Exploration Guide
Sackville and the Surrounding Area
Image: Garry Donaldson
There is no shortage of places to explore around Sackville, and in Atlantic Canada in general! Check out our suggestions of places worth visiting in the region!
Image: Kiirsti Owen
Within Walking Distance
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There are a number of trails within the town of Sackville. There are good chances to see shorebirds, such as Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers and more, as well as a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. The Sackville Waterfowl Park can be accessed from a number of locations, including behind the meal hall at Mount Allison University. The Tantramar Wetlands Centre is located behind the high school across the highway. There is a new extension to the retention ponds not shown in the map below, which goes behind the community garden, off Charles Street.
Venture a little further to walk along the dykes, which begins at the Sackville Sewage Lagoons (a great birding spot). You can find this walk on the AllTrails app.
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Visit the gallery on Mount Allison’s campus to see some small, but beautifully curated exhibits. Admission is free!
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A small lake located about 3.5km away from Mount Allison University, where you can swim and rent canoes and kayaks.
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A Sackville staple! The market runs on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm. There's lots of local produce, treats, and trinkets!
Within a 30 minute drive
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A shorebird lover’s paradise. In mid August, you may be able to see flocks of more than 100,000 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Consider supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada while you are visiting, so they can continue to help protect this important shorebird site.
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Maintained by the Tantramar Outdoor Club, this is a great spot to go for a walk and find songbirds. The Ogden Brook Loop is a great little 2.5km hike, but be sure to follow a map on all trails or follow the posted maps carefully, because there are ATV trails that lead through the area as well.
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A National Historic site with great views of the Bay of Fundy, and part of the Forests and Fossils field trip. Check out their programming for August 15th - marking National Acadian day.
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A great hike to see songbirds and waterfowl. This is a spot along our "Forests and Fossils" field trip. Learn more here.
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A walk on your way to Johnson’s Mills, with interpretive panels to learn more about our local indigenous Mi’kmaq culture. Learn more here.
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The closest city to Sackville, with many options for restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment. There’s also a zoo (with a Motus station), water park, winery, tidal bore viewing and more. Learn about tourism in Moncton here.
Within 2 Hour Drive
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A great spot to go look for shorebirds, with large exposed sand and mudflats at low tide. Keep an eye out for flagged shorebirds while you’re there, as this has been an active research site since 2018! The parking lot is in very bad condition, so park at the end of the paved road. A link to google maps can be found here.
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This is a stop of the "Bay of Fundy" field trip. The park is known for its beautiful hiking trails and amazing views of the Bay of Fundy. Learn more here.
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A scenic driving route to take in views of the Bay of Fundy. Stop for a picnic, a hike, or to just enjoy the view. Read more here.
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On a small scenic island in Bouctouche you'll find this amazing re-enactment of Acadian culture. Historic and entertaining, this is a popular local attraction. Read more and buy tickets here.
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Visit this important stopover site for Semipalmated Sandpipers, and explore the new interpretive center to learn more about the birds and the area. A stop on our "Bay of Fundy" field trip. Read more here.
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You can sign up to go kayaking among the rock cliffs and arches that are defined by the highest tides in the world, or just walk around the ocean floor during low tide. This is a stop on the "Bay of Fundy" field trip. Read more about this iconic destination here.
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The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest tides in the world. The water moves so fast it creates rapids! Tidal bore rafting is a one-of-a-kind experience. Read more about it and find rafting outfitters here.
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Halifax is the largest city in the Maritimes. It hosts incredible restaurants, history, events and more. Go for a walk on the waterfront, walk through Point Pleasant Park, hop on the ferry to see the harbour, and more. Learn more about Halifax tourism here.
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The smallest Maritime province, known for its red soils, beautiful beaches, cultural attractions and of course, potatoes! Read more about PEI tourism here.
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One of Nova Scotia's true hidden gems. Visit the iconic Cap D'Or lighthouse for views of the Bay of Fundy, and keep an eye out for porpoises and seabirds in the water below. Enjoy a day hike in the rugged Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, or tackle the three night backpacking loop in the park!
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Stop and see the world's biggest lobster, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch, take a walk on the beach or visit local shops in Shediac. Learn more here.
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L'Aboiteau Beach and Parlee Beach are popular beaches to go swimming in the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait. Keep an eye out for jellyfish!
Further Adventures in the Maritimes
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Witness the migrating whales and a diversity of seabirds on a nature cruise! You can find multiple tour operators on Grand Manan Island, and Brier Island, which are the best locations to plan a trip!
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Explore Nova Scotia's 100 Wild Islands by kayak! These remote, rugged and beautiful islands are home to diverse underwater ecosystems, and migrating birds- you never know what you will see!
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One of Atlantic Canada's most stunning destinations. Go hiking, learn about Mi'qmaq culture, and look for a ceilidh in a local pub to soak up the experience. Also, keep an eye out for moose!
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Learn about Acadian history at Grand Pré and enjoy beautiful downtown Wolfville. The Annapolis Valley is known for its wonderful farm markets and wineries-be sure to stop for fresh fruit on your journey!
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Paddle, hike, bike, camp, and connect with nature and Mi’kmaw culture. Explore Mi’kmaw petroglyphs, traditional encampment areas, and canoe routes dating back thousands of years. Experience the night sky in Nova Scotia’s only Dark-Sky Preserve. Learn more here.
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Experience Acadian culture, enjoy fresh caught seafood, enjoy a walk on the beach, or look for shorebirds in Miscou or Lámeque! Learn more here.
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There are endless beaches in Nova Scotia. The beaches along the Northumberland Strait are warmer than those around the Atlantic coast. The beaches of Cape Sable Island at the Southwestern tip of Nova Scotia are rarely busy, and the area supports large numbers of shorebirds during migration. Some particularly beautiful beaches include Taylor Head Provincial Park, Crystal Crescent Beach and The Hawk.
