Best Things to Do, See, and Eat in Southeastern New Brunswick, Canada

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New Brunswick, one of Canada’s three Maritime provinces, offers many activities and sights for travellers. With its diverse landscapes, rich history, and world-renowned seafood, this beautiful Atlantic province has something for everyone. 

In this article, we’ll explore southeastern New Brunswick, discovering things to do, see, and eat that will make your visit memorable.

Where to Stay in New Brunswick

The Best Places to Visit in Southeastern New Brunswick

Shediac, New Brunswick

Situated on the Northumberland Strait, the lovely seaside town of Shediac is known for its beautiful beaches, warm hospitality, and Acadian culture. It’s home to the Shediac Giant Lobster, an iconic 35-foot-long statue paying tribute to the town’s lobster fishing industry. It’s the World’s Largest Lobster, and Shediac, New Brunswick is considered the lobster capital of the world!

One of the main attractions in Shediac is Parlee Beach, boasting the warmest saltwater north of Virginia. As you stroll along the clean sandy shores, you can take a refreshing dip in the water, sunbathe, or enjoy the picturesque marina view. For those interested in water sports, you can try kayaking, paddleboarding, or a scenic boat tour.

Where to Eat in Shediac, New Brunswick

There are so many great places to eat in Shediac. Try Le Moque-Tortue Games Bistro for lunch or dinner. The owner loves the story of Alice in Wonderland, and the décor, both inside and on the patio, reflects this. 

The restaurant is also a Board Game Bistro, and its board game nights are very popular. The owners also own the Adorable Chocolat café across the street.

The historic Tait House Shediac & Two Nine Three Whiskey and Cocktail Bar, built in 1911, offers dining and accommodations in nine beautiful rooms. 

Seaside Grazing is another unique place to have a meal right on the main street. Its menu features over 20 local meats, cheeses, seafood, and other suppliers, creatively served on charcuterie and seacuterie boards. The establishment is well known for its live music and takeaway picnic baskets.

If you are looking for seafood in a casual atmosphere, stop for a meal at Captain Dan’s Seafood Patio Bar, next to the Pointe-du-Chêne Marina. Sitting out on the deck, you will have a fantastic view of the water surrounding the wharf.

We took full advantage of a fantastic seafood menu, but rest assured- they also have a wide selection of non-seafood options to satisfy everyone. 

Watching the tide roll in and the sunset while enjoying a delicious meal is a great way to end the day in New Brunswick. 

For another point of view of the harbour, take the Lobster Tales Cruise with Shediac Bay Cruises. The cruise is an interactive lobster-themed cruise. During the 2.5-hour Lobster Tales Cruise, your guide will teach you about the lobster industry’s successful conservation efforts. 

You will also learn how to cook a lobster properly and the tricks to eating one! Don’t worry; they cook it for you, but you must get to the meat. It can be a messy activity, but it’s well worth it. If you are not a lobster lover, there are other meals available.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: No matter where you eat lobster, take the bib and wipes if available – eating lobster is a messy, hands-on experience!

Alma, New Brunswick

Surrounded by the picturesque beauty of Fundy National Park, Alma is a charming coastal village in New Brunswick. It offers visitors a variety of leisure activities.

Upon arriving in Alma, we recommend visiting the famous Fundy National Park. Home to the world’s highest tides, it provides fantastic opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The park has something to do in every season.

The park has an extensive trail system with over 30 trails. The Dickson Falls Trail is 1.5km (just under a mile) long and takes you through a well-groomed forest.

While in the park, take some time to visit the Point Wolfe covered bridge. This bridge, which spans the Point Wolfe River, is the only one in a national park in Canada. There are a total of 58 covered bridges in New Brunswick. 

PRO TRAVEL TIP: You could make a complete trip just by visiting New Brunswick’s covered bridges. The Hartland Bridge is the longest-covered bridge in the world.  

If a guided tour sounds easier:

Where to Eat in Alma, New Brunswick

There is an abundance of places to eat and drink in this village of 282 residents. 

The Alma Lobster Shop is a must-visit for food lovers during the warmer months. It serves fresh seafood directly from local fishing boats, a mouth-watering experience showcasing the best maritime cuisine. 

Holy Whale Brewing Co.

Located on the main street of Alma, just outside the entrance to Fundy National Park, the Holy Whale Brewery Co. resides in a renovated church. Other than an extensive deck, the outside maintains the appearance of a church. You will find church pews, live-edge tabletops, and stained-glass windows that add to the atmosphere.

Muddy Rudder Bar & Grill

Directly across the street from the charming Parkland Village Inn, you will find the Muddy Rudder Bar & Grill. You will discover standard pub fare here, but if you order anything related to seafood, like their Seafood Chowder, you can be sure it is full of Bay of Fundy goodness.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Lobster and scallop fishing are based out of Alma’s tidal harbour. Check the tide schedule if you stay at the Parkland Village Inn and your room faces the harbour. Even if you must get up at night to take a photo of the low tide, it’s worth it.

New Brunswick Wineries

New Brunswick’s wineries are starting to make a name for themselves on the world stage. Local winemakers like to say that they produce superb wines because of their cold winters, cool summers, and relatively short growing seasons, but warm people make them.

New Brunswick wineries produce diverse wines, including reds, whites, rosés, and fruit wines from local fruits such as apples, cranberries, haskap berries, and blueberries. Maple-based wine has proven very popular.

At Magnetic Hill Winery, you can enjoy wine tastings and captivating views of Moncton. The winery offers a diverse selection of award-winning grape and fruit wines. 

Magnetic Hill Winery is the largest in New Brunswick. Owner Zach Everett’s enthusiasm for winemaking is evident in everything he says and does. 

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Grab some lunch at Magnetic Hill Wharf Village. We had the lobster poutine, which fuelled our afternoon activities. 

Richibucto River Wine Estate in Mundleville, New Brunswick, is a must. The estate is 20 acres and proudly produces various red and white wines sourced from its abundant vineyards. 

Father and son duo Allan and Derek Hudson are happy to share their history, passion, and delicious wines. 

Winegarden Estate Winery & Distillery was started in 1983 when Werner Rosswog and his family emigrated from Germany to New Brunswick. It’s in the small village of Baie Verte, with a population of 250. They produce 70 wines, liqueurs and spirits from the onsite vineyard and local fruits.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Stop at Bistro Le Chat Bleu, a local restaurant in a historic general store. It serves locally sourced ingredients, including some it grows itself. 

Domaine Latitude 46 Estate Winery is located on the banks of the Petitcodiac River in Memramcook, New Brunswick. The winery’s name is based on its location at Latitude 46 North. However, it comes from co-owner Dr. William Fitch, an avid sailor, and his wife, Linda. That theme is reflected in some of the wine labels, such as “Seabreeze” (a Riesling-style white wine), “Regatta” (a fruit-forward red wine), and “Red Sails.”

Verger Belliveau Orchard, located in Memramcook, New Brunswick, is known for its delicious apple cider and specialty fruit wines. The Bourgeois family has owned the orchards for over 80 years. They have 70,000 apple trees and are Atlantic Canada’s premier apple growers and suppliers. SCOW cider is a crowd favourite.

Waterside Farms Cottage Winery, New Brunswick’s first cottage winery, faces the ever-changing Bay of Fundy. Winemaker and co-owner Ed Mantell has been growing blueberries for years. Fruit wine seemed a natural step. Today, they specialize in fruit wines, including dry, sweet, semi-sweet blueberry, rhubarb, sparkling blueberry, and sparkling rhubarb. 

PRO TRAVEL TIP: While in the area, stop at Cape Enrage, where you can enjoy a bite to eat at the restaurant overlooking the Bay of Fundy and see one of the oldest lighthouses (built in 1840) on New Brunswick’s Fundy coastline. 

Vinerie Des Fruits Winery is in Saint-André-Leblanc, New Brunswick. Owners Annie Vadnais and Jeff Richard purchased the 128-acre property in 2010. In 2013, they worked the land and planted a variety of fruits covering 7.5 acres. 

Many of their fruit wines use pink, white, black, and red currants. We are new to the Haskap or Honey Berry, grown on the property, which looks like a blueberry but is teardrop-shaped rather than round. All their fruit wines are crafted in small batches and hand-bottled at the estate.

New Brunswick’s Natural Wonders

Southeastern New Brunswick Beaches

New Brunswick has some of the most beautiful beaches in Atlantic Canada.

Two to visit are Bouctouche Dunes and Aboiteau Beach in Cap-Pele. Bouctouche Dunes is a 12km (7.5m) dune. On a clear day, you can see Prince Edward Island across the strait of Northumberland. At the dunes’ beginning is an Eco-Centre and lookout tower. There are also several kilometres (miles) of boardwalk along the dunes.

Aboiteau Beach in Cap-Pele is on the part of the New Brunswick coast with Canada’s warmest saltwater beaches. It has a 5km (3 mi) shoreline and a boardwalk.

There are also restaurants, changerooms and a microbrewery nearby. Life in New Brunswick is centred around water. A marine wildlife safari with Phoca Tours is a great way to admire the wildlife. This tour takes you along the Kouchibouguac River and Lagoon in a covered pontoon boat. Passengers are delighted with sightings of bald eagles, North America’s second-largest colony of common terns, and hundreds of grey seals enjoying the sunshine on sandbars and frolicking in the water.

The Bay of Fundy is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts visiting New Brunswick. 

At the world-famous Hopewell Rocks, you can witness the fascinating power of the Bay of Fundy’s tides firsthand. When the tide is out, you can walk 2km (1.2 mi) along the brownish-red mud on the ocean floor. You can walk in the shadow of 23 towering rock formations called sea stacks or flowerpots caused by tidal erosion. They stand at 12 m to 21 m (40-70 ft). 

Tides change twice daily. During high tide, water can rise 12 to 16 meters (39 to 52 ft), creating the tallest tidal waves in the world. It takes approximately six hours for the tide to change from high to low. If you stay for a whole day, you can walk on the ocean floor and kayak in the same spot.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Wear sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty. The ocean floor is muddy and slippery. After your adventure, water cleaning stations are at the top of the stairs. Also, check out the official tidal schedule before you go.

Magnetic Hill, located near Moncton, New Brunswick, offers visitors a unique natural phenomenon. The hill, which appears to be an ordinary slope, has an incredible surprise for all who venture there. Upon reaching the bottom, put your vehicle in neutral and watch as it seemingly defies gravity, rolling uphill with no external force.

We believe the secret behind Magnetic Hill’s charm lies in the optical illusion created by the surrounding landscape. This illusion is so impressive that many viewers have mistaken it for a supernatural or magnetic force. Visiting Magnetic Hill is a must-see while visiting New Brunswick.

Apart from the hill itself, visitors can also enjoy a variety of nearby attractions. For those looking for more excitement, Magic Mountain Water Park offers thrilling water slides and a relaxing lazy river. All these experiences are conveniently located close to each other, making it an ideal day trip destination.

New Brunswick as a Destination?

People often drive through New Brunswick on their way to the other provinces. We’re here to tell you that New Brunswick is well worth stopping and visiting.

Whether you’re travelling alone, with family, or with friends, New Brunswick has something for everyone. The opportunities are endless.

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We were guests of Tourism New Brunswick, but our views and opinions are always our own.