Towns by the Bay: A 3-Day New Brunswick Road Trip Through Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton & Grand Bay-Westfield

Four towns. Three days. Two nights. One very memorable New Brunswick road trip.

Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton and Grand Bay-Westfield are part of Saint John’s Towns by the Bay region, where the Kennebecasis River and Wolastoq (Saint John River) shape the landscape and small-town communities offer plenty to explore.

For three days, my friend Lucie and I made Shadow Lawn Inn in Rothesay our home base and set out to discover what makes these four towns such a wonderful New Brunswick getaway. Our route took us along winding river roads and through colourful countryside, with plenty of reasons to stop along the way.

Think historic homes, a romantic inn, cozy cafés and standout restaurants. Hop aboard a river ferry, follow a quilt barn trail, seek out public art, discover a covered bridge and wander along the waterfront. Pick apples, sip local cider, browse markets and pop into artisan studios.

There was no shortage of places to explore, things to taste or beautiful views to take in.

Four towns. Three days. Two nights. One memorable New Brunswick Bay-cation.

Here is my Towns by the Bay itinerary, with the stops, experiences and local favourites that made this road trip one I would happily do again.

All You Need to Know at a Glance

Where: Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton and Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick

Trip length: 3 days, 2 nights

Where I stayed: Shadow Lawn Inn, Rothesay

Best for: Scenic drives, fall foliage, heritage, local food, cafés, shopping, public art, riverside walks and small-town exploring

Don’t miss: Rothesay Common, the International Sculpture Trail, Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park, Darlings Island Covered Bridge, Hampton’s Quilt Barn Tour, Station 33 Café, the Hampton Historic Homes Walking Tour, the Kingston Peninsula and Brundage Point River Centre

Getting around: A car is the easiest way to experience this itinerary, as many of the communities, attractions and scenic stops are spread throughout the region.

Ferries: New Brunswick’s government-operated ferries are free. The Gondola Point ferry crosses the Kennebecasis River, while the Westfield Ferry connects Grand Bay-Westfield with the Kingston Peninsula across the Wolastoq (Saint John River). Check current New Brunswick ferry schedules before you go, as service can vary seasonally.⁠

Best season: Fall is especially rewarding for this route, but the Towns by the Bay communities offer things to see and do throughout the year.

Day 1: Rothesay, Heritage Homes, Local Flavours & Shadow Lawn Inn

After an early-morning departure from Fredericton, Lucie and I arrived in Rothesay ready to begin our Towns by the Bay adventure.

Our first stop was Rothesay Common, a community greenspace surrounded by churches, heritage buildings and some of the town’s impressive historic homes.

We crossed the stone bridge and immediately spotted The Arc, a 2012 granite sculpture by German artist Jo Kley. It was the first of many pieces of public art we would seek out as we followed the International Sculpture Trail through the region.

From there, we wandered down toward the Rothesay Yacht Club to take in the view of the Kennebecasis River before getting back in the car.

Rothesay Road is made for a leisurely drive. The tree-lined route passes an impressive collection of historic homes and gives you plenty of reasons to slow the pace and look around.

South House on the Rothesay Netherwood School campus

Rothesay Stops Worth Adding to Your List

Among the places we explored were:

South House, one of Rothesay’s oldest surviving heritage buildings in Rothesay, on the Rothesay Netherwood School campus
East Riverside-Kinghurst Park
The Great Race of 1871 Kennebecasis Rowing Sculpture
Renforth Rotary Park

The Kennebecasis Rowing Sculpture has a fascinating connection to Rothesay’s rowing history. It commemorates the Great Race of 1871, when the Saint John-based Paris Four defeated the reigning English champions on the Kennebecasis River.

Rothesay itself offers a mix of heritage, parks, trails and waterfront along the Kennebecasis River, making it a lovely place to begin a road trip through the region.

Lunch at Garden Grove Café

By lunchtime, we were ready to sit down, and Garden Grove Café, across from Rothesay Common, was just the place.

This licensed café has a friendly, community-oriented feel, with local art on the walls and a welcoming patio for warmer days. I ordered the chicken and brie on ciabatta with a glass of Prosecco, while Lucie chose the chicken club. Both were great choices for a casual lunch.

The menu focuses on made-from-scratch food using locally sourced ingredients, and the baked goods on display had me wishing we had arrived with a little more room for dessert.

A Little Shopping in Rothesay

We squeezed in some shopping after lunch at Sweet! Boutique on Hampton Road. The store is packed with clothing, accessories and home décor, and Lucie left with a beautiful knit sweater.

Our next stop was Lana Langille-Doucette’s Art Studio & Gallery on Rothesay Road. We just missed meeting Lana herself, but her daughter Logan welcomed us and showed us around. The colourful artwork and floral pieces caught my attention immediately. I especially loved the painted cushions.

A Historic Stay at Shadow Lawn Inn

Our home for the next two nights was Shadow Lawn Inn, a historic property on Rothesay Road.

Built around 1870, Shadow Lawn began as a summer estate before becoming a hotel. It is recognized as a Local Historic Place for both its architecture and its association with a prominent local family. Over the years, the inn has welcomed notable guests including Canadian prime ministers John Diefenbaker, Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark, as well as other prominent visitors. The Diefenbaker Room retains his name.

With its elegant architecture, mature trees and nine guest rooms, Shadow Lawn made an excellent base for our three-day exploration.

Martin St-Denis and Tracy Pitts purchased the inn in 2021 and continue its tradition of hospitality. Martin greeted us when we arrived and checked in with us throughout our stay. From the moment we walked through the door, I knew this was going to be a memorable part of the trip.

Dinner at The Robertson

We didn’t have to go far for dinner. The Robertson Restaurant, located at Shadow Lawn Inn, was our evening destination, where we enjoyed the Flavours of New Brunswick five-course tasting menu. The meal showcased fresh, local ingredients with plenty of attention to presentation and flavour.

Breakfast at The Robertson was included with our stay as well. If you are planning to dine here without staying at the inn, I recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

Day 2: Quispamsis, Darlings Island & Hampton

After breakfast, we headed to Quispamsis, a community along the Kennebecasis River with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Quispamsis has more than 27 kilometres of trails, including routes along the Hammond River, the Trans Canada Trail and several parks and natural areas.

Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park

Our first stop was at the Arts & Culture Park, right beside Quispamsis Town Hall.

It’s a lovely place to stretch your legs and enjoy a little time outdoors, with gardens, paved paths, picnic tables, benches and the George S. Miller Stage. The park hosts events throughout the year, including summer music and movies, while winter brings the Holiday Dreamland lights and an outdoor skating rink.

It is also home to Cascade, a 2012 sculpture by Bulgarian artist Agnessa Petrova, part of the International Sculpture Trail.

I was happy to add another sculpture to our Towns by the Bay route.

Our next planned stops were the Hammond River Angling Association and Darlings Island, and the drive between them was already putting on a show. The scenery kept changing as we followed the roads through the countryside, with the Hammond River and surrounding landscape providing plenty to look at along the way.

Darlings Island Covered Bridge

Darlings Island is surrounded by marshlands, river channels and a variety of wildlife, making the drive here as enjoyable as the destination itself.

The original Darlings Island Covered Bridge was built in 1914 and is now closed to traffic, with a modern concrete bridge carrying vehicles alongside it. At 41.7 metres long, it is one of New Brunswick’s historic covered bridges.

The old bridge makes a lovely photo subject, and a short walk down toward the beach offers different perspectives and beautiful views of the river.

Be sure to drive the Station Loop Road before you leave. At just 1.4 kilometres, it’s a quick addition to your route, but I thought it was well worth the detour. With the marshes, waterways, mature trees and glimpses of wildlife along the way, it was one of those quiet little drives that made us want to take our time and enjoy the surroundings.

For me, this was one of the most enchanting and tranquil little stretches of the day, and one I wouldn’t skip if you’re exploring Darlings Island.

Hampton: Where I Fell a Little in Love

Hampton, I think I love you.

Before this trip, I didn’t realize just how much there was to see and do here. As we explored, I kept thinking, I need to write a separate article about Hampton.

I wasn’t the only person impressed by the town.

While we were there, I met a man who had moved from Ontario with his wife after doing some research on where they wanted to settle. They chose Hampton without knowing anyone in the community. His verdict? “Just look at what I see every day! Who wouldn’t want to live here?” They had become part of the community and had no plans to leave.

After spending the day exploring Hampton, I understood exactly what he meant.

Hampton’s Historic Town Centre

Hampton’s historic town centre is a great place to explore on foot, with its pristine town square, historic buildings, public art and the old train station, now home to the Visitor Information Centre.

It was here that I was first introduced to the Kings County Quilt Barn Tour.

The tour has since evolved, and the current 2026 version features three themed trails: River & Roots, Blooming Bounty, and Fields & Flavours. A new passport format introduced in July 2026 allows visitors to collect punches and receive a commemorative token when the passport is completed.

I enjoyed following this patchwork path so much that I returned to Hampton in the summer of 2026 to write a separate article devoted to it.

If you’re interested in seeing more of the countryside, quilt blocks, local businesses and other stops along the route, you’ll find the complete guide here:

Kings County Quilt Barn Tour: A Scenic Road Trip Along New Brunswick’s Barn Quilt Trail.

For this visit, though, you can easily sample a few of the River & Roots Trail stops and come back another day to explore more.

One of the first barn quilts we spotted was Peaceful Hours, located at the Hampton Visitor Information Centre. From there, the trail continues to a number of interesting stops around the area. Pop into the Visitor Centre and pick up a Quilt Barn Tour Passport to begin collecting stamps and turn it into your own little road-trip challenge.

Hampton Quilt Barn Tour

If you enjoy roadside attractions, local history and a good treasure hunt, this is a fun addition to your itinerary.

Near the town centre, look for:

Station 33, 33 Railway Crescent: Sunflower
Spuds n’ Things, 677 Main Street: Heron on the Marsh
Hampton Pharmasave, 599 Main Street: Saw Tooth Star
Lutz Parish Gerrish, 4 Centennial Road: Bow Tie
Old Kings County Gaol (Jail), 17 Centennial Road: Court House Steps

The Town of Hampton currently promotes both the Quilt Barn Tour and Historic Homes Walking Tour as visitor experiences.

Note: You will encounter a couple more barn quilts before you leave the area.

Public Art in Hampton

The town square is also home to another piece of the region’s public art collection.

Peace Wing, created by New Brunswick sculptor James Boyd in 2014, was my favourite sculpture of the trip.

By this point, finding public art had become a fun thread running through our itinerary. Each sculpture gave us another reason to stop, look around and learn a little more about the community we were visiting.

The other notable work is Credo, located in front of Hampton Town Hall. The monument honours Hampton-born John Peters Humphrey, the Canadian jurist and human-rights advocate who played a significant role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Take a minute to read the inscription and consider the local connection to this important piece of Canadian and international history.

Hampton’s Heritage Architecture

Hampton rewards anyone who likes historic buildings.

One building that immediately caught my eye was the elegant red sandstone clock tower building that now houses Lutz Parish Gerrish. The building is the former post office, an important landmark in Hampton’s historic centre, and its distinctive architecture makes it hard to miss.

By this point, I was convinced that Hampton deserved much more time than we had given it.

Fortunately, it was lunchtime.

Station 33 Café: Coffee, Lunch & a Little Wellness

Just across the tracks from Hampton’s historic town centre, Station 33 Café & Yoga is the kind of place that makes you want to settle in for a while.

The licensed café serves locally roasted coffee, house-made baked goods and food prepared with local ingredients. Upstairs, the yoga studio offers classes and workshops, while the wellness shop brings together thoughtfully chosen products from local artisans and makers.

There’s a relaxed, almost bohemian feel to the space, and I couldn’t help but think of Friends and Phoebe Buffay. With a guitar displayed on the back wall, I half expected her to walk in, pick it up and start singing one of her wonderfully quirky songs.

It’s a fun vibe here, but the food is worth talking about, too. On my visit, I enjoyed the tuna dill whole-grain sandwich with leek soup, while Lucie chose the turkey, apple and brie sandwich. I also couldn’t resist trying the peanut butter latte after seeing so many locals order one. It was every bit as delicious as it sounded.

Whether you stop in for lunch, coffee, a yoga class or a browse through the wellness shop, Station 33 makes a lovely addition to a day exploring Hampton.

Riverside Hampton: The Lighthouse River Centre & Osprey Adventures

Hampton’s waterfront was next.

The Lighthouse River Centre sits beside the park, wharf and boat launch on the Kennebecasis River. The centre is used for community programming, workshops and cultural activities and forms part of Hampton’s riverfront experiences.

During the warmer months, Osprey Adventures offers canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours from the area. You can paddle independently or join a guided experience to learn more about the river, marshlands and wildlife.

We parked near the Lighthouse River Centre and took in the fall reflections across the Kennebecasis. I watched the leaves changing colour right before my eyes.

Then I met Crystal Allen, who was out on her SUP practising yoga headstands during her lunch break. She works from home just up the river and told me this was how she spent her midday break. I couldn’t think of a better advertisement for life in Hampton.

Historic Homes Walking Tour

From the waterfront, we followed the Hampton Historic Homes Walking Tour.

The easy walking route introduces visitors to homes and buildings connected to Hampton’s past, making it a lovely way to combine architecture, local history and a little exercise. The walking tour remains one of Hampton’s visitor experiences.

You can also take in two more barn quilts in this area:

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 978 Main Street: Northern Lights Stained Glass
Hampton Corner Grocery, formerly Kredl’s, 1171 Main Street: Apple & Stars

Day 2 Continued: A Scenic Drive Along the Kingston Peninsula

From Hampton, we continued toward the Kingston Peninsula.

This part of the itinerary became a wonderful mix of local makers, food producers and incredibly scenic countryside.

Crimmins Pottery

Our first stop on this leg was Crimmins Pottery on Shampers Bluff Road in Kingston.

This second-generation family business has deep roots in New Brunswick’s craft community. Allan and Sarah Crimmins began producing pottery in 1970, and their daughter Elizabeth joined the business in 1995. Elizabeth now runs the studio with her husband John.

We met Elizabeth and her son Ben, and I loved seeing the family connection continue in the studio.

I found a pair of lovely candle holders in the shop, which eventually made their way onto my dining room table. Those are the kinds of souvenirs I love bringing home: beautiful, useful and connected to the place where I found them.

From Apples to Yip Cider

MacKay Apple Orchard was unfortunately closed when we arrived, so we continued to Fullerton Farms Corner Market for a quick visit.

Then it was on to Yip Cider. We sat down with co-owner Sam MacKay to learn more about the family orchard and the third-generation family business.

Of course, we also sampled the cider.

We enjoyed a flight on the back deck overlooking the Wolastoq (Saint John River), which may have been one of the prettiest places we stopped for a drink on the entire trip.

Eventually, we had to get back on the road.

Our scenic drive carried us from the Wolastoq (Saint John River) toward the Kennebecasis River and back through Quispamsis to Rothesay.

By the time we arrived at Shadow Lawn Inn, the property was beautifully lit against the evening sky.

After a full day, it was a welcome sight.

Take the Gondola Point Ferry

If you’re following this itinerary, consider adding the Gondola Point Ferry to your return route.

The ferry crosses the Kennebecasis River between Gondola Point in Quispamsis and the Kingston Peninsula. The crossing is approximately five minutes and, like New Brunswick’s other government-operated ferries, is free.

Drive southeast along Route 845 for about 22 kilometers (roughly 15–20 minutes) to reach the ferry landing on the Kingston Peninsula side.

The Crossing: The Gondola Point Ferry will carry you across the Kennebecasis River to Quispamsis.
Arrival: Once you disembark in Quispamsis, it is just a quick 10-minute drive down Rothesay Road / Route 119 to arrive at the Shadow Lawn Inn.

It’s a simple crossing, but it gives you a completely different perspective of the river and makes the drive home part of the experience.

Day 3: Grand Bay-Westfield: River Views & Public Art

Before heading home, we spent part of our final day exploring Grand Bay-Westfield.

Located along the Wolastoq (Saint John River), the community combines riverside scenery, heritage and outdoor recreation. It is also part of the region’s International Sculpture Trail.

Lunch at Grass Roots Grill

We started with lunch at Grass Roots Grill at Westfield Golf Club. I ordered the popular Freakshow Burger, while Lucie chose a BLT. Both were satisfying choices before we set out to find a few more international sculptures.

Discovering More Public Art

Our sculpture hunt continued with:

My Town by James Boyd
Confidence by Songul Telek
Love by Fetiye Boudevin
River Gate by Radoslav Sultan
Untitled by Alessio Ranaldi

The collection gave us another reason to explore roads and parks we might otherwise have driven past.

Brundage Point River Centre

We saved extra time for Brundage Point River Centre, and I’m glad we did.

The riverfront gathering place offers spectacular views, river access, a public boat launch, visitor amenities and access to the Westfield Ferry.

I walked the boardwalk, watched the ferry arrive and read the interpretive panels along the waterfront, learning more about the stories that shaped Grand Bay-Westfield.

The town’s 14.5-kilometre Municipal Heritage Trail follows the Wolastoq (Saint John) and Nerepis Rivers, with interpretive information, rest areas and scenic viewpoints along the way.

It was a fitting final stop for a trip that had followed rivers almost the entire way.

Make Time for a New Brunswick River Ferry

River ferries became one of my favourite parts of this trip.

The Gondola Point ferry crosses the Kennebecasis River between Gondola Point and the Kingston Peninsula, while the Westfield Ferry connects Grand Bay-Westfield with the Kingston Peninsula across the Wolastoq (Saint John River). Both are operated by the Province of New Brunswick and are free to use.

The crossings are short, but they offer something a road can’t: a completely different perspective of the landscape.

And sometimes a five-minute ferry ride is exactly the break you need between one adventure and the next.

Always check current schedules before setting out, as service and seasonal schedules can change.

More Towns by the Bay Adventures Await

Three days gave us a wonderful introduction to Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton and Grand Bay-Westfield, but we barely scratched the surface.

That’s one of the reasons I love exploring close to home.

You can follow a planned itinerary and still find yourself changing course because a café catches your eye, a historic building demands a closer look or a scenic road looks too good to pass by.

If you enjoyed this Towns by the Bay road trip, there are plenty of ways to continue exploring the region.

Take another road trip along the Kings County Quilt Barn Tour: A Scenic Road Trip Along New Brunswick’s Barn Quilt Trail, discover your Passport for Adventure in Fundy-St. Martins , or return during the festive season to experience Saint John and the Towns by the Bay for the Holidays.

Four towns may have been our starting point, but they certainly weren’t the end of the adventure.

Happy exploring!

This post was sponsored by Envision Saint John; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!