Fredericton to Moncton: History and Nature

You'll want to set aside at least a day or two of your RV rental trip in Canada to spend in Fredericton, a city which wears its heritage on its sleeve and hosts a thriving music scene. Lovers of jazz and blues will feel right at home here, and history buffs will be delighted by the profusion of historic architecture and and the many cultural ties to the city's past.

Historic Garrison District

Fredericton’s historic and cultural heart, the Historic Garrison District is also a centre for heritage, crafts and entertainment like musical acts, artist demonstrations and historical re-enactments.

King’s Landing

With locals dressed in period costume and 70 historic buildings, Kings Landing Historical Settlement brings a 19th century village vibrantly to life with guided tours, theatre performances and heritage dining.
 
Government House

Let period furniture and art pieces take you back in time on a guided tour of the restored Vice-Regal residence, a grand mansion on an 11-acre riverfront estate that was once the home of the queen’s representative in New Brunswick.

Legislative Assembly Building

A majestic landmark in downtown Fredericton, the Legislative Assembly has been the seat of the provincial government since 1882.

The Beaverbrook Gallery

Dali, Krieghoff and Gainsborough masterpieces and an outstanding collection of British paintings from the Elizabethan era to the modern period have given this small but prestigious gallery an international reputation.

This leg of your RV rental journey through Canada will treat you to some of New Brunswick's most wonderful natural features. From the astounding Reversing Falls to the rich flora of Fundy National Park, this is one part of your journey where you'll want to set out of your motorhome and strike out on foot. Even if you're not usually the hiking type, taking a walk through places like the Fundy Trail will leave you with a sense of awe and peace.

Reversing Falls

Twice daily, millions of gallons of tidal water rushing into the Bay of Fundy squeeze through a gorge and meet head on with the Saint John River, creating dramatic standing rapids called the Reversing Falls.
 
New Brunswick Museum

Canada’s oldest continuously operated museum features everything from fine Canadian art and shipbuilding displays to a Hall of Great Whales with life-size whale skeletons including a rare 45-ft (14 m) Right Whale.

Saint John City Market

Busy with shoppers browsing colourful displays of produce, meats and seafood, the Saint John City Market is a traditional farmer’s market in the middle of the city. Open year-round, it also offers local, handmade Maritime crafts.

Fundy Trail

Hike, bike or drive the spectacular coastal wilderness along the 7 mi (11 km) Fundy Trail, a winding route past beaches, forests and waterfalls with views from cliff tops of the highest tides in the world. Travel east on Highway #1/Route 111 for 22 mi (36 km) Sussex Covered bridges The Sussex region is famous for its 16 covered bridges, eight of which are within a 10-minute drive of the Sussex town hall. This Covered Bridge Capital of Atlantic Canada even celebrates its “kissing bridges” with a festival every July. Only 66 remain in the province. Travel east on Route 111 for 19 mi (30km) Alma Fundy National Park Protecting some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick, Fundy National Park is also the site of some of the highest tidal fluctuations in the world, up to 53 vertical feet (16 m), sweeping in and out of the Bay of Fundy.
 

After the dense greenery of Fundy National Park, this section of the itinerary allows you to take in the coastal aspect of New Brunswick. Spectacular rock formations, ancient fossils and scenic beaches are all in store for you - and that's all before you reach the welcoming city of Moncton.

Cape Enrage

Take a walk down a beach stairway to the fossil-rich ocean floor at Cape Enrage, then continue along the coastline to an 1838 lighthouse and watch of the Bay of Fundy tides. Tackle adventures like rappelling and rock climbing.

Hopewell Rocks

Stroll the seabed at low tide among giant flowerpot-shaped rock formations. At high tide, paddle a kayak around the same sandstone pillars, then visit the multi-media interpretive centre to learn about the area’s fascinating geology.

Mary’s Point

During fall migration (mid-July to mid-August) hundreds of thousands of sandpipers and other shorebirds rest here briefly to feast and double their weight before continuing their journey as far away as South America.
 
Steeves House Museum

A charming colonial mansion from 1812 filled with period artefacts is worth a brief stop.
 
Magnetic Hill

A disconcerting optical illusion, Magnetic Hill appears to defy gravity. Drive your car to the bottom of the hill, slide it into neutral gear and watch it – with you inside - roll backwards, UP the hill!

Magic Mountain

Atlantic Canada’s biggest water park is a good place to cool off on a hot summer’s day – sliding down the Kamikaze, riders can reach speeds of up to 37m/h (60km/h).

TreeGo

Swing like Tarzan or fly through treetops 70 ft (21 m) up in the air on one of three forest Zipline routes in Centennial Park near the heart of downtown Moncton.

Moncton Market

The lively downtown Moncton Market is a year-round farmer’s market, a meeting place for fresh food shopping and a culinary centre to learn cooking. Relax over an espresso at a café or shop for jewellery or exotic products.