10 things to do Within a 10 Minute Walk of Downtown Fredericton!
Many of us feel that Fredericton is the perfect size; small enough that you are never too far from anything and big enough for there to be a wide-array of things to eat, see and do. The tree lined streets, beautiful architecture and river front view from our downtown make walking or biking the obvious choice – who would want to miss the sights? We’re not in a hurry!
So, in the spirit of helping you decide what and where to visit, here’s our list of 10 things to do in Fredericton within a 10-minute walk (or bike!) of downtown.
1. Grab a Java
First thing’s first, lets’ get a coffee! Atlantic Canada’s Craft Brew Capital is brewing more than tasty cold ones – Fredericton is home to many locally owned cafés and craft roasters, each with a unique experience for coffee lovers. A great choice for a grab and go is Jonnie Java Roasters on York Street; with a collection of locally roasted flavour profiles spanning 33 countries, be prepared to be enveloped by the aroma of fresh coffee beans the moment you step in the door! Fredericton has many great options for coffee fanatics of all kinds, find your match here.
2. Markets are a Must-Stop
Depending on the day of the week, you have a choice of 3 different markets within a 10-minute jaunt of downtown Fredericton. The newly relocated Cultural Market, with its unique offering of international food is now open 6 days a week and presents the perfect opportunity for picking up a quick (and tasty!) lunch or snack. A favorite Saturday morning tradition in Fredericton is the Boyce Farmer’s Market, where you can find delicious food, fresh produce and wares from local crafters. New to the local market scene, Food Market at the Ex is an outdoor market with cuisine for anyone; tacos, bipimbap, shawarma, pulled pork poutine – it’s all there, 3 days a week.
3. Architecture all Around
The Capital City has been deemed one of Canada’s prettiest cities and you’ll soon find out why! Fredericton is rich in local history that can be found in every corner of downtown. A great way to ensure you don’t miss out on these special details is by taking a FREE walking tour with theatre troupe, the Calithumpians. The historically costumed guides are sure to make this tour educational and amusing as they take you to see the Historic Garrison District, homes of famous Frederictonians and more!
4. Shop Handmade, Local & Unique
There are many local shopping gems located downtown! Botinicals Gift Shop is a great place to start if you’re looking for unique, fine art and craft items created by local and Atlantic Canadian artists – think silk painted scarves, hand carved wooden bowls and pottery galore! Down the street you will find Bellwether, a vintage, consignment, bric-a-brac lover’s dream; there is a good chance that you will find what you’ve always been looking for (and didn’t know it). Next up is Westminster Books, an independent bookstore, providing Fredericton with good reads for over 40 years; we think a good book is the cherry on top of your summer vacation, plus, shopping local is cool. We’re just grazing the surface here, find a complete list of local shops on our website.
5. Rent a Bike, Hit the Trails and see some Trees
Canada’s oldest bike shop just so happens to reside on King Street! Savage's Bicycle Centre is a great stop for browsing a new set of wheels, but did you know that they also offer rentals? With 120 kms of scenic trails throughout the city, cyclists have an easy time getting anywhere but we recommend heading to Odell Park, a beautiful old growth forest located in the heart of the city.
6. Odell and then some!
Cruising the trails is the obvious choice for an adventure to Odell Park (and a good one!) but there’s more! Embark on a medicine walk through Odell with Wabanaki Tree Spirit Tours, visit the Fredericton Botanic Garden in the western end of the park or witness creativity in full bloom with the City’s Summer Artist in Residence program.
7. Galleries and Ice Cream
Fredericton is the cultural capital of New Brunswick, so it only makes sense that we have some great galleries for you to peruse. Many are host to rotating collections of local and Canadian artists, representing a wide range of mediums. You can begin with CreatedHere, make your way to Gallery on Queen and end your gallery hop with Gallery 78. Why this specific order you ask? Gallery 78 is the new stomping grounds for Chess Piece Patisserie & Café’s artisan ice cream truck, now parked outside (you’re welcome!)
8. The Best View in the City
Arching over the beloved Wolastoq River, the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Fredericton. A hot spot for selfies at any given time, we can attest to the fact that the best time to take in city scape views is during sunrise or sunset.
9. Get started on your #FredTapTrail Map
Sip your way through the Capital City with the #FredTapTrail! The #FredTapTrail is a passport-style map that allows craft beer and craft cider fans to choose their own taproom adventure. Every time you grab a pint or flight at one of the taprooms listed on the map, you will receive a stamp, enabling you to collect exclusive #FredTapTrail swag. Crafty connoisseurs who collect a stamp from all 11 participating taprooms with be entered into the grand prize draw. Six out of the 11 taprooms are conveniently within 10 minutes of downtown (…we suggest taking -at least- couple days to test this out).
10. Fredericton al fresco
A great option for open-air dining is Fredericton al fresco, featuring picnic and bistro-style tables, set up near local restaurants. Feel free to enjoy take-out or order delivery to one of the two downtown locations; find a list of local restaurants here. A temporary public art installation can now be found in the Phoenix Square Fredericton al fresco; you may even catch live, local music in both the Phoenix and Barracks Square dining areas!
Fredericton is a perfect city to walk to so many great spots; this list is just a sample of the many things to do in the city! For more ideas for how to #ExploreFredericton visit our website.
Stay tuned for 10+ things to do on Fredericton’s Northside and Uptown!
