There’s never a bad time to visit New Brunswick– but it undoubtedly shines in the autumn when the trees start to change colour, and the greens, reds, yellows, and oranges blend together in a truly magical way.
I grew up in New Brunswick, but humbly admit that I did not care about the fall colours when I was a kid. Now that I am older, and perhaps have a better appreciation of nature, the few weeks a year that New Brunswick looks like an autumn postcard is a spectacle I look forward to more than any other season.
The best part of checking out the fall colours in New Brunswick is that you can see them basically anywhere you go. Pick a direction and walk, drive, or bike and you will be wowed.
To make the most of the relatively short window you have to see the natural wonder, Best Western Plus is perfectly situated in Fredericton and Woodstock, both along the Saint John River Valley, so you can get up in the morning, enjoy your free breakfast, and hit the road.
With that in mind, here are some of my favourite spots to take in the fall colours:
Chamcook Mountain
Located just outside of New Brunswick’s most beautiful small town, St. Andrews By-The-Sea, the hike is simply incredible. Once you reach the summit, the views are so stunning that you may find them difficult to capture in a photo, so make sure you try to soak them all in. The hike is reasonably easy. Take your time and you can make it to the top in less than one hour. Once you do, grab a seat and enjoy the magic of the dense forests meeting the Passamaquoddy Bay. I cannot think of a better place to take in all that makes New Brunswick wonderfully special.
Downtown Fredericton
What makes Fredericton special is just how much of the historic downtown is still in fantastic condition. You can wander the streets where the 100-year-old elms and maples stretch high above you, and daydream as the leaves slowly fall around you. The downtown has a wonderful walking trail that takes you across the Saint John River on an old train bridge that connects the south and north sides of the river. Grab a seat at Picaroons and watch as hundreds of Frederictonians enjoy the city’s impressive waterfront and pathways.
Take time to reflect
The perfect way to take in the fall colours is to find a place where the water is perfectly still; it’s like getting two fall photos for the price of one. I found some really great spots in downtown Woodstock, in a small town called Harvey, and I even caught the Saint John River being so calm that it was difficult to imagine it moving. This is why you don’t want to rush your road trip–look for the places that you can stop, have a picnic, and enjoy the show nature is putting on for you.
Skip The Highway
Unless you are short on time, skip the Trans-Canada Highway and drive along the Saint John River to get the best views of the leaves. Routes 104 and 105 are wonderful drives and take you through some of New Brunswick’s small towns like Hartland (with the world’s longest covered bridge) and Florenceville, which has a nice boardwalk along the waterfront. The drive between Fredericton and Woodstock normally takes one hour, but for me, it took almost the entire day because there were so many places to stop and take photos; there were also great little markets and shops to support along the way. No matter what, be sure to swing by Covered Bridge Chips and pick up your year’s supply of the best potato chips on the East Coast.
Definitely Go Chasing Waterfalls
Whenever I go on a road trip, I Google “waterfalls near me”. There is something magical about waterfalls and, if you are the same way, New Brunswick is the place for you. It seems like everywhere you go, there are waterfalls to enjoy! Some of my favourites in the area are in Lepreau Falls and Saint George Falls, which are closely situated. I also loved Jackson Falls news Woodstock. I simply love the contrast of the fall colours to the raging waters of the waterfalls.
Mike Morrison, aka @mikebloggity, is a Canadian host, writer, speaker, podcaster and community builder who loves to travel and share his adventures. Enjoy his blog here.