Moncton is the culinary, cultural, and geographic heart of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Officially Canada’s first bilingual city, it serves as the ultimate basecamp for exploring the dramatic Bay of Fundy, while offering a thriving craft brewery scene, a brilliant culinary landscape, and bizarre natural phenomena right within city limits. The Must see attractions include visiting the iconic Magnetic Hill and the nearby Magnetic Hill Resort Area, viewing the Tidal Bore at Bore Park in the downtown core, and visiting Hopewell Rocks Provincial Parks, located just 35 minutes outside the city. Moncton's food scene punches way above its weight class, seamlessly blending French Acadian roots with a modern, global culinary lens. The Tide Timing is Everything, so if you plan to visit Hopewell Rocks or view the Tidal Bore, check the local tide tables before you step out. Showing up at the wrong hour means missing the core magic of both spots.
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While downtown Moncton is highly walkable, you will definitely want a rental car if you plan to explore the surrounding coastline, Fundy National Park, or neighboring Dieppe. For a lovely evening stroll, head to the boardwalk trail along the riverfront at sunset. It offers a great perspective of the changing river and the city skyline. This is a guide for exploring the "hub city" of Atlantic Canada, Moncton and its surrounding attractions.
Magnetic Hill
Located at the northwestern edge of Moncton, Magnetic Hill is one of Canada’s most famous and enduring optical illusions. Known to local farmers since the 1800s and commercialized in the 1930s, this historic "gravity hill" creates a baffling phenomenon where vehicles in neutral appear to roll completely uphill against the laws of physics. It has grown from a simple gravel path into a massive, multi-attraction family destination.
How to experience the Illusion
To properly experience the phenomenon, visitors follow a specific sequence at the designated hill site:
Drive down to the absolute bottom of the hill.
Put your vehicle in neutral and take your foot completely off the pedals.
Watch in disbelief as your car slowly accelerates backward, effortlessly rolling up the incline.
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The Science: While it feels like an intense magnetic field is dragging your car, it is actually a perfectly executed optical illusion. The surrounding horizon line, hills, and trees tilt in a way that tricks your brain into perceiving a slight downhill slope as an upward climb.
Logistics & Planning
The Magnetic Hill Illusion drive itself operates seasonally (typically opening in early May through September 30). It is closed during the late fall and winter months to protect the lane infrastructure.
Access to the driving illusion is highly affordable at $10 per vehicle. Tickets for the surrounding zoo and amusement parks are purchased separately.
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The Surrounding Area
Magnetic Hill is anchored by an entire park complex, making it incredibly easy to turn a 15-minute illusion check into a full-day trip
Magnetic Hill Zoo: The largest zoo in Atlantic Canada, featuring a 2km outdoor discovery trail to observe diverse species. It hosts popular seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo in October and holiday light displays.
Magic Mountain Amusement Park: A massive entertainment zone featuring Atlantic Canada's largest water park, standard amusement rides, mini-golf, and arcade games.
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village: A charming, colorful boardwalk modeled after an East Coast fishing village. It features a scenic pond, local artisan boutique gift shops, a licensed patio, and local treats like specialty fudge and ice cream.
Magnetic Hill Winery: Located on a historic 19th-century site overlooking the city, offering tastings of locally crafted New Brunswick fruit and grape wines.
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Magnetic Hill Zoo
As the largest zoological park in Atlantic Canada, the Magnetic Hill Zoo is a 40-acre, internationally accredited sanctuary home to more than 70 indigenous and exotic species. The zoo is thoughtfully segmented into four distinct zones—the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Discovery—offering a highly family-friendly, stroller-accessible layout with broad trails and interactive exhibits.
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Main Highlights & Exhibits
The Big Cats & Primates: The zoo's snow leopards, Amur tigers, and playful gibbons are perennial visitor favorites.
Interactive Barnyard: A dedicated hands-on contact area where children can buy feed and interact closely with friendly goats.
The Play Zone: A massive, towering playground structure is anchored right at the center of the park, making it the perfect spot for kids to burn off energy between animal viewings.
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Seasonal Experiences
The zoo completely transitions its environment across seasons, playing host to two massive annual events:
Boo at the Zoo (October): A highly popular family Halloween fundraiser featuring spooky decorations and interactive, themed venues categorized by "fear-factor" ratings.
Wild Lights (Late November – Early January): The zoo transforms into a winter wonderland. Visitors can walk along snow-packed paths beneath brilliant light tunnels, custom musical light shows, and life-sized light displays.
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Current Hours & Admission Pricing
The zoo utilizes a tiered seasonal fee schedule. Keep in mind that a 5% service fee applies if you purchase tickets at the gate rather than securing them on the online Moncton Ticket Portal. During the Fall season, from September 8-October 31, Admission for Adults cost $19.00 CAD and the zoo is open from 10am-4pm. During Late Fall, from November 1-23, Admission is $13 CAD and the hours are the same as the fall but is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays. During Wild Lights season, from November 27-January 2, the Zoo is open from 5pm-8:30pm, with select dates closed; Admission is $15 CAD.
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The Village Wharf
Designed as a picturesque replica of an old-school Atlantic Canadian fishing community, the Magnetic Hill Wharf Village is a vibrant, multi-colored boardwalk that captures the essence of Maritime culture. Built in 1987 and beautifully updated in 2018, it serves as the retail and dining hub of the Magnetic Hill complex, surrounding a central pond populated by local waterfowl.
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Retail & Gift Boutiques
The village specializes in locally owned, independent boutiques highlighting East Coast flair. They are great for sheltering indoors on rainy days:
Good Day Gifts & Housewares: A massive space featuring regional home décor, Atlantic Canadian artisan crafts, and lifestyle goods.
Souvenirs & Apparel: Several storefronts sell specialized New Brunswick postcards, maritime apparel, flags, and collectibles.
The Giant Moose: Don't miss a mandatory photo-op alongside the village’s resident oversized moose statue near the gift shop entrances.
Sweet Treats & Food
Murray's Moose Ice Cream & Treatery: The ultimate stop for a summer cone. They scoop up classic Atlantic Canadian flavors alongside a cafe counter serving freshly made mini-donuts, homemade fudge, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Wharf Village Restaurant: A sit-down restaurant offering classic comfort food such as loaded nachos, burgers, poutines, and seafood chowder. (Note: Operating seasons fluctuate, and it occasionally closes during late summer or fall shoulder periods while the sweet shops stay open).
Operating Hours & Seasonality
Summer Peak: During its core summer operating season, the gift shops typically run daily from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, with Murray's Moose opening from 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
Shoulder Season: As fall rolls in, hours alter slightly (often drawing down to 4:00 PM daily closures) before wrapping up entirely for the winter.
Special Events: Keep an eye out for late-season specialty programming, including pop-up live music nights and their annual Christmas on the Wharf winter market.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Perched along the coast of the Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is a spectacular natural wonder home to the highest tides in the world. Over thousands of years, extreme tidal shifts shifting up to 16 meters of water twice daily have carved the shoreline's sandstone cliffs into massive, free-standing sea stacks whimsively known as the "Flowerpot Rocks". Located just a 35-minute drive south of Moncton, it is a mandatory bucket-list excursion for any Maritime vacation.
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The Low Tide vs. High Tide Experience
The park offers two entirely distinct landscapes that completely transform every six hours:
Low Tide (The Ocean Floor Walk): The water recedes entirely to reveal a vast, muddy playground. Visitors descend a multi-level staircase to walk directly on the ocean floor, weaving through towering sea stacks nicknamed the Elephant, the Bear, and the Dinosaur.
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High Tide (The Sea Kayak): Just hours later, the bay fills back up with water, completely submerging the pathways. The lower steps close, and the area transforms into an aquatic maze where you can take guided kayak tours right around the tops of the exact same rock formations.
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Admission & The Multi-Day Advantage
Because seeing both extremes is the best way to appreciate the sheer volume of the tides, standard admission tickets are uniquely valid for two consecutive days.
Adults: ~$18.15 CAD
Seniors & Students: ~$15.56 CAD
Children (6–17): ~$8.00 CAD (Plus 15% sales tax)
Note: If you hold a Parks NB Season Pass, full access to Hopewell Rocks is now included.
Concierge Tips for Your Visit
Check the Tide Tables First: The lunar cycle means the daily walkable window shifts by roughly 50 minutes each day. Proactively consult the official Hopewell Rocks Tide Tables before you plan your driving route. The ideal arrival time is 1 to 2 hours before peak low tide.
Footwear Strategy: The ocean floor is composed of thick, slick mud and small pebbles. Leave your sandals behind and wear sturdy, easily cleanable footwear. The park thoughtfully provides a convenient foot-washing station near the top trail to spray off your boots afterward.
Accessibility & Shuttles: The walk from the main interpretive center down to the ocean staircase is a scenic 15-minute forested trail. If you are traveling with seniors or small children, the park operates open-air golf cart shuttles to transport visitors back up the hill for a small coin fee.
Seasonality Alert: The park operates strictly on a seasonal basis from mid-May to late October. Off-season winter access is strictly prohibited and highly hazardous due to high-risk rockfalls from freezing cliff faces and a total lack of safety personnel.
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Resurgo Place
If you love history blended with hands-on science, Resurgo Place is Moncton’s premier cultural hub, where local heritage, technology, and interactive discovery intersect. Taking its name from Moncton’s official Latin motto meaning "I rise again," this state-of-the-art, 31,000-square-foot facility opened in 2014 and serves as a magnificent tribute to the city's resilient history as a major transportation epicenter.
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What You'll Experience Inside
A single admission ticket grants you full access to both of the major institutions housed under its roof:
The Moncton Museum: This space beautifully preserves the region's historical timeline. It features a meticulously preserved stone facade of Moncton's former City Hall right inside the building, alongside a giant, walk-on floor map of the city that allows you to pinpoint local landmarks from above.
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Transportation Discovery Centre: A paradise for curious minds and children. This highly interactive zone celebrates Moncton’s deep-rooted connection to shipbuilding, aviation, and the railway system. Visitors can launch DIY rockets, steer miniature boats using wind currents, build custom Lego vehicles to test on tracks, and try out real flight simulators.
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Traveling Exhibits: The museum regularly hosts three to four top-tier rotating exhibitions annually, curated from world-class institutions across Canada.
Visitor Hours
Resurgo Place operates year-round, six days a week:
Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Great for an evening visit!)
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Concierge Tips for Your Visit
The Mid-Week Discount: If you are traveling on a budget or with seniors, try to visit on Walk-in Wednesdays. Admission rates are sliced by 50% off every Wednesday, offering an incredible value.
Don't Miss the Free Meeting House: Located right next door on the same grounds is Moncton's oldest surviving standing structure, built in 1821. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1990 and is a beautiful, quiet spot to explore.
The Perfect Rainy Day Alternative: Because the entire museum complex is fully indoor, air-conditioned, and highly interactive, I always recommend saving this stop for a rainy or overcast day when outdoor spots like Hopewell Rocks are less ideal.
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Visitor Support: If you have questions about the rest of your trip, the main Moncton Visitor Information Centre is located right in the main lobby, stocked with regional guides, maps, and helpful staff.
Downtown Main Street
Downtown Moncton’s Main Street is the energetic, walkable epicenter of the city. Blending historic 19th-century red-brick architecture with modern glass structures, this vibrant avenue serves as Moncton's cultural living room. It effortlessly packs award-winning restaurants, lively craft pubs, local boutiques, and stunning public art murals into a highly navigable, pedestrian-friendly core that stretches alongside the Petitcodiac River.
Entertainment & Culture Anchors
The Avenir Centre: Located at the western gates of Main Street, this state-of-the-art entertainment complex is the crown jewel of downtown. It hosts massive concert tours and is home to the beloved Moncton Wildcats major junior hockey team. The surrounding outdoor plaza transforms into a bustling skating rink in the winter.
The Capitol Theatre: An exquisite, meticulously restored 1920s vaudeville house. As one of only eight surviving heritage theatres of its kind in Canada, it anchors Main Street's performing arts scene with live theater, dance, and symphonies.
The Mural District: Downtown Moncton doubles as an open-air art gallery. Thanks to the annual Inspire Festival, Main Street and its immediate alleyways are adorned with over 50 massive, world-class street art murals created by global and local artists.
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Notable Downtown Dining & Drink Blocks
Main Street's culinary scene is highly compressed and incredibly diverse, making bar-hopping or progressive dinners effortless.
Classic East Coast Pubs: For a pint of local ale and live acoustic music, claim a table at The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse or the cozy Gahan House Hub City.
Elevated Bites: If you want a memorable dinner, head just off Main toward the Aberdeen Cultural Centre for Les Brumes du Coude, or stay on the strip to enjoy contemporary Canadian dishes at Black Rabbit.
Third-Wave Coffee: Fuel your walk with a masterfully poured espresso from local roasters like Down East Coffee or the ultra-hip Cafe C'est la Vie.
Concierge Tips for Navigating Main Street
Parking Perks: While metered street parking is heavily utilized during business hours, downtown parking is completely free on evenings after 6:00 PM and all day on weekends in city-managed lots and street spaces.
The Underground Passage: If you are visiting during the chilly winter months, take advantage of the indoor overhead and underground skywalk networks connecting major downtown hotels like the Delta Beausejour to nearby complexes.
Pair with the River: Main Street runs entirely parallel to the riverfront. You can easily slip off the sidewalk at Bore Park to watch the Tidal Bore roll in, then walk right back up to Main Street for lunch within two minutes.
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Curated Culinary Highlights
Moncton boasts a dynamic culinary landscape that punches far above its weight. Officially Canada's first bilingual city, its food culture beautifully unites historic French Acadian heritage with an influx of global flavors and a booming, collaborative craft beer community. Whether you are looking for world-class fine dining, lively craft taprooms, or fresh local oysters, Moncton serves up an exceptional culinary experience.
Les Brumes du Coude- Selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Restaurants, this quaint French bistro is located inside the historic Aberdeen Cultural Centre. Chef Michel Savoie serves an ever-evolving, hyper-seasonal menu blending classic French technique with local Atlantic produce and exceptional wine pairings.
Little Louis Oyster Bar & Fine Cuisine- The city's premier destination for high-end dining and refined seafood. Impeccable multi-course menus feature beautifully prepared plates, an extensive premium oyster bar, and a world-class wine collection.
Lima Peruvian Kitchen- A standout example of Moncton's diverse international culinary scene. This vibrant, highly rated eatery serves exceptionally fresh ceviche, signature octopus dishes, and authentic Peruvian cocktails.
Tide & Boar Gastopub- A beloved downtown mainstay with a rustic-chic vibe. Famous for its elevated spins on Atlantic comfort food, charcuterie boards, craft cocktails, and an on-site microbrewery.
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Concierge Tips for Foodies
The Saturday Morning Ritual: If your trip lands on a weekend, do not miss the Moncton Market. It is the ultimate spot to try traditional Acadian comfort foods like poutine râpée (a traditional grated potato dumpling filled with seasoned pork) alongside international street food stalls.
Make Reservations Early: Because top culinary destinations like Les Brumes du Coude and Little Louis' are highly coveted and relatively intimate spaces, securing table reservations well in advance is strongly recommended.
Dieppe Direct Overlap: Moncton directly borders the francophone community of Dieppe. Crossing over the border opens up top-tier options like Tony’s Bistro & Patisserie for authentic French pastries and artisan brunches.
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Tidal Bore & Bore Park
Twice every single day, the placid, mud-banked Petitcodiac River experiences a dramatic transformation known as the Moncton Tidal Bore. Driven by the unparalleled power of the Bay of Fundy, billions of tons of incoming ocean water overpower the river’s natural flow, creating a visible, front-running wave that travels upstream at roughly 13 km/h (8 mph). The absolute premier viewing amphitheater for this daily natural phenomenon is Bore Park, located directly in the heart of downtown Moncton.
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Understanding the Bore & The Chocolate River
The Visual Wave: The tidal bore manifests as a continuous wall of water stretching from bank to bank, varying in height from a few inches up to two feet (60 cm).
The Aftermath is the Real Show: While the initial passing wave is over in a few minutes, the real jaw-dropper happens immediately after. A riverbed that was entirely exposed, red-mud flats just minutes prior will rapidly swell by up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) within the hour, completely filling the river basin to its brim.
The "Chocolate River": The Petitcodiac’s distinct brown coloration is completely natural. The immense power of the Fundy tides constantly churns up heavy silt and clay particles from the river basin, keeping it suspended in the water.
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Extreme Tidal Surfers: Following the partial removal of a restrictive causeway gates system, the river's ecosystem has rebounded dramatically. It is now common to spot long-distance surfers catching the single, continuous wave and riding it upstream for kilometers.
Bore Park & Riverfront Amenities
Bore Park is an impeccably maintained, accessible urban green space situated at 11 Bendview Court.
The Amphitheater: The park features a curved, tiered stone seating amphitheater facing the water, giving hundreds of spectators an unobstructed elevated look at the approaching wave. Educational Displays: The boardwalk is dotted with rich historical plaques detailing the river's heritage, from early Mi'kmaq travel routes to the golden age of wooden shipbuilding.
The Riverfront Trail: The park anchors Moncton's extensive multi-use trail system. You can stroll or bike along the paved path for miles, connecting seamlessly eastward into Dieppe or across the bridge to Riverview.
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Concierge Tips for the Perfect Viewing
Arrive 20 Minutes Early: The arrival time of the bore is calculated mathematically, but weather variations, winds, and changing barometric pressure mean it can routinely arrive 15 to 20 minutes earlier or later than predicted.
Consult the Tracker: Never guess the times. Check the live daily trackers on the official Tidal Bore Times Schedule before heading downtown.
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Pair with Main Street: The park sits mere steps away from downtown's top boutique coffee shops, pubs, and the Saturday Moncton Market. Grab a warm drink to enjoy on the benches while you wait.
Two Days in the Hub City of Canada
Day 1: Tides, History & Downtown Culture
Morning: Resurgo Place & Local Coffee
Start your morning with a specialty pour-over espresso at CafĂ© C’est la Vie on Main Street.
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Walk over to Resurgo Place. Spend a couple of hours exploring the Moncton Museum and getting hands-on with the interactive flight simulators and rocket launchers at the Transportation Discovery Centre.
Afternoon: The Tidal Bore & Main Street
Head straight down to Bore Park along the riverfront. Grab a seat in the stone amphitheater roughly 15–20 minutes before the wave arrives to watch the riverbeds instantly vanish under the surging water.
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Head down Main Street for a casual pub lunch at Tide & Boar Gastropub, tasting their elevated East Coast comfort food and house-brewed beers.
Take a stroll through the downtown alleyways to view the massive street art murals from the Inspire Festival.
Evening: Elevated French-Acadian Dining
Conclude your day with dinner at Les Brumes du Coude inside the Aberdeen Cultural Centre. It is one of the city's finest tables, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
Day 2: Coastal Wonders & Bizarre Physics
Morning: Hopewell Rocks Excursion
Grab some pastries to go and drive 35 minutes south down the coast to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
Aim to arrive around low tide so you can walk directly on the ocean floor and marvel at the towering "Flowerpot Rocks." Give yourself about 2 hours to fully explore the trails and sea stacks.
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Afternoon: The Magnetic Hill Hub
Drive back toward northwestern Moncton straight to the Magnetic Hill complex.
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Grab lunch and an ice cream cone at Murray's Moose inside the colorful Magnetic Hill Wharf Village boardwalk.
Drive over to the Magnetic Hill Illusion driving lane, shift your car into neutral, and experience the optical illusion of rolling backward up the hill.
Walk off lunch next door at the Magnetic Hill Zoo, visiting the Amur tigers and snow leopards along the outdoor trail.
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Evening: Local Craft Beer Celebration
Head to Tire Shack Brewing Co. back in the city core. Grab a pint of their creative sours or stouts on the patio, relax after your active day, and enjoy food from whatever local food truck or pop-up vendor is hosted onsite for the night.
Why visit Moncton
Moncton’s nickname is "The Hub City" for a reason. Located right at the center of the Maritimes, it is the perfect basecamp for day trips. Within an hour's drive, you can reach the warm saltwater beaches of Shediac (the lobster capital of the world), the coastal hiking trails of Fundy National Park, or the peaceful Acadian coastline.
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Moncton is the geographic, culinary, and cultural heart of Canada’s Maritime provinces. As Canada’s first officially bilingual city, it seamlessly blends traditional French Acadian warmth with a modern, energetic urban vibe. Moncton is the ultimate gateway to the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides on the planet. Right within city limits, you can watch the Tidal Bore force a river to run completely backward twice a day. Just 35 minutes down the road, you can walk on the muddy ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks and kayak around the tops of those exact same rock formations a few hours later. Moncton is home to Magnetic Hill, a historic global phenomenon. Drivers can pull to the bottom of the incline, shift their car into neutral, and watch in disbelief as the vehicle effortlessly rolls up the hill backward against the laws of physics.
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For a mid-sized city, Moncton's culinary footprint is massive. It is widely recognized as an Atlantic craft beer hotspot, anchored by community-centric microbreweries like Tire Shack Brewing Co. and Pump House. Its restaurants effortlessly range from world-class French bistro fare at Les Brumes du Coude to premium raw oyster bars. The city boasts a rich, progressive arts scene. Thanks to the annual Inspire Festival, downtown Moncton doubles as an open-air museum, decorated with over 50 massive, world-class street art murals stretching across brick alleyways and building facades.
Attributions
Tourism New Brunswick- Hub City Road Trip
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/hub-city-road-trip
Moncton- Magnetic Hill-illusion
https://www.moncton.ca/en/magnetic-hill-illusion
Tourism New Brunswick- Magnetic Hill
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/magnetic-hill
Magnetic Hill Zoo- Magnetic Hill Park
https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/magnetic-hill-park
Tourism New Brunswick- Magnetic Hill Zoo
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/listing/magnetic-hill-zoo
Montcon- Things to do- Calendar- Wild lights
https://www.moncton.ca/en/things-do/events/calendar/wild-lights
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village
https://www.magnetichillwharfvillage.ca/
Tourism New Bruinswick- Hopewell Rocks
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/hopewell-rocks
Tourism New Bruinswick- Story- My Day Hopewell Rocks high tide and low tide exploring
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/story/my-day-hopewell-rocks-high-tide-and-low-tide-exploring
Tourism New Bruinswick- Resurgo Place
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/listing/resurgo-place
Moncton- Things to do- Tidal Bore
https://www.moncton.ca/en/things-do/tidal-bore
Moncton- Things to do- Riverfront Park
https://www.moncton.ca/en/things-do/parks/riverfront-park
Moncton- Things to do- Arts Culture
https://www.moncton.ca/en/things-do/arts-culture
Moncton- Things to do- Avenir centre
https://www.moncton.ca/en/things-do-arenas/avenir-centre
Downtown Moncton Parking
https://downtownmoncton.com/downtown-parking/
Destination Moncton Dieppe- Listing- Little Louis
https://destinationmonctondieppe.ca/listing/little-louis/289/
Marche Moncton Market
https://www.marchemonctonmarket.ca/
Tourism New Bruinswick- tide bar gastropub
https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/listing/tide-boar-gastropub
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