In the seaside town of St. Stephen, just a block from the U.S. border and a stone’s throw from the wharf, you’ll find a place where history is dipped in chocolate. The Chocolate Museum in New Brunswick is more than just a treat for the tastebuds. It’s a full-sensory time machine into Canada’s oldest candy company.
How Sweet it Was
The Ganong brothers, James and Gilbert, launched their confectionery empire here over 150 years ago. Today, the museum (housed in the original Ganong factory) serves up a curated mix of antique candy-making machines, vintage packaging, and old-school romance. This is, after all, the birthplace of the heart-shaped chocolate box.
You Had Me at Free Samples
Yes, admission comes with chocolate. We won’t bury the lede. Upon entering the museum, you’re handed the first of several sweet samples made just steps away at the nearby Ganong plant. It’s part Willy Wonka, part Canadian Heritage Minute, and entirely worth the trip.
Chocolate-making demos are staged throughout the day. Watch as hand-dipped truffles come to life, or marvel at the antique enrober (a machine that lovingly coats everything in silky Ganong chocolate). The best part? You don’t just watch. You taste.
A Museum That Smells Like Dessert
The air inside is faintly cocoa-scented, and even the most jaded museum-goer will find themselves lingering. Kids get a kick out of the interactive displays, but adults? They leave with an armful of nostalgia, and probably a box of Delecto caramels.
The exhibits trace the company’s evolution from horse-drawn deliveries to international distribution, with fascinating detours into war-time rationing, romantic advertising campaigns, and the once-radical idea of putting chocolate on store shelves year-round.
Beyond the Box: A Town Built on Chocolate
St. Stephen has fully embraced its cocoa-coated heritage. Every August, the town hosts Chocolate Fest, a week-long sugar-fuelled celebration with chocolate-themed everything, from soap to stout. Even the fire hydrants downtown are painted like peppermint sticks.
You can stock up at the Ganong Chocolate Store across the street from the museum, where classics like Chicken Bones (spicy cinnamon candy with a bitter chocolate core) fly off the shelves faster than you can say "export quality."
If You Go: The Essentials
Location: 73 Milltown Blvd, St. Stephen, NB
Season: Open May through October (check the website for off-season hours)
Admission: Affordable—and includes all the samples you can handle without embarrassing yourself.
Final Bite
If you've never been to the Chocolate Museum in New Brunswick, consider this your excuse to make the trip. It’s a delicious intersection of craftsmanship, Canadiana, and confectionery. Come for the free samples. Stay for the history. Leave with sticky fingers and a deep respect for the art of the chocolate.
