CATALYST PLANET - New Brunswick Provides Unique Experiences on the Road Less Traveled

*The J.C. Van Horne Bridge in Campbellton, New Brunswick. Dennis Jarvis. CC BY-SA 2.0.*

When visiting Canada, travelers often opt for the cosmopolitan scenes of Toronto, the French culture of Quebec, or the beauty of Vancouver. But when planning a post-pandemic trip up north, one would be remiss to overlook the Maritime province of New Brunswick.

Located on the Eastern Seaboard between Nova Scotia and Quebec, and immediately north of Maine, is New Brunswick. The province of roughly 780,000 is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, with roughly two-thirds of New Brunswickers speaking English, one-third speaking French, and 34% being bilingual. This split is physically noticeable, with the English speakers living predominantly in the south and the French speakers living predominantly in the north.

The province is home to a rich cultural history as well as a number of world-renowned parks, beaches, and food and entertainment options.

A Brief History of Acadian Expulsion

*A painting by Thomas Davies depicting the burning of the city of Grimross, a pivotal moment in the mass deportation of the Acadians by the British. Public Domain*

The cultural split in New Brunswick is due to the province’s history of colonialism. In 1604, the first French colonizers arrived in what is now modern-day Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The region became known as “Acadia,” and ownership was contested for several decades due to the growing influence of British provinces in New England, Prince Edward Island and the northernmost part of modern-day Nova Scotia.

After numerous wars, the British took control of Acadia in 1710. Many Acadians, descendents of the original French colonizers, were expelled from the region beginning in the 1750s after refusing to swear an oath of loyalty to the British monarchy. Many were deported back to France, while others were expelled to Louisiana and the Caribbean.

Many descendants of the original Acadians would slowly return to what is now New Brunswick throughout the following centuries, primarily in the villages along the province’s northern coast. In 2003, at the urging of Acadian representatives, Queen Elizabeth II issued a proclamation acknowledging the mass deportation, and established July 28 as a commemoration of what is now referred to as the Great Upheaval.

A Plethora of Experiences for All to Enjoy

*A view of Centennial Park in Moncton, New Brunswick. James Mann. CC BY 2.0.*

One of the most popular attractions in New Brunswick is the Acadian Coastal Drive. This roughly 450-mile route is marked with signs depicting an image of a sea star, an homage to the sea creatures that live in the warm waters off the Acadian Coast.

In driving along the route, travelers will be able to satisfy their wanderlust to its full extent. A stop at the Kouchibouguac National Park brings beaches with the warmest saltwater north of Virginia. The Village Historique Acadian is a large, open-air museum that showcases Acadian history for the French Canadians who historically resided in New Brunswick and neighboring Nova Scotia.

Additionally, no trip along the Acadian Coastal Drive would be complete without a stop for seafood. Lobster rolls at La Homard Mobile, raw oysters at La Maison Beausoleil and sushi at Mitchan Sushi provide some of the best food in the province.

But the Acadian Coastal Drive is merely one of many amazing experiences available to travelers in New Brunswick. The province is home to some of Canada’s best performing arts outlets, including Music New Brunswick, an organization that hosts concerts and festivals around the province, Symphony New Brunswick, an orchestra that has run for 36 seasons, and Theatre New Brunswick, one of Canada’s most prominent regional theater companies.

A visit to the Mount Carleton Provincial Park in New Brunswick’s interior is a must for any nature lover. The park’s 42,000 acres of untouched wilderness are home to over 100 species of birds and 30 species of mammals, as well as a number of rare plants. The park is also a popular spot for hiking, with Mount Carleton, Mount Head and Mount Sagamook being the highest peaks in Canada’s Maritime provinces.

Further south is the city of Saint John. Located along the Bay of Fundy, Saint John has historically been the cultural hub of New Brunswick. The city is home to a number of performing arts venues, including the aforementioned Symphony New Brunswick, and numerous museums such as the New Brunswick Museum and the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum. It also houses historical sites including the Carleton Martello Tower, one of the oldest buildings in the city, and Fort Howe, a British fort constructed during the American Revolutionary War.

Another historical site, the Saint John City Market, is a popular spot for food lovers. Visitors to the market can try fresh naan from Naan-ya Business, fresh lobster, oysters and crab from Billy’s Seafood Company, and the ever-popular Canadian treat poutine from North Market Seafood.

While often overlooked for the more populated provinces, New Brunswick represents a new frontier for travelers eager to find an alternative spot in Canada. The province’s history, nature, culture and food offerings allow everyone who visits to have a memorable journey.