Miramichi offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: Beaubears Island brings together shipbuilding history, guided tours and trails; at Wilson’s Point, trails meet access to the beach and wharf, as well as historic sites. French Fort Cove adds a 4 km trail and a zipline to the mix.

Beaubears Island: Shipbuilding and Tours

The Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Site of Canada includes the remains of an early 19th-century shipyard, as well as archaeological resources that remain in situ. This means they have been preserved in their original location. Together with the shipyard remains, these resources shape the site’s historical focus. The Beaubears Island Interpretive Centre offers guided tours of the centre and the island, including guided hikes and boat tours around the island. Beaubears Island’s well-maintained hiking and walking trails extend for more than 6 km. Alongside its shipbuilding heritage, visitors can choose between guided activities and an extensive trail network as different ways to explore the island.

Wilson’s Point: Trails and History

At Wilson’s Point, you can use 6 km of hiking trails with access to the beach and wharf. The Scottish Heritage Association has restored original burial sites and trails there, established a wharf and trading post, and built an interpretive centre. Wilson’s Point is a place of great significance to Miramichi’s history. Beaubears Island and Wilson’s Point have distinct historical focuses: shipyard remains and archaeological resources shape the story at Beaubears Island, while restored burial sites and the trading post are part of the history of Wilson’s Point. If you want to compare historic points of interest, these themes help distinguish the two sites.

French Fort Cove: Trail and Zipline

The French Fort Cove Trail is 4 km long and loops around historic French Fort Cove. In French Fort Cove Park, the Over the Cove Zipline runs from one side to the other. This means the park offers two distinct activities: a loop trail of a set length and a zipline that crosses the park from one side to the other. This distinction helps you consider the trail’s 4 km separately from the crossing by zipline.

Museum and Events

The Miramichi Natural History Museum is designated a Local Historic Place because it is considered the oldest museum of its kind in New Brunswick and the third-oldest in Canada. The events also offer different highlights. The four-day Miramichi Folksong Festival celebrates authentic traditional and contemporary folk music from Miramichi. The Miramichi Irish Festival features pubs, music and cultural activities. The Miramichi Striper Cup is held in the city every year. These include a multi-day festival focused on music, a festival featuring Irish cultural offerings, and an annual event. Festival programs may change from one edition to the next; dates and programming for the Striper Cup may change. If an event is the reason for your trip, check the latest dates before making plans.

Accommodation and Getting Around

Ritchie Wharf is a waterfront park in Miramichi, just a short walk from the shops in the Newcastle Business District and from accommodations. The other attractions and activities each have their own focus: island history and tours on Beaubears Island, historic sites at Wilson’s Point, and a trail and zipline at French Fort Cove. You can plan your stay around the topics that interest you most and take event dates into account separately when making your plans.

Discover more destinations: Derby, Neguac, Blackville, Beaver Brook, Chelmsford.

View the regional travel guide: Northumberland County.