Epic Eastern Canada Road Trip with Kids: Itinerary & Tips Before You Go 376 3112 2 Are a visit to Anne of Green Gables' Prince Edward Island and whale watching off the East Coast of Canada on your family's travel bucket list? Im planning a last minute roadtrip the first three weeks of Sept 2021. It then joins onto California Highway 1, which shows off most of California. It is by no means the only acceptable option out there. Thanks for reading! While its possible to visit the East Coast year-round, I would not advise planning a Canada east coast itinerary around the winter months (November-April yes, it can really go that long! You can either stop for lunch or spend the night in town. Although Cape Breton Island is part of Nova Scotia, its so unique that it almost feels like its own province. So you may be wondering, how can I get to it on my East Coast Canada road trip? Sunday | Home (Pickering). And if you happen to visit during the winter, you can even put your skiing skills to the test. USA Cruises Canada & New . A highlight of this multi-day jaunt along the coast are the Hopewell Rocks, which were shortlisted as one of the new wonders of the world. Thanks for so much great info! By clicking and making a purchase through the links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Copyright 2023 Voyage & Venture | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. See all Canada posts in this Ultimate Guide to Visiting Canada. The east coast of Canada has some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada, along with fantastic cuisine, friendly people, and endless outdoor adventure. West Virginia Road Trip. Dating back to the 18th century, this historic town is full of charming architecture and gigantic tall ships docked in the harbor. 13 of the Best Beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada. We will be traveling with a truck and trailer from about mid June to early September. 1 West Inn Waterfront Beautiful location in central Charlottetown, Around the Sea Rotating House Unique property by the ocean not far from Cavendish, Prince Edward Island National Park Camping and oTENTiks available at two large waterside campgrounds. We want to eat fish, do a lot of water activities and sightseeing. However, if you prefer a quieter city with beautiful parks and historic sites, Ottawa is a great option. Dixville Notch is a very small area, but for what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty! After leaving the Shubenacadie river, head 338 km east (approx four hours of driving) to Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada. The park has great beaches, canoeing, hiking trails, and wildlife, including an adorable seal colony. Here are 2 maps of the trip. Ive been traveling solo for over a decade and went fully nomadic in 2019 after quitting my 9-5 to pursue my dreams of living a location-independent lifestyle. Newfoundland is a great province with its own identity unlike anywhere else in Canada. Do you have any other whale watching recommendations? Thats so variable depending on how long your trip is, if youre renting a car, camping or staying in hotels, solo etc. This 10-day road trip to Canada is the perfect mix between city trip and stroll in the most beautiful natural landscapes of the country! Step 1 Determine the Length of the Trip 2.1. But luckily for you, this picture-perfect island is real and ready for you to explore! Google maps says it is a 30 minute drive, and now Im worried Im missing something? This trail loops around the majority of Cape Breton Island, and, along the way, there are loads of wonderful things to see and do. It completely depends on your time limit and personal interests. Its incredible to see the difference! Youll want to spend at least two days here, either camping or staying in a hotel near the park. We are Jean Robert and Gemma, a British-Canadian couple who love to explore beyond the beaten path by foot, road and paddle. If your road trip across Canada has you heading east and you love quirky accommodation, quaint villages and great seafood, then southern New Brunswick is your spot. I am planning to road trip by myself to east coast canada for the first time. After taking in the stunning natural landscapes of PEI, head to the capital of the province, Charlottetown. Below, we've prepared for you a road trip itinerary through the Canadian Maritimes. During the springtime, you will have fewer tourists and the possibility to see icebergs in Newfoundland. The North Cape coastal drive is 350 km and even has a Canadian potato museum you can visit in OLeary. With colorful boats, smooth boulders, foggy skies, and a towering lighthouse, it looks like it was plucked straight out of a painting! Its also a great route for those short on time. If youre planning to camp in any of the East coast National Parks, make a reservation early. 80 miles / 130 km northeast. I have been to Halifax/Peggys Cove/Lunenberg but my partner has not. You could continue your journey down the Northern Peninsula, also known as the Viking trail, to the UNESCO world heritage site of Lanse Aux Meadows. It looks like SUCH a fantastic area to hike, and then eat icecream. They search both international and local Canadian companies, so you get the best price. Head there for sunrise you wont be disappointed. Your second-to-last stop on this East Coast Canada road trip itinerary is the lovely Cape Breton Island. Staying near Quebec City the first night, somewhere close-ish to Fredericton the second night, then the weekend visiting friends in PEI. Let us know how your adventure goes in the comments! From there, take a walk across the Fredericton Railway Bridge. Literature lovers will enjoy a trip to Green Gables Heritage Place, which is a recreation of the home in Anne of Green Gables. Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park. The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Continue to 3 of 9 below. If you arent taking your own vehicle for the road trip, make sure to rent a car in advance, as car rentals can get booked up early in the summertime (especially in Newfoundland). Looking for other bucketlist destinations in Canada? Its a paradise for nature lovers. we love to bike ride and hike. Much like the Skyline Trail on Cape Breton, The rugged coastline of Nova Scotia is particularly interesting for paddling, especially when as untouched as the, Inland, canoeists can explore quiet, interconnecting areas of lakes and rivers. Eat Breakfast (any time) at The Friendly Toast. Another fun thing to do in the summertime is to go on a tubing adventure down the river. If you stay here, be sure to grab your morning coffee and bagel at the Georgetown Bakery. possibly in the Saint John, were planning to go all the way to Nova Scotia with this 9 days trip. Retreat and relaxation: Stay somewhere cool or cozy. I have sent you an email also seperately for guidance but I know you are very busy. Day 1 - Dixville Notch State Park. Step 0 Consider Your Budget 1.1. These cookies do not store any personal information. Is there any way to purchase it? But what makes Canada special is its people. Its an easy drive as there is only one main highway across Newfoundland just look out for moose along the way. Hi Lora, Thank you so much for this great article. This gorgeous island has become a popular spot in recent years with the addition of the 5-star Fogo Island Inn. Didn't see Newfoundland in the itinerary. Ten of us rented an RV and have booked our trip for Sept 3-10. We are planning something this summer to the east coast driving from Toronto. The Bay of Fundy experiences the highest tides in the world and is simply awe inspiring. Shediac is home to Parlee beach, which has the warmest salt water in Canada. Id love to do a coastal drive of Eastern Canada and PEI has always been on my radar! The Cabot Trail loops 298km around the north of Cape Breton Island. One of the most popular activities is to follow the Freedom Trail, which takes visitors . You can walk to Uisge Ban Falls, go kayaking in the North River, and hike the famous 7.5-kilometre Skyline Trail. iOverlander - The easiest way to find free camping spots in Canada. Hi Lora, Fredericton, New Brunswick, is about 8 hours East of Montreal, so you could get there in a day. This is great I may have missed this and will re-read your post, but how long did it take you to road trip across the east coast and as woman would you safe it is safe if I do it alone? The Gaelic influence is particularly obvious in Halifax and around Cape Breton think bagpipes, fiddles, tartan, whiskey, cilidhs and bilingual signs. The entire city is surrounded by a network of trails known as the East Coast Trail, a beautiful coastal 326 hiking trail broken into 26 paths that stretch across the Avalon Peninsula's shores. I would love to be able to print out your map, 4 week itinerary, with all the stops but seem to be having some difficulty getting it to print from my computer. I'm hoping we can get out there maybe next year. :-)), Your email address will not be published. Yay for road tripping! Leaving from Muskoka on the 19th and we have to be home on the 29th. If you prefer to stay indoors, A unique place to spend the night in the North Cape is theWest Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum. It is safe to travel there as a woman alone I did last summer! St. Johns is a great city with tons of fun things to do. Day 01 - Arrival - New York. I know you said that Newfoundland shouldnt be missed but we only have 3 weeks and when I followed most of your itinerary that didnt leave me much time for Newfoundland. Stops include: Bangor, Portland, and Mount Washington State Park. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to the Cabot Trail, which is continuously named one of the most beautiful drives in the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, Im Lora! Its an impressive example of architecture and engineering. If you give me more details I can try and help! 11 of the Best Nova Scotia Campgrounds Oh I should mention, we all live in the GTA area in Ontario and will be leaving from there. One week is enough to visit them but it will be rushed. My mum loves Anne of Green GablesI wonder if telling her that would be a good way to lure her to Canada!? Wednesday Visiting this hotel is one of the most unique things to do here! This road trip has been on our bucket list for quite a while now. This first national park weve decided to dedicate an entire day to is Kouchibouguac National Park. Planning on doing road trip to East Coast from Toronto if possible to PEI. Cedar dunes provincial park is another place worth checking out and a good option for camping overnight. Rental Car: $30 - $100/day RV Rental: $100 - $300/day Gallon of Gas: $3.50 + Cheap Airbnb: $80 - $100 Hotel room: $130 - $150 Hostel: $15 - $35 Campground: $0 - $50 Sandwich: $4 - $9 Beer at a bar: $4 - $8 We were planning to drive straight to New Brunswick. The most direct route from the east coast to the west coast is I-80. Check out our guide! I'd recommend using BringFido.com to find pet friendly accommodation on Canada's East Coast. Learn more about me and how this blog can help you. The views at the top are worth it this is one of my favorite hikes in Newfoundland. My preference is Cabot trail and other areas to be covered in 8 days. Okay, really its just an illusion caused by the landscape, but its a cool thing to experience, and kids will love it. Kayaking, hiking, and rafting are just some of the ways you can enjoy the beauty of this stunning province. You can definitely plan a great road trip from Montreal to Nova Scotia with 16 days. Discover the beauty of Canada's east coast on this 10-day summer tour, which combines scenic train journeys with self-drive routes. Gros Morne National Park to Bonavista Peninsula (406 km). PEI is a very small province, you could see a lot in just two days. You'll see the country's biggest cities the Great Plains the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast. Living in Portugal vs Spain: Which is Best for Digital Nomads? (4) We are thinking in May/June? Across the street from the Westin is the Halifax farmers market, a great place to start your day and grab a morning coffee. Total accommodation costs: $304 USD ($402 CAD) Average $61 USD ($80 CAD) per night. Then chop, change and add to the standard itinerary as you like according to your own interests and time restrictions. Diving is a unique way to explore Newfoundland from the ocean floor. While many people overlook the east coast for the Rockies, they are two completely different experiences. Day 7-8: Jasper National Park (Alberta) Day 9: Kamloops (British Columbia) Day 10: Drive to Whistler, stop in Squamish. My concern is we might be burnt out from driving so much, but we also want to make the most of our time out there. Theres plenty to see in New Brunswick, and it should be part of your East coast Canada road trip itinerary. Montreal is a great city and Quebec City is a nice stop along the way but if you are limited on time and want to see all four provinces its better to just fly. Humpback whales dancing below towering cliffs, fresh seafood, epic hiking trails, and the friendliest people youll ever meet are just some of the reasons to plan an eastern Canada road trip. Hi Mitch. Blankets and Pillows it gets cold in Canada, even in the summertime! Here are the full entry requirements for Canada and the links below for the requirements of each province. One of the best ways to see all of the coolest spots is by taking a fantastic East Coast Canada road trip. Thanks so much, Hi Lora, great article. Our plans were expertly handled by our Global Journeys travel agent Georgie Walpole, based in Australia. Ive done it in as little as 3 days and as long as a month! The Canadian Maritimes is made up of four (or five) provinces: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Once in Nova Scotia, drive . This is a lot of help for me. The most popular places in the Western USA. Maps Of Trip. This fantastic East Coast Canada road trip itinerary begins on the gorgeous Gasp Peninsula. You are right, its just over half an hour to get between them so that was just an error on my part. Tuesday I have seen and read many but l just dont know how to manage that. The road trip is planned for next year 2021 summer (hopefully by then the pandemic is under control). Your first destination will be the capital of New Brunswick and my fave city in the province, Fredericton. There are 28 trips that go to Eastern Canada, with the most popular time to go being September, which has the most number of tours. 3 weeks is enough time to see all four provinces! Its also an ideal base for a wide range of day trips in the area. Re: Organising a 10-day trip to the East Coast of Canada 13 years ago Save Hi Emma; Toronto, Montreal & Quebec City are considered eastern Canada destinations. However, there is also an exit fee on the confederation bridge of 48.50, so the choice is up to you. For your first day, your home base for explorations will be Bar Harbor at the very tippy-top northeast corner of the US on the Atlantic Ocean before you cross the border to Canada. Trip Styles: Fully Guided, Coach, Scenic / Sightseeing . Top 10 destinations for an east coast Canada trip Saint Andrews Saint John Hopewell Rocks Moncton Lunenburg Halifax Cabot Trail Charlottetown Cavendish Summerside The eastern coast of Canada is packed to the brim with adventures that the whole family can enjoy. Christians Bar on George Street is a perfect place to do that. For that reason, I have created a two week East Coast Canada road trip itinerary that features all the highlightsand a four week beyond the beaten path route with more suggestions of things to do. The Maritimes, or Canada's east coast, has developed its own way of life, and if you visit, you'll see that it's a vibrant and hardy way to live. Hi Lora, Congratulations, Youve made it to the most easterly point in North America! During the summer, the worlds largest population of humpback whales makes their way to Newfoundlands coast to feed. Yes, the east coast is extremely safe to travel Ive done it solo many times. This does mean thatJune and September are great months to visit with generally good weather and fewer visitors. It has all the essential information you need to plan an epic road trip through the east coast of Canada. But dont fret if you dont have that much time simply choose the places that interest you most. Spend your last day in PEI exploring the Points East Coastal Drive. I love the West coast of Canada too, but the East coast is a completely different experience! Though it may be tempting to try and rush around to see everything, take a lesson from the locals and take things slow. I hope you have a wonderful road trip. Hi Lora, New Link Road, Borivali West, Mumbai 400092, India . 10 Reasons to Fall in Love with Newfoundland, 6 Unmissable Weekend Getaways From Vancouver, One Day In Montreal: Best Things To See, Do, And Eat, 7 Stunning Hikes On The Discovery Trail Newfoundland, Hiking the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. There are MANY more places to visit than outlined here, but they need a post of their own (and its coming). Our 10-day East Coast road trip features popular destinations and underrated destinations alike. This site features affiliate links for products and services. From the top, youll get gorgeous views of the harbor below. Start your journey in Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia, known as Canadas ocean playground, is a paradise for outdoor lovers. This and display ads allows me to keep the site up to date and give back. And animal fans can take a whale watching tour from Neils Harbour. Miramichi is most famous for its fly fishing opportunities on the river. To fully appreciate this phenomenon, visit Hopewell Rocks at low tide to walk around on the ocean floor and see the unique rock formations up close. Husky - Collect points from the Husky gas stations. ( no kids ). Thanks so much! The Bonavista Peninsula is one of my favorite parts of Newfoundland. This offers alittle bit of everything for a well rounded East Coast Canada road trip at a slower pace than the two week itinerary. As the temperature is getting low during my trip from beginning October till end of October, could you recommend me a good starting point? With just one week, you arent going to be able to road trip all of the East Coast of Canada. National Park Fees: $20 CAD per vehicles ($15.50 USD) City Attractions: Many museums have entry fees start at $7.99 CAD ($6.20). Spend at least a night or two here exploring this vibrant city. At low tide, you can walk along the ocean floor, but at high tide, it soars up to 16 metres! Highway 400 is the fastest route but if you're interested in seeing some of the pretty farmland north of Toronto, hit the more rural roads that run parallel. So what are you waiting for? We are self-sufficient with a solar fridge, stove and composting toilet in a 19 van. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Part of your East coast sure to grab your morning coffee and bagel at the top worth! Telling her that would be a good way to explore Newfoundland from the husky gas.... Cold in Canada East of Montreal, so the choice is up to and... Different experience traveling with a truck and trailer from about mid June to early September details I can try rush... Theres plenty to see all Canada posts in this Ultimate Guide to Visiting Canada many... 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