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Hillsborough, New Brunswick - The Gateway to the Fundy Coastal
Drive
by Brenda Griffiths
Innkeeper for The
Ship's Lantern Inn in Hillsborough,
New Brunswick
Welcome and stay a while in our lovely village along the Bay of Fundy coast. There is so much to see and do, so make sure that you spend a few days in this central location for shopping, sightseeing, magnificent scenery and Maritime hospitality. Hillsborough is located 20 minutes south of the city of Moncton, 10 minutes from the "Rocks" at Hopewell Cape and 40 minutes to Fundy National Park. In our village you will find the roots to the "Steeves" family, originally German settlers who came here as "Steif". The William Henry Steeves House Museum houses information to these roots as well as a look back to days gone by of the early 1800's as the house looked then. Walk down the street to the Salem Hillsborough Railway and ride the train on a one hour excursion or the three hour dinner trains. These engines and cars are actual restored pieces and the museum and railway are the largest collection east of Ontario. The newly created Grey Brook Conservation and Waterfowl Park contains walking trails through our waterfowl park jointly created with Ducks Unlimited Foundation and it is spectacular. Our shops will cater to all your needs - stained glass, fine pottery, New Brunswick artisans, sculptures, a fine ladies clothing shop, relaxed dining and accommodations at Inns and Bed & Breakfasts. From this village we can send you off on Day Adventures to the following sites:
Cave Adventures - Hillsborough
Trout Fishing - Hillsborough
Historic Walking Tours - Hillsborough, includes private
homes, churches
Grey's Island Cemetery - The original area was the Grey
Island Wharf and dikes are still present that were built by the
settlers in the 1700's. The cemetery contains graves dating back
to the 1700's as well as a beautiful statue of a little girl named
"Jennie" who watches over the graves
Trans Canada Walking Trail - Leads from Moncton, through
Hillsborough and past the Rocks at Hopewell Cape. A hiking trail
that leads across the nation from coast to coast
Golf - Burro Hills in Hillsborough and Fundy National Park
golf course
Shopping - Kindred Spirits Stained Glass, Wendy Johnston
Pottery, Cornucopia Arts & Gifts, Birdwatchers Nature Store
for a complete selection of carvings and
supplies for bird watching, Hillsborough Ladies Fine Fashions,
Ovaldoor Manor for artist owned paintings and gifts, Andrew's
Cottage of hand made crafts, Mother Mitchell's hand crafted soaps,
Samphire Casuals that designs mugs, clothing, T Shirts. The village
also has our historic Post Office, library, pharmacy, gas stations,
convenience shops, liquor outlet
Information Center - Part of the wildlife conservation
area, travelers can receive information about sites, accommodations
and attractions in the region
Farmer's Market - Open every Saturday, with crafts, food,
local talent abounds here
Skiing - Opening the winter of 1999, Shenstone winter park
promises a beautiful slope in the hills behind Hillsborough with
ski and snow board trails
The Rocks - Hopewell Cape with the newly opened interpretation
center and gift shops
Museum In A Jail - Six foot thick walls house this unusual
museum in Hopewell Cape
Horseback Riding - Broadleaf Farms at Hopewell Hill
Covered Bridges - You will find them scattered throughout
the county. Maps are available to visit them all
Museum in a Bank - The former four storey Bank of Nova
Scotia building was moved across the main route in Riverside-Albert
and now houses a museum as well as information center
Crooked Creek Lookout - Located in Riverside-Albert this
magnificent lookout provides a spectacular view of the area and
a walking trail will lead you to the Crooked Creek Falls where
you can hike down and swim.
Studio On The Marsh - Home of world renowned artist Lars
Larsen who features prints for sale as well as original oils of
his wildlife and waterfowl paintings
Mary's Point - Bird and wildlife sanctuary started and
operated by naturalist Mary Majeka
Harvey Bank - A contrast of times with the 1960's built
dam side by side with the remains of the original Harvey Wharf
that was home to shipbuilding in the late 1700's and 1800's.
Potter's & Metal Artist - Scattered locations from
Hillsborough to Fundy National Park
Cape Enrage - Here you will be captivated by the breathtaking
scenery at New Brunswick's oldest operating lighthouse. The beach
at the start of the incline is not sand but smooth rocks, polished
by the forceful tides from the Bay of Fundy. The lighthouse keepers
house has been lovingly restored by a high school teacher and
his students and they operate the tea room, gift shop and rappelling
adventures from this magnificent cliff top area.
Alma - the entry village to Fundy National Park with shops,
lobster pounds, crafts and places to eat. Fundy National Park
is one of the most rugged and beautiful parks in Canada and
is full of walking/hiking trails, playgrounds, outdoor amphitheater,
golf, canoeing, natural scenery. Beautiful, with year round activities
as well as cross country skiing in the winter.
Fundy Coastal Drive - The final area of this route will
be ready by spring of 2000 and visitors will be able to drive
directly along a coastal area that has never been seen before
until this route was created. Hiking trails, scenic viewing areas,
picnic areas, waterfalls are all part of the motor Trail.
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