River Valley Scenic Drive of New Brunswick

Following the majestic St. John River the River Valley Scenic Drive takes you through three of New Brunswick’s major hubs of activity, through charming communities rich in local culture and by some of the most breathtaking natural areas and attractions the province has to offer.

The St. John River is one of the wonders of Canada, a 400 km (250 mi.) stretch of nutrient rich water that can be seen to flow backwards! The huge rising tides in the Bay of Fundy sometimes overpower the river’s current forcing the flow to reverse. Fallsview Park in Saint John is an excellent place to behold this phenomenon.

Hop on one of the area’s eight cable ferries to get where you need to go or even if you want another view of the river. Also feel free to pick up travel and activity guides at either of the two gateway Visitor Information Centres in Saint-Jacques and Woodstock along the route to make sure you don’t miss one thing. Take a leisurely trip and stay at some of the nicest cottages and hotels, or bed and breakfasts you will ever come across.

Highlights of the River Valley Scenic Drive are:

Edmundston

Take in a bit of nature at Edmundston’s New Brunswick Botanical Gardens with its seven hectares featuring an aromatically astounding rose garden and the arboretum alongside a flowered stream (look out for ducks!) and even a butterfly exhibit.

If you’re coming up in winter visit Mont Farlagne, which features 20 trails open to skiing and snowboarding, five chair lifts and a snow park, as well as a restaurant and bar.

Edmundston loves its festivals. There are so many you’re likely to come upon one during a visit here any time. The Festival de Jazz et Blues d'Edmundston draws people from all around for live jazz, blues, Latin American and funk music and is family friendly. La Foire Brayonne the area’s foremost cultural festival shows off the heritage and joie de vivre of the rich French and Acadian culture here.

 

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 of New Brunswick, catch a Nascar race at Speedway 660 or rent a canoe or kayak and test your hand at paddling the St. John River.

Saint John

Canada’s first official city Saint John has been designated as a Culture Capital of Canada for 2010 and features a host of fun activities and events to honour its 225th birthday this year.

Saint John has it all. View the reversing rapids in the St. John River or better yet do it by jet boat, visit the New Brunswick Museum and its Great Hall of Whales, North America’s oldest market or go for a day trek at the Irving Nature Park along the Bay of Fundy coastline.

Jump on a whale watching New Brunswick excursion, or a day trip to one of the nearby communities or take the kids to the Cherry Brook Zoo and Vanished Kingdom Park.

Grand Falls Gorge

This site is hard to miss, it’s right in the middle of the town of Grand Falls. Tour the gorge by foot or take a hybrid pontoon ride to get a feel of the magnificence of the of the up to 70 m (230 ft.) high walls. Grand Falls, called Chicanekapeag (meaning Giant Destroyer) by the Malecite Indians once helped a young native girl save her tribe from the Mohawks by luring them down the giant waterfall.

If you’re up for a little exercise start at the interpretive centre and head down the 250 steps to “Wells in the Rocks” or pitch a tent in the campground. A canteen and gift shop are also on site.

Hartland

Home to the Longest Covered Bridge in the World, Hartland also features an excellent championship 18 hole golf course. The Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club overlooks the Saint John River Valley and its 6,609 yard course has the highest slope ratings in New Brunswick making it an enjoyable challenge for all skill levels.

Gagetown

Gagetown is another riverside beauty. Alongside the St. John River this historic town has become a home to many artists, artisans, bird watchers and boat enthusiasts. Canoe and kayak rentals are available or if you’ve brought your own boat supplies are close at hand. Birdwatching is especially popular in Gagetown as it’s located on one of North America’s migration flight paths.

Check out the Gagetown Cider Company for tastings and visit the picturesque orchards.

Florenceville-Bristol

Known as the “French Fry Capital of the World” the Florenceville-Bristol area features the New Brunswick Potato Museum/Potato World, Friendship Bridge, Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery and in the winter test your activity level and head out snowmobiling or snowshoeing.