Fredericton is charmingly located on the lower St. John River, where riverside trails meet a compact downtown filled with brick historic buildings. The city is the capital of the province of New Brunswick in eastern Canada, but its museums, busy cafes and active cultural scene are its biggest attraction for visitors.
This New Brunswick town grew out of a small settlement in Acadia called Pointe Ste-Anne, founded by French-speaking immigrants around 1732. It prospered when American Loyalists settled here, starting in 1768.
1 Garrison District
From 1784 to 1869, a British garrison was stationed on this two-block stretch between Queen Street and the river. Many of the buildings in the Garrison District date from that era and it is now a hub for museums and festivals in the city. Historical walking tours depart from the former military compound in the summer. The Fredericton Region Museum is housed in an extension of the officers’ quarters and provides a strong overview of the area history. Costumed interpreters are often on-site, and a changing of the guard ceremony is a popular attraction.
Other organizations within the Garrison District include the NB Sports Hall of Fame and New Brunswick College of Craft and Designwhere visitors can watch craftsmen at work.
Address: Queen Street, Fredericton
Read also: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Brunswick
2 Legislative Assembly Building
The current Legislative Assembly Building has been the seat and symbol of democracy since 1882, when it replaced a building destroyed by fire two years earlier. The high meeting room is beautiful; Here visitors can admire portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte by renowned artist Joshua Reynolds.
In the Parliamentary Library there is a complete set of copper plate engravings of the famous ” Birds of America” by Haitian-born American artist John James Audubon (1785-1851).
Address: 706 Queen Street, Fredericton
3 Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, an Anglican diocesan church, is a remarkable and elegant building. It was built in the neo-Gothic style in the mid-19th century. The stained glass and wooden interior are real works of art. The visitor’s attention is also drawn to the tombstone of the first Anglican Bishop of Fredericton, built in a shape not normally found in North America. The cathedral hosts an enjoyable summer rehearsal series, which brings a mix of genres (from opera to tango) to the church.
Address: 168 Church Street, Fredericton
Official site: https://www.christchurchcathedral.com/
4 St John River
The ambulatory St. John River bisects the city and is an important source of recreation, both on and off the water. Parks and trails line the banks of the St. John, pleasure boats and personal watercraft take advantage of the wide, slow river. The Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, which spans the banks near the center, is a converted railway bridge accessible only to pedestrians and bicycles. It is part of both the provincial and trans-Canadian trail system. Outside the city, small ferries cross the river to connect with scenic, rural roads (such as Route 105) through farms and wetlands.
5 Fredericton City Hall
Completed in 1876, the Fredericton City Hall is a three-storey brick building constructed in a somewhat imposing Second Empire style. It once housed a city market, a police station and a prison along with other social services. Today it is the tourist information center most relevant to visitors.
Address: 397 Queen Street, Fredericton
6 Mactaquac Provincial Park
The energy-producing Mactaquac Dam greatly changed the landscape of this area, including this 1,300-acre provincial park with its campground, 18-hole golf course and freshwater beaches. Kings Landing Historical Settlement, about 9 miles upstream from the dam, is another result of the elevated river levels. When the dam was built, the heritage buildings in the flooded area were moved to Prince William. Costumed interpreters now reconstruct a 19th-century settlement through the living history museum.
Address: 1265 Route 105, Mactaquac
7 theater
Located near the legislature, the Fredericton Playhouse owes its existence to the city’s great patron: Lord Beaverbrook. He also financed the first theatrical group in the province. The Playhouse offers a variety of theater, dance and music performances each year. It’s a regular stop for touring acts and performers are a mix of local talent, Canadian favorites and international stars.
Address: 686 Queen Street, Fredericton
Official site: https://www.theplayhouse.ca/
8 University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick was built in 1785, making it the third oldest in Canada. It sits on a hill southwest of the St. John River and there are excellent views from the campus. Collections in the Library and Provincial Archives include a number of first editions donated by Lord Beaverbrook, including works by V. Bennett, Charles Dickens and HG Wells.
Other interesting places
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
The collection of Lord Beaverbrook (1879-1964), who was a highly influential member of Sir Winston Churchill’s cabinet during the Second World War, today forms the backbone of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. The collection includes works by artists such as Salvador Dali, Botticelli, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Reynolds and Turner. The gallery faces it Legislative buildingat the northern end of “The Green” near the river.
The Marion McCain Atlantic Gallery was added in 1995 as a tribute to the late Marion McCain, and the permanent collection represents major Canadian and contemporary Acadian artists.
Address: 703 Queen Street, Fredericton
Gagetown
In the picturesque old town of Gagetown, beautifully situated on the river, time seems to have stood still. Numbers of artisans, especially weavers, have come here to live and work. Queen’s County Museum can be found in a house that belonged to Sir Leonard Tilley, one of the Fathers of Canadian Confederation.
During the summer months, Gagetown has a very popular marina that attracts amateur sailors from all over the world.
Oromocto
Access to the picturesque town of Oromocto is via Route 102. It is located at the confluence of the Oromocto and St. John Rivers and the history of the settlement dates back to the times of the Mi’kmaq and the First Nations of Maliseet. Near Oromocto there is one of the largest military academies in the British Commonwealth and an interesting military museum in the Canadian army base.
Where to Stay in Fredericton for Sightseeing
We recommend these great hotels in Fredericton with easy access to attractions like the Garrison District and Christ Church Cathedral:
- Quartermain House B&B: 5-star riverside B&B, walk to town, wonderful hosts, well-appointed rooms, delicious breakfast.
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Fredericton: Mid-range hotel, river views, art gallery, walking trails nearby, health club with pools, spa and salon treatments.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericton: 3-star hotel, 4 kilometers from the city, comfortable beds, swimming pool with slide.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Great rates, short drive to town, free hot breakfast and parking, 24-hour fitness center.
Read also: Exploring the Siena Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
