Part of New Brunswick's Tidal Experience Zone, Moncton is an excellent base for exploring "Phenomenal Fundy," the natural marine wonder. Home of the world's highest tides, the Bay of Fundy rises as much as 60 feet, twice a day, in turn emptying and filling Moncton's Petitcodiac River twice a day. The sight and sounds of the tidal bore rushing along the river banks is just one of the unique experiences that await you in this vibrant town. Magnetic Hill boasts another fascinating experience you'll want to write home about. There, you'll have the unique opportunity to defy gravity as a strange ... More
Located in the core of downtown district, AAA 4-Diamond restaurant onsite – With décor that is stylishly sparse, this hotel is a comfortable retreat for travelers to return to after days spent exploring the city's cultural and historical sites, shopping boutiques, and sandy coastal beaches. Its location and facilities are also ideal for business travelers.
Part of New Brunswick's Tidal Experience Zone, Moncton is an excellent base for exploring "Phenomenal Fundy," the natural marine wonder. Home of the world's highest tides, the Bay of Fundy rises as much as 60 feet, twice a day, in turn emptying and filling Moncton's Petitcodiac River twice a day. The sight and sounds of the tidal bore rushing along the river banks is just one of the unique experiences that await you in this vibrant town. Magnetic Hill boasts another fascinating experience you'll want to write home about. There, you'll have the unique opportunity to defy gravity as a strange force pulls your car uphill! Sounds strange - but seeing is believing.
Other diversions in Moncton include Crystal Palace for fun games and rides, Magic Mountain Water Theme Park, and a lively downtown featuring great shopping, vibrant nightlife, and live performances at the beautifully restored Capital Theater. In nearby Hopewell Cape, you can kayak past 4-story "flowerpot rocks" during high tide; then at low tide, you can walk around them on the dry ocean floor!
New York City 3.5 hrs
Boston 2.5 hrs
Miami 5 hrs
Philadelphia 3.5 hrs
Los Angeles 6.5 hrs
Chicago 3.5 hrs
Dallas/Forth Worth 5 hrs
San Francisco 7 hrs
The Fundy Coast is a natural marine wonder with the highest tides on the planet, leaving the coastline decorated with spectacular caves and rocky cliffs. When the sea level drops, coastal peninsulas and rock islets are visible. There are also unbelievably beautiful pockets of wilderness in the vast forests of New Brunswick.
The seasons in New Brunswick vary widely. Summers are warm, in the high 70ºs, with cooler evenings. Spring and autumn are relatively mild and winters are cold with heavy snows, and temperatures dropping well below freezing.
The weather is most temperate from late spring through fall, and whale-sightings peak during the late summer months. Vibrant fall foliage is at its best from mid-September through late October, and winter brings a host of snow-sports opportunities.
Great Natural Attractions: Moncton is ideally situated for experiencing some of the world's most amazing natural phenomena. The Bay of Fundy's unique shape channels tides to great heights, rising as much as 60 feet twice a day. These tides have weathered the coastline, and created the famous giant flowerpots, the Hopewell Rocks. At low tide you can walk across the seabed where just hours earlier whales were swimming. Away from the sea, New Brunswick is full of forests, lakes, and streams, and scenic trails traverse the province.
Historic New Brunswick: The natural attractions of Moncton and the Bay of Fundy are backed by a friendly community that dates back to the earliest days of the British and French explorers and settlers. Today there are museums, parks, and entertainment venues where you can embrace the local culture and get to know the people of New Brunswick. One of the more interesting local attractions is known as Magnetic Hill. Drive your car to the bottom of a hill, leave the car in neutral, and watch as you appear to coast back up the hill!
Tidal Bore: The sight and sound of the tidal bore rolling up the Petitcodiac River is quite impressive. These are the world's highest tides, rising as much as 60 feet, twice a day and, in the process, emptying and filling Moncton's Petitcodiac River.
Magnetic Hill: Moncton is famous for this bizarre place. Park your car in neutral at the bottom of the hill and watch as your car is pulled uphill! The rest of the complex offers a water amusement park, a zoo, a golf course, and several shops.
Fundy National Park: This 130-square-mile park enjoys an idyllic climate created by the Bay of Fundy that enhances your enjoyment while hiking and biking along 70 miles of trails, golfing, playing tennis, swimming in the heated saltwater pool, dining, and more!
Golf: The Magnetic Hill Golf Club has 18 holes that lie among rough hills, and the Royal Oaks Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 PGA Championship course designed by Rees Jones.
Free Meeting House: Operated by the Moncton Museum, this National Historic Site is the city's oldest standing building. It was originally a gathering place for all religious denominations that didn't have a place of worship.
The Acadian Museum: Located at the University of Moncton, this museum displays artifacts that cover 300 years of Acadian life in the Maritimes. Also available is a gallery with contemporary artwork by Canadian artists.
Crystal Palace: This huge enclosed park has a 4-screen cinema, a shooting arcade, roller coaster, carousel, swing ride, bumper cars, mini-golf, laser tag, batting cages, and a virtual-reality ride!
Day Trip to St. Stephen: The Fundy Coast Drive begins in this small town, which draws chocolate-lovers from all over for its summertime Chocolate Festival. Choco-holics can satisfy their cravings year round, however, at the town's chocolate factory and at the chocolate museum.
Day Trip to St. Andrews By-the-Sea: This resort town has been designated a National Historical District. Impressive mansions surround the town, and more than half the buildings were built in the 1700s and 1800s. Historical tours and ghost walks are available, as are museums, botanical gardens, and an aquarium.
Day Trip to Saint John: The first city in Canada, Saint John was incorporated in 1785. Today, the thriving downtown area boasts trendy restaurants and shops, and historical churches and museums. Greater Saint John offers a zoo, parks, and the incredible Reversing Falls.
Day Trip to Fundy Isles: The islands of Manan, Deer, and Campobello are accessible only by ferry. Spot whales, seals, and puffins. Dining and lodging are available on all three islands.
Day Trip to Cape Enrage: The beach juts out into the bay and is covered with beautiful driftwood. While the magnificent views are enough reason to visit, Cape Enrage is also home to restaurants, a gift shop, and a lighthouse.
Day Trip to Hopewell Cape: This is where you can see the famous Giant Flowerpots -- rock formations carved by tides from the Bay of Fundy -- which are visible only at low tide. Check out the visitor's center for information on hiking trails.
Day Trip to Fredericton: This historic city has impressive buildings and wonderful art galleries. You'll enjoy walking or biking along the "Green Mile," a bustling downtown area that parallels the river.
New Brunswick food is reminiscent of its British and Acadian heritage, but new, sophisticated chefs are now leaning toward Continental cuisine. California cuisine also makes a showing on several menus, and many restaurants include nouvelle ingredients and presentation in their dishes. Looking for less adventurous fare? Steak and seafood are still plentiful.
Gourmet
The Windjammer is plush and elegant, with a nautical theme. The innovative Maritime delicacies includes creative dishes such as Atlantic salmon in pecan butter, pan-fried shrimp and scallops with black pepper and dried banana, and lobster with mango sauce over pasta. Meat-lovers will enjoy the tournedos of caribou au jus with blueberries and sautéed duck confit with Asian pesto. 750 Main Street
Highly Recommended
Boomerang's Steakhouse occupies 3 dining rooms with old-time architectural elegance and an aura of seclusion. The menu offers Canadian beef prepared to order, and the freshest seafood around. Other favorites choices include grilled chicken breast and ribs. 130 Westmoreland Street
Local Flair
Pump House Brewery reflects its name with décor made up of bags of hops and metal fermentation tanks. Visitors come to this relaxed restaurant/brewery for its wide variety of ales and seasonal drinks, like pumpkin ale for Halloween. The limited but delicious menu includes burgers, fries, wings, specialty pizzas, and more. 5 Orange Lane
Romantic
Le Château à Pape is set in an old Victorian house on the riverfront. The white linens and candlelight add elegance to your evening, as does your trip to the wine cellar to make your own selection. The third generation French-Acadian chef offers steak and seafood with an Acadian flair. Specialties include fricot and poutine à trou. 2 Steadman Street
Most of Moncton's dancing and drinking nightlife takes place in downtown. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, head to the Capitol Theatre.
Club Cosmopolitan: Widely referred to as "the Cosmo," this club has a dance floor and plays live jazz until 2am. DJs take over between live shows.
Quake Nightclub: This club, located in the former Paramount Theater, offers happy hours and all-you-can-drink nights.
Fat Tuesdays: Crowds come here for jazz jam sessions and karaoke.
Rockin Rodeo: This popular spot is the biggest country-and-western bar in the province.
Ziggy's: This popular spot features stand-up comedians and live bands. Video games, pool, and big-screen TV entertain beyond the laugh and music.
Capitol Theatre: This ornate theater, decorated with murals and frescoes, hosts concerts, ballets, and film festivals.
Victoria Park Arts & Crafts Fair: Moncton's top-rated arts show with crafts and food. August
Summer Chamber Music Festival: Classical musicians perform and lecture in Fredericton. August
Festival by the Sea: Hundreds of singers, dancers and musicians come to Saint John's for this lively festival. August
Chocolate Festival: Food, displays, and children's events center on everything chocolate in St. Stephen. August
Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival: World-class musicians and new Atlantic Canadian performers flock to Fredericton to play jazz, blues, Cajun, and world beat for 5 days. September
Festival du Cinéma Francophone en Acadie: International directors and actors join in this primarily French festival in Moncton. September
Monton Jazz Festival: Concerts, beer gardens, and fireworks fill 9 days in fall. October
World Wine Festival: Celebrate the grape by sampling from among more than 250 different wines! November
Deciding what to wear in Moncton depends largely on the season you'll be there. From late spring through fall, visitors will need medium-weight garb, including a sweater or jacket. Rain is brief but can be heavy, so it's wise to pack a raincoat or umbrella. During the summer, short T-shirts are fine, but between November and April, heavy jackets, sweaters and boots are a must. People in this area dress modestly as a rule, and tend to get a bit more dressed up in the evening.
We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.
Tax Refunds: The GST (Goods & Services Tax) is reimbursable upon departure, but you must keep your receipts. Simply pick up a copy of the Tax Refund Application for Visitors at any Customs Office and most tourism centers, duty-free shops, and some hotels. The form is short and easy to fill out and along with your receipts, is all you need to be reimbursed on the spot as you exit the country.
English is the main language spoken, though the province of New Brunswick is officially bilingual with 33% of the population speaking French.
The current is the same as in the United States, and you will not need any special equipment to use your US appliances.
Entry: A photo ID (such as a passport) is required to enter Canada, as is proof of US citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate). Visas are not required.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Canadian Customs: Visitors may enter Canada with personal effects duty-free provided that they declare them to the customs officials upon arrival and that the goods are not subject to restrictions. Persons aged 16 and over are authorized to take 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and 2.2 pounds of smoking tobacco. Persons 18 and over may take 40 ounces of duty-free alcoholic beverages.
Cultural Property: Canada has restrictions to ensure that objects of historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific significance remain in Canada. To take objects that are more than 50 years old (or made by a person who is no longer living) out of the country - including artifacts, fossils, fine art, decorative art, rare books, or archival materials - you may require an export permit. You must contact the Movable Cultural Property Program, 15 Eddy Street, 3rd Floor, Room 13, Hull, Quebec, Canada K1A 0M5, phone 819-997-7761, fax 819-997-7757.
US Customs: US residents returning from Canada after a visit of 48 hours or more may return with $800 worth of duty-free articles for personal use. Up to 100 cigars (non-Cuban), 32 ounces of alcoholic beverages (travelers over 21), and 200 cigarettes per person may be included. Works of art are exempt, however, a receipt of purchase may be required.
Tourist Information Centre: 655 Main Street, Moncton, NB E1C 1E8, Canada; phone toll-free 800-363-4558