Discover Doaktown & Boiestown

Doaktown & Boiestown are not just signs on a highway you pass on your way to somewhere else, this is a Destination to Discover! You won’t believe how much there is to see & do along the majestic Miramichi River. And do I have a place to stay for you! Discover Doaktown & Boiestown and find a treasure trove of hidden gems.

The Ledges

Say ‘Ahhh!’ as you enter The Ledges Inn. Located in Central New Brunswick on the Miramichi River, this charming lodge, famous outfitters, and all-round comfortable resort is the perfect place to enjoy some good old-fashioned R & R, while you explore everything that Doaktown & Boiestown offers. The three days & two nights spent here with my good friend Lucie, felt like coming home. Put your feet up, and stay a while at The Ledges. Who knew there was so much to do in these woods (that you, like me, may have driven straight by)? Come on, admit it! Well, trust me now - you’ve got some explorin’ to do and you have the perfect headquarters to do so when staying at The Ledges.

The Ledges Serves It Up

The Ledges slowly takes a hold of you. First, it is the beautiful lodge that wins you over, then it is the breathtaking river views, then you eat, and well… it is all over after that. This is a resort is 4 1/2 stars, and caters to your every whim. The main cook & bottle washer Chef Chantelle (and her assistants) serve up mouth-watering dinners, and Emily, the local morning cook, whips up a mean breakfast that gets you fuelled up for each day’s adventure.

Open Year-Round

The Ledges is open year-round, and besides the famous salmon pools, and upland bird hunting they are well known for, they also cater to corporate gatherings, weddings, yoga retreats, and romantic escapes. During the winter, snowmobile guides are available. There is an option to even rent out the entire main lodge for a large group. Consider a destination stay with The Ledges as your home base. There is a massage therapist, and an aesthetician available, too. If Lucie & I were not so busy exploring, we would have certainly taken advantage of this perk. Note to self: stay longer next time for extra pampering.

Have Your Cake, and Eat It, too!

You can have your cake, and eat it, too at The Ledges. Be as busy as a bee, or soak up the good life with some R & R. Enjoy your balcony view (all 10 rooms have them), or curl up with a good book in the gazebo by the water, or enjoy a glass of wine & a sunset view, or perhaps just drink up the scenery. I am told it is spectacular in the autumn. The Ledges owner, Caroline, shared that winter is just as lovely with frequent deer wandering around and the occasional bobcat sighting across the river.

6th Generation Outfitters

All four seasons offer different pleasures for those who seek accommodations at The Ledges. Everett and Caroline Taylor are 6th generation outfitters (their children and grandchildren will be the 7th & 8th, if they so choose). Many folks, even famous ones like Bobby Orr have enjoyed a stay here. The Ledges lures you in and once hooked, many come back year after year. It is a special place. I was charmed by the friendly staff, and supportive community. Caroline suggested several activities we could enjoy nearby, adding she would be happy to set up a tee time at the local golf course, to reserve a canoe at Storeytown Cottages & Miramichi River Adventures, or to find out the hours of local shops & area attractions. In fact, everyone was extremely accommodating everywhere Lucie & I visited, and each place, spoke kindly of the other. It is one big happy family here, and to be honest, we were shocked at how much there was to see & do - more than we had actual time to take in.

The Lower Ledge Gastropub

The Lower Ledge Gastropub is a recent addition next door to The Ledges. They are open Thursday through Sunday for lunch & supper. They offer high-end pub food at affordable prices all accompanied by local craft & domestic draft beer. A list of handcrafted cocktails are also available. The menu is packed with flavourful options, weekly specials and handmade desserts. Adirondack chairs & picnic tables are available to eat outside in warmer weather. The view inside or out is spectacular. The Lower Ledge is a great spot for a bite & a brew.

Hunting for Treasures

My first sport of choice in Doaktown & Boiestown is shopping, (seriously though). Start the car, as there are so many pretty things to fall in love with at Living Out Loud, and charming country treasures to discover at Candle in the Window, and vintage & antique bargains to be had at High Wheeler Antiques.

Living Out Loud Gifts & Home Decor

Living Out Loud Gifts & Home Decor is a sweet boutique located inside the local Pharmasave in Doaktown. The manager, Joanna Munn has filled it with sugar & spice and everything nice. It is a one-stop shop, and there is a little of everything in here. If you need a gift, she has what you need. Joanna has carefully curated beautiful quality brand name items, lovely personal products, gorgeous clothing & footwear, and jewelry & accessories). The bath & bed section is sublime with luxurious blankets & pillows and exquisite quilts. I went home with one that I will treasure for years to come.

Candle in the Window

If you are - a little bit country, then this is the shop for you! Head to Boiestown ASAP, because the owner, Kara Gruchy, is continually restocking her store from extensive buying trips and her store is loaded with goodies for all you primitive-loving, country farmhouse-style souls. I was swept up in the whimsical folk art pieces, and you will be, too. Charming & fun, delightful & cozy, Kara has the inside & outside of your home in mind, and has thought of everything you might need for seasonal home decor. Mowgli, Candle in the Window’s resident cat (and my personal shopping assistant), always greets me, and leads me to a few gems that I just cannot resist. I know, I promised my husband no more bird houses, but Kara just stocked some pretty turquoise ones, and then there was a darling wee yellow rocking chair that matches my front door, and sweet wrought iron candle holders that match my fireplace insert, and… well, you know how it goes.

High Wheeler Antiques

“You can’t miss it,” I was told, and they were right! High Wheeler Antiques has a ginormous, old-fashioned yellow bicycle announcing their business on Route 8 in Doaktown. The former owners, Ken & Paulette and now their son, Craig, who recently took over the reins, have accumulated a massive selection of antique furniture, artwork, pottery, crystal, dishes, toys, primitives, memorabilia and more…. This is the tidiest, organized, antique store - of this size, that I have ever been in. Items are curated throughout New Brunswick and the state of Maine. I always have fun discovering hidden treasures here, and they never tired of my questions, gladly sharing the history & background of each item. There is evident pride & joy put into this business, and items are priced to sell. I left with a MicMac framed artwork, an exquisite hand-carved wooden artisan jewelry box, a pair of beautiful Tiffany & Co crystal candle holders, and a primitive pine wooden bowl. Expect nostalgia to set in. As many items bring childhood memories flooding in. Lucie & I found both our grandfathers listed in an old 1959 Moncton Telephone Book. Dive into this treasure trove that is High Wheeler Antiques, and find a treasure that steals your heart, while you have fun reminiscing as you browse this incredible shop. Warning: a drop in may easily turn into two or three hours here, but it is time well spent.

Doak Historical Site

A first for me, was visiting the Doak Historic Site, which consists of a history of Doaktown welcome centre, the Doak family home with all of its original contents, a milk house, a one-room school house, and lovely exterior grounds to enjoy a picnic, or to wander about the garden. Follow Robert Doak’s arrival from Scotland to his rise worthy of naming a village after him. Demonstrations of weaving, crafts, and butter-making are highlighted. Valerie O’Donnell, the site coordinator, and Squire Donald gave Lucie & I a great tour. Ask Valerie who might live in the cupboard under the stairs in the Doak House, and be sure to ask Squire Donald about what the naughty children were assigned to do at the end of the school day. This is a must see for anyone interested in knowing more about the history of Doaktown.

Atlantic Salmon Museum

The Atlantic Salmon Museum is located in the heart of the village, and features a collection of over 3,000 artifacts including original paintings, sculptures, salmon flys, rods, and reels. A library of books & journals are also housed in a sweet reading room adorned with stained glass windows in the middle of a larger gallery. The Atlantic Salmon Museum has been gifted items over the years by generous donors including the acquisition of a sports fishing collection from the estate of John William Keith-King, estimated at a half a million dollars. This museum will impress everyone that enters its doors as it offers a comprehensive look at the Atlantic salmon, and its importance to the history & culture of this part of New Brunswick. There is a small aquarium on site, a great room with a stunning deck view overlooking the Miramichi River, and a Come Play on our River Summer Day Camp is available for children with fly fishing, fly tying, trout fishing, canoeing, hiking, and ecological learning. Before you leave, find a local NB souvenir and enjoy an ice cream at The Riverside Treasures Gift Shop.

Fall Brook Falls

Now, this is a waterfall that has to be seen to be believed. Fall Brook Falls is the biggest waterfall around, and an adventure getting to as well. It is not a huge hike but a moderately challenging one, first for the access to get close to it with your vehicle, then second, for the steep hill you have decline then climb back up at the end of your journey. The actual pathway to the waterfall is fairly easy to follow, but you have to watch your step as the ground is riddled with exposed tree roots and there is some erosion on the banks and the occasional downed tree to maneuver around. There are a few wooden staircases to manage, too, but despite all of that, I have to say, it is worth it! This the prettiest waterfall that you will see in New Brunswick, bare none. Every sure-footed visitor to our province should see it.

Finding the Fall Brook Falls pathway starting point can be challenging, so please use a GPS navigator. You are required to sign a liability waiver, and pay a vehicle to access the road past the gate house. After this point, you have a 13 km drive on a dirt road, then you turn onto another dirt road further into the woods that will have you stopping your car, and parking it at the top of a very steep hill to go the rest of the way by foot (unless you have a rugged 4 x 4, and even then I suspect you may end up parking because of the road drop off). My suggestion is to park at the first natural spot where you see enough room for a couple vehicles and your instincts are saying stop! The walk is easy from there going down the hill (although you are digging your heels as the decline is steep, so wear appropriate footwear, and know that it is a good challenge coming back up, too, so pace yourself. Take water and a snack with you. It also can be buggy, so cover up as much as possible, and use bug spray. Still, anyone who knows that I am not much of a woodsy girl, will appreciate - that if I say this is worth your time & effort, I really mean it.

This is one awesome waterfall and I cannot wait to take my husband back another time. Nothing does it justice until you are standing in front of it. I believe I swallowed a bug when my mouth fell agape when it first came into sight. If you have a heart condition, please heed my advice, and do not attempt this trek. For everyone else, you cannot miss this experience! It is the proverbial hidden gem - the diamond in the rough. Don’t let the babbling brook fool you, as Fall Brook Falls is the highest waterfall in New Brunswick at 30 m (100 ft). & it drops at 90%. This is a MUST SEE!

The Bridges of Northumberland County

There is nothing quite as picturesque as old bridges crossing a majestic river, and Northumberland County has plenty of them. Enjoy exploring these icons of the past. McNamee-Priceville Footbridge is the longest suspension footbridge in New Brunswick, Canada. It spans the Southwest Miramichi River at McNamee, approximately 12 km west of Doaktown. The first bridge was built in 1938 and was 200 m (656 ft.) long. It incurred high-water damage in May 1939, and was rebuilt, higher, with a pier in the middle. This bridge was upgraded in 1961, and then replaced in 1988. It is known as both the McNamee Suspension Bridge and the Priceville Suspension Bridge depending on which end you enter from. The bridge is high off the water and offers great views up and down the river. Lovers have proclaimed their forever love by fastening a padlock to chainlink sections of the bridge throwing the key into the water. Nelson Hollow, built in 1900, it is the oldest covered bridge in New Brunswick. Be sure to read the declarations of high school romance and life wisdom inscribed on the walls within. The old Canadian Eastern Railway Bridge spans the Southwest Miramchi River in Doaktown The bridge is no longer in service for trains but still operates as a very active walking and ATV portal. Note: download the maps you require before you set out - then switch to offline as internet is spotty in places. These bridges take a bit of uncovering to discover, but each one is well worth your time. Please take care, as many of these bridges are in various stages of disrepair & deterioration. Use at your own risk. Lucie & I were charmed by each one, and we found our day flew by tracking down and exploring these beauties. You will, too.

Village Family Restaurant

The Village Family Restaurant in Doaktown offers down home cooking at its best. It is well known for its homemade pies, donuts, muffins, cupcakes, white/raisin brown bread, rolls, soups, hand cut fries, and so much more. Everything is tasty, service is friendly, and the desserts are worth splurging on.

Storeytown Cottages & River Adventures

Storeytown Cottages & River Adventures offer a variety of accommodations, and year-round family fun adventure. Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, tubing, paddle boarding, swimming, snowshoeing, and skating. One day, I hope to stay here and check it all out in person over an extended stay.

Bruce the Moose

Bruce the Moose is an interesting roadside attraction you need to stop and take in while in Doaktown. Often the statue dons a hunter orange vest garnering lots of attention.

Central New Brunswick Woodmen’s Museum

Our time was limited, so we did not get to take in the Central New Brunswick Woodmen’s Museum, where you can explore the heritage, culture, and history of logging, the lives of woodsmen, and the local ecology of Central New Brunswick dating back to the 1800’s. This Boiestown attraction & 15-acre open-air museum is home to thousands of artefacts, including an original trappers cabin, the New Brunswick Lumberjack Championships, and many other cultural community events.

This post was sponsored by The Ledges Inn, Living Out Loud, Candle in the Window, and High Wheeler Antiques; 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!