May 10, 2012

City of Fredericton



Fredericton City is the capital of the province of New Brunswick in Canada and can be found on the west-central portion of the province.

As one of the province’s main urban centers, it is currently the third largest city within the province next to St. John and Moncton. Fredericton holds a very important role as the cultural, artistic and educational center of the province itself which can be easily seen through the presence of the universities, cultural institutions and high-class performing arts venue within the city.

New Brunswick Legislative Assembly

New Brunswick Legislative Assembly

History of Fredericton

The site where Fredericton City currently stands was originally the farming lands of the Aboriginals who first lived in the area and was also the site of their capital. During the 17th century, the French settled in the area and eventually named it Point-Sainte-Anne or Ste. Anne’s Point in 1732.

However, by 1759, the British eventually captured Ste. Anne’s Point, expelled the settlers and burned the settlement to the ground. British settlers eventually arrived to rebuild and live in the area by 1783. By 1785, after becoming the provincial capital of New Brunswick the city was officially renamed Fredericton (a shortened version of “Frederick’s Town”).

To this day, the city still remains the provincial capital and has taken that further by becoming the center of major educational, economic and cultural activity in New Brunswick.

Fredericton City Hall during Fall

Fredericton City Hall during Fall

Tourism in Fredericton

Fredericton’s tourism industry has grown in recent years thanks to the diverse culture and the stunning natural beauty of the city. Being a cultural center for the province of New Brunswick has definitely helped the city in attracting tourists from all over.

Tourists who come to the city will definitely be treated to a great blend of historical landmarks, outdoor activities, lively cultural festivals and excellent hospitality.

Mactaquac Provincial Park

The following is a list of several of the major attractions tourists can find when they come to visit Fredericton:

  • The Beaverbrook Art Gallery – A premier art gallery that showcases local, national and international works of art from all over the world and from different eras. Tourists who have a love for the arts will definitely spend a lot of time here admiring the works from the Renaissance to more contemporary pieces. Visitors can also opt to join the hands-on painting program if they wish to explore their artistic side.
  • The Playhouse – For tourists who enjoy watching the performing arts, Fredericton’s Playhouse is the place to go. World-class performances from Canada’s best performing groups – including the Theater New Brunswick, Canada’s leading professional English-speaking theater company -are frequently held here such as concerts and plays.
  • The Historic Garrison District – Witness Fredericton’s history as you enter the Historic Garrison District, one of the country’s National Historic Sites. Tourists will be treated to different performances and be immersed through different activities as they go through time to witness the birth and the growth of the city.
  • Odell Park – Tourists who want to take a break from the city and the urban environment will want to come here. Situated within the heart of Fredericton itself, Odell Park provides tourists with the opportunity to relax and stroll through one a well-preserved forest with trees that just as old as the city itself. Picnic tables and barbeque pits are also available if needed.
Odel Park Fredericton

Odel Park Fredericton

How to Get to Fredericton

Fredericton can easily be reached through any means of transportation. You can either go there by plane or you can take land transportation instead.

The following list shows the time it takes to travel to Fredericton by car from any of the nearby major cities:

  • Quebec City, QC, Canada – 6-7 hours
  • Montreal, QC, Canada – 9 hours and 40 minutes
  • Ottawa, ON, Canada – 12 hours
  • New York, NY, United States – 11 hours 25 minutes

By Wolverine Fredericton 10 Comments Tags: , ,