Visit Moncton - Dieppe

Paint the Town Red in Moncton - Dieppe

Your mission, should you wish to accept it, is to visit Moncton - Dieppe for a weekend getaway. “Soak up the vibrant arts & culture,“ they said, “shop a little, go to a spa, and enjoy some amazing local food & drink experiences.” Destination Moncton-Dieppe didn’t have to ask me twice. This was a mission that I happily embraced, and I did not have to look far to find a friend to join me. I highly recommend you consider a Moncton - Dieppe adventure. Check out my girls getaway, then plan your trip. The options for filling your time are endless. Paint the town red in Moncton - Dieppe.

Dieppe Market

My friend, Lucie and I set our GPS for the Saturday Dieppe Market to begin our day. The dynamic family-friendly atmosphere here is bustling with activity and the air is full of tantalizing sweet & savoury aromas. We sampled fresh flavourful bites, and browsed a diverse array of cultural products. The passionate producers, creators, makers, artists & artisans welcomed us to their stalls and booths to learn more. It was a great way to start our weekend adventure.

Atelier Tony

Our next stop - Atelier Tony - was conveniently located across the street from the Market. I enjoyed one of Tony’s decadent almond croissants the last time I was in town at one of his cafés. After that knew I had to return for a sit-down meal. Well, that day had come, and it was all I had imagined and then some. I had the eggs benny with smoked salmon on a croissant and it was heavenly. Lucie had the club on a croissant, and she said it was scrumptious. Count on a creative dish made from a bounty of fresh local products, and the talents of this pastry chef. Tip: always upgrade to the croissant! It is worth the splurge in calories! This upscale, casual restaurant is also a feast for the eyes. It was designed by the inspired brilliance of Judith Mackin of Tuck Studio. Make a reservation, as the chic, classy atmosphere, great food & customer service makes Tony’s a popular spot with locals. Tony is kinda a creative genius. This past spring he recreated the First Class dinner menu of the Titanic. It was a lavish 6-7 course meal and some guests even dressed the part! Wouldn’t that be a fun experience?! Sign me up next April 15th, Tony!!

USVA Nordik Spa

It’s a tough life as a travel blogger, and trying out the USVA Nordik Spa thermotherapy was my next assignment. The thermal cycle consisting of alternating between hot & cold, followed by a period of rest, until you reach deep relaxation has been practiced for over 2000 years by some Nordic cultures. Lucie & I were advised that to get the maximum benefits at USVA Nordik Spa, repeat the thermal cycle three times. However, with another engagement looming, we just managed two cycles of the dry sauna, cold plunge pool, and warm relaxation pool rotations. Even at that, it was a calming, peaceful experience. Afterwards, we rehydrated with a cold drink in the café lounge, then we were off to get ready for our evening event. I do hope to return in the near future to try three cycles to get the full effect. Photos of the sauna, and pool area were provided by USVA Nordik Spa as it is a camera & mobile-free zone. So it was phones off and zen on! I have to say that it was very nice to let go and be fully present, and surrounded by others living in the moment, too. It reminds you how rare that happens nowadays. It certainly was a relaxing wellness activity for the mind, body, and soul that I recommend to everyone.

Brix Experience

Lucie & I traveled to Italy later that evening with Chef Regan, during our Italian cooking class at Brix Experience. This hands-on innovative experience is a ton of fun. Chef Regan, along with support staff, introduce a group of twelve participants to fresh local ingredients, and modern & classic cooking techniques. You observe, then prepare, cook, and finally, enjoy the fruits of your labour in a meal together. Our husbands still don’t quite believe it - but Lucie & I actually learned how to make a Caprese salad and most impressively - gnocchi from scratch! Don’t miss a chance to sign up for one of these memorable experiences. Get inspired through the Chef-led demonstrations, then have a go at practicing each skill and step-by-step procedure back at your own work station. Gain knowledge, develop new culinary skills, and build your confidence as you increase your love & passion for authentic food. BRIX is there for you every step of the way and truly wants you to feel a part of the experience. They have a sweet on-site café, too. In addition, they offer cocktail classes, wine & beer appreciation classes, and special events. It was a night to remember. I am so proud of us, Lucie! Who knew we could cook?!

Canvas Moncton

We felt very welcome, comfy, and relaxed at our new digs for the next couple of nights when we landed at Canvas Moncton. This hotel has a very cool, funky, modern vibe. Our room was extremely spacious and the beds were very comfortable with luxurious down linens. The bathroom was also a generous size with a wide vanity sink and a huge rainfall shower. An added plus was the hotel’s location, location, location - right in heart of Moncton’s city centre. It was very convenient to go on walkabouts to explore the nearby arts & culture murals and architecture, shops, restaurants, and cafés. We enjoyed a great brunch our second morning at Gahan House (don’t miss the mimosa flight), and although we never made it, we heard good things about the hand-crafted cocktails inspired by their local mixologists at the Palette Urban Rooftop Bar. Before we left on our last morning, we enjoyed lattes and freshly-made yummy breakfast sandwiches from Bar 55 Café in the lobby. We definitely will be back to CANVAS. The downtown location is awesome, plus with all the extra perks, it makes Canvas an excellent option for staying in the area.

Epoch Chemistry

Knowledgeable Barista Nick Truong at Epoch Chemistry educated us through a coffee tasting on our second morning. Karen Doucet from Destination Moncton-Dieppe joined as we tried three flavour and tactile profile tastings including: a 6am - approachable, familiar, and decadent Brazilian, a 9am - floral, tea-like, stone fruit notes Columbian, and a 3pm - fruity, experimental, and funky Mexican. We learned much about each distinct coffee and its vibrant notes. I discovered I am a smooth Colombian coffee lover all the way! I brought home some beans and have a newfound love for this exceptional coffee roaster. Pop into this coffee lover’s haven. It is a sensory adventure. Your Epoch guide takes you through the steps of brewing, tasting, and understanding the unique flavours, and aromas. You leave with an education to replicate it at home like a boss! Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or not, this is a caffeine-fueled adventure everyone can enjoy. It certainly got us revved up for the full day ahead!

Shop ‘til you Drop in Moncton-Dieppe

Shopping can be a sport for some, and Lucie and I are no strangers to it. We prefer boutique shopping for quality designer labels, and for that reason we aways stop at Lordon. I swoon when I enter, as I covet all that I see. Discover the latest trends and high-end closet staples. The staff gives personal styling advice, and makes your visit an inclusive, aspirational shopping experience. Kept on Main is a beautifully curated shop in downtown Moncton that will have you easily finding gifts or treasures for yourself in home decor, kitchen, bath & body, stationery, greeting cards, jewellery, and more. Lucie and I also enjoy consignment shopping to get the very best for less, so we were tickled pink to discover Boutique 2e Look. Find mid to high-end brand name clothing here in excellent condition, along with unique shoes, handbags, jewellery and accessories. Boutique 2e Look is best known for its selection of new and like-new high-end brand names such as Gucci, Chanel, Louis-Vuitton, Michael Kors, Valentino and Burberry. Boutique Hospice Shoppe is another sweet resale store where all proceeds go directly to fund Hospice. Who doesn’t want to get behind that? Save more & give back! Have to give a shout out to their recent store refresh including adorable trendy wallpapered fitting rooms. Gifts Galore boasts New Brunswick’s best selection of unique gifts & fine crafts, and it was only a short walk from our hotel. This friendly community-minded gift shop has been in business for over 26 years. They know how to treat their customers well. They have an open door policy (even in winter) and they create a welcoming atmosphere offering you a beverage as you arrive, and helpful assistance to find just what you are looking for. Starving Artist Gallery & Gifts, is a 6000 square foot eclectic shop is worth popping into as well. They specialize in local hand-crafted artisanal products including: pottery, jewelry, paintings, prints and more. Have fun shopping and if you discover somewhere else I should visit - let me know! These are my Maven’s picks for Moncton!

Festival Inspire Murals

Festival Inspire, a non-profit street arts festival founded in 2014, has been instrumental in transforming Moncton-Dieppe into a spectacular public street art gallery. Cityscapes have emerged and urban spaces have blossomed into masterpiece murals created by world-renowned artists and locals alike. It is one of my favourite things about visiting and something I encourage everyone to take some time to appreciate. Head out by foot, by car, by bike, or by scooter to scope them out. Follow a self-guided walking tour map, or just wander around to see what comes your way, as you won’t go far without spotting one. There are over 50 to discover. It is an outdoor extravaganza of art. Lucie and I had fun tracking down the ones I wanted to capture and just as we did so,I happened upon a group of École L'Odyssée Grads posing in front of Dan Kitchener’s 2016 “Tokyo Candles.” The boys welcomed me to photograph them, and with permission from their moms, they were a great muse. Visions of James Dean, The Breakfast Club, and The Brat Pack all came to mind. They all had that ready-to-light-the-world-on-fire attitude. One yelled out all his social media deets to me, but I instead handed all their moms my business cards. Hope this finds them! Carpe diem! Seize the day, boys! Oh, the places you will go!

Sophia & Spritz

On our last night, we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant inspired by the beauty, grace, and elegance of Sophia Loren. Sophia & Spritz is a tribute to her love for Italian cuisine. Sophia & Spritz is co-owned by Brett Judson & Red Seal Chef, James Hughes. Judson is very familiar with what makes a great restaurant as he also owns Güsto Italian Grill and Captain Dan's Seafood Bar & Grill. Chef James Hughes has over 30 years in the Hospitality Industry and brings a wealth of passionate knowledge, experience and expertise to the business. His menu is designed around the Italian cuisine concept of sticking close to what is local and in season. Area farms and growers source a seasonal menu with a focus on local ingredients whenever possible and it is prepared with Italian sensibilities. Lucie & I indulged in some seafood pasta, and Karen opted for the burger, which was so filling she took half of it home. We all enjoyed good comfort food in generous servings, with excellent service, in a relaxed dining atmosphere.

Riverfront Park

Our last morning was spent enjoying a few more hidden gems in town. I definitely want to return to explore more green spaces in Moncton-Dieppe as there are many. Riverfront Park for one - has multi-use trails & picnic areas by the river, with several points of interests and lookouts. We saw many people out & about enjoying this area along the banks of the Chocolate Petitcodiac River. Lucie & I paused to take in the poignant bronze RCMP monument here, featuring life-sized statues of Constables Doug Larche, Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan memorializing a tragic event in the city. Each statue showcases touching personal elements from each man's life. It is a beautiful sculpture that is very moving to reflect on and remember.

Heritage iTour

History enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the Heritage iTour. Download to your mobile phone and listen to the audio as you enjoy a self-guided tour of heritage buildings in the area. It is designed to optimize your view of each historic site while maintaining the most efficient route possible. I previewed it on my computer before travelling to Moncton, and instead targeted the key buildings I was interested to further investigate. I keyed in on the Jordi Bonet Mural entitled “Explosion.” This piece has always fascinated me since I was a little girl. This abstract ceramic tile mural was commissioned by the Rubin brothers in 1962 for the façade of their newly renovated department store. It is Moncton’s only public installation of renowned Quebec artist, Jordi Bonet and it still remains one of the largest pieces of ceramic work of this type in eastern Canada. Jordi Bonet, who was a native of Barcelona, Spain, spent the final 25 years of his life in Quebec, before succumbing to leukemia in 1979 at the age of 47. His ceramic, cement, bronze and aluminum murals that proliferated the globe caught the attention of contemporaries such as Salvador Dali. Having lost an arm at an early age, Bonet rented a local warehouse to map out and number the tiles on the floor. The pieces were installed by local tile experts Corazza Terazzo Co. Ltd. Since its unveiling, this mural has been an integral part of Moncton’s streetscape. Discover more fascinating tidbits about many of the downtown’s heritage buildings on Destination Moncton-Dieppe’s website. Many of the early 20th century sandstone gothic churches are also described in detail.

Capitol Theatre

Another hidden gem in downtown Moncton is the Capitol Theatre. It is an 800-seat restored vaudeville house that now serves as the region's premier centre for cultural entertainment. The Capitol Theatre is an Italianate opera house-style auditorium that was originally built in 1922, then rebuilt in 1926 after a devastating fire. It also just celebrated its100th anniversary. I have a lot of memories of enjoying performances here and even had a few memorable movie dates when it was transformed into a cinema for a few years. I was keen to get a closer look at the exhibit celebrating its landmark occasion, and thanks to Kim Rayworth & Kevin, the Capitol’s mascot corgi, I was given a personal tour. The Capitol Theatre is the oldest surviving theatre in Moncton and is one of only three pre-World War II theatres in the province. It is also one of the only remaining theatres of this era that was designed by Canadian architect, René-Arthur Fréchet. It is one of only eight theatres in Canada to be authentically and historically restored to its original 1920’s style. Restorations during the 1990s revealed frescos, gilding and stencilling by Emmanuel Briffa, one of the most sought-after theatre decorators in Canada at the time. Happy 100th Anniversary Capitol! You really look amazing! I loved hearing all about the beautiful restoration, the Capitol’s resident ghost “Sandy,” a local firefighter who lost his life here fighting the blaze in 1926, the special exhibitions, and the exciting 2023-2024 performance lineup! I cannot wait to return to take in a show in this jewel-case theatre. Save me a seat, Kevin!

Eateries

Over the weekend, Lucie & I popped by a few popular eateries here & there to check out their offerings. La Factrie is a cute, bicycle-themed café with great coffee & baked goods from CoPain. We also stopped into CoPain’s beautiful authentic bakery that arose after a young baker from Lyon, France, arrived and shared his knowledge, techniques, and virtues to create it. We sampled some tasty Lost and Found Ice Cream made from local East Coast products. Then we discovered handcrafted Halo Donuts, and Lucie took one for the team giving this “love at first bite” donut shop two thumbs up for their Boston Cream donut.

Endless Opportunities for fun in Moncton-Dieppe

As they say, so much to see - so little time. I hope you are inspired to visit and paint the town red. A weekend flies by when there are endless opportunities for fun in Moncton-Dieppe. I heard myself saying over & over, “Next time, I will do this,” or “Next time, I want to see that.“ There are more trendy restaurants, award-winning bars, cozy cafés, and bakeries to discover. I have a new wish list for more arts & culture offerings, outdoor activities, green spaces to explore, and upcoming live performances. But that’s for another time… another visit to Moncton-Dieppe, another mission that I will be happy to accept.

Moncton-Dieppe can be your Gateway

Moncton-Dieppe can be your gateway to other destinations and natural wonders nearby. Check out my articles: Magnetic Hill Winery & Brewery, Kayak the Rocks & Walk on the Ocean Floor at Hopewell Rocks, Ballet by the Ocean, Shediac New Brunswick, Dinner in a Lavender Field, and Lady Smith Manor’s Summer Market.

**Kayak the Rocks & Walk on the Ocean Floor at Hopewell Rocks**

This post was sponsored by Destination Moncton-Dieppe, with a special thank you to local contributors: Canvas Hotel & Brix Experience; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Threads & Twitter. Be the first to receive my latest articles by clicking on the ‘subscribe’ link at the top of this page. PIease share articles you love with your social media community. There’s No Place Like Home!