12 Unmissable Things to Do and See in Fredericton, New Brunswick

September 15, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 3290 Views

Fredericton is the capital city of New Brunswick province of Canada. It is situated on the banks of the Saint John River in the west-central part of the province. Some of the most fun things to do in Fredericton, NB are centered around the river. This includes nature retreats, adventure activities, kayaking, swimming, nature trails, boat cruises, and so on. The city is an important art and culture center. There are several art galleries, studios, and innovative art centers among places to visit in Fredericton. The most well-known among these is the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which houses a historical and contemporary collection of North American and European artworks.

Fredericton is also home to Boyce Farmers Market, which is included among the top 10 markets in Canada. In the shopping section below, we have listed many other markets, permanent and seasonal, hosted in the city. You will come across some of the most fascinating things to see in Fredericton, NB as you explore these markets. They are also the top attractions to explore street food and unique delicacies from different cultures of the world.

Being a major cultural center, the city hosts a variety of celebrations, events, festivals, and shows. These encompass several creative fields including performance arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. Several Fredericton tourist attractions are exclusively dedicated to one or more art forms and also serve as hosts for these events. If you want to enjoy such celebrations, the best time to visit Fredericton would be between June and August.

On the other hand, if you are more interested in exploring history, you should begin Fredericton sightseeing with the city’s regional museum. Then you can tour colonial buildings in the city like government houses, military buildings, and churches. Though the most fascinating historical site is the Kings Landing Historical Site. This museum village is one of the best historical places to see in Fredericton, NB. This museum recreated a pastoral village settled by Loyalists in the early 20th century.

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Table of Contents

The Top 12 Tourist Places to Visit in Fredericton

1. Beaverbrook Art Gallery

This gallery exhibits a collection of artworks by Canadian and British artists. It also holds exhibitions of historical and cultural items. The gallery also hosts workshops and events to promote regional culture. It is one of the best places to visit in Fredericton, NB for cultural experiences. The British and Canadian collection features artworks going back to the 18th century. The international collection exhibits include works of American, French, Dutch, and Spanish artists, some of which date back to the 14th century. You will need about an hour to tour this art gallery.

2. Fredericton Region Museum

This museum tells the story of Fredericton and the central part of New Brunswick. With a collection of more than 30 thousand artifacts, this museum delves into the history and culture of Aboriginal people of the region and people who came and settled here such as Acadians, Loyalists, and Europeans. This museum also has artifacts about natural and wildlife history. The statue of Coleman Frog in this museum is one of the most popular things to see in Fredericton, New Brunswick. You will need at least an hour from Fredericton travel to tour this museum.

3. Science East

This science center focuses on educating children about various sciences and scientific concepts through engaging activities. This museum is housed in former county jail and many of the exhibits are built in former jail cells. It has some of the most engaging indoor activities to do in Fredericton for children concerning energy production, animal life, dinosaurs, space, optical illusions, and more. The museum also has an exhibit area dedicated to forensic science and solving crimes. This exhibit would interest adults while children are enjoying the activities. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.

4. Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market

Listed among the top 10 markets in Canada, Boyce Farmers Market is a blend of chaos and culinary delights. The market sells local produce, seafood, meats, milk products, natural food products, and more. It is also popular for souvenir shopping. There are several stores selling handicrafts, jewelry, pottery, artworks, gift items, and more. There are a lot of fun things to do in Fredericton, NB exclusive to the Broyce Farmers market. You can find interesting street food and breakfast dishes served in the market’s Food Alley. You will need at least an hour to explore it.

5. School Days Museum

This museum is built with various artifacts collected from schools in New Brunswick. It basically traces the evolution of the education system since the 19th century. It is also popular among Fredericton tourist attractions as people are overwhelmed with nostalgia as they tour this museum. The one-room school-house exhibit of the museum lets people interact with various equipment and items. You would need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum when you visit Fredericton.

6. Lighthouse on the Green

This lighthouse stands at the turn of the river St. John. Taking in the view of the city and the curving river from atop this lighthouse is one of the best things to do in downtown Fredericton. You will need a few minutes to admire the view and click pictures with the city or the river in the backdrop.

7. Officer’s Square

This region was once occupied by the British garrison until 1869. This square is popular among Fredericton attractions for changing of Guard ceremony. The ceremony is reflective of British military tradition when two guards exchange positions at a post. The ceremony takes place every day and is one of the popular performances to see during Fredericton sightseeing. You will need about half an hour to witness the change of guard performance.

8. Kings Landing

Not the one from Game of Thrones. This site is where Loyalists settled after leaving 13 American colonies. This museum village gives insight into the pastoral life of loyalist settlers in the region. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Fredericton, NB as this interactive museum lets people participate in various farm skills activities. You will feel transported back to village life of the early 20th century. You will need at least an hour to tour this village museum.

9. Old Government House

Built-in 1828, this house serves as the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. The building exhibits the Gregorian style of architecture with a sandstone facade. It is one of the few places to see in Fredericton, NB that exhibit colonial grandeur. The building is open for public tours between June and August. Many politicians and royal family members have stayed in this house. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this house.

10. Christ Church Cathedral

This church was built during mid 19th century. In 1845 Bishop John Medley invited architect Frank Wills to design this church. It is the most monumental Fredericton sight, almost surprising in size for a small city. Frank Wills modeled this church after the 14th-century church of St. Mary of Snettisham. It is a fine example of the English Gothic Revival style of architecture. You will need an hour or so to tour this church.

11. Outdoor Activities to do in Fredericton

People can enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, boat tours, and fishing in the St. John river. There are also nature retreat places to visit near Fredericton to explore the woods with adventure climbing, ropeway jungle, hiking, and overnight camping. The Hyla Nature Preserve park also has budding wildlife consisting of small mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, and insects. The park also has lakes and nature trails. During winter the lakes freeze over and people come here for ice skating and to place ice hockey. It is one of the most popular spots for outdoor activities to do in Fredericton. If you are a fan of the supernatural and horror, the haunted hike and haunted places walking tour sights are must see in Fredericton. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying any of these places.

12. Garrison Night Market

The Garrison Night Market is held every Thursday night between June and September. The streets are lined with shops on either side. It is one of the top things to do in Fredericton at night. This market has shops selling textiles, fashion, jewelry, handicraft items, local art, books, antique, imported products, natural products, and more. You will need at least an hour to tour this market.

If you are looking for more tourist attractions in Fredericton, New Brunswick check out the section below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and experiences that you can enjoy in and around the city.

Things to do in Fredericton

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Fredericton

Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Fredericton Region Museum
Kings Landing Historical Site
Lighthouse on the Green
School Days Museum
Government House
Christ Church Cathedral
Legislative Assembly Building
St. Dunstan’s Church
St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease
Charlotte Street Arts Center
Wilmot United Church
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame
Gallery 78
Gallery on Queen
New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame
Officer’s Square Provincial Heritage Place
York Sunbury Historical Society
Guard House and Soldier Barracks Museum
Fort Nashwak National Historical Site
Yellow Box Gallery
George Fry Gallery
St. Paul’s United Church
Old Public Burial Ground
RB Studio Art Center and Gallery
Brunswick Street Baptist Church
Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Fredericton

Saint John River
Hyla Park Nature Preserve
Nashwaaksis Stream Nature Park
Killarney Lake
UNB Woodlot
Mactaquac Dam
Garden Creek Falls
Nashwaakis Stream

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Fredericton

Science East
Odell Park
Fredericton Botanic Garden
Woolastook Park
Mactaquac Provincial Park
The Playhouse
Wilmot Park
Hartt RV Resort & Waterpark
Kingswood Entertainment Center
Treego Mactaquac
Calithumpians- The Haunted Hike
Sir Douglas Hazen Park
Hanwell Recreation Park
Morell Park
Croquet match
New Brunswick Theatre

Shopping in Fredericton

Boyce Farmers Market
Regent Mall
Garrison Night Market
Downtown Fredericton Inc.
Sacred Arts
The Corbett Center
The Northside Creators Market
506 Artisan Market
Kings Place Mall
The Artisan District
Brookside Mall
Mactaquac Market
New Maryland Market
Eco Market @ Ville
Gagetown Farmers Market

Beaches & Islands in Fredericton

Killarney Lake Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Fredericton

Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Swimming
Fishing
Hiking
Camping
Walking Tours
Bicycle Tours
Haunted Hikes
Boat Cruise

Sightseeing in Fredericton

Fredericton City Hall
Garrison District
Fredericton Railway Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Fredericton

Lunar Rogue
Food Market at the Ex
Que Padre
The Lighthouse by 540
St. James’ Gate
Wolastoq Wharf
Maxwell’s Steak and Seafood
Cafe Riverside
The Squeeze
540 North
Gahan House
Monks and Jonasie
The Shake Shed Freddy
Picaroons Roundhouse
El Mariachi
Coastline Pizza
Montana’s BBQ
King West Brewing
Dos Toros Taqueria
Pier 23 Pub
The Coffee Mill

Where to Stay in Fredericton?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Fredericton. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Fredericton.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

How to Reach Fredericton?

By Air

Fredericton International Airport is situated 13 km southeast of the city. You can get direct flights to visit Fredericton from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Punta Cana, Deer Lake, and Cancun. You can get buses and cabs to reach the city from the airport.

By Road

There is no train station in the city, so the best public transport option to reach Fredericton is by bus. Canadian towns and cities are well connected by a robust bus network. You can get direct or at least a connecting bus for Fredericton travel from several places in Canada.

If you planning to travel by road, you should head for routes 10, 7 or 2.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Fredericton.

Image Reference

Beaverbrook Art Gallery – Amqui / Wikimedia Commons
Fredericton Region Museum –
Science East – Amqui / Wikimedia Commons
Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market –
School Days Museum –
Lighthouse on the Green – pedrik / Flickr
Officer’s Square – ActiveSteve / Flickr
Kings Landing – Robber Esq / Flickr
Old Government House – urban_lenny / Flickr
Christ Church Cathedral – rickmacewen / Flickr
Outdoor Activities to do in Fredericton – noricum / Flickr
Garrison Night Market –