For the Love of Fredericton
When you think of Fredericton, what comes to mind? We tend to take for granted the gems we have right here in our own city. All the clichés out there cannot adequately express how much we miss life “B.C” (Before Corona) – it has never been more apparent how special our capital city really is!
We can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel as New Brunswick begins to transition into the next phase of our recovery plan. Restaurants and retail stores are beginning to open their doors once again, several activities are now permitted, and we have all taken a sigh of relief now that we can book our next massage.
As we gear up to spend the summer staying close to home, we look forward to rediscovering what is quintessentially “Fredericton.” We asked locals and visitors to tell us what they cannot wait to experience in Fredericton, here is a breakdown of the highlights!
For the Love of Art
Fredericton is blessed with a thriving arts and cultural scene; with more artisans per capita than anywhere else in Canada and several galleries and studios to explore. Certain galleries are starting to open their doors and we are excited to get reacquainted. From the masterworks and Dali’s Santiago el Grande (viewed best by laying on the floor and looking up!) at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, to the ever-changing selection of traditional to contemporary artwork at Gallery 78 and Gallery on Queen. We are looking forward to truly appreciating the beauty of art around us.
Take Advantage of Patio Season
Although backyard picnics have been fun and we have been gratefully enjoying the efforts local restaurants have put into providing us with take-out and delivery (see our blog), we are excited to finally dine at some of our favourite local restos! And let’s not forget sipping our favourite bevvy on an outdoor patio! Many Facebook friends mentioned chilling on the hammocks at Graystone Brewing, or socializing with friends on the outdoor patios at Dolans, The Joyce, Lunar Rogue or any number of restaurants like 540 Kitchen, The Palate or Rustico, to name a few! With certain restaurants beginning to open we are all excited to hit up our favourite once again. Please make sure you give them a call before heading out for date night and remember that we must reserve dinner dates with members of our bubble only. For those who are still happy to enjoy local cuisine from home, we have a list of restaurants offering take-out and delivery here.
Shop with Your Heart: Local and Handmade
For a selection of 100% maritime handmade pottery, woodworking, textiles and more, locals and visitors were quick to mention Botinicals Gift Shop Inc. a must stop when visiting Fredericton’s downtown. Continue your stroll through the Historic Garrison District on Queen Street to find Art Jewel Designs by Gallagher & Tremblay, Inc. and be delighted by the colorful and dynamic selection of handcrafted jewelry. Take a detour up York Street to discover Artful Persuasion for fun and affordable trinkets and treasures by local crafters. A full list of local shops can be found here. As always please follow social distancing rules. To shop handmade and homegrown without leaving your home, find Fredericton artisans online and browse local shops offering delivery or shipping.
Take a Tour of our Trails and Taprooms!
Fredericton’s trail system is truly a gem and, dare I say, (with a bit of coyness) one of the city’s sexiest features! With a sprawling 120 km, you can bike, walk, and run on (mostly) paved trails and along the way, catch some pretty terrific views. If you time it just right Fredericton has some of the most amazing sunsets (Insider’s tip: Taking a “sunset selfie” on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge is a fan favourite!). Fortunately, we can take advantage of our trail system now, at a safe distance from others. For those that enjoy the trails and love craft beer and cider, you will definitely be looking forward to our new initiative, the “Fredericton Taproom Trail” ! This gives us even more reason to appreciate this amazing network in our city. Featuring 11 local taprooms spanning both sides of the river, you can enjoy the individual varieties with the added bonus of collecting swag and great prizes along the way!
Playing in the Saint John River
If the trail system is a gem, the Saint John River is the crown! We love the beautiful, meandering river that runs right through the city, with a calmness that always has a way of creating a perfect escape right in the city. As the weather gets warmer, we look forward to kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddleboarding. Second Nature Outdoors, located right along the river, is the place to rent any one of these items. When it’s time, we will play in the river!
From Market to Market
Fredericton is well known for its markets and the variety of seasonal produce grown locally. We hear you, Facebook friends! We know how special markets are to many of you, especially at this time of year as the weather gets warmer, it’s a great time to sample the many treats indoors and out. The Saturday pilgrimage to the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market is a cast-in-stone tradition for many of us. Biting into that fragrant samosa or decadent bakery treat is heaven and synonymous with the Boyce. We can’t wait for our Saturday morning tradition to open once again. We are also excited that the Cultural Market has opened in its new location downtown on King Street (former Read’s). Be sure to check it out for a wide array of international foods and gift items.
Live Performances
We love being entertained. Whether it’s in the form of a live performance in Fredericton’s beloved Playhouse or home grown theatre (Theatre New Brunswick or Theatre UNB) or the nightlife of the downtown bringing you an awesome variety of live music (The Cap, Wilsers Room, Dolans, Klub Khrome to name a few) Fredericton’s live theatre and music scene is and always will be vibrant and an integral part of the fabric of Fredericton. And let’s not forget the outdoor festivals! We all look forward to dancing in the street at Harvest Jazz and Blues, or to catch a Ceilidh or heavy athletics competition during the NB Highland Games Festival; we can’t wait to welcome these celebrations back with open arms in 2021!
As we dream of the perfect summer evening in Fredericton, tired after an afternoon spent on the river, or from exploring local galleries and shops, just sitting down to enjoy a crisp, craft brew with a sunset view, we hope you can visit us soon and experience the tastes, sites and sounds of Fredericton.
For now, we hope that we’ve inspired you to explore some of the places that make this city unique and special and when the time comes, get out and get re-acquainted with a dear friend: Fredericton.
