One of my favourite places for an early morning summer swim is Dominion Park beach. Located along the Wolastoq River, the beach is a perfect summer escape. Surrounded by forest, the water is usually calm and often visited by loons and cormorants, which make excellent swimming companions.

To accompany my early morning swim, I like to bring along a vanilla latte from Java Moose - a Saint John staple beloved by locals across the city and province, Java Moose also earned Gold in the 2026 People’s Choice Awards. Paired with an almond croissant from Sweet Vanilla, this is the perfect start to the day.

For anyone looking for a little more adventure, TimberTop Adventures is located right beside the beach. Its high ropes course gives visitors the chance to climb, traverse and zip line from tree to tree through a beautiful old-growth forest overlooking the river.

After my swim, I’ll pack up my sandals, trade them for hiking boots and hit the road for Fundy National Park.

Fundy is an incredible gem in the province, with so many trails to choose from that it can be difficult to decide where to begin. For my birthday adventure, I would choose two of my favourites: Dickson Falls and Caribou Plain.

Dickson Falls is one of the most popular trails in Fundy National Park. The forest walk leads into a cool valley before arriving at one of the park’s most photographed waterfalls. The trail also earned Bronze in the Best Hiking category of the 2026 People’s Choice Awards. With its moss-covered stones, lush forest and breathtaking waterfall, it is easy to see why it is so well loved.

Caribou Plain is a short and peaceful trail that takes you through evergreen stands, leafy hardwood groves, streamside alder thickets and a bog. One of my favourite things about this trail, besides the beautiful scenery, is listening to all the oven birds singing throughout the forest.

Between hikes, I love to bring along a picnic lunch - for the freshest ingredients, I love to pick up produce, bread and treats from the Kingston Farmers' Market or Queen Square Farmers' Market.

There's nothing better than taking in the stunning views of the Bay of Fundy while enjoying a well-deserved break. One of my favourite picnic spots is Herring Cove Beach, where you can sit by the water, rest your feet and recharge before heading back onto the trails.

After a full day of hiking, what better way to finish than with a well-deserved treat in Sussex?

Sully’s Ice Cream Parlour is the perfect place to stop for something sweet. With a wide variety of flavours to choose from, you can enjoy your ice cream in one of their homemade waffle cones while taking in views of some of Sussex’s famous murals.

My flavour of choice? Bananatella!

That’s a wrap on day one. Now it’s time to head home, get some rest and prepare for another full day of birthday adventures tomorrow.

Not a Saint John local? Turn your visit into an overnight getaway at Nattuary Nordic Spa in Gardner Creek, our silver winner for Best Unique Accommodation in this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

On day two, I head to one of my favourite places in the province: Saint Andrews!

When I moved to New Brunswick, Saint Andrews was one of the first day trips I took. I was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the nearby beaches and ocean, as well as the charm of the town itself. With its colourful buildings, friendly shops and beautiful waterfront, it felt a little like stepping into a Hallmark movie.

Over the years, I have made many trips back to Saint Andrews, and each visit always begins the same way: with a stop at Honeybeans Coffee, Tea & Treats, which earned Bronze in the Cafe category in this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

If there were one café where I could happily spend an entire day, it would be this one. Between the beautiful interior, relaxing patio, delicious coffee and homemade treats, HoneyBeans is an absolute must-visit for anyone travelling to Saint Andrews.

My usual order? A Salty Maritimer latte and one of their homemade scones.

Once I’m properly fuelled, it's time to hit the streets and do some shopping.

With so many incredible shops along Water Street, you can always find something new and exciting. Whether you are looking for a piece of art made by a local New Brunswick artist, a special keepsake, locally made chocolate or a book to spend the rest of the day reading by the water, Saint Andrews has it all.

Some of my favourite stops include Marmalade Home & Gift Boutique for gorgeous gifts and home décor, Bucca dell’Acqua for finding my next beach read, and McGuire Chocolate Company for locally made chocolate. If you have not tried one of their chocolate bars before, I highly recommend the Peanut Hank.

For anyone who enjoys sewing or fibre arts, The Wee Fabric Shop is also well worth the short drive up the road. It is an absolute dream for quilters, sewists and anyone who loves spending time surrounded by beautiful fabrics.

After a morning of shopping, it is time for lunch.

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious local seafood in Saint Andrews, with plenty of options for fish and chips, chowder and lobster rolls. One of my favourite spots is the Niger Reef Tea House.

A short walk down Water Street, the restaurant sits beside the St. Andrews Blockhouse beneath a canopy of tall trees. It is the perfect place to escape the summer heat, enjoy a cold drink on the outdoor patio and take in the view of the bay.

My order of choice? The fish cakes.

After lunch, I like to head to Kingsbrae Garden, which earned Gold for Best Botanical Garden in this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

With more than 50,000 perennials, themed gardens, ponds, streams, old-growth Acadian forest and a variety of animals and birds, there is always something new to discover.

It is the perfect place to end a day in Saint Andrews. I love strolling through the different gardens, taking in the views and stopping along the way to practise my photography skills.

Did we miss someone great?

Probably — and that’s the beauty of New Brunswick. There are so many local businesses, makers, restaurants, breweries, and experiences to discover that we can’t fit them all into one blog. If you know a spot we should feature in a future post, send us a note.