TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL | Top 10,000 Places to Visit in Canada
Page created by Graeme Kennedy | University of New Brunswick | Photo by Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0
August
Old Home Week is a staple in the Upper River Valley. The 9-day festival boasts events that bring everyone from Carleton County and surrounding areas out to enjoy our traditions and life as we know it.
The inaugural Old Home Week was held during the last week of August 1948. Mr. Frederick O. Creighton, Woodstock’s mayor at the time, had the idea for one week of numerous events.
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/WoodstockOldHomeWeek
National Historic Site of Canada
The Connell House was built in 1839 as a home for Mr. Charles Connell, a merchant and timbre dealer. The house is an architectural gem, boasting many fine details throughout, and is a stately example of the Greek Revival style.
If you are interested in architecture or local history, the Connell House is certainly worth a stop. The house was purchased by the Carleton County Historical Society in 1975, and a restoration began in 2007.
The Connell House holds permanent exhibits in three galleries, as well as temporary exhibits of historical and artistic interest, and hosts elaborate tea parties for those interested in a taste of the historical high life.
Photos: Greencolander at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Dr Wilson using CommonsHelper., Public Domain; Google Street View
The Old Carleton County Courthouse is a pristinely restored glimpse into the history of New Brunswick’s first town.
The Court House was built in 1833 in Upper Woodstock. The building served as a courthouse and the meeting place for the County Council, as well as a venue for concerts, fairs, and public events. After a new courthouse was built in Woodstock in 1911 the property was passed through two private owners, both of which used the courthouse as a barn and made many alterations to the structure of the building, degrading the historic value of the site.
However, in 1960 the Carleton County Historical Society was formed, and set out to purchase and restore the old courthouse. The restoration process took more than two decades but resulted in the courthouse receiving Provincial designation as an historic site.
The restored courthouse was ceremoniously opened by Princess Anne in 1986, and to date plays host to many events. It is open to the public by appointment from June to September.
Photo: Google Street View; https://www.facebook.com/CharlesConnellHouse
Since its inception in July 1973, the Woodstock Farm and Craft Market has been a pillar of the Woodstock community. In 2006, after more than thirty years of Saturday markets, the community of vendors opted to make the market a Monday–Saturday operation. Now you can get the best the region has to offer all week long.
Stop by and fill your basket with local honey, beeswax candles, maple syrup, knitted goods, certified organic local meat and produce baked goods, and wine. Whether you’re putting together a picnic for your road trip, planning dinner, or looking for a gift or memento, you’ll find what you need at the Woodstock Farm and Craft Market.
Photos: Google Maps, Santa Krimele, Brigitte Dumais
Located on the grounds of Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Water Wizard Waterpark is a great place to spend a summer day with the family. Passes for most of the attractions can be purchased separately, or you can pick up a Super-fun Pass for all-day access to the waterslides, wading pool, mini-golf, giant jumping pillow, kiddie jump pad, cannon-ball target game, and the fantastic Water Wizard’s Water Zone—a multi-level splashpad that is sure to provide fun for the whole family. While you’re there, send the kids into the Jellystone Gems Mine to search for gems to take home as a memento of their time.
If you’re looking for a place to camp, Jellystone Park offers family-friendly sites at affordable rates. Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash.
Photo: https://jellystoneparknb.com/water-wizards-water-zone/
With nine trails winding through one of the largest remaining Appalachian Hardwood forests, the Meduxnekeag River Trails offer not only a beautiful day in nature but also the chance to feel a part of an increasingly rare ecosystem. Only 1% of Appalachian hardwood forest is left standing today, and half of that is located along the Meduxnekeag River.
The trails represent the greater efforts of the Meduxnekeag River Association to preserve and restore the unique natural environment of the region. The association has received many awards for their work, including the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation. You will no doubt be blessed by their dedication should you spend a day in any season on the community-maintained trails. In the winter months, many trails are open for snowshoeing, a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the area.
There are multiple parking locations with access to trails of various difficulties.
Photo: https://www.meduxnekeag.org/
If you’re a fan of arts and crafts or just looking for a bite to eat, Creek Village Gallery and Café is certain to please.
The café is a farm-to-table restaurant with a daily menu that revolves around available local produce and fresh-baked goods utilizing organic ingredients. Alongside their beloved food menu, they offer fair-trade coffee and espresso-based specialty coffees. Eat and drink in the vibrant ambience of their local artisan’s gallery.
The Gallery and Café is a non-profit, community-led co-operative that strives to nurture artists of the area. They want to “bring art to the community and the community to the art.” Aside from the café and gallery, they offer occasional workshops on all sorts of creative endeavours, from stained glass to macrame, from watercolour to weaving. Check their website or get in touch for upcoming workshops. Their Young Artist Spotlight is a sign of their dedication to the furthering of the arts in the region, offering a monthly showcase to young artists as a chance to show their work and bolster their careers.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/creekvillagegalleryandcafe
