WELCOME to our 2018 summer fun bucket list!! We have been creating a summer bucket list for many many summer and each year we find new places to explore! I can hardly believe that NB is filled with so many beautiful hidden treasures. This year I asked some local friends to give me their favourite hidden spots for us to add to our summer fun list and they did not disappoint. I tried to pick ones that are close by as we aren't doing any long distance traveling this summer. Hope you enjoy :)
Hands down one of our favourite places to spend a day! Nothing like the freezing cold salt water rolling in over a hot sand bar. This place has great camping as well, with huge sites, great prices and sweet cook houses. There is also hiking trails, restrooms, playground, restaurant and places to BBQ.
It has lots of places to enjoy a BIG family picnic
This is a new beach on our list to explore with some of our Kingston friends.
This beautiful swimming hole is also new to us but the water is so beautiful and tropical looking! It has been recommended to wear water shoes due to all the rocks.
Yes, the sand is black! I can't wait to visit this beach.
This was such a fun adventure...ok so we got a little lost trying to find this beautiful spot but if you write down the directions and follow them you won't have any troubles finding this beautiful spot.
This was a very easy water fall to find. The hike wasn't bad for a family with little ones but the water was FREEZING, even in Aug. But we didn't let that stop us and we all jumped in.
This is on the top of our list for this year. I can't wait to explore this beautiful place.
This beautiful hiking trail is located in Fundy National park. Last year the park was free for Canada day so we took advantage, loaded up Big Red and headed there for the day. Because it was a very hot day this hike was best done in the morning to late morning. The bugs are thick there so be prepared with LOTS of bug spray. The hike has a beautiful water fall that you can enjoy a cold and refreshing swim in.
We also took advantage to play at the play ground there and enjoy our lunch. Oh wait I need to tell you, since you are so close, head into Alma to Kelly's Bake Shop and pick up some of their famous sticky buns!!! After lunch we took everyone over to the beautiful (heated) salt water pool! The pool has been newly renovated and is so beautiful to swim in.
Strawberry picking is one of my favourite summer activities...I mean nothing beats the taste of delicious local strawberries. The past couple of years our tradition has been to go picking on Canada day! New Brunswick has so many u-picks so be sure to find one close to you.
2015
2018
family picking 2020
When you finish picking your berries be sure to stop by their road side stand to enjoy ice cream!
2018
And if you have NEVER tried a strawberry s'more; you should! This s'more is made with Celebration cookies!
With all those fresh strawberries be sure to try this delicious strawberry lemonade and short cakes.
Nothing beats walking the ocean floor, getting your feet all muddy, well taking in the beauty of these incredible rocks. It is a trip you will want to make at least once every few years.
The Fundy trail is a beautiful place to explore. It is a lovely drive and there are lots and lots of hikes to do. We hiked a trail that lead to the best swimming hole EVER!!!
This is a place we visit every summer! It is such a beautiful spot to enjoy the day. Be sure before you head out on this adventure that you know where the tide is at. You don't want to get there to explore the caves to have the tide just coming in. And of course at least one of our visits we MUST eat sea food on the deck at the Caves Restaurant!
One of my goals this summer to do more hiking! This isn't always the easiest with a few littles but we have 2 backpacks for carrying the little ones (there is a baby on my back) so we are making it work! This is a great hike that even our 4 year old did.
And every trip to sussex should include a stop at Mrs. Dunster's bakery.
And well you are still in Sussex head down the road from the bakery to a great play ground and splash park!
What a great family friendly place this is. There is a wonderful hiking trail that is great for walking (stroller friendly), running or biking. Also there is a big playground and a life guarded beach. You can even pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy that under one of their picnic table shelters.
It is our favourite place to bike as a family!
We love getting up early and heading over on a ferry ride to Kingston to enjoy their farmers market! There is so many treats and vendors you can purchase from and they usually have things for the kids and live music.
We love being able to take in a movie outside in the summer time. The drive in offers a great Sunday night price of $30 for a van full. That is great deal for us and our 12 passenger van :) We head up early to be there when the gate opens, grab a good spot, set up our chairs, blankets and enjoy the summer evening before the movie starts playing Frisbee or washer toss. Be sure to take lawn chairs (if you want to sit outside), warm blankets and even a little battery operated radio for those who want to enjoy the show outside the vehicle.
Kings Landing has so many fun events happening during the summer that this is a place that should be on your bucket list!!!
Growing up in St. Stephen this was one of my favourite times of summer! The town has so many fun activities going on, you should be sure to check it out! Make sure you get to become a chocolate dipper and don't leave the town with out enjoying a chicken bone latte at Something's Brewing Cafe.
Want to explore up town Saint John a little more? Why not check out this amazing up town puzzle hunt. Or if it is a rainy day book one of their escape rooms with some friends.
Timber Top is one of Canada's premier treetop aerial adventure parks that is located right here in our beautiful city of St. John! It provides unique challenges, a beautiful natural setting and an awesome customer experience.
Last year I took my oldest niece and nephew to timber top for the afternoon and we had a BLAST!!! It was so much fun and the views from the trees was breath taking! This is an adventure you are going to want to enjoy this summer.
Family Favourite summer ideas
You don't always have to go places to make amazing summer memories! Here are two of my kids favourite at home summer bucket list activities!!!
S'more Bar!
So many different chocolate bars, crackers and cookies to make your own delicious s'more combinations.
Water Wars
A fun evening or afternoon with our water guns (yes we each have our own guns) playing lots of different games or we do a HUGE pile of water balloons and go crazy chasing each other. Both of these activities are very fun and a great way to enjoy summer.
Inside Fun
This spot just opened up in Saint John and might be a great place to check out on a wet and rainy day.
I know I could have listed a lot more places to check out and I will continue to make post as we adventure and find new hidden gems.
