Get your Winter on!
Winter in the Maritimes can seem long, but instead of resisting, embrace it! There are so many fun activities, indoor and outdoor that will definitely put a smile on your face and leave you feeling warm and cozy!
So, in the spirit of getting out of your house, here’s a few of our favourite things to do in Fredericton this winter:
1. Hit the (cross country) ski trails!
Fredericton is blessed with some pretty amazing trails that you can take advantage of all year; with every season there’s a new adventure! If you are a cross country skier and have your own skis, you’ll want to check out the incredible trails at Killarney Lake, Mactaquac Provincial Park, Odell Park, and Kingswood. As always, practice trail etiquette out there! If you’d like to try cross country skiing, before you invest your $$ in a set of skis, why not borrow skis compliments of Mactaquac Provincial Park!
2. Hit the (snowshoe) trails!
Snowshoeing has always been a winter staple activity for young and old. Whether you are venturing out in your backyard or on one of our trails (see # 1) this is a great way to get some exercise, slow down and take in your surroundings. If you need snowshoes, borrow pair at Mactaquac Provincial Park, the Fredericton Public Library or the Rural Community of Hanwell.
3. Hit the (downhill) ski trails!
Crabbe Mountain, home to the largest vertical descent in New Brunswick, has 34 varied trails for every skill level. If you are a beginner, take a lesson from the snow school and you’ll be on your way. If you need skis, Crabbe Mountain is fully equipped to supply you with skis or snowboards.
4. Lace ‘em up!
Nothing says “winter” and “Canadian” more than gliding along a just-zambonied sheet of ice. Fredericton has a number of indoor and outdoor skating facilities. Check before you go to ensure that the ice is available and for the indoor rinks, be sure to book your free skate online.
5. Sleigh Rides!
You have to check this one off the list this winter! Dash through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh ride with Sandwith Sleigh Rides!
6. Sliding
Get your adrenaline going with Mactaquac Provincial Park’s sliding hill or the tamer hills at Odell Park. Hot tip: Mactaquac now offers snow tube rentals for sliding! Make sure to bring your own helmet and call ahead to reserve your tube.
7. Mactaquac Provincial Park
So much to do! As I mentioned above, Mactaquac conveniently has a program where you can borrow equipment for FREE, such as skis and snowshoes. Want to try fat biking? You can rent one and go for a spin on the awesome winter trails in the park. Bring your crazy carpet and cruise down the hills (one is lit for nighttime sliding) and grab your skates to do some laps around the skating ponds (also lit for nighttime). PLUS, Mactaquac is open for winter camping!
8. SCIENCE is fun!
And it's not just for kids! Bring the whole family to Science East Science Centre; you’ll be surprised at the cool stuff you can learn. Cool fact: the centre used to be the old gaol (jail) and still has the original cells downstairs!
9. Get your throwing arm ready!
HaliMac Axe Throwing is Fredericton’s newest attraction! Situated on the north side, this is a great spot to test your aim, have a local craft beverage and try to beat your teammates!
10. Step away from your phone and get “Unplugged”!
Bring your family or bubble to Unplugged Board Game Café. Choose from a HUGE selection of games (you can even buy a favourite!), grab some lunch and spend a wintery afternoon enjoying some good ol’ fashioned fun.
11. Take on the Fredericton Taproom Trail.
Fredericton is blessed with quite a number of local craft alcohol producers so naturally we want everyone to know about it! We’ve come up with a great way to sample along the way with our #FredTapTrail passport - a fun way to get a sip of the traditional style flavours and inventive brews that make our craft breweries some of the best around! Here’s how it works: 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 10 participating taprooms with be entered into the grand prize draw!
12. Winter Biking
If you own a fat bike or a rugged mountain bike, there’s some great trails to be traversed, and with that crisp, cool air and brilliant snow, it makes for the perfect backdrop to get out and enjoy the trails. Don’t own one? No worries! Book a fat bike by calling Mactaquac Provincial Park or Savage’s Bicycle Centre, and explore the local trails. For more ideas, check out our blog.
13. Try some new cuisine!
We all know that Fredericton has some fantastic restaurants, with a great selection of pub faves, international cuisine and everything in between. Read our blog to get some inspiration (this is by no means an exhaustive list).
14. Climb the walls (literally)!
A great activity for the whole family on those cold winter days, bouldering is fast becoming a popular sport for all ages. The Fredericton Bouldering Co-op, located on Smythe Street, welcomes climbers of all ages and skill levels with clinics and private lessons. Be sure to book your spot online prior to visiting.
15. Visit a Gallery!
Spend a lazy Saturday afternoon visiting galleries either from your couch or in person! The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, although closed to the public, still has a few methods of immersing yourself into the art world with podcasts, virtual tours and even an art kit that kids can download! Gallery on Queen is open to the public and they’ve collaborated with the Beaverbrook Art Gallery on various exhibitions along with their own.
16. Kingswood Entertainment Centre
Have fun inside! Bowl a few strings, play lazer tag or try your hand at arcade games while kids can have fun on the 45-foot playclimber!
17. NB Sports Hall of Fame
Another great indoor option this winter, the NB Sports Hall of Fame is an interactive museum that feature exhibits and memorabilia from NB’s sport history and Hall of Famers. Kids’ and adults can also “give it their best shot” with a 5 in 1 interactive sports system!
18. Markets!
Open every Saturday morning, the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market offers a cornucopia of baked goods and locally sourced grocery items; ready-made ethnic cuisine, or a hot breakfast that can be enjoyed on-site. A unique offering of international food and local delicacies is available at The Cultural Market, conveniently open 6 days a week! A similar vibe can be found at Food Market at the Ex with its selection of International food infused local vendors, located outside the Fredericton Exhibition Centre. Running every Saturday and Sunday, the Northside Creators Market has something for everyone: baked goods, coffee, crafters, farm fresh produce, unique gift items & more!
So, what are you waiting for? Winter tends to be a longer season, but it doesn’t have to be boring! Whatever you fancy, get out and experience a little bit of Fredericton this winter! If you are looking for more ideas, be sure to visit our website where you will find our Dinner’s On Us & Free Parking packages, and ideas for how you can #ExploreFredericton! Be sure to let us know what your fave winter activity is!
