Shopping, dining and entertainment awaits you in Fredericton’s Historic Garrison District. Discover fine arts and crafts that make the perfect gift or keepsake in the shops that line Queen and York Streets and at the Soldiers’ Barracks. Downtown eateries embrace the culture and art of food. Listen to street musicians, watch artists and artisan at work in their studios and workshops, experience historic re-enactments like the Changing of the Guard in Officers’ Square, or simply relax on the riverfront and take in the beauty of the Saint John River.
Shopping in Fredericton’s Historic Garrison District
Barracks Fine Craft Shops
The Soldiers’ Barracks is a three and a half story stone structure built by the British Army to house more than 200 British soldiers in 1827. Today the lower level of the Soldiers’ Barracks houses unique craft shops that offer the wares of local artists and artisan.
Shopping on Queen Street
In the River Valley Craft Shop, you’ll find New Brunswick-made fine craft souvenirs and refreshments. Visitor information is also available from the River Valley Craft Shop. Botanicals Gift Shop Studio boasts fine arts and crafts from all over the Maritimes and showcases the works of 60 different artists with a focus on New Brunswick. Wares found in the Botanical Gift Shop Studio include pottery, jewellery, woodworking, glass works and textiles. Beaverbrook Art Gallery Gift Shop showcases quality handmade fine craft items made my local artists and artisans and merchandise unique to the gallery’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. New Brunswick’s finest pewter creations can be found in Aitkens Pewter, shop maritime collectibles, tableware, frames, Christmas ornaments and much more. Pop into Queen Street’s Brewtique and learn how Picaroons brews British-style ales using malted, barley, hops, Ringwood yeast and water. Be sure to browse Picaroons merchandise during your visit.
York Street Shopping
On York Street, you’ll find Yarns of York, carrying specialty yarns, needles, patterns and other unique merchandise for those who knit and crochet. Room2Remember is brimming with unique home décor, jewellery, luggage and more. Thoughtfully curated quality goods for everyday living can be found in York Street’s Modern General, a home goods shop showcasing work by independent artists from across North America.
Eat and Drink in the Historic Garrison District
Eat and drink in the Historic Garrison District. Casual and fine dining, coffee and tea shops, delis and bakeries, fast food, fusion and international, home-style, micro brews and tasting rooms, pizza and Italian, pubs and steakhouses and seafood. Downtown Fredericton boasts 50 cafes and restaurants with something for everyone.
The Garrison’s Entertainment
In addition to shopping and dining, experience the Historic Garrison District’s heritage and culture through historic re-enactments, live music and theatre and the surrounding beauty that inspires it all.
The Changing of the Guard
History comes to life at the Garrison’s Changing of the Guard in Officers’ Square. Learn about the history of the Canadian Army as you watch period-dressed guards re-enact the Changing of the Guard to the sound of a piper and drummer.
Live Theatre and Music
Throughout the summer, the Garrison hosts a variety of live theatre and music performances. Its outdoor summer theatre features the Calithumpians Theatre Company, delivering humorous and historical fare. Summer concerts in Officers’ Square features some of New Brunswick’s top performers.
The Garrison on the Riverside
Soldiers were drawn to build the Garrison next to the majestic Saint John River because of the easy access it provided to the river, but little did they know that years later artists and artisans would be drawn to the Saint John River for a completely different reason, inspiration to create. Relax on one of the benches that line the Soldiers’ Barracks and take in the sparkling Saint John River outlined by the colorful foliage of trees and lush green rolling hills of farmland in the distance.
- The Changing of the Guards take place in Officers' Square daily at 11am and 4pm, with additional ceremonies on Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. Sentry duty changes on the hour at City Hall from 12-3 daily.
- Be sure to visit the official Fredericton Tourism website for specific dates and times of live theatre and music events.
- Due to construction near Barracks Square, the Soldiers' Barracks will not be open in 2017. It will re-open in 2018.