those who appreciate “slow” tourism will get a great view of the Mactaquac Dam which provides a good proportion of New Brunswick’s electric energy needs. Near the dam is the well serviced Mactaquac Provincial Park which offers freshwater swimming, boating and camping. The construction of the […]

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St. Martins a Charming Victorian Village

The gateway to the Fundy Trail is the picturesque village of St. Martins. Just a half-hour drive from Saint John airport, St. Martins is an absolute must for the New Brunswick tourist’s itinerary. It is a beautiful little village that is spread out along a single street running along the coast of the Bay of Fundy. The main street of St. Martins is flanked by several Victorian houses some of which are quite grand. These houses were built by 19th century residents who were skilled craftsmen. They honed their trade in working with wood by building ships in the great […]

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There’s a Lot to Do in St. Andrews

The town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea has been a favourite with vacationers and tourists in New Brunswick for well over a century. Founded by Loyalists in 1783, St. Andrews became a favoured place for the wealthy from Boston to Montreal to while away the summer months in well appointed hotels and luxurious summer homes. They arrived on trains with their entourage of servants and all necessary supplies. These well-heeled, summer residents who sought a respite from the heat and congestion of large eastern cities where they made their money, established a kind of elegance that persists in St. Andrews today. The […]

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