The dining room of the Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook
Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook
For the historic charm
Overhead shot of Westmorland Street Bridge in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
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New Brunswick’s pretty riverside capital is noted for its creative spirit. It has the country’s only college devoted exclusively to fine crafts and design, an outsize community of working artists and artisans, and handmade wares of all kinds. Yes, that includes beer, cider and spirits – you’ll find the Maritimes’ highest concentration of craft breweries here.
Due to COVID-19, please contact businesses directly to determine their current business operations before travelling.
Eat & Drink
Small plates at 11th Mile It was headline news when husband–and–wife duo Peter Tompkins (previously head chef at Toronto’s Quince) and Jennie Wilson moved home to their native New Brunswick to open their own kitchen. With its Scandi–inspired decor, creative cocktails and modern Canadian menu (asparagus with gribiche, anyone?), the restaurant is already a foodie favourite.
Sweet treats at Chess Piece Pâtisserie & Café This casual gem is the place for an afternoon espresso with a slice of Paris, made from scratch. The decadent Cavalier Noir – fluffy chocolate sponge cake, layered with silky dark chocolate mousse, then glazed with (you guessed it) dark chocolate – wins the popularity contest.
Local hops at Graystone Brewing In Fredericton’s food and drink scene, it’s craft beer that’s causing all the br(ew)haha. Here, at the first brewery/taphouse to open downtown, try Graystone’s own small–batch, West Coast–style ales (the Patagonia pale is among the most popular), or one of the other 20–plus New Brunswick brews on offer.
Gastropub fare at 540 Kitchen & Bar At this relaxed, popular–with–locals spot, you will find elevated takes on comfort food staples, like the raved–about Diner Burger (add the optional fried egg). The ever–changing dishes are more thoughtful than your average pub grub, with priority on ingredients sourced from New Brunswick farms whenever possible.
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What to Do
Regional artistry at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery Beaverbrook was originally founded to showcase collections of British and Canadian paintings, but today it’s also where you should go to brush up on New Brunswick’s visual culture, including works by Acadian and First Nations artists. A new 1,300–square–metre wing, opened in 2017, has made room for much more to see.
Crafty finds in the Historic Garrison District Once home to the British military garrison (1784–1869), this National Historic Site is still a hub of activity, with outdoor concerts, festivals and other entertainment. It’s also a destination for fine crafts – a Fredericton specialty – with the old soldiers’ barracks now housing artisan studios. On summer Thursdays, shop the new Garrison Night Market for handmade goods, textiles and farm–fresh produce.
Joy rides at The Radical Edge Bike & Ski Cycling for fun or fitness is big in Fredericton, where you will find everything from flat, leisurely riverfront paths to the nearby MVP trail system (the technical terrain draws mountain bikers). Rent your wheels at this outdoor sports store and go exploring, or join one of the weekly community rides geared more to locals than tourists.
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