Moncton - Moncton

Moncton is a city in Southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is located inland of the Bay of Fundy and Acadian Coast. Moncton has a population of about 72,000 (2016), with a metropolitan population of about 145,000 (2016), making it the largest city and the largest metropolitan city in New Brunswick.

Understand

The city adopted the motto "Resurgo" after its rebirth as a railway town. The city's economy is stable and diversified, primarily based on its traditional transportation, distribution, retailing, and commercial heritage, and supplemented by strength in the educational, health care, financial, information technology, and insurance sectors. The strength of Moncton's economy has received national recognition and the local unemployment rate is consistently less than the national average.

Just to the east of Moncton is Dieppe (population 27,000 in 2019). It is the fourth-largest city in the province, and the largest predominantly francophone city in Canada outside Quebec.

Across the Petitcodiac River from Moncton on the south bank is Riverview, with about 20,000 people in 2016.

History

The Moncton area was settled by Europeans in 1733, but is considered to have been founded in 1766 with the arrival of Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants from Philadelphia. It began as an agricultural settlement. The city was named for Lt. Col. Robert Monckton, the British officer who had captured nearby Fort Beauséjour a century earlier.

A significant wooden shipbuilding industry had developed in the community by the mid-1840s, allowing for the civic incorporation in 1855, but the shipbuilding economy collapsed in the 1860s. In the 1870s, the community's economy rebounded, mainly due to a growing railway industry. In 1871, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada had chosen Moncton to be its headquarters, and Moncton remained a railway town for well over a century until the closure of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) locomotive shops in the late 1980s.

Climate

The climate tends to be more continental than maritime during the summer and winter seasons, with maritime influences somewhat tempering the transitional seasons of spring and autumn.

Winter days are typically cold but generally sunny. Daytime high temperatures usually range a few degrees below the freezing point. Major snowfalls typically average 20–30 cm (8–12 in) and are frequently mixed with rain or freezing rain. Spring is frequently delayed because the sea ice that forms in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence during the previous winter requires time to melt, and this will cool onshore winds, which can extend inland as far as Moncton. The ice burden in the gulf has diminished considerably over the course of the last decade (which may be a consequence of global warming), and the springtime cooling effect has weakened as a result.

Summers are warm and humid. Daytime highs sometimes reach more than 30 °C (86 °F). Rainfall is generally modest, especially in late July and August, and periods of drought are not uncommon. Autumn daytime temperatures remain mild until late October. First snowfalls usually do not occur until late November and consistent snow cover on the ground does not happen until late December. It can occasionally experiences the effects of post-tropical storms. The stormiest weather of the year, with the greatest precipitation and the strongest winds, usually occurs during November to mid-January.

Get in

By car

From the US:

• I-95 through Maine to the Trans-Canada Route 2, through Fredericton to Moncton.
• Route 9 (through Maine) to Route 1 (Canada) through St. Stephen, Saint John and up to Moncton.

From Quebec:

• Route 185 to Edmundston, and then down the Trans-Canada Route 2 to Moncton.

By plane

• 46.116111-64.6786111 Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM ^IATA). located on Route 15 to Shediac in the Dieppe Industrial Park.  

Airlines serving Greater Moncton:

• Air Canada Express - (Montreal, Toronto)
• WestJet - (Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Calgary)
• United Express - (Newark)
• Porter - (Toronto, Ottawa)

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ ^IATA) is located 2 hours away in Nova Scotia with many more direct and non-stop flights to other cities in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

By train

Rail service to Moncton is provided three times per week by VIA Rail and its Ocean train, operating between Montréal and Halifax via Quebec City.

• 46.083-64.7862 Moncton railway station, 1240 Main Street (East of city centre). (updated Sep 2019)

By bus

Only Maritimebus serves Moncton and the Maritime area (NB, PEI, NS).

• If you are coming from Montreal, you have to take Orleans Express to Rivière-du-Loup (7/day, $79 with tax, 5-7 hr) and after Maritime Bus to Moncton (2/day, $82 without tax, 8 hr)
• from Halifax (NS), 2/day, $49 plus tax, 4hr 30min
• from Charlottetown (PEI), 2/day (8:15AM, 12:50PM), $33.75 plus tax, 3hr20min

Get around

Moncton is pretty easy to get around. There are two main streets into the city: the Trans-Canada and Wheeler Boulevard, connecting both ends of town. Main Street and downtown Moncton are equally easy to navigate; signs are posted to all the main attractions.

Codiac Transit serves the greater Moncton area 7 days a week (limited schedule on Sundays), from around 7AM to 10PM. Fare is $2.25, and free transfers are available to let you reach your destination even if you have to change bus. A bus circles every hour or so, excepted the Express which is on a 15-minute run, from the Champlain Mall to the Northwest Centre.

See

• 46.1363-64.88971 Magnetic Hill Optical Illusion. Located in Magnetic Hill Attraction Park. A gravity hill, a type of optical illusion created by rising and descending terrain, in which it appears that cars roll uphill when in neutral gear. $5 per car entry. (updated May 2017)
• 46.093888888889-64.7752 Resurgo Place - Moncton Museum and the Transportation Discovery Centre, 20 Mountain Road, Moncton, ☏ 1 506-856-4383. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Su noon-5PM; closed on public holidays. Houses a permanent exhibit on the history of Moncton and travelling exhibits. Entry is free of charge. The Transportation Discovery Centre features an array of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities about shipbuilding, railway and aviation, ehich have played a major role in the development of Moncton as a city and as a commercial centre since the early 19th century. Adult (18 ) $10, Senior (60 ) $8, Youth (12-17) $7, Children (4-11) $5, Toddler (3 and under) free. (updated May 2017)
• Moncton Acadian Museum, Pavillon Clément-Cormier, 405 avenue de l’Université (at the Université de Moncton), ☏ 1 506 858-4088. Jun-Sep: M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 1PM-5PM; Oct-May: Tu-F 1:30PM-4:30PM, Sa Su 1PM-4PM. 35,000 objects and photographs representing all aspects of Acadian life. The permanent exhibition gives visitors a glimpse into the history of the Acadians and the daily life of the Acadians of the past through a range of objects on display. The temporary exhibition room offers travelling exhibitions from different museums and exhibitions from the collection of MAUM. Adults $5, seniors $3, students and children $2 plus tax, children under 6 free. CAA/AAA 10% discount. (updated May 2017)
• Tidal Bore Park - toward the east end of Main Street in downtown Moncton has amphitheatre-style seating for bore viewing. The tidal bore happens when the Bay of Fundy rising tide brings water counter to the normal flow of Petitcodiac river. The once-famous thundering flow has been reduced to a 6-inch ripple by nearby causeway, but still an unusual sight when it is visible. An electronic display board at the park, or the folks at the city's information booth on Main St, can tell you when to see this phenomenon, which occurs twice a day.
• Magnetic Hill Winery, 860 Front Mountain Rd., ☏ 1 506-384-9463. May 18-Sep 2: daily 11AM-6 PM; Sep 3-Dec 24: daily 1PM-5PM; Jan-May: closed, Call for appointment. Estate-grown strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb and local New Brunswick grapes, blueberry, cranberry, apple, pear and maple vinted here in the cellar. Panoramic view of Moncton down to the Chocolate River and the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. Gift shop full of wine accessories, artisan maple syrup products, jams. Stay at their B&B as old as Canada and be treated to a homemade, country breakfast with the owners sharing stories and hints for your travelling plans. (updated May 2017)
• 46.0887-64.82443 Centennial Park, 811 St George Blvd, Moncton. Centennial Park offers a large outdoor playground for kids and a water playground (summer only). In the lower section of the park you can rent paddle boats on the artificial lake and visit the island in the centre of the lake. On weekends you can catch many locals enjoying the sun and picnics. There is also an outdoor pool/beach which charges admission. Centennial Park also offers many wooded walking and biking trails which serve as cross country ski trails in the winter. free. 
• Monument for Recognition in the 21st century (MR21), 224 rue St George (Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral), ☏ 1 506 800 3194, ✉[email protected]. An interpretation center, inside the only digital cathedral in Atlantic Canada. (updated Jul 2020)

Do

• Parlee Beach, Shediac. A beautiful beach on the Northumberland Strait. Be alert as swimming warnings for fecal bacteria are common and updated weekly.
• Plage Aboiteau Beach, Cap-Pele. A much less crowded alternative to Parlee Beach. Parking is $5 during summer months.
• Magnetic Hill Zoo. At the Magnetic Hill Attraction Park. Magnetic Hill Zoo houses more than 400 animals, including over 100 indigenous and exotic species. Birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and fish find a comfortable and safe home in this 40 acres (16 hectares) park.
• Magic Mountain. Water park located in the Magnetic Hill Attraction Park.
• Poley Mountain. Biking in the summer, skiing and snowboarding in the winter located in Sussex, a 50-minute drive from Moncton.
• Lakeside Golf Club, Shediac Road.
• Magnetic Hill Golf Club, on Mountain Road across from McDonald's.
• Moncton Golf & Country Club, Riverview, ☏ 1 506-387-3850, ✉[email protected]. (updated Apr 2016)
• Capitol Theatre, Main St. Catch a show at the oldest theatre in New Brunswick.
• Empress Theatre, Main St.
• MacSweeny's Dinner Theatre, Main Street above Club Cosmo.
• Irishtown Nature Park. Largest urban nature park (2,200 acres (890 hectares)). Drive north on Elmwood Drive.
• TreeGO Moncton is open daily during the summer months, and is located in Centennial Park
• Casino New Brunswick (Casino New - Nouveau Brunswick), 21 Casino Drive, ☏ 1 506-859-7770, toll-free: 1-877-859-7775, fax: 1 506-859-7771, ✉[email protected]. 

Buy

• Trinity Power Centre, off Wheeler Blvd at Mountain Road. Has the usual big box stores.
• Champlain Mall. Largest single-storey mall in Eastern Canada. Located in Dieppe on Paul Street. Wal-Mart, Cineplex, Chapters Books.
• North West Centre, Mountain Road. Formerly Moncton Mall.
• Downtown Moncton. Main Street and Saint George Urban Quarters has many boutiques and shops.

Eat

Moncton claims to have some of the finest cuisine in Atlantic Canada:

• Pastalli Ristorante, 611 Main St. Italian cuisine, grill your own gourmet garlic bread. 
• Catch 22, 589 Main St., ☏ 1 506 855-5335. Daily 4PM-10PM. Excellent seafood, steaks, pasta. Mains $15-50. (updated May 2017)
• Graffiti, Main St. Greek cuisine.
• ^{[dead link]}Pump House Brewery, 5 Orange Lane (off Main Street), ☏ 1 506 855-2337, ✉[email protected]. Microbrewery -- try the Muddy River Stout! Not to miss: brick oven pizza (crust is infused with beer). Order the beer sampler to try the various types of beer brewed on site. (updated Apr 2016)
• Cafe Archibald, 221 Mountain Rd. At Archibald intersection. Intimate cafe with great service where meal and dessert crêpes are a specialty. 
• Little Louis: fine cuisine at its best, this may be city's best hidden secret.
• Hynes, a diner-style restaurant with very good home cooking. The best burgers.
• Vitos, an inexpensive but excellent pizzeria.
• Calactus, 125 Church St. (near St. George St.), ☏ 1 506-388-4833. Daily 11AM-10PM. Vegetarian restaurant. (updated May 2017)
• Zen Gardens, Mountain Rd. Unique Asian vegetarian restaurant.
• Taj Mahal Flavour of India, 882 Main St., ☏ 1 506-854-5557. M-F 11:30 AM-10 PM, Sa 4-10 PM. Indian, mughlai, and tandoori cuisine. First family-owned and -operated Indian restaurant in Moncton, since 2003. $6-15. 
• Mexicali Rosas. Very good Mexican cuisine. 

Drink

• Old Triangle, 751 Main St, ☏ 1 506 384-7474. Irish pub. 
• ^{[dead link]}Pumphouse Brewery, 131 Mill Road, ☏ 1 506 854-2537. (updated Apr 2016)
• St. James' Gate, 14 Church St, ☏ 1 506 388-4283. Good food and spirits, an awesome place to have a drink. 
• Oxygen Complex, 125 Westmorland, ☏ 1 506 854-0265. Has two other venues in the complex: the Paramount Lounge & tge Manhattan. Great place for live bands. 
• Cosmo, 700 Main st, ☏ 1 506 857-9117. All kinds of events go on here. New and fun: jam nights on Thursdays- starts at 10:30PM. 
• Zen Garden. Biggest selection of tea. Healthy drinks 
• Navigator's Pub, 191 Robinson Street (Entrance in Robinson Court), ☏ 1 506 854-8427, ✉[email protected]. noon to 2AM. Irish-style pub. Bilingual staff, draft special. 

Sleep

• 46.089814-64.7849191 C'mon Inn Hostel, 47 Fleet Street, ☏ 1 506 854-8155, fax: 1 506 855-3791. dorm $27.50/night tax, private room $65/night $10 key deposit. 
• Delta Beausejour, Main Street. In the heart of downtown, close to restaurants and pubs. Some rooms have views of the Petitcodiac. Indoor pool with the largest waterslide in the Maritimes. $151-$272 per night.
• Crowne Plaza Hotel, Main St. across from Highfield.
• Rodd Moncton, Main St. $90-$168. Rooftop pool during summer months.
• Chateau Moncton, independent hotel modeled after a chateau, located on the Petitcodiac River on Main Street. Many rooms have excellent views of the river, which is steps away.
• Best Western, located on Lewisville Road.
• Super 8, located in Dieppe and within walking distance from the Airport.
• Comfort Inn. 
• Lewisville Road, Shediac Rd, Lewisville.
• Holiday Inn, Mountain Rd.
• Marriott Residence Inn, Main St. $166-$255 per night.
• 46.104166-64.8196772 Howard Johnson Inn Moncton, 1062 Mountain Road, ☏ 1 506 384-1734. 
• 46.08036-64.795293 GoMotel.ca (formerly the Johnson Lake Motel), 1650 Main St, ☏ 1 506 389-1718, ✉[email protected]. Check-in: 3PM-8PM (closed after 8PM). Bilingual, credit card only $90 offseason. (updated Apr 2016)
• 46.0950037-64.74857764 Wingate by Wyndham, Hotel Wingate Dieppe, 69 rue du marché street, ☏ 1 844 854-8330, ✉[email protected]. Bilingual 

Connect

• Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St, hours: 10AM-5/9PM, Wifi shared computer
• Starbuck on Main st/Church st (wifi & plug)
• Moncton has blanket Wi-Fi in many areas (including Main St, City Hall Plaza, Assomption Plaza, Riverfront Park): http://www.moncton.ca/wifi/

Nearby

• 45.82333333-64.573333334 Hopewell Rocks. Walk on the ocean floor thanks to the Bay of Fundy's high tides (second highest in the world.) Truly a fabulous sight. Bring your camera. Check the website for the low-tide time, and get there within three hours on either side of low tide to see the islands best. (Kayaking is available if the tide's high.) A nice 10-minute walk through the woods takes you to a large stairwell to the ocean floor, where you can easily walk among a half-dozen enormous (more than 30 m high) columns of fir tree-topped sandstone islands. A golf-cart shuttle can whisk you back to the park information facility, which features a good explanation of how the islands came to be, a snack bar and gift shop. The ride from Moncton is about 45 minutes. Entrance to Fundy National Park is another 30 minutes but definitely worthwhile in good weather. Mid-May to early Oct: Adult $10, senior/student $8, child 5-18 $7.50, small child free, family $25.50 (taxes included). Off-season, no charge (enter at your own risk). (updated May 2017)

Go next

Moncton is often described as the Hub of the Maritime Provinces. It is within 2 hours drive of:

• Fredericton - historic capital of New Brunswick.
• Bay of Fundy - Fundy National Park offers great hiking and camping.
• Saint John - Oldest incorporated city in Canada with various attractions such as Reversing Falls.
• Prince Edward Island
• Many sites in Nova Scotia. Halifax is 2½ hours drive east of Moncton.

Routes through Moncton

Rimouski ← Miramichi ←	W  E	→ Amherst → Halifax
Fredericton ← Gagetown ← Jct W ←	W  E	→ Sackville and Aulac → Truro
END ←	W  E	→ Shédiac → Jct WE