10 things to do Within a 10 Minute Walk of Downtown Fredericton!
One of the things I like best about Fredericton is its size. You are never too far away from anything, and to me, there is great value in that. I like to walk and bike to many places in the city and it’s great when I can get from point A to point B in under 20 minutes! So in the spirit of helping you decide what and where to visit, here’s our list of 10 things to do within a 10 minute walk of downtown.
1. Walking Tour
Drop by our Visitor Information Centre in City Hall for a Visitor Guide and a historic tour of our Garrison District! Join our fellow Calithumpians for a free guided tour of the historically rich downtown Fredericton. Tours are offered at 10am and 2:30pm daily. It’s the perfect way to spend an hour in our lovely downtown!
2. Take a Walk Through Odell Park
Known as “One of Canada’s Best Old Growth Forests” Odell Park sits in the heart of Fredericton, an easy 10 minute walk from the downtown. One of the things you’ll notice about Odell is its peacefulness. Walking through the almost 16km of trails on a sunny day you may catch rays of sunshine penetrating the trees, giving an almost ethereal quality to the space. Some of the trees in the park are more than 400 years old!
3. Go Museum Hopping
For a small City, we still have plenty of history! Check out any of our local museums for a fun filled family friendly day (try saying that 5 times fast)! The Fredericton Region Museum, Science East, and School Days Museum. Learn local history through exhibits or learn through some very cool interactive science exhibits!
4. Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge
This was once a CN Railway bridge and it’s my favourite way to get across the river! As a north-sider, I routinely run or bike over the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. I’ve taken some pretty incredible pictures, from fall foliage to fog hovering over the river, so make sure you have your phone or camera with you, just in case! And oh, by the way, the sunsets are pretty incredible from this vantage point too!
5. Waterloo Row’s Historic Architecture
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see either the 1982 or 2000 board layout of the Canadian Monopoly game, you will see Waterloo Row as one of its streets! A short walk from downtown, east of the walking bridge, what will strike you first is the beautiful architecture of some of the street’s houses. From Gothic Revival to Queen Anne style architecture, many of the homes on this street have a back story. If you are inclined towards history and architecture, I strongly suggest picking up a copy of “Building Architecture” from Westminster Books on King Street.
6. Local Markets
While Fredericton is home to many markets, the Garrison Night Market and the Boyce Farmers Market are two local favourites conveniently located in the heart of downtown. The Garrison Night Market takes place Thursday evenings, from 4:30-9:00pm, on Carleton Street! Experience the streets come to life with live entertainment, locally sourced foods, handmade products, craft alcohol, and more! Saturday morning, swing by the Boyce Farmers Market where you can pick up locally made treasures, fresh vegetables, meats, ethnic foods or just have breakfast! This busy and lively spot is just a short walk from the downtown, located at 665 George Street, and open 7:00am-1:00pm.
7. Fredericton Al Fresco!
Want a bite to eat but don’t want to walk around in the heat to get it? Al fresco has got your back. Located both right in the heart of downtown is an outdoor bistro and picnic tables for your outdoor dinning needs. Bring your own lunch or order some local food to take back to your table! The enjoyable city atmosphere and the occasional outdoor music will make for the perfect dinning experience.
8. Visit our Art Galleries
If you lived on Queen Street, you’d have enough art to last you a lifetime! Take a visit to any of our local art Galleries for some truly breathtaking artistry. Gallery 78, Gallery on Queen, George Fry Gallery, and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery are great spots to start a cultured and inspiring filled afternoon!
9. Outdoor Summer Theatre
If you’re looking for some fun afternoon entertainment, a pit stop to the Calithumpians’ Outdoor Summer Theatre is a must. Catch their 12:15pm show at the Christ Church Cathedral or their 1:30pm show in front of the NB Sports Hall of Fame! These humoristic and historical performances are sure to show you a good time. And if you still can’t get enough, stick around for a Haunted Hike! This guided ghost tour will give you all the inside scoop on our city’s haunted past. So head downtown and come hangout with our beloved Calithumpians!
10. Fredericton Taproom Trail
Rent a bicycle from Second Nature Outdoors (63 Brunswick St), grab a trail map and set out on our amazing trail system! And if you’re over 19, pick a weekend and complete our Taproom Trail! Fredericton boasts over 120km of trails that spans both sides of the river; so bring some water, pack a picnic, or grab some drinks for a ½ or full day adventure! Get a copy of the Fredericton trails map and Fred Taproom Trail here!
Fredericton is a perfect city to walk to so many great spots; this list is a mere sampling of the many things to do in the city! For more ideas, visit our website.
