Fredericton Attractions

Fredericton, the capital of the east Canadian province of New Brunswick, is charmingly situated on the lower reaches of the St John's River. It is home to a university. Although, in comparison with other Canadian cities, it is quite small it boasts an active cultural scene.

Fredericton, originally limited to administrative and educational establishments, has developed in recent years into a commercial and service center for a wide area around. In addition a number of industrial firms, including a leather manufacturer, have set up here.

The capital of New Brunswick grew out of a small Acadian settlement named Pointe Ste-Anne, founded by French-speaking immigrants around 1732. In subsequent years the new settlement suffered as a result of civil war-like disputes among the Acadians themselves as well as from attacks by the British and by the native Micmac Indians who refused to tolerate the settlement.

From 1768 onwards American loyalists settled here. They named the colony after the second son of King George III of England, and this received the blessing of Queen Victoria in 1845. From then onwards it developed into a prosperous garrison and residential town.
Today Fredericton is a small but interesting city with a nice downtown area full of shops and cafés. There are trails that line the riverfront for walking, and an interesting Saturday Market.