Moncton

The largest city in Atlantic Canada by population, Moncton is a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment with excellent modern facilities. The city is centrally located for exploring the Maritime region and features attractions like the Bore and diverse cultural offerings.

Things to do

• Bore Ride Experience — Witness the dramatic tidal bore phenomenon on the Shubenacadie River, where ocean tides create a visible wave that surges upstream, a unique natural spectacle best experienced during high tides.
• Magnetic Hill — Drive up this optical illusion hill where gravity appears to reverse and objects seem to roll uphill, a quirky roadside attraction that has puzzled visitors for decades.
• Moncton Market — Browse this historic public market featuring local vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, artisanal goods, and prepared foods in a vibrant downtown setting.
• Resurgo Place — Explore this interactive cultural centre showcasing Moncton's renaissance story through exhibits on local history, innovation, and the city's transformation.
• Hopewell Rocks — Visit the Bay of Fundy's dramatic tidal formations about 45 minutes from Moncton, where you can kayak at high tide and walk on the ocean floor at low tide.
• Crystal Palace Amusement Park — Enjoy family-friendly indoor entertainment featuring arcade games, mini golf, laser tag, and bumper cars in this covered entertainment complex.

Food to try

• Acadian Rappie Pie — A traditional Maritime comfort dish of grated potato mixed with chicken or seafood, spices, and broth, baked until golden and crispy on top.
• Fresh Lobster Roll — Atlantic lobster meat tossed with minimal mayo and served on a toasted roll, highlighting the region's premier seafood catch.
• Donair — Moncton's take on the Halifax favourite—spiced meat in a pita with sweet donair sauce—reflecting the city's multicultural food scene.
• Seafood Chowder — Creamy bisque loaded with local cod, shrimp, mussels, and Maritime vegetables, served in many local restaurants and markets.
• Blueberry Treats — New Brunswick wild blueberries feature prominently in local desserts, pies, and jams available at markets and specialty shops.

Local customs & good to know

• Embrace the Tides — Moncton's identity is deeply tied to the Bay of Fundy's dramatic tides; plan activities around tide schedules and ask locals for insider timing tips.
• Bilingual Community — New Brunswick is officially bilingual (English and French), and Moncton reflects this heritage; French is widely spoken and many signs are bilingual.
• Festival Calendar — Check for seasonal events like the Fringe Festival, Jazz Festival, and Acadian Festival, which showcase local culture and draw visitors year-round.
• Shop Local First — Monctonians take pride in supporting local businesses and independent retailers; neighbourhood shops and markets are preferred over big-box stores.