Where to take the kids for a quick family vacation in Atlantic Canada can sometimes be a chore. If you haven't tried Moncton, New Brunswick you should. Situated in a hub position between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (geeze that new bridge is handy ;-), Moncton has a wealth of activities for all ages that make it an ideal family destination. And with the vast selection of packages available that include accommodations and family recreation, the Moncton region is poised to tap an important segment of the vacation market.

The key to Moncton's family fun popularity is the range of services: from accommodations to restaurants to shopping to amusements. Keddy's Hotels and Inns has two properties in the area and specializes in packaging family getaways all year round. Keddy's Motor Inn on the Shediac rd. is situated next to the Trans-Canada highway and makes an ideal stopping point in the region. Keddy's Brunswick Hotel is downtown on Main St. and undergoing major renovations, which have included the majority of their rooms and is finishing with a bold new look for the lobby.

The pool and recreation area is a hit with all ages. While the kids scoot down the water slide, the parents can enjoy a cocktail at the bar, while keeping an eye on their charges through the glass. The area also includes a coin-op pool table and universal weight training equipment.

Food and drink at Keddy's Brunswick is nothing if not varied. The Village Cafe serves up a delightful selection of moderately priced down home style dishes (the hot sandwiches are scrumptious). If you're up for a real treat for both the eyes and the taste buds, head on up to the "Top Deck" rooftop restaurant (the only one in town), which sits nine floors over the city. The menu and decor are more upscale and the view is unparalleled. After dinner, there's always time for a night cap or two in McSweeney's Country Club. If you feel like being lazy, you can order room service from either of the restaurants' menus, and/or rent a VCR and a movie or two to relax in your comfortable room. All this without leaving the property.

Should you decide to venture out, inquire about the packages available from Keddy's including the fun at "Crystal Palace Amusement Park" (among other activities). This facility operates indoors in the winter, and opens a large outdoor area in the parking lot during the summer months. Inside or out, Crystal Palace is a blast ! Midway rides, 18-hole miniature golf course, Virtual Reality, children's play park, batting cage, video games and more. There's even an indoor roller coaster ! The park is located inside a complex which also includes a restaurant/pub and an 8 screen Empire Theatre. Right next door is mega mall "Champlain Place", where you can shop til you drop at hundreds of retail stores or grab a bite at dozens of food outlets.

With the heat of summer comes real family fun in Moncton. Parlee beach offers the sun worshipper miles of pure white sand and the "warmest waters north of Virginia". Hire a sea-doo or windsurfer and feel the salt in your face. Magnetic Hill is a world renown tourist attraction which mystifies thousands each year with its seemingly gravity defying hill. Magic Mountain is also part of the complex and serves up water slides, rides and general aquatic mayhem to kids of all ages. This year they are doing concerts on the site as well. The range of golf courses in the area offer something for every level of player.

Other activities in the area include shooting a friendly game of pool or snooker at one of the many "Dooly's" locations in Moncton (the city where the franchise got it's start, before expanding into dozens of other markets). The younger nightclub set hangs out at Ziggy's for dance music and great promotions (right on Main St., a few blocks down from Keddy's).

No matter what the season Moncton can can make a great getaway for family fun and value.
 

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