Miramichi River Route of New Brunswick

 

People from every corner of the world congregate around the Miramichi River each year trying to hook the elusive giant Atlantic Salmon. Fishing is very popular here and you’ll find locals, royalty, and friends you haven’t met yet all on the same river bend sharing fishing tales and the love of the sport.

The Miramichi River is one of the great rivers of Canada, and its namesake driving route, though short is packed with adventure all along the way.

From the kitchen parties of Miramichi to the historical centre of Fredericton there are delights hiding around every turn. The diverse local scene is resplendent with art and entertainment, and people who know that the glass is always half full.

Municipal Visitor Information Centres are located in Blackville, Boiestown, Doaktown and Miramichi. Stop by and pick up more information about all of the local activities.

Highlights along the Miramichi River Route include:

Miramichi

Miramichi loves its salmon, ship building heritage and parties. The town is full of fun activities and historic sites. Try your luck at catching an Atlantic Salmon, or visit the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, the oldest fish hatchery in Canada and bring back fish tales of your own.

Explore the area’s ship building heritage at Ritchie Wharf Park and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Site of Canada. The area also hosts the Boishebert National Historic Site of Canada where Charles Deschamps de Boishebert led the Acadians to refuge.

Also take the family and head to French Fort Cove Nature Park for a picnic or bike ride. In July and August you can also join in on the Haunted Adventure, but watch out for the Headless Nun!

Miramichi is true to the Acadian joie de vivre (love of life). The area is well known for its festivals and events such as the Rock ‘N’ Roll Festival Miramichi dedicated to antique cars and great music, Canada’s Irish Festival featuring a fiddle competition and an Irish parade and the Miramichi Country Music Festival where fans can participate and listen to country music all day.

During the summer you’ll want to check out a Miramichi Kitchen Party with hosts Connie and Paul. Listen to great local music, visit with the locals and try a tasty Acadian snack or beverage.

Visitors are also invited to native Pow Wows for a taste of hospitable and fascinating culture.

Blackville

Situated along the shores of the Miramichi River the cozy Village of Blackville retains a close bond with its forestry and sport salmon fishing heritage. Salmon fishing flies the Oriole, the Reliable and the Blackville Special were all created here in hopes of hooking a legendary King of all fish.

Tens of thousands of Atlantic Salmon swim through here, making it an excellent stop for the fishing enthusiast. If you haven’t been totally exhausted by a day of fishing take a stroll through the Blackville Municipal Park and head to Darlene’s Family Restaurant and Tea House for fresh baking or an authentic Victorian Tea Party held in August every year.

Doaktown

For a village Doaktown is full of activity. Visitors can partake in fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, golfing, and in winter there is cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and more.

Here you’ll find the Atlantic Salmon Museum, and the Doak Historic Site where Squire Doak settled in the early 1800’s and built a carding mill, grist mill and kiln and saw and oat mills.

In October you can also participate in the Fall Frolic featuring golf specials, salmon barbecues, lumberjack competition and more.

Stanley

A visit to the Village of Stanley is perfect for the outdoorsman(or woman) looking to relax in the serenity of nature. Stanley is great for paddling. Put your canoe or kayak in behind the Fire Hall and spend the day floating down the Nahswaak River to the Nahswaak Bridge. Do some wilderness camping (there are no commercial campgrounds here) or if you’re here in the winter bundle up and head out for an afternoon of ice fishing on Miramichi or Lower Nahswaak Lake.

Fredericton

A few days in the capital of New Brunswick never seems enough. Between history and cultural tours, museums and art galleries, outdoor activities and market visits it’s hard to know where to start.

Try starting downtown at Lighthouse on the Green for great souvenirs, free concerts or even a yoga class.

Want to experience Fredericton first hand? Try an edventure. Pottery, quilting, jewelry making and more are available. If art is your thing you can’t miss the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, well known for its collection of Elizabethan era paintings by artists like Dali, Krieghoff and Gainsborough.

Go swimming or skating, if you’re here in the winter, at Killarney Lake Park or pick out the perfect picnic good at the W.W. Boyce Farmers Market.

Join in on one of the many brilliant festivals, catch a Nascar race at Speedway 660 or rent a canoe or kayak and test your hand at paddling the St. John River. Plan to stay at a great little Bed and Breakfast or one of the cozy cottages and hotels that Fredericton has to offer.