Our family’s decision to explore Canada’s Maritime provinces was unanimous. Between the call of the Atlantic Ocean, the opportunities for fresh seafood, the cottage-like accommodations and a history that combined adventure and intrigue, my entire family felt like they’d find something they loved on the trip.
They weren’t wrong.
For many, the lure of a cross-Canada trip, while romantic in theory, is tough to execute on most vacation schedules. But the Maritimes? That’s a manageable adventure. Travelers can choose to take a deep dive in one province, or explore as many as possible to create a truly memorable summer vacation.
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Newfoundland and Labrador
Quick Trip: Suggest clients settle into St. John’s and explore the 500-year-old city’s cultural offerings at spots that are easy to access, such as The Rooms, home to the provincial art gallery, and Quidi Vidi Village Plantation, where they can watch craftsmen make unique souvenirs. Or another idea is to send them down to snap some memorable photos with an Instagram-worthy backdrop at Signal Hill or on Jellybean Row — where brightly colored houses dotting the waterfront are postcard perfect. There’s enough in and around the city to make for a great weekend escape.
Longer Stay: Families who opt to start their travels on the western shore of the province won’t be disappointed. UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Gros Morne National Park’s Tablelands area, will be appreciated both by the kid who loves to climb as well as the family history buff. Continuing north along the Viking Highway to L’Anse aux Meadows will bring clients to the re-created homesteads that stand on hills once roamed by Norse explorer Leif Eriksson himself. Costumed interpreters take guests back in time with stories and opportunities to don traditional Viking garb.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Quick Trip: Flying into PEI’s International Airport means clients can save time for the things that matter — like celebrating all things related to Anne of Green Gables. Whether they are fans of the precocious, red-headed character from the books by local author Lucy Maud Montgomery, or simply enjoy views that include green hills, red-sand cliffs and blue waters, there’s no doubt families will fall in love with the town of Cavendish, the real-world setting for the classic novel. The city offers small-town charm, as well as plenty of opportunities to hike and bike. Visitors should also try the award-winning Cows ice cream shop, a local favorite.
Longer Stay: The coastal driving routes around the province allow visitors to meet locals and gather an appreciation for the island’s national and provincial parks. From lighthouses on the North Cape to kayaking adventures off the shore of Victoria-by-the-Sea, there are options for every energy level. In fact, if the laid-back tempo of the island inspires one to do a bit more of nothing, consider booking a cottage stay. At Shaw’s Hotel in Brackley Beach, cottages back onto 1.7 miles of sand-dune beachfront that is perfect for throwing a frisbee or lounging with a good book.
New Brunswick
Quick Trip: Kids will be wowed by the magic of the Bay of Fundy. The world’s highest tides are created each day when 100 billion tons of seawater crashes into the shore. At low tide, families can wander out and walk on the ocean floor and amongst the famous Hopewell Rocks. Then, they’ll need to return hours later for an entirely different view — at high tide, the rocks seem to shrink as kayakers take to the water. Families can watch the magic from the shore or join in the fun.
Longer Stay: Guests will want to experience all that the province has to offer on land, as well. Shop the Saint John city market or take to the new Skywalk for a bird’s-eye view of the largest whirlpool of the Reversing Falls Rapids. Recommend that families spend a morning exploring the landscape created by continents colliding at the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark. Kids can hike, climb and zipline their way through the park, which features rocks that are 1 billion years old.
Nova Scotia
Quick Trip: Halifax is made for families. From the Museum of the Atlantic, which covers the area’s ties to the Titanic, to the Halifax Citadel, where kids can sign up to be a soldier for a day, there are plenty of options for tourists. Make sure clients don’t miss the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, where local produce and pastries make for perfect picnics.
Longer Stay: If the open road is calling, suggest clients take a three- to five-day adventure along the Cabot Trail — a drive that runs through French Canadian towns and offers incredible vistas. In Cape Breton, kids will love spots such as Louisburg, an 18th-century fort that was a key French defense site, and the interactive exhibits at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.
