New Brunswick Staycation Summer Vacation Ideas

“Apart for now. Not forever.”

That’s the message New Brunswick is sending to the world during this pandemic-impacted summer. A media campaign and website, nbalways.ca, are working to remind people near and far that Canada’s ‘picture province’ is filled with wonderful, natural elements that can be explored safely under social distancing regulations.

On this episode of the Pickle Planet Podcast, co-hosts Tosh & Jenna share some of their favourite New Brunswick destinations and chat with the province’s Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture Bruce Fitch about the campaign, his beloved local haunts, and how a summer spent exploring our own province may have lasting impact as our collective pride of place is sparked. (Scroll down for the player, or head to iTunes, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app and subscribe to Pickle Planet Podcast – and watch for us on RogersTV, too!)

JULY 15 TOURISM REBATE UPDATE for New Brunswick Staycations:

Keep those receipts, folks! The province of New Brunswick is offering residents 20% back on up to $1,000 spent vacationing local this year!

You can find the full details on the government’s website, but here’s a quick run down from their list of what you’ll want to keep handy to submit.

* Entry fees to attractions (e.g. le Village Historique Acadien, Hopewell Rocks, Kings Landing, Pays de la Sagouine, etc.)

* Entry fees to waterparks, theme parks

* Entry fees to musical or theatre events

* Cinema tickets

* Whale watching/fishing excursions

* Bowling/laser tag

* Rental of kayaks, canoes, bikes, etc.

* Entry fees to museums

* Entry fees to botanical gardens

* Entry fees to art galleries

* Park entry fees

* Outdoor adventure

* Sports and leisure (e.g. golf, mini-putt, tubing, etc.)

* Tour packages including accommodations or associated with a paid overnight stay.

* Food purchased from a restaurant

* Beverages (including alcohol) purchased from a restaurant, provided they accompany a food purchase

* Food truck/food stand purchases

* Hotel/Motel/Bed & Breakfast/Inn

* Privately owned campgrounds

* Provincial/National Park campgrounds

* Vacation rentals

* Vehicle rental for the period covered by the vacation

* Taxis

* Ferries within NB (Grand Manan and Campobello Island)

* Parking

The province will “allow individual claims of up to $1,000. Participants submitting claims are eligible for a 20% rebate on eligible expenses.”

Your receipt must be at least $10 to be considered, and you must have the original receipt. The trip MUST also include an overnight stay. Expenses must have happened between July 15 and September 30, 2020.

There will be an application to fill out; it will be available via the province’s website. Applications will be accepted until October 30, 2020 and will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis until the province meets its limit of $3 million.

What New Brunswick Staycation Attractions Should We Visit?