Road Trip Sussex – Covered Bridges & Dairy Capital

Sussex Penobsquis
45
km
1h
drive
All seasons
season

The Itinerary

Sussex, a town of 4,300 nestled in the Kennebecasis River valley, is officially the "Dairy Capital of Atlantic Canada" — and "New Brunswick's Mural Capital," with over 30 wall murals telling local history in its downtown. But the region's true treasure is its covered bridges.

New Brunswick once counted over 320 wooden covered bridges; only about 60 remain, with 17 in Kings County around Sussex alone. The Covered Bridge Driving Tour (40-60 km depending on the loop) passes the Lower Picadilly bridge (the region's longest at 41 m) and Plumweseep Bridge (the most-photographed, 1910).

The Sussex Agricultural Fair (August, Canada's oldest) and Atlantic Balloon Fiesta (September) draw crowds. For foodies: Sussex Farmers' Market (Saturday), Wild Caraway Restaurant, and Sussex Ale Works microbrewery. Animaland Park (giant concrete animal statues on the TransCanada) is a must-stop photo.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    17 covered bridges
    NB's densest collection, 40-60 km loop.
  • ✦
    Sussex Murals
    30+ murals telling local history.
  • ✦
    Atlantic Balloon Fiesta
    Hot-air balloon festival in September.
  • ✦
    Animaland Park
    Giant concrete statues, TransCanada photo stop.
Practical info
  • Departure Sussex
  • Destination Penobsquis
  • Distance 45 km
  • Duration 1h
  • Category Short (< 100 km)
  • Best season All seasons
Themes
covered-bridge heritage photo Family mural balloon dairy backroad

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