Atlantic Trip was born in Edmundston, in the northwest corner of New Brunswick. It’s the province we know best — and the one many travellers underestimate as they hurry through on their way to Nova Scotia or PEI. It’s also Canada’s only officially bilingual province: about a third of New Brunswickers are French-speaking, many of them Acadian, so you’ll hear both languages and can be served in either at every government office and national park.
In this guide
New Brunswick highlights
- The Bay of Fundy and some of the highest tides in the world, with Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park and the Fundy Trail Parkway.
- Saint John and its Reversing Falls, at the heart of the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark — the first global geopark in North America.
- St. Andrews, whale watching and Ministers Island, reachable at low tide.
- The Acadian coast: Shediac and Parlee Beach, the Bouctouche Dune and Kouchibouguac National Park.
- Caraquet and the Acadian Historical Village, plus the Tintamarre on August 15.
- The Saint John River valley: Edmundston, Grand Falls Gorge, the Hartland Covered Bridge (391 m, the world’s longest) and Fredericton.
- Mount Carleton Provincial Park, home to the highest peak in the Maritimes.
Our New Brunswick guides
For an overview, start with 20 best things to do in New Brunswick, which includes a 7-day itinerary. For tides, Hopewell Rocks and whales, read our Bay of Fundy guide. Every article on the province is listed below.
The four regions at a glance
| Region | Best for | Good bases |
|---|---|---|
| Fundy coast | Nature, tides, hiking, whales | Alma, St. Andrews, Saint John |
| Acadian coast | Beaches, Acadian culture, families | Shediac, Bouctouche, Caraquet |
| Saint John River valley | History, scenic drives | Edmundston, Fredericton |
| North (Mount Carleton, Chaleur Bay) | Wilderness, peace and quiet | Campbellton, Bathurst |
When to visit New Brunswick
June to September is when everything is open. July and August are perfect for the Northumberland Strait beaches — among the warmest water in the Maritimes — and for Acadian festivals. Late September and early October bring superb fall colours, especially in the Saint John River valley and along the Fundy Trail Parkway. Many seasonal attractions close after Labour Day or Canadian Thanksgiving. Winter is for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Getting to New Brunswick
- From Ontario and Québec: Highway 401, Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 85 lead to Edmundston and the Trans-Canada Highway.
- From the US: several crossings from Maine, including St. Stephen–Calais (for the Fundy coast) and Woodstock–Houlton (for Fredericton).
- By air: airports in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John, with connections through Toronto, Montréal and Halifax.
- On to Nova Scotia: by road through Amherst, or on the Saint John–Digby ferry across the Bay of Fundy.
- On to PEI: over the Confederation Bridge from Cape Jourimain.
Time zone
New Brunswick runs on Atlantic Time — one hour ahead of Ontario, Québec and the US East Coast. Keep it in mind when booking boat tours and checking tide tables.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in New Brunswick?
Seven days covers the Fundy coast, the Acadian coast and the Saint John River valley. With ten days or more, add Grand Manan, the Acadian Peninsula or Mount Carleton.
Is French spoken in New Brunswick?
Yes. It’s Canada’s only officially bilingual province. French dominates in the north and east (Acadia), but English is spoken everywhere, and provincial and federal services are offered in both languages.
Where can you see the highest tides in the world?
In the Bay of Fundy, shared by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. On the New Brunswick side, Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park are the best places to watch them.
Where is the warmest beach in New Brunswick?
The Northumberland Strait beaches, such as Parlee Beach in Shediac, have the warmest water in the province in summer.
Sources
- Tourism New Brunswick (official site): tourismnewbrunswick.ca
- NB Parks: Hopewell Rocks, Fundy Trail, Parlee Beach, Mount Carleton: nbparks.ca
- Parks Canada, Fundy and Kouchibouguac national parks: parks.canada.ca
- Government of New Brunswick, official languages: gnb.ca
- Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark: stonehammergeopark.com
