exploring Shediac, New Brunswick
In my previous post, I shared my favourite thing about Shediac, New Brunswick: Adorable Chocolat. In celebration of National Lobster Day, I’m reposting this post about Shediac, where you will find the largest lobster in the world (to my knowledge!) as I do indeed love lobster.
Adorable Chocolat and Cafe is a perfect place in Shediac to visit for great chocolate, superb coffee and pastries, or a light lunch.
Shediac, New Brunswick, is a quaint picturesque village.
But there is much more to this tiny community situated on the Northumberland Strait, the body of water that separates the Canadian province of New Brunswick from its fellow Maritime Province of Prince Edward Island to the east.
The bilingual province of New Brunswick is bordered by French-speaking Quebec on the north, the Bay of Fundy to the south, and the state of Maine to the west. If you have time to fully explore the province, you will find it to be filled with fantastic flavours, a welcoming culture, and plenty of stunning vistas to make you wish you had more time to linger.
shediac new brunswick is a small community dedicated to the lobster fishery
Shediac is best known for its giant lobster statue located at the site of the Visitor Centre and its Lobster Festival. The festival is a favourite to locals and visitors, so be sure you have accommodations booked for the night if you plan to attend. The larger city of Moncton is located just a half-hour’s drive west of Shediac, and offers a wider range of services for your visit–but not the lovely maritime scenery, as it is located inland.
I loved strolling along the Shediac harbour in Pointe-du-Chene Wharf.
You’ll find the Shediac lighthouse at Pointe-du-Chene Wharf.
I really enjoyed exploring Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf, where there are restaurants, a small lighthouse, and fishing boats to explore. It was slow and very peaceful when we visited mid-May, but I hear it’s really hopping during the summer months of July and August.
Have you been to Shediac or explored New Brunswick? I hear there is a New Brunswick in New Jersey, but we’re talking about the Canadian Maritimes in this post. 🙂
Please also check out my post about Fredericton, the New Brunswick capital located two and a half hours west of Shediac. It’s a great region to explore!
New Brunswick seems to be adventurous place and perfect destination for family travel.
I think it would be really great to see the harbour when it is busy and bustling with life. Bet it will be completely transformed!
Indeed, Emily. I live in a resort community that is tranquil winter thru spring. But come summer, the population and activity rises with the temperature! I’m sure Shediac is exactly the same.
Seems like a very relaxing place! Look like it is something I’d like to bike around 🙂
I think I feel about lobster like you feel about chocolate, Doreen. Love your opening photo of Shediac and the pic with the giant lobster had me laughing. Adding New Brunswick to my list of “Places to Go!”
Right on, Anita! I think you would enjoy exploring its culinary offerings. 🙂
I can guarantee that New Brunswick NJ is nothing like the one in Canada. It’s hard to imagine a spot celebrating lobster more than New England does, but I would certainly love to explore the Canadian Maritimes to taste some of their delicacy and see how it compares!
Sounds like a great plan, Alison! I would love to do the same. 🙂
Lobster and chocolate? Brilliant. New Brunswick is on my radar. Travel Happy!
You bet, Charles! I think you would enjoy exploring New Brunswick. There are lots of amazing activities to do!
I lived in New England for most of my life, but never ventured past Montreal in Canada. New Brunswick looks so lovely. I would love to see Shediac harbour in Pointe-du-Chene Wharf.
Hi Patti. I’ve not explored New England yet. I’ve been to New York State and am heading to PA later this month. But I’d love to explore the vibe of this region of the US and compare it to the Canadian Maritimes. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to explore NB some time soon. 🙂
I’ve never been to the maritime provinces but it’s going to happen one of the next few summers! What strikes me from your very first photo of Shediac is the LOBSTER. I love lobster and it’s just not available where I live.
Rachel, the Maritime lobster is totally delish. Particularly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, you can get lobster just about everywhere.
New Brunswick looks beautiful. Particularly the Shediac harbour area. I would love to go on a stroll around this place. Will definitely visit here.
Thanks for dropping by, Neha. I do hope you get the opportunity to explore New Brunswick and Canada’s Maritime Provinces.
I spent a few weeks driving around New Brunswick eating lobster rolls and you’re right – it does have a lot to offer!
Thx for your comment, Michele. I see a lot of parallels between NB and Manitoba. We’re both understated provinces that in some people’s eyes, are underrated. I think both provinces are great, and have lots to offer for those who take the time to meander off the beaten path as you and I have done. Cheers! 🙂
Canada’s East Coast is such a special part of our young country. We loved heading there in the fall for many years, miss it dearly.
Thanks for your comment, Nathalie. You are missing Canada’s lovely East nCost, but are having many other amazing adventures in your travels. Such is life. We have to make choices.
This sounds like my kind of little town, Doreen. Cozy, picturesque, friendly. Yep, that’s the kind of place I like to visit.
Right on, Rose. You and me both! I hope we will have the opportunity to travel together in the not-too-distant future. I truly think we enjoy pretty much all of the same things. 🙂
What a nice looking village on the ocean. I love the lobster statue.
I live near Canada, and have visited it a lot, have not been to there yet, will put it on the list.
Hi William: Living near the Canadian border, you know how big our country is. It takes many visits, and a lot of time to see everything there is to see. I hope you make it to Shediac. If you like a maritime environment, you will enjoy it!
I just came back from a trip to Quebec and I’m really in awe of it. That part of Canada seems really beautiful. I’d love to explore more of it, especially the Maritime provinces.
Hi Anda. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to QC. You will find the Maritime Provinces to be quite different. Canada is so big that you will indeed find each province to have its now personality.
We hope to see more of Canada as a road trip Spring of 2019. Long overdue. Can’t wait to explore the Maritimes!
Very exciting! I am glad you will finally be exploring our country. You will be shocked at how much natural beauty you will see. 🙂
You know how to find the best chocolate no matter where you are. What a great find in Shediac. I’ve been to New Brunswick, but it was many years ago, but I’ve since been to other Maritime provinces. Love the character of the towns and people.
Hi Cathy and thanks for your comment. Isn’t it great how each province has its own very distinct culture and vibe? I enjoy them all.
Hi Doreen, as you know I’m not a traveler but must tell you how much I enjoy ‘arm-chair’ traveling through your pictures.
It’s funny – Yesterday at our church’s ladies group everyone was discussing the Maritime Provinces and how friendly and welcoming the people were there and anyone who had been vowed to return again.
So keep on traveling – I’ll be sitting here traveling along with you in thought while eating some delicious chocolate 🙂
Thanks so much, Lenie. That is a wonderful endorsement. It is indeed my goal to share my travel experiences in such a way that the reader is immersed in a sense of place without having to physically be there. 🙂
Doreen — I have not been to New Brunswick but it looks beautiful. I know New Brunswick in NJ which is across the river from Manhattan in New Jersey but never visited there. There are a lot of “New” towns and cities in both the US and Canada dating from our British heritage.
Thx for your comment, Jeannette. Yes, I live in a town called Matlock, named after a place in the UK, as is the neighbouring community. So much fun exploring our world!
Hi Doreen – this place looks so beautiful! As a native of the American West, I don’t often think about going to eastern Canada, but I’ll have to consider it after reading your post!
Eastern Canada has a personality all its own, Jan. It’s a shame that so many Canadians have not yet visited our country from coast to coast (to coast!) yet they have travelled halfway round the world.
Stunning pictures!!!!
Thx so much, Linda. The cameras on the new iPhones are so good!
Aren’t they amazing? I hardly use my DSLR anymore!
I agree! I have a digital Canon with all the lenses, but never use it anymore because of the bulkiness. And I have a Fuji compact digital camera that takes nice pics, but for online use, is no better than my iPhone. So wonderful to be able to travel light and still get great pics! Thx for the conversation, Linda. 🙂
Shediac comes across as a small and charming place. A place where you can get away from the blistering pace of the cities. Always love these kind of small fishing towns and villages. They have an inexplicable soothing charm around them.
Absolutely, Sandy. There is something very soothing about a small fishing village by the sea. Love it! Thx for stopping by.
Shediac sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to visit!
You would love it, Bev. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, and great food and chocolate! 🙂
A Lobster festival sounds like something we would go and see and eat too much! I definitely like this New Brunswick a lot better. We are doing Canada over the summer break and now we will add this to the list, Thanks!!
Hi Mimi and Mitch and welcome to my blog! You can never eat too much lobster! It is something that I adore when visiting the East Coast. You say you are visiting Canada this summer? Where are you coming from, where do you land/enter the country, and how much time do you have? Not sure if you realize that Canada is the second largest country in the world. It takes a good month just to see the highlights of Atlantic Canada and that only represents about 1/5 of the major land mass of the country.
Glad you enjoyed your visit Doreen. Shediac is definitely one of my favourite places in New Brunswick. Spent many days on Parlee Beach!
Hi Trudy and thx for your comment. I remember being on Parlee Beach when I was in Shellac on a previous visit. But this time … it was pretty much all about the chocolate. 🙂
Haha…as I was reading this I kept thinking, “Well, I’ve never been to New Brunswick Canada, but I used to live in New Brunswick, NJ!” Honestly, I only lived there 6 months for an acting job. And it was during that job that I met my husband. But despite all that, the Canadian New Brunswick looks much, much nicer. I don’t like lobster, but I love the peaceful nature of fishing towns and just being by the water. Looks like a great place to visit.
Thx for your comment, Erica. I didn’t even know there was a New Brunswick in New Jersey until last month, when a woman who sells custom maps somehow learned online that I was going to New Brunswick and thought I meant NJ. New Brunswick and all of the Maritime Provinces are simply beautiful, and each is special and unique. I hope you get the opportunity to visit.
So happy that you love New Brunswick and Shediac as much as we do here! It’s a beautiful, vibrant town that really springs to life as everyone moves to the cottage for the summer. The Sunday morning outdoor farmers’ market at the park in the centre of town has just restarted and it was bustling last week.
Very cool, Allison! I didn’t know that Shediac has a farmers’ market in the park. Just one more reason to come back and enjoy the summer months there. Thx for stopping by, and great learning more about your beautiful province. 🙂
My husband and I so enjoyed taking a Holland America cruise from Quebec City to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia (also visiting Bar Harbor, Maine, and ending in Boston), so I’ve seen this general area but not to New Brunswick. I’d love to revisit the Canadian Maritimes; it’s a beautiful part of the world!
Latest post: http://www.tropicaltravelgirl.com/north-carolinas-crystal-coast-cape-lookout-national-seashore-and-lighthouse/
It is indeed a beautiful part of the world, Debbie. Each province in Atlantic Canada has its own personality and reason to visit. I bet that cruise was amazing!
Loved seeing the photos of Shediac! I’ve driven past but, have never stopped in for a visit. Looks like a pretty town…and I love that lobster! What a gorgeous reflection shot you took of the Shediac Lobster Shop. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to visit Shediac one of these days!
Hi Sandy. Yes, we were SO lucky with the lighting the day of our arrival. Took those shots and were so glad, as the next day the lighting was completely different.
Well done Doreen. Hope you had the fried clams at Capt. Dan’s in Pointe-du-Chêne. A close friend said “it’s worthwhile parking your gall bladder at the door of Capt. Dan’s” and he is right. There is more to life that just lobster,
Glad you got a chance to visit some of the beautiful province I have chosen to live in. I miss many of my close friends in PWAC.
Best personal regards,
Ross Mavis
Thanks so much for your comment, and recommendation, Ross. I believe the restaurants at Pointe-du-Chêne open up the May long wkend and we were there just before that, so nothing was open yet. But it was worth the visit just for the view.
It was such fun sharing my home province with you during your visit. I wish we’d had time to explore the whole thing – up the Acadian shore, down the Fundy shore and down through the St. John River Vallen. Next time!
Hi Ceci, and thx again for getting me to Cocagne and Shediac. I think this was my 4th visit to the region, so I have indeed been to the regions you have mentioned on previous visits. But yes … would love to revisit again soon as I love New Brunswick and all of Atlantic Canada.
New Brunswick looks lovely. Would be nice to visit.
We were in New Brunswick in the summer of 2012. We should have known about this Festival then. We were on our way to Nova Scotia and PEI. Loved it!
Hi Carol. Yes, there’s no much to see in the area, isn’t there? That’s why we have to return again and again! 🙂
Shediac looks lovely – fantastic light for photographs!
Indeed, Karen. I was travelling with a pro photog, and she got some amazing shots.
This got my travel bug and taste buds activated, Doreen!
Right on, Jackie! Then ai have achieved my mission. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Phoenicia. They hardly do it justice. Shediac really is a scenic village.
These are stunning photographs Doreen. News Brunswick looks like my kind of place – a sleepy village where life moves at a normal pace as oppose to fast paced.
This looks like such a lovely place to explore Doreen! I love little out of the way towns and villages like this. Thanks so much for sharing and, as always, just love your beautiful photographs.
Thx so much, Marty. Yes, off-the-beaten-path places are my favourite. Peace of mind and harmony with nature vs sirens and traffic lights.
Shediac looks so picturesque. New Brunswick is the one province I’ve never visited. I will have to fix that.
Indeed, Donna. I like to think of New Brunswick as a sister province to Manitoba. We’re both bilingual. We’re both super friendly and welcoming, and neither of us is well known or one of the super stars of the region. But well worth a visit!