Side Trips in Fredericton
Gagetown was named one of the 10 prettiest villages in Canada; it’s remained largely unchanged through the years—still backed by farm fields on one side, and cozied up to by Gagetown Creek, a deep water anchorage off the St. John River, on another. The town is 56km (35 miles) southeast of Fredericton, a scenic driving detour. (Don’t confuse this with Canadian Forces Base Gagetown; it’s up the road in Oromocto). In 2023, it joined with the village of Cambridge-Narrows and other nearby communities to form the new community of Arcadia.
The peaceful surroundings and simple country architecture attract craftspeople and artists, who have made it into a quiet arts colony—quaint and creative, but never annoyingly so. Look for low-key enterprises like art galleries, a carver of exquisite animals and birds, a jeweler, bookstore, cider press, crafts cooperative, and several potters. Gulliver’s World Café at 42 Front St. (tel. 506/429-4156) brings the world to this small east coast village with revolving farm-to-table themed menus, like Italian, Mexican or French. It’s small, so reservations are required. Gagetown Grill & Smokehouse (tel. 506/999-4478) at 38 Tilley Rd. makes new use of a former 1900’s automobile dealership and serves up fish ’n chips, smash burgers, t-rex burgers, smoked beef brisket, smoked pull pork , salads and sweets. A mainstay here is Greig Pottery at 36 Front Street, celebrating almost 50 years in business turning out exquisite and highly coveted ceramics in patterns and colors exclusive to the region. Be sure to pop into the working studio next door where owner and artist Flo Greig will happily chat with you as she works.
Birdwatching is a major activity in this region thanks to local marshes, forests, and fields. (Nearly 150 species have been reliably identified in and around Gagetown.) Where to do it? Gagetown Island is just offshore and easily accessible by kayak or canoe, which some local inns provide. The island features a glacial deposit that rises some 23m (75 ft.) high, plus the ruins of a stone house dating from the early 19th century. That’s all nice, but birders go for the osprey-viewing platform. There are also two Ducks Unlimited marsh preserves with trails.
While in town, drop by the Queens County Museum (tel. 506/488-2483), birthplace of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, one of the fathers of Canadian Confederation. The 1786 home, located at 69 Front St., is open daily from mid-June to mid-September; admission costs C$3 per person, free for children 12 and under. A pass (C$5–C$9, free for children) allows access to several more historic homes, including the Flower House and a simple courthouse.
The New Brunswick Military History Museum (tel. 506/422-2000) at 119 Walnut Street at CFB Gagetown collects, preserves, and promotes Canada’s military history with wall text and electronic displays, activities (you can try on military uniforms), and an array of retired military vehicles outside. It’s best for military buffs. Admission is by donation, and it’s open year-round Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm and weekends by appointment. Also of interest to military or World War II aficionados, just 50km (31 miles) east of Fredericton on Route 10 in Minto, is the New Brunswick Internment Camp Museum (tel. 506/327-3573) located on the site where prisoners of war (POWs) were detained. In its early days, the camp housed German and Austrian Jewish refugees. Later, German and Italian Merchant Marines stayed here, and even some Canadians who spoke out against the war effort.
The peaceful surroundings and simple country architecture attract craftspeople and artists, who have made it into a quiet arts colony—quaint and creative, but never annoyingly so. Look for low-key enterprises like art galleries, a carver of exquisite animals and birds, a jeweler, bookstore, cider press, crafts cooperative, and several potters. Gulliver’s World Café at 42 Front St. (tel. 506/429-4156) brings the world to this small east coast village with revolving farm-to-table themed menus, like Italian, Mexican or French. It’s small, so reservations are required. Gagetown Grill & Smokehouse (tel. 506/999-4478) at 38 Tilley Rd. makes new use of a former 1900’s automobile dealership and serves up fish ’n chips, smash burgers, t-rex burgers, smoked beef brisket, smoked pull pork , salads and sweets. A mainstay here is Greig Pottery at 36 Front Street, celebrating almost 50 years in business turning out exquisite and highly coveted ceramics in patterns and colors exclusive to the region. Be sure to pop into the working studio next door where owner and artist Flo Greig will happily chat with you as she works.
Birdwatching is a major activity in this region thanks to local marshes, forests, and fields. (Nearly 150 species have been reliably identified in and around Gagetown.) Where to do it? Gagetown Island is just offshore and easily accessible by kayak or canoe, which some local inns provide. The island features a glacial deposit that rises some 23m (75 ft.) high, plus the ruins of a stone house dating from the early 19th century. That’s all nice, but birders go for the osprey-viewing platform. There are also two Ducks Unlimited marsh preserves with trails.
While in town, drop by the Queens County Museum (tel. 506/488-2483), birthplace of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, one of the fathers of Canadian Confederation. The 1786 home, located at 69 Front St., is open daily from mid-June to mid-September; admission costs C$3 per person, free for children 12 and under. A pass (C$5–C$9, free for children) allows access to several more historic homes, including the Flower House and a simple courthouse.
The New Brunswick Military History Museum (tel. 506/422-2000) at 119 Walnut Street at CFB Gagetown collects, preserves, and promotes Canada’s military history with wall text and electronic displays, activities (you can try on military uniforms), and an array of retired military vehicles outside. It’s best for military buffs. Admission is by donation, and it’s open year-round Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm and weekends by appointment. Also of interest to military or World War II aficionados, just 50km (31 miles) east of Fredericton on Route 10 in Minto, is the New Brunswick Internment Camp Museum (tel. 506/327-3573) located on the site where prisoners of war (POWs) were detained. In its early days, the camp housed German and Austrian Jewish refugees. Later, German and Italian Merchant Marines stayed here, and even some Canadians who spoke out against the war effort.
