No matter what your excuse for getting out of Moncton in the fall, there’s plenty to do and see in New Brunswick – most of which you can do in just a day!
Credit: La Dune de Bouctouche
Here are ten day trips to take out of Moncton to enjoy Fall in New Brunswick fashion!
Hike the Sussex Bluffs!
The Sussex Bluffs is a gorgeous place to hike in the province in the fall, in particular. The changing colours make the challenging 2km mountainous hike all the more worth it! If you’re looking for a way to embrace the fall weather and get outside for a brilliant afternoon’s hike, then the Sussex Bluffs are the way to go!
Distance from Moncton: 88 km – 50-minute drive (Directions)
A Day Back in Time at King’s Landing
King’s Landing is a live-action museum harkening back to the early days of settlement in New Brunswick. The live-action museum features folk in period costume, explaining in detail what life was like for early New Brunswickers and dozens of interactive maps and plaques. There’s also a kids’ play area and a restaurant on-site. King’s Landing is a great place to spend a day with New Brunswick history amid fall foliage.
Plus, there are plenty of fall-themed events, including Thanksgiving and Halloween festivities.
Distance from Moncton: 205 km – 2-hour drive
Get Lost in the Green Pig Market Corn Maze
The Green Pig Country Market is a great place to go on a Saturday morning for all things fresh and earth-grown! However, for those who have children, it’s also the site of the Green Pig Country Market Corn Maze. Located only 25 minutes outside of the city, it’s a great place to bring the kids – with a promise of ice cream afterwards!
Distance from Moncton: 26 km – 25 minute drive
Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Apples!
With Halloween fast approaching, pumpkins will soon be the order of the day. For those who like to make apple or pumpkin pie, or make their own pumpkin soup – or simply have a pumpkin on the stoop, you’re invited to pick-your-own apples or pumpkins in Gagetown, NB, at Cameron’s Apple Orchard & U-Pick. While it is a fair distance to travel, make an adventure out of it for your kids!
Distance from Moncton: 140 km – 1hr, 25-minute drive
Make, Paint & Fire Your Own Pots!
Fall in New Brunswick can also typically be a rainy one. That’s why one of the best experiences in Moncton itself on a rainy day is creating your own piece of unique pottery! Hosted by the DIYStudio, it offers participants the opportunity to craft, paint and kiln-fire their own pieces of pottery, which they can then take home with them a couple of days later. A great experience for those with children and those without!
Distance from Moncton: ~5km – 10-minute drive
Take a Fall Colour Cruise
See the fall colours aboard the Max Aitken and take in the gorgeous views of the Miramichi River. You can enjoy a ninety-minute bilingual tour, or evening and dinner cruises aboard the 50-passenger double-decker boat.
Distance from Moncton:~ 145km – 1 hr 42 min drive
Fall Colour Hikes in Centennial Park
While not a ‘day trip’, one could spend the whole day in Centennial Park in the fall! The many different types of trees in the park make for some gorgeous fall foliage photographs, and the hiking trails aren’t all that strenuous, so they can be done by a family. A perfect fall day in the city, whilst also being in nature!
Distance from Moncton – <~5 km – 10 minute drive
Tour the Richibucto River Wine Estate
One of the best ways to spend a cooler fall day is among the vines at the Richibucto River Wine Estate. On the way, you can also pick up delicious fish-and-chips from Pirates de la Mer in Bouctouche. There’s plenty of wine to taste at the resort, and the gorgeous colours along the Richibucto River in the fall make the trip worth it!
Distance from Moncton: 60km – 1 hour’s drive
Visit Sackville
The charming town of Sackville lies on the border with Amherst, Nova Scotia and is a great place to go in the fall. The marshland dotted with changing colours makes for some spectacular photos. The Oysterhead Tavern in downtown Sackville serves fantastic pumpkin-spiced lattes, and the Sackville Waterfowl Park makes for a great strolling destination.
Plus, the Sackville Fall Fair takes place from September 18 to 22 of this year.
Distance from Moncton: 40 km – 45-minute drive
Do a Fall Board Walk
Enjoy a fall boardwalk while exploring one of the few remaining great sand dunes in the East Coast. The sand dune at Bouctouche Bay stretches for 12 km and has an 800-meter boardwalk with stairs and ramps that go down to the beach.
Distance from Moncton: 50 km – 65-minute drive