Discover Kings County
Accommodation in Kings County
Kings County brings together traces of history, waterside paths, and discoveries in the countryside. In Sussex, a former railway station tells the story of the community’s early development; near Hampton, marshland and river channels shape the nature experience. There is also a self-guided walking trail, opportunities for birdwatching, and destinations to suit a range of interests. When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to consider whether you’d rather focus on Sussex’s culture and trail, Hampton’s river landscape, or excursions throughout the County.
History in Sussex and the County
The Intercolonial Railway Station is a one-and-a-half-storey brick railway station in the Craftsman style. A covered passage connects the station building to the freight building. The station is designated a Local Historic Place because it played a formative role in the early development of Sussex. Today, it houses the museum of the 8th Canadian Hussars. A total of 21 historic sites in Sussex are designated under the Local Historic Places Program, so the station is part of a wider collection of historic places in the community.
The Kings County Museum and Old County Gaol also focuses on the region’s history and features changing exhibitions. It is located in the Centennial Building and the adjoining old Kings County Gaol. Agriculture offers another link to regional history: the first in a series of fall exhibitions organized by the Sussex and Studholm Agricultural Society was held in 1820. The Agricultural Fair still takes place every year at the Agricultural Museum. Historic buildings, exhibitions, and an annual agricultural fair therefore offer different ways to explore the past of Kings County.
Trails and nature around Sussex and Hampton
The Sussex Nature Walkway is a 5 km self-guided walking trail along Trout Creek. It passes through an area with diverse flora and fauna and is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and zero-emission mobility aids, including motorized wheelchairs. Its fixed length and self-guided format make it easy to plan your own day. If you’re interested in observing nature, Hampton Marsh offers another option, with opportunities for birdwatching and photography.
Hampton Marsh lies in the floodplain of the St. John River and is part of a network of oxbows, tributaries, and backwaters of the Kennebecasis River. This river landscape is also well suited to recreational boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors can explore the Kennebecasis River in Hampton by renting a kayak. The Lighthouse River Centre in Hampton has a picnic area, a wharf, and a boat launch. Nature watching and time on the water offer two distinct ways to enjoy a stay in this part of the County.
Country roads, bridges, and active days
The Quilt Barn Tour follows winding country roads through scenic Kings County. Along the way, painted quilt blocks can be found at farm markets, historic sites, and craft shops. The tour thus combines rural roads with crafts and regional stops. Kings County’s historic covered bridges can also be reached in a variety of ways: by bicycle, canoe, on foot, or by car. These options suit different preferences for excursions, without prescribing a particular route.
For sports and recreation, Hampton Golf Club has an 18-hole championship golf course, with day rates available for green fees. Facilities include a driving range, putting green, and short-game area; golf carts, club rentals, and lessons are also available. In winter, downhill and cross-country skiing are offered at Poley Mountain. There are also snowmobile trails in the Sussex area. These seasonal offerings add more active options to the cultural and nature experiences.
If you’re especially interested in Sussex’s historic sites and Nature Walkway, you can focus your vacation rental search on Sussex. Hampton is a natural choice if you’re looking for river scenery, kayaking, and Hampton Marsh. If you’d like to combine different places and types of excursions in Kings County, choose a location that matches your interests. For more information about places in the County, see the pages for Sussex, Rothesay, Norton, Hampton, and Penobsquis.
For a broader travel overview: New Brunswick.
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