Moncton, in Canada's New Brunswick province, is a bilingual city where you're just as likely to hear French as you are to hear English. The town's cultural spaces, such as the Aberdeen Cultural Center and Capitol Theatre, reflect this dual identity with their offerings. But, of course, if you don't speak français, you'll get along just fine whether you're in town for business or pleasure.
Moncton can claim several unique natural phenomena, such as tidal bores. It also has lovely parks, a mountain of family-friendly entertainment spaces, and community markets to frequent.
01 Magnetic Hill
Have you ever heard of a gravity hill? It's when the land layout makes a small downhill slope look like an uphill slope. Moncton's very own gravity hill can be found in the northwest of the city and is the Great White North's third most popular tourist attraction, up there with Niagara Falls and Banff. This natural phenomenon has been an attraction for almost a century because when you sit in a car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral, the optical illusion makes you feel like you're rolling uphill. It's pretty mindblowing! The mysterious hill is open between May and October.
When you've ticked it off your bucket list, you can head to the Magnetic Hill Zoo, which is the largest in Atlantic Canada and houses over 400 animals. It's best to buy tickets online in advance.
02 Magic Mountain
Near Magnetic Hill and the zoo, you'll find Magic Mountain, a combination water park and amusement park with water slides, rides, and arcade games. Jump for joy at the wave pool, take it easy in the Lazy River, or enjoy a competitive bout of mini golf with your friends or family at any of four 9-hole courses. During busy periods, you'll have to queue for some of the attractions, but parking is no problem. The water park is clean and has many lifeguards for peace of mind, too. Ticket options vary and include different zones, and online purchases are recommended to avoid disappointment.
03 Centennial Park
This well-maintained 230-acre park in the west end of Moncton is a recreation hub with something to thrill all ages. Little ones will have a blast at the splash pad and playgrounds, while nature enthusiasts can take to the forested trails or await birds near the great lake. Picnic or BBQ on a warm summer's day after a satisfying swim in the pool, or work your legs and arms while kayaking, cycling, or playing tennis. You can be as sloth-like as you please. After all, Centennial Parks make famously good reading spots, whether you're a Swiftie or not.
In winter, you can go skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or tobogganing. The park is dotted with a fighter jet, a tank, an anchor, and a locomotive.
04 Tidal Bore
Twice every day, the Petitcodiac River, also known as the "Chocolate River," puts on a show—its water flows upstream, and if you feel so inclined, you can surf the wave traveling against the current. Tidal bores are a fairly rare natural occurrence and are caused by sudden, strong, record-breaking tides from the Bay of Fundy. The Moncton bore used to produce taller waves reaching six feet, but the construction of a causeway and its removal decades later affected the heights the waves could reach.
Today, you'll be lucky to see the waves reach three feet, but it's still spectacular. Bore Park is the best viewing point, and you can check out the Tidal Bore Timetable to know when it will be in place, with cameras at the ready.
05 Resurgo Place
In downtown Moncton, you'll find the Moncton Visitor Information Centre, the Moncton Museum, and the Transportation Discovery Centre, all in one convenient location, Resurgo Place. At the museum, you can learn about the city's past, starting from the time of the Mi'kmaq. The Transportation Discovery Center touches on Moncton's shipbuilding heritage and topics like aerodynamics and the railways.
A short walk away, heritage landmarks such as Thomas William's house are straight out of the Victorian era. In addition, Resurgo Place has standalone temporary exhibits, and a recent one focused on bees, which was accessible to bilingual audiences of all ages.
06 Riverfront Park
This community park in Downtown Moncton is on the banks of the Petitcodiac. It's a thoroughfare and a leisure spot with three miles of family-friendly, multi-use trails for strolling, rollerblading, and biking. You'll find benches to rest, a skateboard park, baseball fields, gardens with sprays of flowers, public art murals, and monuments like the Celtic Cross Irish Families Memorial.
Kids can burn off energy at the playground or be mesmerized by the tidal bore. The city is planning on investing more money into this green space, so in five to ten years, it'll hopefully be even better than it is now.
07 Casino New Brunswick
Casino New Brunswick is a resort with slot machines, gaming tables, and live poker rooms. Gamblers are plied with free tea, coffee, and sodas. As always, play responsibly. The resort's entertainment center hosts concerts and sporting events, too, and shows feature big names like Theresa Caputo and Russell Peters if you're into psychics and stand-up comedy. In the mood for a buffet? You can feast on the likes of prime rib, fried chicken, and classic desserts.
08 Capitol Theatre
Capitol Theatre is the beating heart of Moncton's cultural life. As the region's premier performing arts venue, you can expect fab live performances of acrobatics, ballet, magic, singalongs, tributes to rock stars, Broadway-quality musical productions, and more. Capitol Theatre prioritizes inclusivity, so service animals are welcome, bariatric chairs are provided, spaces are wheelchair accessible, and folks with visual impairments are seated close to the stage. The historic theatre itself is beautifully restored and dates back to a century ago. An art gallery in the lobby adds some fine art flair to the mix.
09 Dieppe Market
Support local small businesses at this year-long, weather-proof indoor market open between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Vendors change, but there's always a good range to suit different tastes, and the cultural diversity is great to see. What's on offer, you may ask? Organic foods and produce that's as fresh as can be, for starters. Shoppers will discover numerous handcrafted gift ideas such as leather items, skincare, and pantry fillers. Try the low-sugar pastries at Jemmy Gourmet or stick to savory with a Mets Acadien lobster omelet. Live music adds to the ambiance, and parking is free, if a little tricky to find at times.
10 Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach has very warm (the country's warmest), clear water on a sunny day and fine sand, two of the key ingredients for a perfect beach day. It's also quite shallow and kid-friendly, which is a bonus. Pack a picnic and make your way here for a nice, long swim. Just watch out for jellyfish—they're not harmful but can cause temporary itchiness and pain. At low tide, you'll see many marine creatures, including shy hermit crabs, snails, and clams. When you're done poking around in the sand, outdoor showers and change rooms will neaten you up for the car. Parlee Beach is wheelchair accessible.
11 Mapleton Park
Mapleton Park has a small stream, a pond, and woods that glow like fire in fall. A scurry of squirrels and ducks either excite or terrify small children, and birdsong fills the air. This urban park has many nicely-groomed, intersecting trails so you can take a much-needed breather with strollers in tow if necessary. The full loop works out to almost four miles, but you can always shorten the trek. Leashed dogs are welcome, and porta potties are clean. The park feels safe and well-maintained, with the main trail plowed in winter. A log pavilion for events is also available onsite.
12 Bouctouche Dunes
Near the town of Bouctouche, the sand dunes stretch for 7.5 miles. A curving boardwalk that looks like a snake from the sky allows visitors to take it all in. Your furry best friend will have to park in a safe and free dog kennel while you relax on the uncrowded saltwater beach or explore this avian sanctuary containing herons, swallows, and many other birds. Scheduled programming at the Irving Eco-Center enables the public to become more familiar with the habitat, wildlife, and conservation efforts in a sensitive ecosystem.
13 Hop, Skip & Jump Indoor Play Space
Almost 19,000 square feet of fun are ready and waiting for the munchkins in your life at Hop! Skip! Jump! Three levels contain activities like bowling, rock climbing, arcade games, VR, and a laser maze. This play space is suitable for kids under 12 years old and is open seven days a week. FYI, the venue closes from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for cleaning.
14 Magnetic Hill Winery
Magnetic Hill Winery's stunning setting is an unexpected delight, with a beautiful tasting room and charming city views. The romantic atmosphere is ideal for a date, and staff are attentive but know how to give patrons space. Offerings range from yoga and sip sessions to 20-minute express tours and 2-hour group tours that currently cost around $50 per person. Tours include charcuterie boards and cheese pairings, and fruit wine lists read like a harvest table—there's rhubarb, apple, pear, maple, and various berries, for example. Trivia nights take place on Thirsty Thursdays.
15 Aberdeen Cultural Centre
Immerse yourself in the region's creative spirit and Francophone culture with a visit to this Acadian cultural co-op with four levels to wander. Aberdeen Cultural Center hosts concerts and literature gatherings. Come for author interviews and meet the writers during book signings. Art galleries and studios cover walls with colorful ideas, and the space is generally accessible. In mid-August, the center holds the annual Acadie Rock Festival to celebrate the arts.
16 Moncton Market
Not to be confused with the Dieppe Market, the Moncton Market also takes place every Saturday. Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., dozens of vendors sell a variety of wares, from woodwork, pottery, and knitted items to fruits, veggies, and ready-to-eat food from around the world. Those with an adventurous palate can taste flavors from Vietnam, Korea, the Netherlands, Chile, and beyond.
Down a strawberry lemonade on a hot day, or indulge in fried samosas, Walton Bakery's ginormous hot cinnamon rolls, or filling Belgian waffles. The earlier you go, the better the selection. This downtown market has a nice vibe and a weekday food court with five vendors for breakfast or lunch.
17 Usva Spa
This day spa, mere minutes from downtown Moncton, is just the thing if you need some pure, unadulterated time out with impressive, well-maintained facilities. Sink into the spa's thermal experience, disconnect from your phone, and savor a massage. Usva Spa is a nice date spot where couples can recharge together. You can make reservations online, and the spa is open seven days a week.
18 Petitcodiac Riverkeeper
For over 25 years now, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper has worked to protect local rivers and the Shepody Bay estuary. It does this through conservation and restoration efforts and by recognizing individuals and groups that contribute to the mission. The charity runs community stream clean-ups and events for fundraising and education about the area's ecological health and the impact of climate change. Join a clean-up drive or contact the organization for info about upcoming events.
19 Timber Lounge
The Timber Lounge is a licensed axe-throwing bar where you and your crew can blow off steam like lumberjacks. Compete to see who reigns supreme in a sport that's existed since at least the 19th century. Sessions last 1.5 hours and include instruction and practice. Kids 15 and older can take part, provided participating grown-ups accompany them, but groups with children are limited to certain time slots. The environment is safe, the nachos are tasty, and the camaraderie is top-tier.
20 Fort Beauséjour
While you're in Moncton, you may want to venture a little further. Under 40 minutes away by car, the Fort Cumberland National Historic Site in Aulac will pique the interest of history buffs. Guided tours are available during the season, or you can use Park Canada's Guided Tour app and handheld devices. The fort has a five-sided star shape and witnessed standoffs between France and Britain. Kids can dress up as French soldiers or do a scavenger hunt, and the views here are panoramic. The air is fresh, but it gets windy, so carry a layer to stay comfortable.
21 The bottom line
Have you sensed a theme when it comes to Moncton? Nothing is quite what it seems here, and the out-of-the-ordinary appears to fit right in. For the lovable weirdos out there, this quirky destination is sure to match your energy. Waves that go against the current? Check. Cars that roll uphill? Check. If you're familiar with Moncton, we'd love to hear more about your favorite hangout spots.
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