Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1520274
however, is a living entity that survives outside museum-like settings. Eclectic artisans, many of them con- centrated around Fredericton, put a contem- porary spin on age-old crafts. Poets and playwrights uphold a rich literary tradition, performing in coffee houses and theatres. Musicians thrive as well, which explains why, along with almost every imaginable form of modern music, you can hear hypnotic First Nations drumbeats, British folk songs and Cajun-style fiddles in pubs and at concerts or festivals province-wide. MUST SEE, MUST DO Hopewell Cape's tree-tufted islands always look lovely, but their full beauty is only revealed when the tide ebbs, transforming them into megaliths looming above the bare ocean floor (www.thehopewellrocks.ca). For flower fans, Kingsbrae Garden is reason enough to visit prim, trim St. Andrews by- the-Sea. Created from several old estates, the 11-ha (27-acre) property has over 20 themed zones (www.kingsbraegarden.com). Kouchibouguac National Park boasts an array of ecosystems and recreational options. You can swim, bike, boat, fish, or explore lagoons and dunes on a guided walk (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/kouchibouguac). At Fredericton's Beaverbrook Art Gallery, A-listers like Gainsborough, Dali and Reynolds share wall space with Canada's own Group of Seven. Programs for art lovers are available (www.beaverbrookartgallery.org). The Saint John City Market is overflowing with incredible edibles. Opened in 1876, the block-long building was constructed by shipbuilders, so its ceiling resembles an inverted hull (www.sjcitymarket.ca). Kings Landing Historical Settlement, a recreated Loyalist village, features 70-plus restored structures, among them antique- filled homes, working farms and picture- perfect churches (www.kingslanding.nb.ca). SCENIC DRIVES On the 460-km (286-mi.) Fundy Coastal Drive, welcoming communities combine with top natural attractions—including the Reversing Falls Rapids, Fundy National Park, the Hopewell Rocks and Cape Enrage—which are testaments to the world's highest tides. The 750-km (466-mi.) Acadian Coastal Drive delivers a quintessentially Acadian seascape of fishing wharves and lighthouses. Take a beach break or immerse in local history at Village Historique Acadien, where faux townsfolk enliven the scene with joie de vivre. The 512-km (318-mi.) River Valley Scenic Route follows the winding path of the legendary St. John River, a federally- designated heritage waterway notable for its bankside cities, camera-ready covered bridges, open-deck cable ferries and gor- geous Grand Falls. The 180-km (112-mi.) Miramichi River Route is synonymous with salmon. Learn more about the "King of Game Fish" at the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown, then dine on the catch of the day, leaving time in-between for some adventures on or in the water. Anchored by a pair of provincial parks— Mount Carleton and Sugarloaf—the 278-km (172-mi.) Appalachian Range Route is notable for rugged terrain that promises impressive scenery both on-road and off. Enjoy it to the fullest by breaking for a hike, bike or canoe ride. FAMILY FUN Pay homage to the homard (lobster) in Shediac. After clambering over the world's largest lobster—a 55,000-kg (55-tonne) whopper, albeit made from metal—kids can learn how to catch, and then eat the "king of crustaceans" on an entertaining and educational Lobster Tales Cruise (www.shediacbaycruises.ca). NB 69 NEW BRUNSWICK HAS MORE THAN 50 SALTWATER AND FRESHWATER BEACHES AND CAN BOAST THE WARMEST SALTWATER BEACHES IN CANADA Quick Fact SHORE LUNCH, CARAQUET • NEW BRUNSWICK TOURISM KOUCHIBOUGUAC NATIONAL PARK • PARKS CANADA/CHRIS REARDON