are lots of free and fascinating things to do in the city. You can, for example, visit Christ Church Cathedral, the home of Little Ben, a working scale model of London’ s famous Big Ben.
Another rewarding( and free!) place to visit is Government House— the official residence for New Brunswick’ s Lieutenant-Governor. Book a tour guide and you’ ll learn all sorts of intriguing tidbits that have happened here related to Confederation.
There are also daily ceremonies depicting the changing of the guard, Sunday night movies at the Barracks and theatre performances by the Calithumpians in Officers’ Square. These are also free— as are three-day parking passes for visitors, which are available at Town Hall.
At some point, slip up to the Mactaquac Provincial Park— about 20 minutes from Fredericton. Just before the park, a dirt road to the right will take you to The Beaver Ponds. Here, you’ ll find lots of interesting flora and fauna, explained through interpretive panels. If you’ re in the mood for a different brand of natural phenomenon, Howland Falls, Garden Creek Falls, and Schneider Falls are within minutes of city limits.
If these excursions have triggered your appetite, be on the lookout for“ The Cabin,” an old diner and local favourite on the outskirts of Fredericton. There are working jukeboxes at the tables and lots of delicious comfort foods to savour, including old-fashioned turkey dinners and fresh lobster rolls.
FREDERICTON
OPPOSITE PAGE TOP PHOTO: BENOIT BRUHMULLER. THIS PAGE, TOP MIDDLE AND TOP RIGHT PHOTOS: SANDRA PHINNEY. ALL OTHER PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NB TOURISM.