Moncton, NB
New Brunswick’s largest city sits on the north bank of the Petitcodiac River right at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces. This has given Moncton its nickname the ‘Hub City’, as it is the transportation hub for the Maritimes. In the past, Moncton was a predominately agricultural area, but today the sprawling city has a diverse economy based on retail, distribution and of course transportation. It also has a strong heritage, which plays a big part not only in Moncton’s economy, but also its uniqueness. All-in-all, it is a culturally rich city that is home to both new and historic architecture, lovely parks and some great entertainment facilities.
Moncton was Canada’s first official bilingual city, which means there are both Anglophone and Francophone schools. This makes it a great place to raise a family, as the kids will most likely be bilingual. As well, there are four universities in the city, one of which is a French-language post-secondary institution. The result is that Moncton is a highly educated city. But it is also culturally rich city, with Downtown Moncton being the main area to experience this. Most Moncton locals will also say that this is the best area of the city to go shopping, as it is home to some lovely boutiques and trendy shops. It is also one of the most popular areas to live in, although it is more expensive than other neighbourhoods in Moncton.
Buses travel all over the city, with at least one route going to each of the universities in the city. If you prefer to drive, Moncton is fairly easy to navigate, as there are two main routes (the Trans-Canada and Wheeler Boulevard) as well as Main Street in Downtown Moncton. There are also a number of places in the city to enjoy a nice walk, like Centennial Park, Mapleton Park and the Irishtown Nature Park. Plus, Moncton has some extensive cycling and hiking paths, including the Riverfront Trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail system.
Moncton’s skyline is quite diverse, just like the city itself. There is architecture from numerous periods in time, though the 127 metre high Bell Aliant Tower dominates the skyline. Other important buildings include Assumption Place, the Blue Cross Centre and Moncton City Hall. All of these are in Downtown Moncton, and any Moncton resident will say to explore this area of the city on foot. A Moncton city guide will also list Magnetic Hill as a must, which is home to a zoo, a waterpark and an outdoor concert venue. The city is also home to beaches, golf courses, theatres and large shopping malls, like Champlain Place.
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