Tour the Acadian Peninsula: Best Things To Do in New Brunswick

February 29, 2024   7 Comments »

If you’re looking for a unique Canadian experience, then you need to add the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick to your must-visit list. This beautiful region is steeped in history and culture, with stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals who are sure to make your visit unforgettable.


The woman at the counter brings my pain au chocolate and says something to me in French. I always admire the French language; it flows so beautifully, like silk coming out of people’s lips. It makes me nostalgic for my high school days when I took French and wondered why I was taking it. After all, I would never ever have a need to use it. At least that’s what I thought when I was 17 and growing up in Peoria with no passport.

I processed what the woman behind the counter was saying and realized I understood none of it. I apologetically said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t speak French,” while simultaneously thinking about how disappointed my French teacher would have been.

Suddenly in perfect English with a North American accent, the woman smiled and said – “That will be $7.75 please.”

It startled me – not because she spoke English, but because her North American accent was so flawless; absolute perfection. I was jolted into remembering I wasn’t in France, I was in Canada – Acadian Canada.

This wasn’t the first time during this trip that I had to remind myself I was in Canada. This little northern slice of New Brunswick was like a little oasis of French culture – or more properly called Acadian culture.

A Quick Acadian History

I’m American – and it’s likely that if you follow my blog, you are American. The Acadian history may not be that familiar to you… so here is the fast version thanks to the Louisiana Med School.

About 400 years ago, a trickle of men and women left their hometowns in France and sailed to Canada where they settled along the eastern coast and began to farm. At their peak, they were about 15,000.

These little settlements were not important to the King of France. His priority was the Province of Quebec. The settlements were also not important to the British Crown which instead valued the colonies of New England, to the south of Acadia. And, to tell the truth, the peace-loving Acadians didn’t much care for the always-feuding French and British. Everyone was happy.

However, in 1754, Major Charles Lawrence illegally demanded that the Acadians sign a loyalty oath to the English King and repudiate their Catholic religion. When the Acadians refused, the men were forced from their families and arrested.

Within days, all the farms, barns, churches, and shops that made up the Acadian colonies were burned down. So were their crops and livestock. A mass expulsion ensued. Families were separated and forced onto ships.

What followed were years and years of aimless wandering. Some Acadians landed in England and were promptly arrested. Some went to France and were treated as outcasts. And some sailed to Louisiana integrating there to eventually be called Cajun.

Basically, the Acadians were a people without a country and because of that were treated pretty poorly. However, some of the Acadians stayed in Eastern Canada and hid in the woods for years never getting on ships. The ancestors of those people make up this heavily populated Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick today.

Exploring the Acadian Peninsula

It’s a fascinating area that is like no other in Canada; it’s a slice of France in Canada that has a fierce loyalty to its Acadian roots. They have their own Acadian dialect, yet all speak perfect English too; hence explaining the woman in the bakery.

Acadian Peninsula new brunswick

Most of the time I was on the Acadian Peninsula I was confused – wondering if I were in Europe or Canada. Acadian flags fly from nearly every home, and everyone I met was jovial and welcoming. It was like a really, really nice version of France!

I spent a week on the Acadian Peninsula with my friends Dalene and Pete from Hecktic Travels. We found plenty to do in the area and all had an incredibly relaxing time…and a lot of delicious croissants!

Things To Do on the Acadian Peninsula

1. Take an Acadian Village Cooking Class

One of the most popular attractions in the area that will teach you about the history of the region is the Acadian Village; a living museum portraying the daily lives of the Acadians from 1770 to 1949. Take a walk through time and learn what it was like to survive as an Acadian during the expulsion.

And if you want to get really hands-on – then take an Acadian cooking class.  Head into a real 19th-century kitchen and learn to cook over an open flame! You will be escorted to the home of Madame Savoie, who will guide you through a cooking experience—from making fire to cooking an entire meal – including a pie from scratch! Then enjoy the feast in her 19th-century kitchen.

Acadian cooking class
Cooking over an open fire…

2. Go Biking in Caraquet

Stop by the visitor information office in Caraquet along Highway 145 and rent a bike for a mere $5 for a few hours! There is a trail that runs about 12 miles (roundtrip) along the main road in Caraquet and then off into the countryside all the way to Highway 11.

At that turnaround point be sure to stop and get an ice cream before heading back into town! Lots of beautiful views of the water and a flat path made this s favorite activity of mine… and the ice cream didn’t hurt either!

Acadian Peninsula biking

3. Go Clamming Like an Acadian Local

Want to be like a local? Then grab a shovel, a bucket, and some good mucking boots!

While we stayed at a cottage on an inlet near Shippagan, our neighbor Ron kindly loaned us his shovel and bucket for low tide.

To find clams, just dig where you see a few air holes and you’ll definitely come up with clams. Pete dug a bucket full up and cooked them for dinner!

4. Watch the Incredible Sunsets

We were inside our cottage after dinner working and suddenly Pete said, “Look at that,” and pointed out the window. I turned around and saw what he was pointing at.

We both grabbed our cameras and raced outside to shoot one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen! The sky was ablaze – and it all reflected off of the shallow, flat water in the inlet.

We also enjoyed sunsets in Shippagan and out at the Miscou lighthouse. We were only there for a week and the sunsets were incredible every night. Just have your camera ready!

Sunset on the Acadian Peninsula
Sunset on the Acadian Peninsula
Sunset on the Acadian Peninsula
Sunset at Miscou LIghthouse
Acadian peninsula new brunswick map
Pastel sunset in Shippagan

Take a houseboat vacation in New Brunswick

5. Have Some Poutine at the La Homard Mobile

This isn’t just any ole’ poutine, it’s lobster poutine!

When you are in New Brunswick, you have to eat lobster… as often as you can! This food truck has a permanent home in Caraquet along the main road. Stop and try this local favorite and sit out on the patio soaking up the sun while enjoying you lobster poutine!

6. Stroll Along the Boardwalk in Shippagan

The boardwalk in Shippagan winds above the marshy inlet for about 2 miles. You’ll find lots of locals out walking, running, or out with pets.

There are a couple of well-placed gazebos and benches to sit and soak it all in. We went at dusk and enjoyed another great sunset, as well as a stroll!

Shippagan Boardwalk Acadian Peninsula
Shippagan Boardwalk
Shippagan Boardwalk Acadian Peninsula
Gazebo on the boardwalk
Acadian Peninsula beaches
Beaches along the Acadian Peninsula

7. Soak Up The Acadian Pride

Everything in the region is Acadian; picnic tables, bike racks, garbage cans, telephone poles, chairs, houses… everything.

It’s rare to see this much pride in a culture within a culture. But it sure is fun to experience this very different and proud part of Canada!

Acadian pride

Disclosure:

I was a guest of New Brunswick Tourism for this trip, however all opinions expressed here are my own.



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