Fredericton

Fredericton, capital city of the province of New Brunswick, lies astride the wide St. John River, its historic center nestled close to the shoreline. The original French settlers established a fort that continued to play an important role after the English gained control in the mid-eighteenth century. Fredericton also became home to Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. Historic structures from the colonial and Victorian periods surround The Green and Officer's Square, and line the streets closest to the river, while important government buildings, such as the Legislative Assembly Building, lie back a distance between Queen Street and ...

Fredericton, capital city of the province of New Brunswick, lies astride the wide St. John River, its historic center nestled close to the shoreline. The original French settlers established a fort that continued to play an important role after the English gained control in the mid-eighteenth century. Fredericton also became home to Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. Historic structures from the colonial and Victorian periods surround The Green and Officer's Square, and line the streets closest to the river, while important government buildings, such as the Legislative Assembly Building, lie back a distance between Queen Street and Brunswick Street. Consisting primarily of low historic structures, downtown Fredericton is an enjoyable place to walk. A Riverfront Walk follows the shore for about three miles, with fine views of the city and the countryside on the other side. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, donated by Canadian native son William Aitken (Lord Beaverbrook) houses an impressive collection of works from Europe and Canada including a monumental work by Salvador Dali. Fredericton is a center for cultural activities, with year-round concerts and performances along with summer festivals. It has the highest concentration of working artists and craftspeople in Canada, whose work is shown and sold in a number of galleries and co-operative shops. Visitors can learn from some of the top artists and designers in week-long summer programs at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. A short distance north of the city, King’s Landing recreates the history of the province with historic buildings saved when the river was dammed by a hydroelectric plant. The Boyce Farmer's Market is where everyone gathers on Saturday morning for breakfast and shopping for local products and crafts.

About the Expert

Barbara Radcliffe Rogers has written or coauthored more than 30 guidebooks, including The Portugal Traveler, Drive Around Portugal, City Spots Munich, City Spots Helsinki, City Spots Stockholm, Eating New England, and the Maine section of Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.