If you’re planning a Maritime adventure, historic Edmundston is the perfect place to start. Settled right between Quebec and Maine on New Brunswick’s left side, Edmundston is exactly the sort of greeting you want to find when entering a new province.
Edmundston has far too much great history for a city of only 16,000 people. Museums across the county explain both the history of the Acadians and pioneers. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find the story of how one exasperated settler declared the area an independent republic, and for decades the “Republic of Madawaska” name stuck. For a short time, they even had a flag and their own order of knights.
The city has more art galleries than you can count on one hand and some great public art as well. Explorers, or those who sign up for a guided tour of the city, can find great statues, topiary art and some elaborately painted benches. If you’re looking for something a little more elaborate, you can catch shows in English or French at the Edmundston Arts Centre.
If you’re more into natural art, Edmundston is home to the New Brunswick Botanical Garden, home to calm pools and plants from all over the world. You will have to wait a little while for this one though, as the garden is only open from mid-May to October.
Now if memory-making is your goal, you should know that Edmundston is nestled in a valley with great bike trails, waterfalls and three covered bridges, which we all know make the absolute best photo backgrounds. 2016 may be the perfect time to make Edmundston’s rich heritage and nature part of your own personal history.
You can find out more at tourismedmundston.com.
