Fredericton

Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick, Canada. It is located along the St. John River. Fredericton is the cultural, artistic and educational centre of the province. Fredericton is home to two universities - the University of New Brunswick and the liberal arts-focused St. Thomas University.

Fredericton is also home to cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum and the Playhouse, the latter which serves as a venue for local talent/writers. Adding to the city's rich cultural milieu, Fredericton is the annual Harvest and Jazz and Blues Festival every fall which attracts regional and international jazz and blues artists. The city's IT and commercial sectors are growing, and it has the highest percentage of residents with a post-secondary education in the province and one of the highest per-capita incomes.

Understand

The population of Fredericton proper was 58,000 in 2016, with a metropolitan area population of 102,000.

Fredericton is located along a river bank which splits the city in two parts which the locals call the "North Side" and "South Side". The majority of hotels and tourist destinations are located on the South Side, while you can find some hidden gem restaurants in the North Side. The City of Fredericton comprises Fredericton proper, and the boroughs of Silverwood, Nashwaaksis, Devon, Barker's Point and Marysville, which were incorporated into the city in 1973.

The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province and, along with Moncton and Saint John, is one of the main urban centres in Southern New Brunswick. The St. John River flows in a west-east direction, bisecting the city and providing the dominant natural feature for the municipality.

As the capital city of New Brunswick, Fredericton benefits from the presence of the Provincial Legislature, and many organizations operating at a provincial level. Although New Brunswick is officially bilingual, a rule which also applies to City services, the vast majority of Fredericton residents are Anglophone (native English speakers), and the availability of tourist services in French varies considerably.

Climate
Fredericton
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
See the Fredericton 7-day forecast at Environment Canada
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
4.1
 
 
25
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in

By car

Fredericton is 180 km from Moncton on the Route 2 (Trans-Canada Highway), and 120 km from Saint John on Route 7 (turn west on #2 at Oromocto).

Airport
  • 🌍 Fredericton Airport (YFC  IATA), 2570 Route 102 Hwy, Lincoln, ☏ +1 506-460-0920, fax: +1 506-460-0938. Located in Lincoln, 13 km southwest of Fredricton. There is no shuttle service from the airport. Checker Cab (+1 506 450-8294) is the primary service provider - a cab costs $21 to the city centre (February 2022). Avis, Budget, National and Enterprise offer car rentals at the airport. 

Direct flights to Fredericton within Canada include from Montreal (1.25 hours) and from Toronto (1.75-2 hours).

Airlines

Airlines operating to Fredericton include:

By bus

Get around

On foot/bicycle

The downtown can be easily explored on foot or bicycle. To get to the north side of Fredericton, you can take the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge (restricted to pedestrians and cyclists) to cross Saint John River.

By car

Streets in downtown Fredericton are in grid-like pattern and easily navigated. There are plenty of on-street parking and some parking garages in the downtown area. Pay attention that the major thoroughfares (Brunswick St. and Queen St.) are one-way streets in the downtown core.

By public transit

By taxi

See
  • Historic district. Take an afternoon to walk around the historic district with some historic residences dating back to the late 18th century and the arrival of the British Empire Loyalists. The historic district is located behind the beautiful homes fronting Waterloo Row along the Saint John River. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Legislative Assembly, 706 Queen Street (across the street from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery). June 21-late August: daily 9AM-5PM. Late August-late June: M-F 8:30AM-4PM. The seat of democracy in New Brunswick since 1882, when it replaced a building that had been destroyed by fire two years earlier. It is a three-story sandstone building with mansard roof and corner towers built in the Second Empire Style. Its central octagon domed tower rises 41 m above the main roof level. Free guided tour. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Historic Garrison District. Visit this National Historic Site in the city's downtown and spend the day discovering the colourful Changing of the Guard, the Guard House, Soldiers Barracks, York Sunbury Historical Society Museum, City Hall tapestries depicting the history of Fredericton, Lighthouse Adventure Centre, museums, fine craft shops, walking tours, and outdoor theatre. 
  • 🌍 King's Landing. Historical settlement outside Fredericton north on the Trans-Canada Highway. King's Landing is a 300-acre (121-hectare) outdoor living history museum. The Landing recreates the sights, sounds and feel of rural New Brunswick in the 1800s. Staff, with authentically reproduced costumes work in the homes, shops, school, church, and theatre. Enjoy vintage dining, and unique gifts all in the spectacular backdrop if the St. John River valley. Kings Landing was the winner of Attractions Canada Top International Attraction Award in 1999. 
  • 🌍 Beaverbrook Art Gallery, 703 Queen Street, ☏ +1 506 458-2028. M-Sa 10AM-5PM (Th to 9PM); Su noon-5PM. Oct-Apr: closed Mondays. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is New Brunswick's provincial art gallery. It is named after William Maxwell "Max" Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook, who funded the building of the gallery and assembled the original collection. It has over 300 works, including paintings by J.M.W. Turner and Salvador Dalí. Adult $10, 60 & over $8, student $5, child 6 & under free. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Old Government House, 51 Woodstock Road, ☏ +1 506 453-2505. From mid-May to the end of August, free bilingual tours (45 min) are offered M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Elegant manor where galas and balls were hosted in yesteryear. Built in 1828, this important national and provincial historic site has been restored to its earlier splendour, and is the official residence and office to the Province's Lieutenant Governor. It features many antiques original to the house, a New Brunswick art gallery, gift shop, and interpretation centre which tells the story of the city and province's past. Free. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Christ Church Cathedral, 168 Church Street. The cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton. Construction began in 1845 and it was consecrated in 1853. The Gothic Revival cathedral is modelled after St. Mary's Church, Snettisham, Norfolk, and has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. There are organizing recitals (by donation) every Friday at 12:10PM. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Science East, 668 Brunswick Street. Sep 1-May 31: M-F noon-5PM; Sa 10AM–5PM; Su and holidays noon-4PM (closed Dec 25-26). June 1-Aug 31 M-Sa 10AM–5PM; Su & holidays noon-4PM. Interactive science museum that uses innovative, interactive science exhibits to demonstrate basic science concepts, prompt curiosity and foster interest and understanding of science. The museum also features travelling exhibits. It is housed in the former York County jail. Constructed in 1842, the jail is a tourist attraction itself. Adult (18+) $10; Senior (60+) $8; Youth/Student (3-17 or college/university with ID) $6.50. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Fredericton Botanic Garden, 694 Prospect Street (main entrance) (at the west end of Odell Park), ☏ +1 506 452-9269. year-round from dawn to dusk. Free. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Fredericton Region Museum (formerly York-Sunbury Museum), 571 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 455-6041. Apr–June and Sep-Nov: Tu-Sa 1-4PM; July–Sept: daily 10AM-5PM; other times by appointment.. Focuses on preserving the history of the York and Sunbury region and of central New Brunswick. The museum possesses a large and diverse collection of artefacts, displaying a 100-year-old cake, the Coleman Frog, Victorian gowns, and a 10,000-year-old Clovis Point. The museum has displays include the Acadians, Loyalists, New Brunswick's Aboriginals, and a First World War trench. Adults $6; Students $3; Family $15 (two adults and children under 18 years); Children under 6 free. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, John Thurston Clark Memorial Building, 503 Queen Street (in the Historic Garrison District). Jun-Aug: Tu-F noon-5PM, Sa 10AM–5PM. Sep-May: by appointment only. Play your favourite game in the Sports Simulator, experience the stories of the inducted members in the Virtual Locker Room and see the science behind sports in the Biomechanics and Sports Discovery Centre. 
  • 🌍 St Peter's Anglican Church and Cemetery, 2365 Woodstock Rd (about 7 km west of downtown Fredericton). This small wooden country church was built in 1837. Besides its rural cuteness, the church has the historical distinction of being one of the first in Canada to have a racially integrated congregation (white and Black). A Black family helped build and maintain the church. The church cemetery was also integrated at a time when graveyards were segregated in Canada. (updated Mar 2021)

Do
  • Odell Park (southwest of the city centre). Large preserved forest area. Its trails and wooded areas are a favourite for hiking, jogging, dog walking, and cross-country skiing for city residents. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. Usually held in the middle of September and should not be missed. It is a very beautiful time of year and the festival music is top notch. 
  • Calithumpians Tour & Theatre Company. Established in 1979 Calithumpians Theatre Company continues to provide the humorous and historical theatrical entertainment that they have become known for locally and throughout North America. 
  • Fredericton Golf & Curling Club, 331 Golf Club Rd, ☏ +1 506 458-0003. 
  • Great Pumpkin Sacrifice. This event takes place every year on Halloween at the Harrison House Residence on the University of New Brunswick campus. Event begins somewhere around 11PM. A very strange yet interesting ritual in Fredericton. 
  • Mactaquac Golf Course, ☏ +1 506 363-4747. Championship golf course on Mactaquac Provincial Park, a year-round recreational facility with a 300-site campground, two beaches, a pair of marinas, nature trails and York Centennial Park, a day-use area. 
  • The Purrfect Cup - A Cat Cafe, 580 Two Nations Crossing, Unit 9, ☏ +1 506 449 2710. Weekdays 07:30-18:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00. Maritime's first cat cafe! The Cat Lounge - a room dedicated to temporarily housing rescued cats from all over the province of New Brunswick - is located to the rear of the Cafe through glass windows and doors - keeping the coffee and treats free of kitty fur, as well as allowing visitors with cat allergies to visit and enjoy from a safe distance! (updated Jun 2023)

Buy
  • Backstreet Records, 384 Queen St. Backstreet has a large inventory of rare and hard-to-find selection of discs and records. It also has lots of used albums. 
  • Boyce Farmers Market. This is the place to be Saturday morning; it is not to be missed! Get there early because by 10:30AM it gets unbearably busy. The market opens at 6:30AM every Saturday. The samosas are very tasty. So much so, people seem to push and shove to get in line for them! The German bakers, fresh orange juice and the sausages are awesome. 
  • Cultures Boutique, 383 Mazzuca's Lane, ☏ +1 506 462-3088. M-Sa 10AM-5PM (F to 8PM). An international gift store operated by the International Department of the Fredericton YMCA. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Gallery 78, 796 Queen Street (one block east of the Beaverbrook Gallery), ☏ +1 506 454-5192, toll-free: +1-888-883-8322 (in Canada), . Tu-F 10AM-5PM; Sa 10AM-3PM; Su 1PM-4PM. Gallery 78 presents major solo and group exhibitions every month throughout the year in seven exhibition areas. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Owl's Nest Bookstore, 390 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 458-5509. Business closed in 2018, according to Google reviews (updated Sep 2023)
  • Reid's Newsstand & Cafe, 435 King St, ☏ +1 506 454-5333. 
  • Tony's Music Box, 396 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 458-8286. 
  • Urban Almanac, 75 York St. This shop has a wonderful assortment of gifts that you won't find anywhere else. 
  • Westminster Books, 445 King St. Westminster is the place to find books from local authors and maritime books. 

Eat

Most major fast food chains can be found on Prospect Street on the south side and Main Street on the north side.

Downtown
  • Coffee & Friends, 415 King St, ☏ +1 506 455-4554. M-F 9AM–6PM; Sa 10AM–6PM. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Jack's Pizza & Donairs, 379 King St (near York St), ☏ +1 506 443-9000. M 11AM–11PM; Tu-W 11AM– midnight; Th-Sa 11AM–3AM; Su noon–11PM. Slices, pies and donairs. Open late. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Luna Pizza, York St, ☏ +1 506 455-4020. M 11AM–10:30PM; Tu-W 11AM–11PM; Th-F 11AM–3AM; Sa 11:30AM–3AM; Su 11:30AM–11PM. Traditional stone-baked Montreal-style pizza, steaks, wings, ribs, chicken, donairs, salads or other Italian dishes. Eat-in, take-out or delivery. Fully licensed dining room. (updated Apr 2017)
  • The Happy Baker, 520 King St., HSBC Place (and three other locations), ☏ +1 506 454-7200. M-F 7AM–5PM; Sa 7AM–2PM. German bakery selling Vietnamese bread. Lunch only. Their soups are good and there is generally a vegetarian choice. (updated Apr 2017)

Outside of downtown
  • Cabin Restaurant, 723 Woodstock Rd (West of the downtown, past the Delta Hotel), ☏ +1 506-459-0094. M-F 8AM–8PM; Sa 7:30AM–8PM; Su 8:30AM–3PM. This place could define the term greasy spoon restaurant. Typical diner. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Sunshine Diner, 7 Brookmount St, off Woodstock Rd (West of the downtown, across from the Diplomat). M-F 7AM–7PM; Sa 7AM–4PM; Su 9AM–3PM. Typical diner fare. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Fadi's Pizza, 312 Main St (North Side), ☏ +1 506 454-9888. M-W 11AM–11PM, Th-F 11AM–midnight, Sa 4PM–midnight. Good quality and tasty. The fatoush salad is great! Authentic, very garlicky, large portion, and possibly vegan. (updated Apr 2017)
  • The Blue Canoe, 415 Nevers Rd (Waasis). Daily 6AM-11PM. A restaurant located at the Irving gas station on the Trans-Canada Highway en route to Oromocto. Truckers' stick-to-your ribs meals. Also a free wireless internet wifi hotspot. (updated Apr 2017)

Downtown
  • Dimitri's, 349 King St, ☏ +1 506 452-8882. Tu-Th Sa 11AM-9PM; F 11AM-10PM. Really good Greek food! The prices are very reasonable. Moussaka, souvlaki, and of course the usual hummus, salads, etc. Wraps $5-9, dinners $14-24. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Cafe Loka, 343 York St (cnr of York and Aberdeen), ☏ +1 506 206-2239. M-F 8AM-4:30PM; Sa 10AM-2PM. Cafe offering fair trade coffee espresso drinks, all day breakfast menu (eggs, wraps) lunch menu (paninis, soup & salad, rice dishes). Daily specials are unique and many use family Italian recipes. All items are made to order or homemade and prepared in their kitchen using fresh ingredients, locally sourced in NB if possible. $6-12. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Cora's, 476 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 472-2672. Chain restaurant. Breakfast and lunch only. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Brewbakers, 546 King St, ☏ +1 506 459-0067. Sun 5PM-9PM; Mon 11:30AM-9PM; Tu-Th 11:30AM-10PM; F 11:30AM-11PM; Sa 5PM-11PM. Seasonal dishes, focusing on fresh, local ingredients. Their sommelier has created an extensive wine list around their food style. Appetizers, pastas, salads, flatbreads $14-15. (updated Apr 2017)
  • The Snooty Fox, 66 Regent St, ☏ +1 506 474-1199. Tu-Sa 11AM–2AM; Su-M 11AM–2AM. Pub Fare is prepared in traditional fashion, fries are cut fresh daily, burgers are made by hand, and very good beer. Lunch combos $11. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Caribbean Flavas, 123 York St, ☏ +1 506 459-1230. Tu-F 11:30AM–2PM and 4:30PM-8:30PM; Sa 4:30PM–8PM. Brightly-coloured dining room serving Caribbean food, with very friendly service. Locally-raised, grass-fed, organic and halal meat. Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Lunches $10-12. Dinners $16-27.50. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Arom Chinese Cuisine, 74 Regent St (downtown). M-F 11AM–9PM; Sa-Su 3PM–9PM. Authentic Chinese restaurant. They make their own tofu and offer a few vegetarian dishes. Many of their meat dishes can be made vegetarian if you ask (like the potstickers). (updated Apr 2017)

Outside of downtown
  • The Diplomat, 253 Woodstock Rd (next to the Delta), ☏ +1 506-454-2400. Daily 24 hours. Family restaurant. Lunch ($13-17) and dinner ($15-26) Canadian-Chinese buffet (heavy on meat and deep fried items). (updated Apr 2017)
  • Misu, 435 Brookside Dr (Brookside Mall (drive around to the back entrance)). Tu-F 11AM–9PM; Sa-Su noon–9PM. One of Fredericton's better Chinese buffet restaurants. (updated Apr 2017)

Splurge
  • Isaac's Way, 649 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 47-47-222. M-W 11:30AM–9PM; Th-F 11:30AM–10PM; Sa 10AM–10PM; Su 10AM–9PM. All dishes are made from scratch. Focus on local ingredients; wide selection of local beers; even New Brunswick wines are highlighted. Excellent desserts. On-going silent art auction. Gluten-free options are available - ask for their GF menu. Burgers $13-15. Mains $18-27. Vegetarian and chicken dishes $13-15.. (updated Apr 2017)
  • The Terrace Dining Room at the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, 659 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 455-3371. A wonderful deck looking out over the river. Friday night usually has a nice prime rib special and buffet. (updated Apr 2017)
  • The Palate Restaurant & Cafe, 462 Queen St, ☏ +1 506 450-7911. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Damda Vietnamese Restaurant, 526 Queen St.. Tu-F 11AM–10PM; Sa 4–10PM. Upscale decor for Vietnamese and Thai dining. Great service and drinks menu. The food is alright, but not up to the standards of Vietnamese food in larger cities. Not a bad choice, though. Mains $12-25. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Catch Urban Grill, 225 Woodstock Rd (wrst of downtown in the Delta Hotel), ☏ +1 506-451-7935. Seafood, steaks, vegan and gluten-free options, pasta buffet, an extensive wine list. Waterfront location. (updated Apr 2017)

Drink

Sleep

Hotel

Bed and Breakfast

Stay safe

Bike theft has been rising in the region, be careful if you are going around the city in a bike.

Also vehicle theft continue to rise in Fredericton. 

Go next
Routes through Fredericton
Woodstock ← Nackawic ←  W  E  → Gagetown → Moncton
END ←  N  S  → Jct N → Saint John
Bathurst ← Miramichi ←  N  S  → END
END ←  W  E  → Jct → Sussex


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