The Maritimes provinces of Canada’s east coast include New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Nova Scotia. With a distinct culture and feel, along with unique landscapes and historic sites, travelling in the Maritimes is a must-do for every Canadian. Whether you’re a Canadian from another province or territory, or you’re visiting from further abroad, these are the essential spots to add to your Maritimes travel itinerary.
I travelled to the Maritimes with my family many years ago. Although I was quite young at the time, I helped research and plan the trip with my mom. This was my first experience doing any planning for a trip, and it began my love of travel. This itinerary is loosely based on this trip, along with recommendations from friends and family, and additional research during the writing process.
My family flew into Moncton, New Brunswick, and rented a car here. However, you could also do the trip in reverse, starting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We completed a two-week road trip through the Maritimes, with the majority of our time spent in Nova Scotia. Our primary sites of interest were the Bay of Fundy, the Confederation Bridge, Cavendish, the Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail, Old Town of Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, and Halifax.
This Maritimes road trip is designed for the summer months, although could be completed in spring or fall. I wouldn’t recommend going before May or after October, as many historic sites close for winter and the potential for a bad storm can make transportation difficult.
Maritimes Road Trip Days 1-2: New Brunswick
We did not see much of New Brunswick during our trip. We spent most of our time around the Bay of Fundy. However, we still got to experience the wonderful hospitality here while we stayed at the Maplegrove Inn. This bed and breakfast was between Hopewell Cape and Cape Enrage, so it provided us with the perfect base around the Bay of Fundy.
We flew in to Moncton where we picked up our rental car. Our first stop after arriving in New Brunswick was Hopewell Cape to see the Bay of Fundy at high tide. The Bay of Fundy has a tidal range of 16 metres, making it the highest in the world. At high tide, the water can right up to the bottom of the staircase, and lapped around the rock formations below.
We returned to the Bay of Fundy at low tide the next day. Your entrance fees to the park cover two consecutive days so it’s easy to see the tidal change. With the waters receded far out, you’re able to walk on the muddy sand that was completely covered just hours before. Note, you’re asked to wear sturdy shoes on the beach, such as closed-toed water shoes or sandals. This is because you may sink into the mud and lose a shoe!
Aside from walking a ways down the beach in the soft muddy sand, we also stopped at the Harvey Bank Heritage Shipyard Park, where the remnants of a tall ship, the Revolving Light, remain on land. There is also the Anderson Hollow Lighthouse here, to visit and take pictures with.
Our final stop in New Brunswick was Cape Enrage. There is a lighthouse here, along with incredible rock formations and fossils that made my geologist father very happy. It was rainy and overcast while we were here, obscuring our view of the bay, but still worth the stop.
After a whirlwind day and a half to start off our trip, we drove north and took the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island.
Maritimes Road Trip Days 2-5: Prince Edward Island
We stayed at Kindred Spirits Inn and Cottages in Cavendish, PEI. As the area was home to Lucy Maud Montgomery, the beloved Canadian writer of Anne of Green Gables, Cavendish is home to many Anne of Green Gables themed attractions.
From the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery to Green Gables Heritage Place and Avonlea Village, Cavendish is the place to go for anyone who grew up loving Anne of Green Gables.
As well as potatoes, PEI is known for its red sand beaches and COWS Ice Cream. We saw lots of each of these on our trip. Driving anywhere on the island, you’re guaranteed to pass fields of potatoes and corn, with farmland occupying about 36% of the island.
We spent much of our time on two beaches, Gordon Cove Beach on the southwest side of the island where visitors can see the Confederation Bridge stretching across to new Brunswick in the distance, and Cavendish beach, starring red dirt cliffs along the seaside.
COWS Ice Cream is a Canadian brand known for its delicious ice cream and cow-themed parody apparel. Although COWS has locations across Canada, in highly touristy areas such as Whistler, Banff, Quebec City, Niagara Falls, and Halifax, the company originates from PEI. They have more locations on the island that the rest of Canada combined, and even had a storefront on our ferry to Nova Scotia.
The last place we visited in PEI was Charlottetown, the capital city. This was in part a practical trip, buying snacks and books (my e-reader had broken a few days before), we also stopped at the Province House National Historic Site. This is the site of the province’s legislature (though currently closed for restoration), and housed the Island’s Supreme Court until 1872.
Outside the building there are some small bronze mice statues. These statues are part of the Eckhart in the City scavenger hunt, in which nine bronze mice are hidden around the city. We spent time looking for them all and posing for photos with them.
We spent just two nights in PEI before taking the ferry across to Caribou, Nova Scotia.
Maritimes Road Trip Days 5-13: Nova Scotia
We spent the majority of our Maritimes road trip exploring Nova Scotia. In addition to travelling around the main body of Nova Scotia, we also spent a few days on Cape Breton Island, including the famous Cabot Trail, a 298 km loop around the northern tip of the island.
Days 5-8: Cape Breton Island
Before we ventured through the mainland of Nova Scotia, our next destination was Cape Breton Island. This large island is located off Nova Scotia’s northeast coast and contains some historically important destinations as well as beautiful landscapes. We spent our first night in Dundee, on the southside of the island.
Our first notable stop in Cape Breton was Rita McNeil’s Tea Room. Rita McNeil was a singer and songwriter from Big Pond, Cape Breton. She passed away in 2013, and the tea room is no longer open. However, we were able to stop at the tea room on our trip and even got to bring some of the oatcakes home. While you cannot buy oatcakes from Rita’s anymore, be sure to find some elsewhere on Cape Breton Island. They are some of the best, shortbread-style cookies I’ve ever had.
Next on our list was the Fortress of Louisbourg. This is a national historic site that includes a reconstructed section of this French colonial town, complete with re-enactments. This was a great stop for kids, as we found it immersive and exciting. However, it’s an interesting stop for adults too, with the opportunity to learn about Canadian history in a more hands-on way. That night, we stayed near Baddeck.
Following our day trip to the Fortress of Louisbourg, we began our trip around the Cabot Trail. This section of scenic road is beautiful, but narrow and popular amongst cyclists. If you do plan to drive, prepare to be patient and practice safe passing along this road.
The Cabot Trail passes some beautiful sections of the Cape Breton Highlands. Most notably was Black Brook Cove Beach on the northeast tip of the island. This beautiful beach has many interesting rock formations and soft sand to walk or play in.
We also stopped at various viewpoints along the way, including the Mackenzie Mountain Look-off on the High Plateau. Each viewpoint has many signs about the geological and human history of the area. We stayed the night in Chéticamp, before completing Cabot Trail and returning to mainland Nova Scotia.
Days 8-10: Nova Scotia Northwest Shore
Our next stay was near Pictou, Nova Scotia. In Pictou, we visited the Hector Heritage Quay, a museum and the Ship Hector, which is actively undergoing restoration.
This museum focuses on the original Ship Hector and its 11-week voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing 189 Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia. The centre is currently adding new interactive displays to better represent the the Indigenous people of Pik’tuk and the shared history between them and these Scottish settlers.
We also took a small detour out to Sugar Moon Farm, a maple syrup farm with a restaurant that offers maple tasting and a maple-forward, all-day-brunch menu. This was a lot of fun, very tasty, and we learned a lot about the maple syrup harvest. We got to taste the difference between early, mid, and late season harvest, and gained some insight into the harvesting process. This is a must-stop to get the ultimate Canadian experience, at least if you ask me.
For my parents, we stopped at the Grand Pré Winery. We walked through the vines and learned about how they make ice wine. There was wine tasting, which wasn’t interesting to my siblings and I, but was thoroughly enjoyed by my parents.
The site of the winery has a nice hotel and restaurant as well. For those interested in history, you can stop at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, which is dedicated to the history of the Acadian settlements in Nova Scotia and the Mi’kmaq people who have lived here since time immemorial.
Days 10-11: South Shore of Nova Scotia
After the winery, we stayed a night in Wolfville. The next day, we drove south to Lunenburg. This small town was one of the first attempts by the British to settle in Nova Scotia. Today, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunenburg is home to many brightly painted wooden buildings. It’s also the site of the Bluenose II, a 1963 replica of the 1921 Bluenose that marks the Canadian dime (10 cent coin). We passed by the Bluenose II while it was undergoing repairs at the time of our visit. We also visited the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which includes an exhibit about the Bluenose, the history of Lunenburg, and interactive exhibits about life in a fishing community.
Our final stop before Halifax was Peggy’s Cove. This was my mom’s number one stop on the trip, and it’s not hard to see why. Peggy’s Cove is an iconic viewpoint in Nova Scotia with a picturesque lighthouse atop a rocky outcrop. These rocks are rounded and distinct, making Peggy’s Cove an well-recognized Canadian landmark.
The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove was built in 1915, and on a clear day you can walk over to it. However, we did not visit on a clear day. A fierce storm was raging. We took some photographs of the lighthouse from the viewing platform before ducking into the adjacent gift shop and restaurant.
Be wary of the conditions here, as the rocks near the lighthouse can be very slippery when wet. Don’t try to scramble towards the lighthouse in poor conditions and stay away from the wet rocks near the edge no matter the weather. Numerous tourists have been injured and even drowned in this area due to a lack of precaution around the sea.
Days 11-13: City of Halifax
Our final stop on the trip was in Halifax. The capital city is a bustling hub of life and culture. Down by the waterfront, there are many museums, galleries, and markets to check out. Among them are the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
Pier 21 was the landing site of nearly 1 million immigrants to Canada between 1928 and 1971. Today, Pier 21 is a museum focused on the cultural diversity of Canada’s immigrants and the stories of the Indigenous Peoples displaced by this immigration.
Continuing along the waterfront, you can walk along this downtown boardwalk, which is one of the longest in the world. There are plenty of places here to stop and eat or shop along the way. If you’re not tired of museums, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which details shipbuilding, shipwreck, and naval exhibits. I’d especially recommend this spot if you do not visit Lunenburg.
The final historic site I’ll mention in Halifax is the Citadel. This hilltop fort overlooks most of the city and the harbour, and served as a military fort and later solider barracks. Today, the site hosts exhibits that detail both Halifax’s history and the history of the Districts of the Mi’kma’ki, which preceded the British settlement.
Beyond museums, take time to wander around the city, checking out the art galleries and the Seaport Farmers’ Market. Soak in the food scene, and try lots of seafood. From lobster rolls and fish and chips to more Nova Scotian specific dishes like Digby scallops, Rappie Pie, and seafood chowders.
My Map for a Maritimes Road Trip
Save this map to your Google account to use it for itinerary planning.
Hi, is there a way we can have the Maritime 4our week itinerary sent to me by mail? Please let me know. Bev Becker, bbecker@shaw.ca. Thanking you in advance.
Hi Bev, I’ve sent you an email!