Moncton - Things to Do in Moncton in April

Moncton in April

April weather, activities, events & insider tips

April Weather in Moncton

8.9°C (48°F) High Temp
-1.1°C (30°F) Low Temp
91 mm (3.6 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is April Right for You?

Advantages

  • Maple syrup season peaks in April - local sugar camps offer fresh syrup tastings and demonstrations that aren't available other months
  • Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer peak season, with excellent availability at premium properties like Delta Beausejour
  • Migrant bird watching reaches its prime along the Petitcodiac River - over 150 species pass through including rare warblers and raptors
  • Locals emerge from winter hibernation creating authentic cultural experiences - community events, farmers markets, and outdoor patios reopen

Considerations

  • Mud season makes many hiking trails at Fundy National Park inaccessible or extremely messy until late April
  • Weather swings dramatically - you might experience snow, rain, and sunshine in the Easttimor day requiring multiple outfit changes
  • Some seasonal attractions like Magnetic Hill Zoo have limited hours and many animals still in indoor habitats

Best Activities in April

Fundy National Park Spring Hiking

April is ideal for waterfall viewing as snowmelt creates spectacular cascades at Dickson Falls and Third Vault Falls. Trails are less muddy by late April and you'll have them mostly to yourself. Early wildflowers like trout lilies bloom along forest floors.

Booking Tip: No advance booking required for day use. Park passes cost CAD $7.80 per adult. Stick to established boardwalk trails in early April, save backcountry for late month. Check Parks Canada website for trail conditions before driving 45 minutes from downtown.

Petitcodiac River Tidal Bore Viewing

Spring tides in April create the most dramatic tidal bore waves of the year - up to 2 m (6.6 ft) high. Cool temperatures mean you can comfortably stand at Bore Park for the full 10-15 minute phenomenon without summer heat and humidity.

Booking Tip: Free viewing from Bore Park downtown. Check tide schedules at Moncton.ca - best viewing 2-3 hours before high tide. Bring hot coffee from nearby Café Cognito. April bores typically occur between 6am-8pm making viewing convenient.

Magnetic Hill and Area Attractions

April weather is perfect for the optical illusion experience - cool enough that your car won't overheat during multiple runs, but warm enough to have windows down to fully experience the phenomenon. Zoo reopens with extended hours mid-April.

Booking Tip: Magnetic Hill experience costs CAD $5 per vehicle. Zoo admission CAD $12-18 depending on age. Bundle tickets save 15%. Visit mid-to-late April when zoo animals are more active. Allow 3-4 hours for both attractions.

Local Maple Sugar Camp Tours

April is the only month to experience New Brunswick's maple syrup harvest firsthand. Local operations like Fuller's Sugar Bush (20 minutes outside city) offer tours, tastings, and fresh syrup over snow treats. This is impossible to experience any other time of year.

Booking Tip: Contact sugar camps directly as weather determines operating schedules. Tours typically CAD $8-15 per person. Best experiences are weekends 10am-4pm. Call ahead as operations shut down when overnight temperatures stay above freezing for several consecutive nights.

Downtown Walking Food Tours

April weather is ideal for walking tours - cool enough to work up an appetite between stops, warm enough to enjoy outdoor patios that just reopened. Local restaurants feature spring menus with fiddleheads and other Maritime seasonal ingredients.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours work well using downtown restaurant concentration around Main Street and Church Street. Budget CAD $60-80 per person for full food crawl. Many patios reopen mid-April weather permitting. Saturday afternoons offer best variety with markets and weekend specials.

Irving Nature Park Coastal Walking

April offers perfect hiking weather at this coastal preserve - cool temperatures for the 8 km (5 mile) trail system, fewer bugs than summer, and spring migration brings seals and diverse seabirds. Boardwalks through salt marshes provide impressive Bay of Fundy views.

Booking Tip: Free admission, 15-minute drive from downtown. Bring layers as coastal winds can be cold. Low tide offers best seal viewing opportunities. Check tide charts and plan 2-3 hours for full experience. Parking fills up on sunny April weekends after 11am.

April Events & Festivals

Mid-April

NBCC Culinary Arts Student Showcase

Annual event where culinary students demonstrate skills with local spring ingredients including fiddleheads and Maritime seafood. Public can sample dishes and watch cooking demonstrations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots - trails are muddy and April brings 10 rainy days with wet conditions
Layered clothing system - temperatures swing from -1°C to 9°C (30-48°F) often in Easttimor day
Packable down jacket - essential for early morning tidal bore viewing and evening activities
Waterproof phone case - for photographing waterfalls and tidal phenomena in misty conditions
Microspikes or yaktrax - some shaded trails may have ice patches through mid-April
UV protection sunglasses - spring sun reflects strongly off remaining snow patches and water
Insect repellent - black flies emerge in forested areas by late April
Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries faster during outdoor activities
Cash for maple sugar camps - many small operations don't accept cards
Binoculars - essential for bird migration viewing along Petitcodiac River and coastal areas

Insider Knowledge

Locals know to check trail conditions on Fundy National Park's Facebook page - more current than official website and includes photos
The best maple syrup experiences happen during temperature swings - when nights drop below freezing but days warm above 5°C (41°F) - typically first two weeks of April
Downtown parking is free on Sundays and after 6pm weekdays - time your food tours accordingly to save CAD $2-4 per hour
Moncton Market reopens for outdoor season in late April - Saturday mornings offer best selection of local products and prepared foods at lower prices than restaurants

Avoid These Mistakes

Visiting Fundy National Park trails too early in April - many are still muddy and slippery, wait until last week of month for best conditions
Not checking tidal bore times and missing the phenomenon - it only happens twice daily at specific times that change daily
Underdressing for coastal areas like Irving Nature Park - Bay of Fundy winds make it feel 5°C (9°F) colder than downtown temperature

Activities in Moncton