Scenic Byways

Natural History, May, 2000

Whether you travel by car, by bike, on horseback or on foot, follow the call of the wild.

This year, make summer travel an adventure for all your senses. Here, a guide to mapping out memorable natural and cultural exploits in eastern North America, home to some of the most scenic spots in the world.

New Brunswick

FOLLOW YOUR QUEST FOR NATURAL WONDER to New Brunswick, one of Canada's most alluring provinces. Located on the country's east coast, it borders Maine to the west, and the province of Quebec to the north. Most notably, New Brunswick is also bordered on three sides by water: Chaleur Bay to the north, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait to the east and, perhaps most significantly, the Bay of Fundy, all along the southern coast.

Many of New Brunswick's most picturesque byways follow along the coast of the Bay of Fundy. From the streets of cosmopolitan cities to historic, seaside towns and villages, the Bay of Fundy region is a unique coastal getaway.

The waters here invite fishing, sailing, and kayaking. Charming towns and cities offer eclectic galleries and boutiques and fine dining on fresh, succulent seafood. Whale watching is also a favorite activity here, where a variety of species put on a spectacular, unrehearsed daily show.

The Bay of Fundy itself is one of the world's most captivating natural phenomenons, an awe-inspiring display of truly monumental proportions. Considered one of the Marine Wonders of the World, the Bay of Fundy is a place of natural wonder, on par with the rainforests of Brazil and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

The bay is an amazing force of nature. Twice a day, one hundred billion tons of seawater surge in and out of the Bay of Fundy, enough to fill the Grand Canyon to the brim. The bay's unique funnel shape pushes and squeezes the incoming tides to incredible heights, up to 48 feet in some places. The tides here are the highest and most dramatic in the world. They create a spectacular panorama of carved coastlines and headlands as well as a rich ecosystem that supports an unusual abundance of wildlife.

Because of the size and frequency of the tides, there are certain notable attractions that are visible only at low tide, like the Hopewell Rocks. The Ocean Tidal Exploration Site at The Hopewell Rocks is the icon of New Brunswick's Outdoor Network. It is comprised of National and Provincial Parks, natural sites and amazing trails. In 1998, the Hopewell site was tripled in size and enhanced to include a new interpretive center with food services, multimedia exhibits, a gift shop, and visitor services, as well as an extensive trail network and viewing decks. In 1999 the site was the winner of Attractions Canada's Best New Site and British Airway's Tourism for Tomorrow award.

Visitors to the Bay of Fundy are warmly invited to observe over 350 million years of natural history while exploring towns that reflect the region's multifaceted native and colonial history.

The city of Saint John is the Fundy City, an ideal starting point for travel along the New Brunswick coast. A journey along the city's steep streets reveals over 400 years of history. Many of the city's most interesting boutiques, cafes, and historic properties are connected by a convenient indoor walkway system. The bustling farmer's market here is the oldest in the country.

A rich blend of English and French-Acadian traditions gives the city of Moncton a distinct cultural flare, fine dining and accommodations, vibrant nightlife and renowned shopping centers make Moncton a great stop along any New Brunswick itinerary. Moncton's Capitol Theatre, restored to its 1920s vaudeville grandeur, provides a stunning venue for live entertainment. The city's music scene offers something for everyone, from classical concerts to jazz, country and Acadian pop-rock. Naturalists will be equally entertained by the dramatic Tidal Bore of the Petitcodiac River, another of the province's famously beautiful waterways.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL TO THE BAY OF FUNDY REGION, CALL 1-800-561-0123 OR VISIT WWW.NBFUNDY.COM

New York

THIS STATE OFFERS A VARIETY OF ROUTES FOR summer vacationers with natural beauty in mind. In New York, a Scenic Byway is officially defined as a highway designated by the federal government and New York State that reflects regionally significant resources. New York's Scenic Byways system invites unhurried tourists to fully experience the unique features of each of the state's scenic regions.

The Seaway Trail has been a historically important travel corridor for thousands of years. The waters of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the mighty St. Lawrence River supplied Native Americans and early European explorers with food and transport. Later, as shipbuilders created larger vessels, lumber, grain and commodities to serve the world's populations began to move along this great seaway. The great battles of the War of 1812 were fought on these waters. Forty-two signposts note points significant to that struggle. Today, the 454 miles of this unique freshwater shoreline offer well-marked roads to villages, harbors, fishing ports and family attractions. Overnight accommodations range from hotels and inns to cottages and campgrounds.