Things to Do in Moncton: Hopewell Rocks, Magnetic Hill and More
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We moved to Canada from India in 2019, and Moncton was one of our favourite East Coast stops. Here is everything we recommend after exploring it ourselves.
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting wonders of Moncton, New Brunswick. From the iconic Hopewell Rocks to the gravitational mysteries of Magnetic Hill, and the coastal charm of Parlee Beach, this travel guide unveils the best of Moncton’s attractions, ensuring an unforgettable journey. Whether you are looking for things to do in Moncton for a weekend or planning a longer trip to explore wider attractions in New Brunswick, this guide covers what we experienced firsthand.
If you want a ready made plan for your trip, check out our Moncton itinerary for a day by day breakdown of everything in this guide.
The Magnetic Charm of Hopewell Rocks
Begin your Moncton adventure with a visit to the Hopewell Rocks, a geological marvel along the Bay of Fundy. Witness the world’s highest tides and natural flowerpot formations. Explore the ocean floor during low tide and capture the beauty of this natural spectacle. Do not forget to visit during both low tide and high tide to witness the Marine Wonder of the World!
We made sure to time our visit around both tides, and the difference between the two is honestly hard to believe until you see it for yourself. Our tip is to check the tide tables the night before so you do not end up arriving at the wrong time.
Address: 131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape, NB
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (May 15 to June 20 and September 27 to October 25), 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (June 21 to August 29), 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (August 30 to September 26)
Admission: Adults $18.15, Seniors and Students $15.56, Children 5 to 18 $10.37, Children 4 and under free, Family rate $45.37 (2026 rates, before tax)
Parking: On site parking available at the park entrance
Confirm tide times and current admission rates before visiting.
For more coastal stops along this part of the Maritimes, see our guide to Saint John, New Brunswick, which has its own dramatic Bay of Fundy scenery.
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Our Hopewell Rocks Moment on Camera
We captured our walk across the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks on camera, and watching the tide come back in afterwards put the scale of the place into perspective for us. Standing where the water had been just hours earlier is something photos alone do not fully capture.
We would tell anyone visiting for the first time to budget at least two hours here. Between the walk down to the ocean floor, exploring the flowerpot rock formations, and climbing back up, it is easy to lose track of time.
Defying Gravity at Magnetic Hill
Experience the mind-bending phenomenon of Magnetic Hill, where your car appears to roll uphill against the laws of physics. Enjoy the optical illusion and delve into the mystery that has captivated visitors for generations.
We tried it twice just to convince ourselves it was real, and our minds were still not fully convinced afterwards. It only takes a few minutes, so we treated it as a fun stop on the way to the Wharf Village rather than a destination on its own.
Address: 2875 Mountain Rd, Moncton, NB E1G 4R3
Confirm current admission rate before visiting, as it has changed over the years.
If you are planning a wider trip through the province, our Fredericton, New Brunswick guide covers another great stop within driving distance.
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village
A Seaside Escape: Extend your Magnetic Hill trip to the adjacent Magnetic Hill Wharf Village. Immerse yourself in a seaside escape with charming shops, local cuisine, and picturesque views of the Petitcodiac River. Discover unique souvenirs and savor the maritime atmosphere.
We spent a relaxed hour here after Magnetic Hill, wandering between the gift shops and feeding the ducks on the pond. It is a nice slower paced stop if you are travelling with kids who need a break from driving.
Address: Magic Mountain Rd, Moncton, NB E1G 4R3
Confirm seasonal hours before visiting, as the village closes for winter and shop hours change between spring, summer and fall.
Pair this stop with our things to do in Moncton overview if you are building a full day itinerary around the Magnetic Hill area.
https://youtu.be/YELafiN-Rro?si=ktnQhHEqO0otAu42%20
Sun, Sand, and Sea at Parlee Beach
Head to Parlee Beach, just a short drive from Moncton, for a day of sun-soaked relaxation. Sink your toes into the warm sand, take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoy the vibrant beach atmosphere. Parlee Beach is the perfect coastal retreat.
We were genuinely surprised by how warm the water felt compared to other East Coast beaches we have visited. Our advice is to arrive earlier in the day during peak summer weekends, since the parking lots fill up fast.
Address: 45 Parlee Beach Road, Pointe-du-Chêne, NB
Hours: Open daily through the summer season, May 15 to October 12, 2026
Parking: On site paid parking, with a beach nourishment fee included in the rate
Confirm current season dates and parking rates before visiting.
Looking for other coastal escapes? Our Mexico travel guide covers beach destinations a little further afield.
Whale Watching with Jolly Breeze of St. Andrew’s
Embark on an unforgettable whale-watching adventure with Jolly Breeze of St. Andrew’s. Cruise the Bay of Fundy’s rich waters and witness majestic whales in their natural habitat. Capture awe-inspiring moments as these marine giants breach and play.
We chose the Tall Ship option for the full three and a half hour experience, and watching the crew raise the sails was just as memorable for us as spotting the whales. Dress in layers, since the wind off the Bay of Fundy can be cool even in summer.
Address: 4 King St, St. Andrews, NB E5B 1Y2
Confirm tour schedule and pricing before booking, as both vary by season.
This stop pairs well with a wider East Coast trip, so take a look at our Saint John, New Brunswick guide for more stops along the way.
Our Whale Watching Reel from the Bay of Fundy
We filmed parts of our whale watching trip with Jolly Breeze, and the moment a whale surfaced close to the boat is still one of our favourite memories from the entire East Coast trip. The crew were excellent at spotting wildlife long before we could see anything ourselves.
If you only have time for one wildlife experience in the area, we would point you toward this one. Seeing whales, seals and porpoises in the same outing made the cost of the tour feel well worth it to us.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April to May) is quiet in Moncton, and some seasonal attractions like the Wharf Village and Hopewell Rocks are either closed or just reopening. We found this a good time for fewer crowds, though the weather can still be cool and unpredictable.
Summer (June to August) is peak season, and every attraction in this guide is fully open. We visited in summer ourselves, and while the crowds are bigger, this is also when Parlee Beach and the tides at Hopewell Rocks are most enjoyable.
Fall (September to October) brings cooler weather and the start of reduced hours at the Wharf Village and Hopewell Rocks. We think this is a great shoulder season for sightseeing, since the crowds thin out while most attractions are still open.
Winter (November to March) closes most of the attractions in this guide, including Hopewell Rocks and Magnetic Hill Wharf Village, due to safety concerns around ice and rockfall. We would not recommend planning this specific itinerary outside the warmer months.
Things to Do in Moncton by Area
- Hopewell Cape: This is where you will find Hopewell Rocks, about a 40 minute drive from downtown Moncton. We would treat this as a half day trip on its own given the time needed to explore the ocean floor properly.
- Magnetic Hill area: Magnetic Hill, the Wharf Village, the zoo and the winery are all clustered together on Moncton’s northwest outskirts. We found this the easiest area to combine several stops in a single afternoon.
- Shediac and Pointe-du-Chêne: Parlee Beach sits in this area, about a 25 minute drive from downtown Moncton. We paired our beach day here with a stop in Shediac itself for fresh seafood afterwards.
- Andrews: This is further afield, closer to the New Brunswick and Maine border, and is where Jolly Breeze departs for whale watching. We treated this as a separate day trip rather than combining it with the other Moncton area stops.
Free and No-Reservation Options
Driving the actual Magnetic Hill route does not require a ticket or reservation, since the optical illusion itself happens on a public road. We simply drove up, parked, and tried it ourselves without any advance planning.
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village is also free to wander through, since you only pay for what you buy in the shops or at the food stalls. We treated this as a relaxed, no pressure stop after paying for the Magnetic Hill experience itself.
Hopewell Rocks, Parlee Beach and the Jolly Breeze whale watching tour all require paid admission or tickets, and we would recommend checking availability ahead of time during peak summer months since they can get busy. We did not need advance reservations for Hopewell Rocks or Parlee Beach on our visit, but we did book our whale watching tour a few days ahead.
Tips for Visiting with Kids or Toddlers
We found Magnetic Hill and the Wharf Village to be the easiest stops for younger kids, since both are short, low effort, and have plenty of space to run around. The ocean floor walk at Hopewell Rocks involves stairs and uneven ground, so we would plan for shorter visits or use the ramp access if you are travelling with a stroller.
Parlee Beach has lifeguards on duty through the summer season, which we appreciated as a peace of mind detail while keeping an eye on younger children near the water. For the whale watching tour, we noticed that families on board had brought layers and snacks, since the open water tour runs for a few hours with limited shelter from the wind.
If you are mapping out a wider family trip, our Saint John, New Brunswick guide has a similar mix of beach, wildlife and outdoor stops that worked well for us.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you need at Hopewell Rocks?
We would budget at least two hours to comfortably explore the ocean floor, view the flowerpot rock formations, and walk back up. Your entrance ticket is valid for two consecutive days, so you can return to see both high and low tide.
Is Moncton, NB worth visiting?
We think so. Between Hopewell Rocks, Magnetic Hill and Parlee Beach all being within a short drive of each other, Moncton works well as a base for exploring several of New Brunswick’s best known attractions without long travel days.
Are Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks the same?
No. The Bay of Fundy is the larger body of water known for having the highest tides in the world, and Hopewell Rocks is one specific park and rock formation site located along its shore in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick.
What are fun things to do in Moncton?
Based on our own visit, Hopewell Rocks, Magnetic Hill, the Wharf Village and Parlee Beach cover a good mix of natural sights, quirky roadside attractions and beach time. Whale watching with Jolly Breeze is also a worthwhile day trip from the area.
Do you need a reservation for Parlee Beach or Magnetic Hill?
We did not need to book ahead for either on our visit, though we would recommend arriving earlier in the day during peak summer weekends since parking at Parlee Beach fills up quickly.
A Moncton Adventure Awaits! In Moncton, New Brunswick, a world of natural wonders and coastal delights unfolds. From the gravity-defying mysteries of Magnetic Hill to the serene beauty of Parlee Beach and the thrilling whale-watching experience with Jolly Breeze, every moment promises a new adventure. Pack your bags and let Moncton mesmerize you. We hope this guide gives you everything you need for your own list of things to do in Moncton.
We have done the planning so you do not have to. Browse our tried and tested Canada travel itineraries and start your adventure.
Related Pages
- If Moncton has sparked your interest, consider visiting nearby Saint John, New Brunswick, where the coastal charm and natural wonders continue to amaze.
- For more coastal beauty across the globe, plan a visit to Mexico, where stunning beaches and natural wonders await.
- For another New Brunswick stop within easy driving distance, see our guide to Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep bringing you great travel content. All recommendations are based on our personal experience.
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