Trip to Moncton and Surroundings in Eastern Canada
Routes: Detailed Travel Routes in Canada (Free)
Moncton is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick in eastern Canada. This is the only province in Canada where both English and French are official languages.
About two-thirds of the population are English speakers and one-third French speakers, with some speaking both languages. This province is also home to most residents of Acadian descent, who were originally French settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries in northeastern Canada: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. Moncton has a population of about 74,500 and an area of 140 sq km.
Moncton is a wonderful city to visit for any group, including family trips. It has a vibrant cultural and entertainment life, sports competitions, and many social activities.
Crossing the city is a wide river called the Petitcodiac, which flows into the Bay of Fundy, famous for its extreme high and low tide phenomena. This forms a unique attraction for tourists in Moncton itself, who witness this extraordinary phenomenon, as well as on a day trip from the city to the Bay of Fundy.
Moncton is an excellent destination for a hub-and-spoke trip to natural sites and resort towns located a short drive away.
Thanks to its location at a crossroads in eastern Canada, any travel route to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or the Bay of Fundy passes through it. It is recommended to stay for at least 3 nights for trips and recreation in and around the city.
Recommended Hotels in Moncton
Residence Inn by Marriott Moncton– A high-quality suite hotel in an excellent location on the main street in the city center. Each spacious suite has a fully equipped kitchen, a workspace, and a dining table. The hotel features studio units suitable for 2-4 people up to two-bedroom suites with a living room accommodating up to six people. Breakfast is included in the price. The hotel features a pool and a gym. Free Wi-Fi. Parking for an additional fee.
Maison Évangéline by Bower Hotels & Suites-Another successful suite hotel with couple-only suites. Each suite includes a fully equipped kitchen. Located on Moncton's main street, among dozens of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Free Wi-Fi. Parking for an additional fee.
Chateau Moncton Trademark Collection by Wyndham– A 4-star hotel in a central location in the city. The hotel has a gym and a bar. Breakfast is included in the price. Free Wi-Fi. Parking for an additional fee.
Weather and Recommended Time to Visit the City
The comfortable season for traveling in Moncton is between May and mid-October. July and August are the best months.
July-August: Average maximum temperature is 25-26 degrees Celsius, average minimum is 13-14 degrees. These months are also the least rainy of the year, with 81-85 mm of rain per month.
In June and September, the average maximum temperature is 21 degrees and the average minimum is 9 degrees. These months see 94-96 mm of rain per month.
In May, the average maximum temperature is 17 degrees and the minimum is 4 degrees, with 92 mm of rain.
In October, the average maximum temperature is cooler at 14 degrees and the minimum is 3 degrees, with 103 mm of rain.
In winter, during January and February, the average maximum temperature is minus 2 degrees Celsius and the average minimum is minus 12 degrees, with 87-99 mm of rain. Snow also falls during winter, averaging 282 cm each winter.
Destinations and Attractions in Moncton
Tidal Bore
Don't miss observing the Tidal Bore phenomenon on the river in Moncton. At high tide, you can see a wave of water advancing against the normal direction of the river's flow. The phenomenon can be viewed from Tidal Bore View Park.
In my opinion, this is the most unique phenomenon in the city, and it is located right in the heart of town. It occurs at the start of high tide twice a day at a precisely predictable time (changing daily depending on the tide schedule). On the quiet river in the city center, a wave suddenly arrives from the ocean direction, moving quickly down the length of the river; sometimes surfers even ride the wave all the way through.
A special sight not to be missed. Near the city's visitor center along the river boardwalk, several observation decks were built where tourists gather a few minutes before the wave arrives, while the river is completely calm and its water is almost still, waiting for this unique natural phenomenon.
Video of the unique tidal wave in Moncton's city river
Magnetic Hill
Another strange and cool natural phenomenon can be experienced at Magnetic Hill Park, where you feel like it's easier to climb uphill than to go downhill! You drive a car on a road that looks undeniably like a downhill slope until its end, stop the car, shift into neutral, and release the brakes. You won't believe it, but the car rolls quite fast uphill! It is located near the Magic Mountain Water Park (this is, of course, a delightful and popular optical illusion).
Video of driving "uphill" in neutral at Magnetic Hill
Near Magnetic Hill is a small, stylish shopping center with souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes
as well as Magnetic Hill Zoo, featuring over 400 animals, making it the largest zoo in Atlantic Canada.
Additionally, you can visit the nearby Magnetic Hill Winery.
Family Entertainment and Sightseeing Sites:
● Magic Mountain SplashZone water park, the largest in Atlantic Canada. The park features 4 recreation zones: Splash Zone where the water park is located, Fun Zone featuring various rides like different carousels, bumper cars, and bumper boats (more suitable for young kids rather than teens), Golf Zone with mini-golf, and Arcade with digital game machines. Open during summer only.
● Bowlarama entertainment center (a chain with six branches including Saint John and Dartmouth near Halifax) featuring bowling and an arcade with digital game machines.
● Ropes course called TreeGO - Moncton designed for children, teenagers, and adults.
● Another sporty activity can be enjoyed at Sky Zone Trampoline Park, featuring a variety of facilities for both adults and children.
● The Boardwalk site offers a variety of attractions for the whole family: Go-Karts track, mini-golf, bumper boat pool, baseball and golf batting cages, and a butterfly garden.
● The city also has several parks: Centennial Park, Riverfront Park, Magnetic Hill Park, Irishtown Nature Park, and Mapleton Park.
Along the river is a beautiful promenade decorated with flower gardens, and large, beautiful flower pots line the city streets.
In addition, the city's pedestrian crosswalks are painted in all colors of the rainbow:
Culture:
● Moncton's museum Resurgo Place. The museum features permanent and changing galleries, an educational center, and an interactive transportation display. Suitable for both children and adults.
● For mural lovers, Moncton has 51 murals that can be seen on a self-guided tour using a location map.
● Moncton Gallery
Located on the main floor of City Hall. It displays changing collections of original works by local and regional artists. Open year-round. Free admission.
Hotel / Casino
For the gamblers in the group, in the northwest of the city there is Casino New Brunswick with an adjacent 4-star hotel belonging to it named: Hotel Casino New Nouveau Brunswick
Shopping in Moncton:
Moncton has two large shopping centers: Mapleton Center in the northwest of the city, and a large mall in the city center called CF Champlain, considered the largest shopping center in Atlantic Canada.
Additionally, the city center offers a variety of other shops.
In the northern part of the city, there is also a popular Costco store (membership card required).
For market enthusiasts, it's worth visiting the Moncton Market on Saturdays between 8-12.
A famous shop with a wide selection of cheeses (and chocolates) is Les Gourmandes Cheese Delicatessen & Chocolate
Day Trip Destinations from Moncton
Day Trip from Moncton to Fundy National Park
The Bay of Fundy is famous for its extreme high and low tides. The tide height range is the highest in the world, reaching up to 15 meters!
You can combine two charming nature parks in a single day trip from Moncton to witness this unique phenomenon: Fundy National Park (located about 83 km south of Moncton), a park with bays, forests, lakes, and waterfalls featuring many hiking trails and plentiful opportunities for active outdoor recreation.
The park is adjacent to a cute and photogenic fishing village named Alma.
Inside the park is a lake named Bennett Lake where you can go kayaking or swim at an organized beach including restrooms and a picnic area
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
North of Fundy National Park and closer to Moncton (about 40 km from the city) lies a very successful provincial park called Hopewell Rocks, featuring photogenic rocks on the beach where dramatic tide changes occur. During low tide, you can walk among the rocks, which bear names such as: The Elephant (a rock resembling an elephant whose trunk fell off a few years ago), E.T., Bear Rock, Lovers' Arch, Mother-in-Law Rock, and more. It is recommended to plan your visit to arrive at low tide to see these unique rock formations.
Trip from Moncton to Prince Edward Island (PEI)
PEI is located northeast of Moncton and is connected to the mainland by a long bridge called the Confederation Bridge. This is the longest bridge in the world (12.9 km) spanning over frozen water (in winter). The bridge was opened in 1997; prior to that, connection to the island was by ferry only. It is an expensive toll bridge, around $50, paid when exiting the island.
The drive to the island takes about an hour and fifteen minutes (110 km). You can also reach the island via a ferry service arriving at the southeastern part of the island.
The island became famous thanks to the story and film series "Anne of Green Gables" and its author who lived on the island. On the northern side of the island is Green Gables Heritage Place, featuring a museum about the author and a library.
The house that inspired the story "Anne of Green Gables":
Green Gables Visitor Center:
The historic house from the Green Gables story is located in Prince Edward Island National Park, a narrow 40 km coastal strip featuring red cliffs and a historic lighthouse.
Cavendish Beach:
Covehead Lighthouse in Prince Edward Island National Park:
The largest city on the island is Charlottetown, which features a historic district with old buildings. The island has historic villages and towns, some of them Acadian (such as Rustico), that you can tour.
Beaches
Located 25 km northeast of Moncton is the town of Shediac, featuring a fine sandy beach named Parlee Beach in Parlee Beach Provincial Park. Adjacent to the beach is a marina and a photogenic lighthouse.
Shediac is a charming historic town with impressive houses, rich in flowers and greenery, featuring a long main street full of restaurants, cafes, galleries, shops, and atmosphere.
In the town of Shediac, there is also a giant lobster statue, considered the largest in the world, which you can climb via fairly comfortable stairs.
Recommended Restaurant in Shediac:
ψ Le Moque-Tortue – A French seafood restaurant.
What makes this restaurant special are its walls decorated with many wall clocks, plates, and dinnerware sets, along with shelves full of board games available to play.
Irving Eco-centre, la Dune de Bouctouche
A coastal sand dune reserve. You can observe nesting birds at the site. Located about a 45-minute drive north of Moncton. The site features elevated wooden boardwalks above the ground to protect the dunes and vegetation for about 800 meters, with stairs leading down to the beach. Tides and stormy weather periodically alter the position of the dunes as well as the elevated boardwalk.
Changes in the reserve over the years:
Spas:
Nordic-style hot thermal baths where you experience cycles of heat and cold with rest in between, located a 10-minute drive from the city center: USVA Spa Nordik
Variety of Recommended Restaurants in Moncton
ψψ Cinta Ria Malaysian Restaurant- A Malaysian restaurant with excellent Asian food.
ψ Osaka Hibachi Restaurant & Sake Bar- Japanese food aesthetics with Hibachi tables where dining is an amusing experience:
ψ Windjammer – Canadian food, steaks, and seafood. (In the Delta Hotels by Marriott)
ψ Tony's Bistro & Patisserie – A French/European cafe.
ψ Gusto Italian Grill & Bar - Italian restaurant/bar: pizzas, grill, pasta
ψ Taj Mahal – Indian restaurant.