Situated on the scenic Atlantic Canada, Fredericton and Saint John are vibrant cultural and educational hubs that blend urban and small-town life. Known for their warm hospitality and inclusive spirit, both cities offer a welcoming and affordable place to live, study and thrive.

Fredericton, the provincial capital with 72,700 residents (as of 2024), sits along the scenic Wolastoq (Saint John River), offering stunning riverside trails and green spaces. The city is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring over 125 km of trails, historic architecture, and lush parks for canoeing, snowshoeing, biking or exploring by electric scooter.

Saint John, the first incorporated city in Canada, has about 78,165 residents, growing nearly 4% in 2024, driven by newcomers drawn to its revitalization. Being the only city on the Bay of Fundy, Saint John is a popular coastal destination for cruise ships, offering breathtaking and rejuvenating experiences, where history, nature and urban life come together.

TECHNOLOGY HUB

Fredericton hosts a robust tech sector, recognized as one of Canada’s top “Intelligent Communities” by the Intelligent Community Forum. Thanks to a cost-competitive business environment, a supportive entrepreneurial community and strong partnerships with local universities like UNB and St. Thomas, it is a growing center for IT innovation.

Saint John is home to Atlantic Canada’s largest port by volume, making it a strategic global gateway, a strategic economic center and a logistical hub just one hour from the United States border. Saint John is also emerging as a regional tech destination, with startups and mid-sized IT firms expanding their operations here.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Fredericton’s arts scene includes the gallery founded by Lord Beaverbrook in 1959, one-of-a-kind artisan markets, indigenous festivals like Saint Mary’s First Nation annual powwow and major festivals like Harvest Music Festival. The city also hosts numerous film, theatre, and heritage events.

Saint John is thriving in culture with its historical Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, Canada’s oldest continuing farmers’ market–the Saint John City Market, and venues like the Imperial Theatre and the Area 506 container village, which showcase local talent and global influences.

SPORTS

Maritimers love local hockey! Saint John and Fredericton are home to many local arenas offering outdoor and indoor skating times, family skates, and other special events during winter. University of New Brunswick teams—the Reds and Seawolves—excel in hockey, basketball, curling, and cross-country at both campuses. Sports enthusiasts always get excited to watch basketball and hockey matches at the TD Station in Saint John.

You can also enjoy a day at one of the many golf courses or driving ranges or take in a round of mini golf in the summer months. Outdoor enthusiasts can canoe, kayak, fish, bike, and snowshoe along the scenic Saint John River Valley and numerous trails around both cities.

PLACES TO VISIT

• Beaverbrook Art Gallery and King’s Landing in Fredericton
• New Brunswick Museum, Reversing Falls rapids, Historic city tours, beaches and waterfront spaces in Saint John

DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE FREDERICTON & SAINT JOHN

•  Coastal towns like Saint Andrews-by-the-Sea and St. Martin’s offer seaside charm and whale-watching adventures
• Fundy National Park and the iconic Bay of Fundy allow you to craft your own adventure
• Hopewell Rocks, featuring iconic rock formations shaped by the highest tides in the world
• Popular winter adventures like skiing at Crabbe Mountain and climbing frozen waterfalls like the Devil’s Oven ice caves.

Getting Around

Both cities are well connected by the Trans-Canada Highway and the regional bus service and have regional airports offering flights to major Canadian hubs. Both cities also offer reliable public transportation and are easy to navigate by bus, bike or on foot, making it convenient to explore and enjoy everything the region has to offer.

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