#ExploreFrederictonLater
Fredericton – We’ll Be Here
Although the doors to Fredericton’s public spaces are temporarily closed, events postponed and tree-lined city streets a little quieter for now; the heart of New Brunswick’s capital city beats stronger than ever. The community has quickly come together to find new ways to continue traditions and stay true to our values, while supporting each other during these uncertain times.
There are many ways to experience Fredericton from home; take a virtual tour, shop a local artisan’s online store, or connect via livestream for at-home learning and entertainment. Online interactions could never replace the actual sights, sounds, flavours and fresh air felt in Fredericton, but they can certainly tide us over and inspire future excursions to #ExploreFrederictonLater.
Public events and gatherings may be on pause but our creative community in Fredericton is still astir! Local galleries have continued to facilitate new gallery openings via virtual tours, while keeping us up to date with the happenings of local artists on their social media streams. A creative hub for learning in Fredericton for over 70 years, the UNB Art Centre has launched their new Design Works Wednesdays - Create at Home Series; a weekly live streamed class for sharing fun projects for kids and kids at heart!
Fredericton is a beautiful city with a unique architectural heritage. One local gem and National Historic Site is the Christ Church Cathedral; experience a birds eye view of its Gothic Revival architectural style via drone video, or be in awe of the stained glass windows with a 360 tour of the interior. Once the cathedral doors open again, we recommend taking a tour in-person to get the full effect of this magnificent building!
Another great way to explore Fredericton from afar is by checking out this Story Map, showcasing 29 of Fredericton’s public art pieces. Learn more about the history behind these works of art and plan to re-route your next trip and discover one of these public works of art! For a deeper dive into TD Sculpture garden, take a digital tour with Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s Manager of Collections and Exhibitions, John Leroux.
Even Canada’s largest 19th Century living museum, Kings Landing,has gone Virtual! You can now find interesting and fun online activities for kids, old recipes and more! To get a sense of what it feels like to travel back in time in rural New Brunswick you can “walk” Kings Landing via Google Street view. For those who miss Fredericton’s favorite science playground, the team at Science East continue their mission to inform through hands-on science experiences during times of physical distancing by providing online resources to the public. History buffs can stay up to snuff by checking in with the Fredericton Region Museum’s Facebook page for updates on their Transcription Project. A great way to support our favorite attractions is by purchasing gift cards now, to plan an adventure for later!
It’s no secret that Fredericton loves markets! Although we miss the festive atmosphere of the Garrison Night Market; the tradition of Saturdays’ spent at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers’ Market and the smorgasbord of ethic cuisine found at The Cultural Market, we can take solace in the fact we are able to shop Fredericton handmade and homegrown online. For the low-down, on how to connect with your favorite Boyce vendors, take a look at our blog post; for a full list of vendors and local businesses that are open to serve you in a safe way during Covid-19, our #SupportFredLocal blog is updated daily.
With 120 km of trails, Fredericton is a great city to explore by foot, or bike. Nature lovers can enjoy walking or peddling alongside the beautiful Nashwaak and Saint John Rivers and make a pit stop on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge to take in the best view of the city!
Craft brew fan? Have you heard of Fredericton’s very own Taproom Trail, a passport-style map showcasing 11 local taprooms? Once Taproom doors open again, crafty connoisseurs can collect stamps from each participating taproom, acquire exclusive swag and be entered in a draw for a grand prize! Gear up for your next craft bevvy tour with a virtual tasting or online brewery tour with Uncorked Tours. Not a local? No problem! DrinkNB is a new delivery service committed to bringing a selection of fine brews to you – delivering province wide!
The announcement of postponed concerts and festivals has not silenced Fredericton’s music scene, as promoters live stream couch concerts, Roots and Soul Sundays and playlists featuring local bands. Stay in-tune with the musical happenings of Fredericton with Music Runs Through it, or keep in the loop of local listening’s with Fredericton-based arts and culture magazine Grid City. It’s hard not to be disheartened by missing our favorite events this season but we can still dream of what 2021 will bring! ….who will be the 2021 headliner of Harvest Jazz and Blues?
The day will come when we will all have a reason to squeeze back into our favorite pair of jeans and explore the riverside trails, local taprooms, restaurants, galleries, local shops, markets and festivals, everything that makes our vibrant city special. For now, let’s do our part, stay home, stay safe and keep those hands clean.
Experience Fredericton through the lens of locals & be inspired to #ExploreFrederictonLater:
For more inspiration for your next trip to Fredericton, consult our Visitor Guide.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
