When planning your last minute trips this summer, consider a road trip through undeniably beautiful Atlantic Canada. The Canadian Maritimes has a lot to offer its visitors, from their diverse wildlife to their highly sought after local food scene. Discover some summer road trip adventures below where we cover the regions four provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Explore the Canadian Maritimes via car and discover why Atlantic Canada is so beautiful
New Brunswick
If you Google the Bay of Fundy, you will find loads of information about them having the highest tides on earth. That’s great and all, but not exactly a reason to visit. I’d recommend something more unique, like the five-day, 185-mile Fundy Wonders & Whales Route, starting in the historic city of Saint John for local cuisine and unique architecture, and ending in St. Stephen to learn about Canada’s oldest candy company, the Ganong Bros. Road trippers can build sandcastles, kayak, go bird watching, and take a ferry to the alluring Fundy Isles. Whales breach in the bay and tidal beaches line the coast, creating pitstops that are full of natural wonders.
When taking the Fundy Wonders & Whales Route, might I recommend joining the Tidal Trek Beach Crab Grab excursion hosted by the not-for-profit research and education facility, Huntsman Marine Science Centre. Guests will assist researchers in gathering essential data on the European green crab, an invasive species that entered marine ecosystems in the 1950s. The two-hour, immersive learning experience is available May 18 – October 14, 2019, at $14.25 per adult and $10 per child.
Nova Scotia
A road trip that has recently crept up my bucket list is across Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore, the northern coast of the province along the Northumberland Straight. As someone who actively searches out wine, food, and spirits when traveling, this is an absolute must. This route will take you to Bay Enterprises for U-Pick oysters and Sugar Moon Farm for homemade maple syrup. Jost Vineyards, the largest winery in Nova Scotia, is nestled in the coastal inlets of the Malagash Peninsula with the Tatamagouche Brewing Co. nearby. For handcrafted spirits, the Caldera Distillery pays tribute to the heritage of craftsman and explorers of Nova Scotia with whiskey created in the shipbuilding community of River John, The Steinhart Distillery in Arisaig produces organic vodkas and gin with a stunning view of the Northumberland Straight.
For accommodations on the Northumberland Shore, travelers can reserve the two-night Gourmet Seaside Resort Getaway at the five-star, luxury Fox Harb’r Resort in Wallace. The experience includes a two-day chef-hosted adventure with a beachside raw bar, sommelier-hosted vineyard dinner, and sunset seafood feast at the resort’s lighthouse. Also, guests will access the on-site greenhouse to select ingredients for a picnic and fish for their own fish fry picnic. Prices start at $959 CAD per person.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island offers the Points East Coastal Drive, which takes road trippers through the fishing village of Murray Harbor and the white sand beaches of Panmure Island. The route passes through Point Prim Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the island that was built in 1845, and the province’s famous sand dunes, internationally recognized for its rare marsh and bird species. While enjoying this side of Atlantic Canada, golfers can tee off at golf courses of Brudenell, Crowbush Cove, or Dundarave, and outdoor adventurers can walk the floating boardwalk at PEI National Park.
While enjoying the Points East Coastal Drive, make sure to stop by Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague, the first brewery to open along the east coast of the province. There you will find the brewery located in the historic 1938 town hall, offering a taproom that overlooks the Montague River. Enjoy the live music from local artists while you’re sipping your beer — not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
Newfoundland and Labrador – Atlantic Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador have a lot to offer guests that take the 195-mile Irish Loop around the Avalon Peninsula, located at the southeast side of the province. Road trippers can stop at The East Coast Trail, which features more than 185 miles of developed hiking trails and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. For those looking for a little wildlife can pay a visit to the nearby Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve where they can witness seabird nesting up close, and The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve boasts more than 260,000 pairs of the provincial bird, the Atlantic puffin. The peninsula is also home to the capital of St. John’s, where the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mistaken Point showcases deep-sea fossils dating more than 575 million years ago.
Adelaide’s Honey Bee, Pollinator, and Wildlife Reserve in Goulds, St. John’s offers The Honey Bee Hike designed to educate travelers on the fundamentals of low impact beekeeping. With the boreal forest and fields of wildflowers as the backdrop, visitors can observe honey bees foraging wildflowers and returning to their hives with the nectar. The eco-agricultural experience is available for $40.80 CAD per person.
If you liked these road trip ideas through Atlantic Canada, you would love our Ireland road trip ideas for summertime.
