Moncton, New Brunswick's 14 Captivating Attractions For Tourists To Explore

Bordered by Quebec to the north, Maine to the west, and Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to the east, beautiful New Brunswick is perched on Canada's Atlantic Coast. The province sees the world's highest tides and is home to numerous quaint seaside villages and iconic tourist sites. New Brunswick also comprises part of the region known as the Maritime Provinces — often referred to simply as the Maritimes — along with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the latter of which is home to a charmingly walkable storybook village where artsy vibes and fresh seafood abound. If you're headed to this area, don't miss a stop in friendly Moncton, New Brunswick's largest city.

Like New Brunswick as a whole, Moncton is officially bilingual, giving both English and French equal weight. Inhabited by French settlers during the 17th century, the eastern part of Canada still retains its linguistic traditions, so you'll be saying "Bonjour!" in no time, as about a third of the province is French-speaking. The city is about a three-hour drive east of the Maine border, and the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport has several direct connections to Toronto. Moncton is also a stop along VIA Rail's scenic Atlantic Canada route called "The Ocean," which connects Montréal and Halifax. Come for the beauty of the Petitcodiac River and the Bay of Fundy, and stay for the beaches, parks, art, wine, and... cars that roll uphill? Here are 14 attractions that make Moncton shine.

The Bay of Fundy, which separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia, sees tides higher than anywhere else in the world. They're known to rise up a mind-boggling 39 feet every day — twice! The impressive scale at which the water moves through the bay is due to a combination of its narrow shape and a marine phenomenon known as seiche, which causes a large volume of water to move back and forth like a giant sloshing bathtub. When the ocean tide rises, it augments the seiche, pushing even more water into the long bay and towards the shoreline.

In Moncton, the tide also shoves a heck of a lot of water up the Petitcodiac River, which the city is built along. When billions of tons of water get pushed up the river, it collides with the Petitcodiac's natural current and creates what's called a tidal bore, or a giant wave, to roll up the river each day. This wave can soar to heights of 3 feet, but the size often varies. The best place to see it is from the amphitheater at the aptly-named Bore Park, located right downtown. Just as the tide changes slightly each day, so does the tidal bore, so if you hope to see it, check local conditions before visiting. The timing isn't an exact science, so it's recommended that you arrive 30 minutes in advance just in case the wave is ahead of schedule.

Connected to the University of Moncton, the Acadian Museum is one of the region's most prominent collections of visual and material culture from the historical region known as Acadia. Encompassing the modern Maritimes and the eastern edge of Maine, the region was settled by French colonists during the 17th century. Also called Musée Acadien de l'Université de Moncton, the museum features more than 42,000 historical artifacts and photographs. The permanent exhibit traces more than 400 years of cultural heritage, folklore, industry, art, and more, all of which tell the story of how New Brunswick transformed over time. Information and tours are provided in both English and French. "This beautifully laid out and very inspiring museum was a highlight of our visit to Moncton," reads one review on Tripadvisor. "The exhibits are great and the museum comprehensively tells the story of [Acadia]."

The museum is open throughout the year, but the hours vary seasonally. Between June and September, it's open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Between October and May, the museum is closed on Monday and open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. all other days.

On a particular road on a particular hill in New Brunswick, a peculiar phenomenon has delighted tourists for decades: Magnetic Hill. So called because when you drive to the bottom of the hill, put your car into neutral, and take your foot off the brake, you roll upward — or, at least that's what it feels like. It's a bit like Gravity Hill, the bizarre stretch of road in Indiana where objects defy gravity and appear to roll uphill. 

Magnetic Hill is one of the top destinations around the world to see strange natural phenomena. At one time, it was the third most popular tourist attraction in Canada, just behind Niagara Falls and Banff National Park. Due in part to the rise of the automobile in the mid-20th century, attractions that could be reached on four wheels became all the rage across the continent. In the 1930s, a local resident named Muriel Lutes capitalized on the site's "magnetism," giving it the name Magnetic Hill and selling ice cream to visitors. The optical illusion, caused by the landscape around the hill, still delights visitors today. Visitors must pay a fee of $10 CAD per vehicle from May 16 to September 1, equivalent to around $7 USD, at the time of writing. The hill is closed between September 2 and the end of March, and free to visit from April 1 to May 15.

Around Magnetic Hill, a campus of additional attractions has sprung up over the years, including a waterpark, concert venue, zoo, and public park, the latter of which is home to the quaint Wharf Village. Here, you'll find shops and eateries like the Wharf Village Restaurant, Murray's Moose Ice Cream, and the Café in a charming atmosphere with brightly colored buildings reminiscent of a coastal fishing village.

Magnetic Hill Zoo is a family-friendly destination with more than 60 species from around the world, including turtles, tigers, owls, lions, lemurs, and more. The zoo also comes to life in a different way during winter for its Wild Lights event, which features glowing sculptures, light tunnels, and more. Entrance fees and opening hours for the Magnetic Hill Zoo vary throughout the year, and it's closed for most of January and all of February. Be sure to check the website ahead of time to plan your visit. 

Located about 40 minutes south of downtown Moncton by car, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park sits on the edge of the Bay of Fundy and owes its fascinating geological formations to the bay's incredible tides. More than a mile of shoreline is dotted by over 20 sea stacks, a phenomenon caused by thousands of years of waves crashing against the rocks and slowly eroding the bases to create these so-called "flowerpot" forms. An accessible .5-mile trail connects a series of viewpoints at North Beach and Staircase Cove. Visitors can also access the ocean floor and walk along the sand when the tide is out to get close-up views of rock formations like Lover's Arch and Bear Rock. Foodies in attendance can register to participate in an exclusive fine dining event called Taste the Tides, which pops up on the ocean floor between June and September. However, the experience is quite pricey at $750 CAD for a table for two, equivalent to $541 USD. 

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is open only during the warmer months, from May 15 to October 25 — due to safety concerns, off-season access isn't permitted. As of this writing, standard adult admission to the park is CAD $18.15, or around $13 USD. Tickets are good for two consecutive days, so you can take your time experiencing all it has to offer. 

Magnetic Hill Winery sits just north of the eponymous tourist attraction, situated in a picturesque modern barn-style building. Taste locally grown and bottled wines from this uniquely northern wine region, with handcrafted vintages ranging from reds and whites to sparkling and dessert wines. The tasting room is open all year, making for a cozy destination in the winter or a pleasant way to relax after a busy summer day. And not only will you enjoy pairings with cheese and other snacks, you can also extend your visit with a stay in the winery's guesthouse. The restored 1867 farmhouse provides two comfy rooms with ensuite bathrooms and shared downstairs spaces with a fireplace and small coffee bar.

For some extra relaxation, take a five-minute walk down Front Mountain Road to Usva, a Nordic thermal spa that consists of a number of saunas, a heated outdoor pool that's open all year, a plunge pool, a cafe, and more. Book a massage or other treatments like reflexology, infrared heat chairs, and more.

Moncton's motto is "Resurgo," which means "I rise again" in Latin, and the sentiment lends itself to the namesake of the city's heritage center, Resurgo Place. Within the modern building, you'll find both the Moncton Museum and Transportation Discovery Center, the latter of which chronicles Moncton's thriving shipbuilding, railroad, and aviation industries. You'll find plenty of interactive exhibits that kids will love. The Moncton Museum is also a history-lover's oasis, tracing centuries of change and highlighting the people who call the area home, including the Indigenous Mi'qmak people and the Acadians.

Resurgo Place stewards a number of historic properties throughout Moncton, like the butter-yellow Free Meeting House that dates back to 1821, and a Victorian home built in 1883.  It also looks after the Treitz Haus, Moncton's oldest surviving building, circa 1769. Now a visitor center, this 18th-century clapboard gem is your spot to grab information about trails and what to see and do around town. The heritage center is Rainbow Registered, which means it's part of an accredited Canada-wide program to provide inclusive, safe spaces for LGBTQ+ visitors. Resurgo Place is open Tuesday through Sunday, and as of this writing, adult admission is $13 CAD, or just over $9 USD. 

New Brunswick boasts more than 3,400 miles of coastline, ranging from rocky cliffs to sandy beaches. One of the best summertime spots for swimming and sunbathing near Moncton has to be Plage Aboiteau, or Aboiteau Beach, which is located only 35 minutes northeast of downtown by car. Plage Aboiteau consists of a long stretch of sand and a series of protected, picturesque dunes. From the first Friday in June to the second week of September, the beach is a haven for splashing, soaking up rays, and taking long coastal strolls.

Admission to the beach is free, but daytime parking fees are $10 CAD for cars and motorcycles, and $30 for RVs, or $7 and $21 USD, respectively. Alternatively, parking is always free between 5 p.m. and midnight. You'll also find accommodations nearby, including Glamping Aboiteau, which features 12 glamping pods, as well as Aboiteau Cottages and Sandy Beach Campground.

Located north of town, Irishtown Nature Park is a 2,200-acre oasis perfect for exploring in any season. It's also a great place to take the camera and spot wildlife around its beautiful lake, marshes, and forest. Birders, be on the lookout for mergansers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, bald eagles, and many more species. The park features about 3 miles of surfaced trails that are cleared in the winter, plus more than 4 miles of natural paths that are great for hiking or snowshoeing.

Make sure to check out Tankville School, a one-room schoolhouse built in the 19th century in a steep-gabled New England meetinghouse style, renewed today with a small museum on the main level. Paddle boats are also welcome on the lake, but to access the boat launch, you'll need to pre-register on the city's website to receive a code to unlock the gate. If more time in nature is to your liking, head about an hour north to Kouchibouguac, a Canadian national park that's a total hidden gem with gorgeous beaches and camping spots.

Yet another feature of the Magnetic Hill area is the largest waterpark you'll find in the Atlantic Canada region. Magic Mountain is a family-friendly destination boasting a nine-hole mini-golf course, an arcade, carnival rides, two gift shops, five eateries, and plenty of ways to splash around. A themed area called Prospector's Peak features a shooting gallery, and a spot where visitors can pan for gemstones. SplashZone is the primary swimming area, with a wave pool, lazy river, and slides with names like Tornado, Loop de Loop, Pipeline, and Sidewinder.

Magic Mountain is typically open from mid-June to early September. Admission is required to SplashZone, and ticket prices are published on the Magic Mountain website at the start of the season. Kids under 36 inches tall get in for free. 

Located downtown, just a stone's throw from Riverfront Park, Moncton Market features regional producers every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the year. You'll find grocery items like produce, eggs, bread, and preserves along with numerous artists and craftspeople. Treat yourself to a fruit-topped crêpe from La Crêperie, made fresh in front of you, or grab a freshly pulled espresso from Buzz du Jour or Down East Coffee Roasters. It's worth noting that while some vendors accept cards, many prefer cash payments. There are a couple of ATMs located within the market, just in case.

During the week, the market is also home to a five-eatery food court with international fare, perfect for grabbing lunch on the go. Try Mediterranean-Canadian fusion cuisine at ShanGRILLa, Southeast Asian cuisine from Veena's Kitchen and Little Saigon, Chinese food from Ming's Kitchen, and Latin American delicacies from The Latin Corner. Don't miss the food stall's famous arepas — mouthwatering cornmeal cakes stuffed with all sorts of delicious fillings.

For more than a decade, Moncton has actively sought to invigorate its street corners and neighborhoods with lively public art, whether in the form of sculptures, mosaics, or large-scale murals. Starting in 2015, the city has welcomed a traveling street art initiative called Festival Inspire, which has facilitated the creation of dozens of murals throughout downtown and beyond. All in all, there are more than 50 murals to encounter, created by artists from all over Canada and the world.

Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts is a great place to start a self-guided tour of the city's artworks, as it features three total, both in the front and around back. It's worth stepping inside the gallery, too, to see work by more than 200 local and regional artists. Around town, street art enthusiasts will spot murals by Dutch artist Eelco van den Berg, Spanish artist Slim Safont, and Montréal-based painter SBuOne.

The city of Moncton has 49 miles of trails within a number of parks and along the unique Petitcodiac River, not to mention neighborhood routes that make it easy to get around this relatively flat city. The 2.9-mile Riverfront Trail passes through Riverfront Park and Bore Park, where you can roll by to see the tidal bore or stop into Moncton's oldest building, Treitz Haus. 

A number of local parks, including Irishtown Nature Park and Mapleton Park, have multi-use trails that are great for walking or biking. Hop on the 3.2-mile Centennial Park Loop, which winds through the trees and along a gentle waterway called Jonathan Creek. Alternatively, Humphrey Brook Trail is a picturesque route that covers 7 miles round-trip. It's rated moderately difficult for its more varied terrain, although the main trail is paved. It's worth taking a detour on foot along some of the scenic footpaths that wind through the forest.

Just an hour south of Moncton by car, Fundy National Park is known for the high tides of its namesake, the Bay of Fundy. You'll find a plethora of hiking and mountain biking trails on nearly three-dozen different routes that traverse waterfalls, creeks, and coastal overlooks. Drive on a historic covered bridge in the park's southern Pointe Wolfe region, join seasonal events like guided walks in the park, and head to the coast at different times of day to see extraordinary views of the tide coming in and going out. 

The park also features one of the most scenic campgrounds in Canada, with five developed camping areas as well as backcountry spots. There are numerous options for accommodations, from tent campsites and RV areas to yurts, cabins, and unique glamping pods. If you want to tack on some extra sightseeing during your tour of New Brunswick, wind your way just over an hour down the road from Fundy National Park to St. Martin, a charming coastal village offering a scenic fairytale getaway with high tides and local shops.

Moncton is a unique destination on the Atlantic Coast, known for its distinct French-Canadian heritage and rugged natural beauty. With this in mind, we made sure that our guide reflects the best experiences that this city has to offer. We relied on regional tourism sites like DestinationCanada.com, ExperienceMoncton.ca, and TourismNewBrunswick.ca to source the most up-to-date information about the area's attractions and offerings. For destination-specific information, such as opening times, admission costs, and historical context, we referred to official sources like MagneticHillWharfVillage.ca, ParcsNBParks.ca, MagneticHillWinery.com, Resurgo.ca, PlageAboiteau.ca, MarcheMonctonMarket.ca, Parks.Canada.ca, and others. We also gleaned some additional details from sources like The University of Maine, HistoricPlaces.ca, and StreetArtCities.com. To ensure that our guide captures Moncton's most popular sites, we reviewed hundreds of comments and ratings from visitors on platforms such as Google Reviews, Tripadvisor, and AllTrails.