Road Trip Moncton – Magnetic Hill, Zoo & Petitcodiac Tidal Bore

Moncton Magnetic Hill
15
km
0h42
drive
Summer
season

The Itinerary

Moncton, hub of the Maritimes and unofficial capital of Acadia, packs three iconic family attractions into a 15 km radius: Magnetic Hill, Moncton Zoo and the Petitcodiac River tidal bore — a spectacular phenomenon visible twice daily.

Magnetic Hill (since 1933) is a world-famous optical illusion: put your car in neutral at the bottom of the hill… and it rolls uphill backwards! The illusion comes from a horizon misled by surrounding terrain. The site now includes a water park (Magic Mountain), a zoo (Magnetic Hill Zoo, 100+ species including Siberian tigers), and the Magnetic Hill Concert Site venue (Rolling Stones, U2, AC/DC have played here).

Downtown, Bore Park along the Petitcodiac River (the "chocolate river") offers tidal bore viewing — a 30 cm to 1 m wave running upstream against the current, twice daily. The Fundy tide then continues to Hopewell Rocks. Don't miss: the Acadian Museum at Université de Moncton, retracing 400 years of Acadian history.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Magnetic Hill
    World-famous optical illusion since 1933.
  • ✦
    Magnetic Hill Zoo
    100+ species, Siberian tigers, primates.
  • ✦
    Petitcodiac Tidal Bore
    Tidal wave twice daily, Bore Park.
  • ✦
    Acadian Museum
    400 years of history at Université de Moncton.
Practical info
  • Departure Moncton
  • Destination Magnetic Hill
  • Distance 15 km
  • Duration 0h42
  • Category Short (< 100 km)
  • Best season Summer
Themes
Family illusion Zoo tidal-bore acadian attraction city fundy

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