These are just some of N.B.'s options for family fun close to home

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As the first long weekend of good weather draws near, many Metro Monctonians are digging out their picnic baskets and coolers and hatching plans for family daytrips. And with the price of gas expected to continue rising, trips to destinations closer to home are likely to be more popular than ever this summer.

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The Bridge to Duck Island at Kingbrae Gardens.

The Entry Garden at Kingsbrea Garden.

Luckily for New Brunswickers, there's no shortage of attractions that are located within a few hours' drive.

"It's a stunning way to spend the day," gushes Shirley Alexander about Kingsbrae Gardens in St. Andrew's, a two and a half hour drive from Moncton. "It is my favourite place to go. When we have people come from out of town, that's where we take them."

Shirley is an avid gardener. She says the calm in this award-winning public garden is remarkable. "There is such a serene atmosphere, shrubs and trees enclosing various areas and classical music coming through the speakers."

Kingsbrae was created 10 years ago on the grounds of several elegant old estates in the seaside resort of St. Andrews. Twenty-seven acres have been planted with more than 50 thousand flowers, shrubs and trees.

"It's almost a step back in time because you see all the old-fashioned flowers you remember from your grandmother's garden." When Shirley and her husband Gus visit, they like to stop by the on-site greenhouse to buy unusual flowers to transplant into their garden in Mountain Woods.

"You can also walk through half the gardens, then stop for lunch, and do the other half," she says.

Lunch and tea are served at the Garden Café in one of the grand summer homes designed by Edward Maxwell. The café offers "excellent food" according to Shirley and there are views toward Passamaquoddy Bay and Minister's Island.

Kingsbrae Gardens opens for the season May 16 and closes Oct. 11. It's $9.75 for the day for adults and $8.25 for student and seniors. If you'd like to see the grounds effortlessly, you can pay extra to tour by golf cart.

Children are free. Not only that, but they're made very welcome. There is a Children's Fantasy Garden. Signs invite them to smell and touch the plants. Every morning at 10:30, children can take part in a live lady bug release. The lady bugs are used to help control insects that prey on the roses and other valuable plants in the garden.

"We've also added four alpacas this year because they are so adorable. We have a new water feature with a waterfall and a reflection pool," says Kingsbrae's marketing director, Maureen McIlwain. She says there will be a number of special activities throughout their tenth anniversary summer.

Shirley Alexander says she'll drive to the gardens in June. She recommends the first two weeks in July for rose lovers. "The roses are in full bloom then. But there's always something blooming, even at the end of the season."

Another noteworthy New Brunswick spot just a couple of hours drive away, is the historic Village of Gagetown. It's especially pleasurable if you take the old highway between Moncton and Fredericton, which winds along the banks of the Saint John River. Children will get an added thrill if you also take the ferry across from Lower Jemseg. The 12-car river vessel runs to the village year-round free of charge.

Barb Quigley, Moncton's city clerk, visited Gagetown recently. "It's a very laid back and lovely community -- walkable and peaceful." A stroll along Front Street will take you past the picturesque river marina, gracious Victorian homes and the craft studio of well-known potter, Flo Greig.

Barb, who has an impressive pottery collection, says, "I was able to purchase some great pottery and there are some wonderful artists who have made Gagetown their home and this adds to its charm."

History buffs will enjoy a visit to Tilley House, birthplace of Sir Leonard Tilley, one of Canada's fathers of confederation. The Blockhouse, one of the oldest buildings in New Brunswick, built in 1761, is now used by the Loomcrofters. Visitors can drop in and watch them at work, making tartans the old fashioned way.

If you're in an energetic mood, you can rent canoes and kayaks. If you do, you may want to bring some binoculars. Gagetown is a favourite location for birdwatchers as it's on the path of many migratory species.

While the village of Gagetown makes for a great low-key family day trip, when school is out, teens and their families may be more tempted to head north of Moncton for a day of tubing on the Miramichi River.

Marie Wilson, a Riverview mother of two teens, says she first went floating on inner tubes with a large group of women and children back in 2005. "We had so much fun we made our husbands come the next year and they had a ball too."

"It's a two-hour family adventure. If you enjoy water, you enjoy this," says Linda Stewart, the owner/operator of Stewarts Tubing. Her company offers a two hour tour. She and her employees supply tubes of all sizes. At the end of the six-kilometer run, they provide a shuttle back to the starting point.

Linda says, "I've been tubing on the river since I was ten or eleven. I loved it as a kid. That's why I'm doing it now." She started offering tours 13 years ago when she only had 12 tubes.

Today she supplies hundreds of visitors, many from Ontario. "There was one morning when I looked down the river (and we can see for half a kilometre), and all we could see was bodies." If you want a more tranquil trip, she suggests coming in the morning, during the week.

Linda opens for business June 1 but says the water is warmer later in the season. "Last year July was the best." She's operates rain or shine until 6 p.m. in July and five p.m. in August. She says you can bring a lunch in a cooler, as long as it's not made of styrofoam and has no glass bottles in it, or you can stop for a barbeque hot dog or hamburger half way down the route.

The expedition costs $7.50 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Linda recommends against bringing children under the age of two. Non-swimmers are asked to wear a life jacket. Most of the river is shallow, but there are three areas that are "over your head."

The starting point for Stewarts Tubing is in Sillikers, outside the city of Miramichi. Linda suggests people call her at (506) 836-7436 for directions.

Marie Wilson plans to go tubing on the river with her daughters again this summer. "It was just an inexpensive family activity -- a great way to spend an afternoon together outdoors."