New Brunswick On a Budget
New Brunswick, Canada is a land with more forests than people. Most of the people in New Brunswick live on the western side of the province, or the eastern and southern coastlines. Most of the province is made up of softwood and maple forests. The more rural areas of New Brunswick are full of small rivers, lakes and swampland, making this area a dream for explorers.Keep in mind that this area is the only part of Canada that is constitutionally bilingual. While a majority of the residents speak English, there is a substantial minority of French speakers.
Sights
When the province is covered in forests, there are plenty of sights to explore.Kouchibouguac National Park is located along the shores of the Northumberland Strait. With a wide variety of wildlife and spectacular beaches, this park is best known for its sand dunes and shallow, tidal pool beaches. Take a dip for some nice, warm swimming on a cool evening.
For some sights specific to New Brunswick, visit the Old Sow on the shore of Deer Island. This 250-foot tidal whirlpool is the largest in the western hemisphere. Fundy National Park is 207 square kilometers of spectacular coast and forests. With multiple campgrounds, you'll have plenty of time to wander the natural wilderness and over twenty waterfalls in the park.
If you want witness science at work, visit the Reversing Falls. Make sure you time your trip just right. By visiting during the Bay of Fundy's high tide, you'll see the flow of the Saint John River actually reverse.
For those of you wishing to visit a piece of history, the Roosevelt Campobello International Park is the birthplace of former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Located on the southern portion of Campobello Island, Roosevelt spent the summers of 1921 to 1936 in this area.
Regions
This Atlantic province is divided into five different regions. The Acadian coast is where you'll find the most French-speaking citizens. You'll know their dialect immediately with the soft trills of the French "r." Saint John River Valley is home to several small towns and cities along the Saint John River including the capital of New Brunswick, Fredericton. The Bay of Fundy is the coastal region along the bay, and is home to some of the highest tides in the world. The Miramichi River Valley is the central part of the province filled with forests and hills. The Southeastern New Brunswick region is mixed with French and English enjoying the beaches along the Atlantic coast.Activities
Hiking, canoeing, camping and more are all possible at one of the many national, provincial, and municipal parks in New Brunswick.Take a swim in the tidal pools of Kouchibouguac National Park, or Old Sow on Deer Island. Catch a tee time at some of the most scenic golf courses offering challenges and settings for any level of golfer.
To experience living history, visit the Kings Landing Historical Settlement. This area offers an excellent view of the every day life of sailors in the 19th century. You can also take a trip to the east coast attraction of Le Pays de la Sanguine. Here you can see a reproduction of a traditional Acadian village.
Food and Dining
Given the amount of tourists visiting this area over the year, the cuisine has developed to please any appetite. There is fast food, Asian, Acadian, but you won't want to miss the seafood. One of New Brunswick's main dishes is fiddlehead greens. If you see it on the menu, order it. Another traditional dish in this area is Poutine. You can find this snack of french fries, gravy and cheese curds along the coast of the province.Transportation
The simplest way to travel around New Brunswick is by car. The area has recently undergone refurbishments and expansions of the Trans-Canada highway. Now four lane highways are available in much of the southern stretch of the province. IF you're visiting in the winter months, drive with caution. If possible, winter tires are recommended for long distance travel.The maritime bus service serves the entirety of New Brunswick and is a standard, reliable bus service. On some routes stops are frequent, so it's likely that you'll find a stop in any town you are looking to visit. Remember, though, if the line has several stops, it won't be a quick trip.
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.