2 Best Sights in Fredericton, New Brunswick

The restored buildings of this British and Canadian military post is a National Historic Site and one of New Brunswick's top attractions. It extends two blocks along Queen Street and includes soldiers' barracks, a guardhouse, and a cellblock. Local artisans operate studios in the casemates below the soldiers' barracks on Barracks Square. In July and August free guided tours run throughout the day, and there are regular outdoor concerts on Officers' Square. Redcoat soldiers have long stood guard on the square, and a formal changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place July and August at 11 am and 4 pm daily, with an additional ceremony at 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. It's even possible for children (ages 4 to 12) to live a soldier's life for a while: each summer at 1:15 (or 11:15 for the French version) at the Guardhouse, would-be Redcoats get their own uniforms, practice drilling, and take part in a "mission" (C$10 per child). The square hosts a number of festivals, there's nightly entertainment in summer, and on Sunday evenings in July and August, free classic movies are shown under the stars in Barracks Square at approximately 9 pm. A summertime Garrison Night Market features arts, crafts, local produce, live music, and more.

Oromocto, off Highway 2, east of Fredericton, is the site of the Canadian Armed Forces base Camp Gagetown, the largest military base in Canada (not to be confused with the pretty Village of Gagetown farther downriver), where Prince Charles completed his helicopter training. The interesting museum here traces Canada's military history back to the 18th century and includes regimental, naval, and air force exhibits.