Woodstock (New Brunswick)

Woodstock is a town of 5,200 people (2016) in Carleton County, New Brunswick.

The region is bordered to the west by the US state of Maine, and is 72 km (45 mi) WNW of Fredericton. It is known as "The Hospitality Town." Woodstock is the oldest incorporated town in New Brunswick.

Understand

History

Little is known of the area before it was settled by disbanded veterans of De Lancey's Brigade following the American Revolutionary War. The veterans moved there in late 1783. 26,000 acres were granted to 110 men. Not all took up the offer, and of those who did, not all stayed. By 1790 only 23 families were present, and by 1804 only 10 of the original men had possession of the land. Around 1805, the town was home to several mills, and export of timber via the Saint John river began about this time.

The town was the first in New Brunswick to be incorporated, in 1856. The first mayor was Lewis P. Fisher. He made provisions in his will for the building of several educational institutions, among them the first Agricultural and Vocational School in Canada, and the L.P. Fisher Public Library.

Get in

By plane

The closest airport with commercial service is in Fredericton (YFC^IATA), approximately 1 hour south-east of Woodstock.

Woodstock is also close to Woodstock Airport (TC LID CCD3), in nearby Grafton. It has a 3,000-ft runway and mainly serves smaller planes.

By train

The nearest train station, operated by Via Rail, is nearly 3 hours away by car in Moncton.

By bus

Maritime Bus (Stops at the bus terminal, which is located next to Murrays), toll-free: +1-800-575-1807, info@maritimebus.com. Operates intercity buses in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. (updated Apr 2022) Operates a Route between Edmundston and Moncton including stops in Grand Falls, Perth-Andover, Florenceville, Woodstock, Fredericton, and Fredericton Airport.
Travel to Woodstock from the following destinations involving same day transfers is as follows:
- From Saint John with a transfer in Fredericton
- From Bathurst, Campbellton, Halifax, Miramichi with a transfer in Moncton
- From Charlottetown ) with transfers in Amherst and Moncton
- From Antigonish, North Sydney, Sydney with transfers in Truro and Moncton

By car

From the US: Highway I-95 joins the Trans Canada Highway in Woodstock. Follow the I-95 north-east through Maine.
Route 2 (Trans Canada Highway) passes through Woodstock half-way through New Brunswick. There are several exits along the highway to enter the town.

Get around

There is no public transportation in Woodstock. Visitors have five options: bring their own vehicle, rent a vehicle, bring a bicycle, walk everywhere, or take a taxi.

Car rentals

Eh One Rent A Car Inc: 319 Connell Street, +1 506 328-3300

Taxi companies

Classic Car Service, +1 506 323-0123
Mike's Taxi, +1 506 328-9581 Town rate: $5
Spanky's Taxi, +1 506 325-9490
Cam's Taxi, +1 506 325-9516

Understand

Historically, Woodstock is a very uni-cultural, Christian town. While Woodstockers are for the most part a friendly and polite people, visible minorities who travel through Woodstock can expect the occasional stare.

Speak like you're from the Valley: Learn about the local dialect at the Dooryard.

See

Woodstock, as the oldest incorporated town in New Brunswick, has many historical buildings. As well, because it is along the scenic St. John River, there are many beautiful locations for outdoor activities.

Old Carleton County Court House, 19 Court Street, Upper Woodstock, ☏ +1 506 328-9706. July-August daily 10AM-6PM, or by appointment. Built in 1833, the Old Court House was used as a horse barn from the 1883 construction of a new court house until 1966. Purchased and restored by the Carleton County Historical Society, it was designated as a protected heritage site in 1977. Ask to see the Judge's Chamber. The Victorian Christmas Concert is held here on the last weekend in November.

L.P. Fisher Library, 679 Main Street, ☏ +1 506 325-4777. Public library on Main Street in the heart of town, designed and constructed early in the 20th century from part of the fortune which Woodstock's first mayor L.P. Fisher left for the civic betterment of the town. A heritage building and a busy working library, it also houses three specialized collections: the Dr. G.F. Clarke collection of Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) artefacts; the local historical and genealogical reference books and manuscripts of the W.O. Raymond Room; and the Dalton Camp Canadiana collection. The latter are both named for and in part provided by writers whose roots were in Woodstock. a modern section was completed in 2015 (updated Apr 2016)

Charles Connell House, 128 Connell Street, ☏ +1 506 328-9706. July-August: daily 10AM-6PM, or by appointment. The Honourable Charles Connell House, built in 1840, was once the home of politician Charles Connell. Now a museum which contains authentic artefacts from that era, it houses the Carleton County Historical Society's archives.
Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve. The Meduxnekeag River Valley is the New Brunswick heart of a rich and unique type of hardwood forest. Containing many provincially rare and uncommon plant species, the surviving scattered patches of this "Appalachian" or "St. John River" hardwood forest occupy only about 1 percent of their original extent. The Meduxnekeag River Association has purchased and protected the Preserve, creating a well-marked 10 km network open year round to the public.

Do

Take a walking tour, to view the beautiful public and private Victorian-era buildings in the historic downtown and nearby streets. Maps can be obtained at local tourist bureaus, the Library, or the Charles Connell House. Each home along the tour has a sign with its description on the front of the property.
Old Home Week is a county-fair type celebrated in Woodstock each year. There are various festivities held at the fairground and throughout the town, including: the Tractor Pull, the Joe McGuire Road Race, the Miss New Brunswick Pageant, Hobby Shows, the Demo Derby and Live Entertainment.
Dooryard Arts Festival. A four-day mixed arts festival in July that showcases the best in local and regional art, music, theatre, film and writing. Over 25 live music acts, an assortment of art displays, workshops, and street market.
Hike the Maliseet Trail. This trail passes through a mixed forest stand and has a gentle uphill grade. The trail ends at the Hayes Falls. The ice buildup makes a prime site for an easy and fun winter-time ice climb (lots of anchor potential at the top) and a great winter camping spot to boot. The trail is located about 3 km south of Woodstock along the highway, but isn't very well marked. Stop by a tourist bureau to get proper directions.
Another popular event is the annual Atlantic Bass Tournament. Woodstock is renowned as one of the premier places in North America for catching small mouth bass because the waterways are natural breeding grounds for this frisky fish.
Woodstock Bowlacade (Exit 184, Trans Canada Highway), ☏ +1 506 328-8418. Candlepin bowling, funky 1970s décor, good fries.
Woodstock Golf & Curling Club, 132 St. Andrews Street, ☏ +1 506 328-2386 9. Hole course features all the hallmarks of New Brunswick golf. In the winter, try your hand at curling.
Carleton Civic Centre, 105 Connell Park Road, ☏ +1 506 325-4671. Open year round to visitors and residents, the Civic Centre offers an indoor walking track, indoor swimmnig in a 5-lane, 25-metre pool, and a well-equipped Fitness Centre. Indoor skating is also offered during the winter months.
Join the locals in worship! Woodstock is a very Christian town, and all of the churches openly welcome visitors to their services.
Celebrate Christmas - Victorian style! Each year the town holds Victorian Christmas activities, with a Festival of Lights, a concert at the Old Court House.

Buy

Farm Market. Fridays 8AM-2PM. Dozens of local vendors offer vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers, plants, eggs, jams, pickles, maple syrup, home baking and crafts. Sample local produce, find a perfect gift and meet many of the colourful locals. The Market, located at 220 King Street where the picturesque Meduxnekeag River meets the St. John River, also serves lunch time fare such as barbecued buffalo burgers.
Roadside vendors are often seen on Connell street and Houlton street in the summer months.

Eat

NB Sushi Takeout, 620 Main Street, ☏ +1 506 325-2063. M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa noon-6PM.
The Unicorn (The River), 558 Main St, ☏ +1 506 325-2829. Daily 11AM-midnight. One half holds a family restaurant, the other a licensed pub. (updated Apr 2016)
Thai Hut, 111 Connell St, ☏ +1 506 328-8424. 11AM–10PM. Gluten free (updated Apr 2016)
Murray's Restaurant, 198 Beardsley Rd (Exit 191), ☏ +1 506 328-2994, fax: +1 506-325-2148. Large portions. Trucker's entrance. (updated Apr 2016)
Woodstock has the most Tim Hortons restaurants per capita in New Brunswick and probably in the world. With 4 stores for 5,000 people that's about 1 per 1250 people. To put this in perspective that translates to almost 2000 stores for Vancouver!
Fiddlehead ferns are a local specialty.
Woodstock also has a variety of standard North American fast food chains, from McDonald's to Pizza Hut.

Drink

Woodstock has a few watering holes, with the usual selection of Canadian beers.

Dooly's, 108 Carleton Street, ☏ +1 506 328-2208. Beer and pool.
NB Liquor Store, 104 Gallop Street Ext, ☏ +1 506 328-4190. Usual selection of liqueurs and spirits, great selection of local micro-brewed beers and regional wines. Ask the friendly staff for suggestions.
O'Corey's (The River), 558 Main St (Enter to the left), ☏ +1 506 325-2829. (updated Apr 2016)

Sleep

Hotels and motels

Atlantic Inns, toll-free: +1-877-733-4667. TCH Exit 184, Lockhart Mill Road, Jacksonville,
Best Western, ☏ +1 506 328-2378. TCH Exit 185, 123 Gallop Court, Woodstock,
Cosy Cabins Motel, ☏ +1 506 328-3344. Route 165, Lower Woodstock,
Econo Lodge, ☏ +1 506 328-8876. TCH Exit 188, Woodstock,
Howard Johnson Inn (TCH Exit 188, Woodstock), toll-free: +1-877-328-1961.
Stiles Motel Hillview, 827 Main St, ☏ +1 506 328-6671. Check-in: 4pm, check-out: 11am. Wifi, AC, restaurant

Bed and Breakfasts

Brigittes' B&B, 982 - Route 560, Jacksontown, ☏ +1 506 325-2298.
Chalet Swiss B&B, Route 105, Northampton, ☏ +1 506 328-6751.
Edgewater Pines, 1802 Route 165, Lower Woodstock, ☏ +1 506 328-3285.
Northampton House B and B, 4355 Route 105, Northampton, ☏ +1 506 328-6713.
Prism B&B, 114 Victoria St, ☏ +1 506 328-8981.
Riverside B&B, 109 Church St, ☏ +1 506 328-3094.
Sheriff Winslow House, 44 Rte 560, Upper Woodstock, ☏ +1 506 328-6200.
Shirley's B&B, 116 Parkwood Drive, ☏ +1 506 325-2756.

Campgrounds

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Kozy Acres, TCH Exit 191, Woodstock, ☏ +1 506 328-6287. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. Waterslides, mini-golfing, pool. Open May 31st to Labour Day.
Connell Park Campground, Connell Park Road, ☏ +1 506 325-4979.

Go next

Routes through Woodstock

Edmundston ← Hartland ←	W E	→ Nackawic → Fredericton
Houlton ← becomes ← ←	W E	→ END

This city travel guide to Woodstock is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.