7 places to hit on an east coast road trip in summer 2018
With so many beautiful places across this vast country it’s hard to decide where to visit once summer comes around. Couple that with the rising cost of air travel and it becomes a difficult decision to pick just one place to visit. But what if you could fit in multiple places in one exciting journey? That’s where road tripping comes in. And while you probably can’t fit the entirety of Canada into one trip, you can certainly make the most of one coast.
Canada’s eastern coast is home to the beautiful maritime provinces, some breathtaking nature and a rugged, lush landscape acting as the perfect backdrop to your adventure. Whether you just want to spend your trip travelling one of the eastern provinces, or make the most of it and do them all, we picked out some extra special highlights of the east coast to help you plan the road trip of a lifetime.
1. Halifax, Nova Scotia
This maritime dream is known as “the Seattle of the north” and is home to the second largest natural harbour in the world. There are plenty of famous, historical sites to visit, including the Citadel which was built back in 1749. Take one of the guided tours, check out the frequently updated exhibits and even watch an authentic cannon fire. Even if you’re not a history buff, the view from the Citadel is still one that can’t be missed. One of Halifax’s most famous stories is that of the Titanic. It is retold at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which is home to some unique artifacts explaining the city’s role and brings to life one of the world’s most famous nautical disasters.
Did you know that Halifax has the most bars per capita out of any city in Canada? So you should be sure to check out one of the quaint bars dotted around the city, ranging from cozy pubs with full menus, to hipster cocktail hangouts and craft beer bars.
Thanks to its abundance of bars, Halifax is also an alcohol production hotspot, and they offer everything from locally distilled whisky right down to freshly made local wine. Head to the Halifax Distillery Company and sip on their “better than Baileys” cream rum, or check out the Beer District, home to Alexander Keith’s Brewery.
Of course, you can’t miss out on venturing into the open waters, and just a 15 minute ferry ride will take you over to Dartmouth. Once known by locals as “the Darkside” it is now a bustling community of cafes, restaurants and artisan boutiques. You can also get a great view of Halifax’s harbour from the other side.
2. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Whether you’re a lover of hiking, desperate to become one with nature or just after that idealistic snap for your social media, Cape Breton cannot be missed. With 300 km of awe-inspiring rugged cliffside and breathtaking coastal views, Cape Breton is the postcard perfect way to see the east coast of Canada.
Tie up your hiking boots and take on the Skyline Trail, which is said to be the perfect spot for moose sightings, as well as some great photograph opportunities.
3. Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The capital of Prince Edward Island is filled with history, art and friendly faces. Despite being the largest city in the province, its relatively modest population of 35,000 means that it still has a charming, small town vibe, and locals are more than happy to welcome in travellers. It is the birthplace of confederation-it’s city motto being “Cunabula Foederis” which means just that-and so there is plenty to learn about times gone and early island life.
Pay a visit to some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the Great George Hotel, were statues of Canada’s founding fathers greet you at the door. The building itself dates back to the mid-1840s, and if you book a stay at the hotel, you are treated to a complimentary walking tour of the city’s historic architecture. If you’d rather sit back and relax while journey through history, how about hopping on the city tour bus?
Be sure to check out St Dunstan’s Basilica, which sits on a site where three other historic churches have resided over hundreds of years. Modelled on St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City the most recent version of the church was built in 1919 and has stood proudly ever since. You also can’t miss the adorable watercolour oceanside houses that overlook the deep blue sea.
Charlottetown is also a culinary powerhouse, surrounded by fresh farmland and oceans filled with seafood just a stone’s throw away, so you can image there are a wealth of gourmet eateries on offer. The city is particularly known for its fresh lobster and salmon. Or, spend a warm evening enjoying a beverage at one of the patios dotted along the cobblestoned street Victoria Row.
4. Cavendish, P.E.I
You can’t go to Prince Edward Island and not visit the famous Green Gables- that’s why Cavendish is a spot you must check off your list. Located on the North shore of Prince Edward Island, this scenic area is home to panorama views of the gorgeous Gulf of St Lawrence, as well as Prince Edward Island National Park and some idyllic beaches.
The area is also the birthplace of the author Lucy Maud Montgomery, whos fictional blockbuster ‘Anne of Green Gables’ helped P.E.I’s tourism to flourish in the early 20th century.
If you’re a golfer this is also a top spot to you, with an array of lush, green golf courses and resorts dotted around the vicinity, perfect for a hazy, summers afternoon.
5. St John, New Brunswick
New Brunswick is often referred to as the pass-through province, but in reality it has so much more to offer than just highways connecting A to B. Saint John in the port city of the delightful Bay of Fundy, home of crashing waves and waterfalls. It became Canada’s first incorporated city in 1785 so you guessed it, lots of historical sites to behold. Check out the world’s oldest running market the Saint John City Market and support some of the local vendors who offer everything from freshly baked pastries to hand crafted jewellery. Or, for something a little more unique try Saint John Uncorked, where you can delve into the wine and beer scene while getting an in-depth lesson on how the city came to be.
6. Toronto, Ontario
It’s almost impossible to talk about Canada’s eastern coast without mentioning The Six. Although it isn’t nestled on the oceanside, Toronto is the metropolitan king of the east, attracting over 25 million visitors a year, and is well worth a visit. Sat on the edge of the great Lake Ontario, this multicultural hub is a mish mash of colourful neighbourhoods-all adding their own cultural twist.
From Kensington Market to Chinatown, Greektown to Little Italy, each neighbourhood is filled with its own unique sights, sounds and, of course, delicious food that you simply can’t miss.
If you’re in the city then you can’t miss it’s iconic tourist attractions. Gaze up in awe from beneath the shadow of the world renowned CN Tower which stands at 350-metres high and was, at one time, the world’s tallest tower. If you’re a sports junkie, catch a game from some sporting superheros at Rogers Centre, or get up close and personal with the Stanley Cup at The Hockey Hall of Fame. Shop until you drop at specialist stores dotted along the quirky, cool Queen Street West, or head to the Distillery District where you can sip on a pint of locally brewed cider.
Whether you want to spend one day or one week in this colourful city, there is certainly plenty to pack into your itinerary to make sure its a visit to remember.
7. St John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
St John’s is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador and is known for its prominence in the fishing industry, which at one time, was the majority of its livelihood. These days it is a city rich in history but with a growing young population who are injecting modern life and culture into this wholesome area.
Architecture cold top the list here-specifically Jellybean Row, a gathering of colourful houses which have become an iconic feature of the eastern city. The crayon-coloured houses, are thought to exist because of a traditional need, dating back to a time when houses were brightly painted to make them visible to fishermen in foggy weather. The truth is, however, the idea was thought up in the 1970s to inject some life into the town.
One of St John’s most unique aspects, however, is the 10,000 year old icebergs that float their way down “Iceberg Alley” from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Island between late May and early June. While you can view them from the city, in particular Signal Hill, there are also plenty of boat tours that will take you even closer to these icy wonders.
Of course, you must test out all of the local delacissies on offer. As you might guess fish and chips are one of the regions most loved dishes. Partially influenced by the number of English and Irish immigrants who populated the area back in the 1700s, and of course, tied to the city’s fishing history. Some of the best eateries include the Duke of Duckworth, a St Johns pub that has been open for over 25 years. It's also a great place to sit down and enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer.
Speaking of beer, the growing young population means that St John’s nightlife is getting bigger and better by the day. Be sure to take part in the traveller’s tradition of ‘kissing the cod’-a way that locals welcome newcomers to the community. The tradition involves a codfish as well as a type of local rum known as Screech. As you may anticipate, you will often spot a tipsy traveller stood atop a bar, reciting a limerick before literally giving the fish a peck and downing a shot of rum.
While you aren’t going too far, and you will spend the majority of your trip in the comfort of your own car, that doesn’t mean you should skip out on travel insurance. As soon as you leave your home province you will need protection, as your provincial health care can only stretch so far and might not cover things such as emergency transport or evacuation. Travel insurance will also take care of any hotel cancellationsor lost baggage. No one wants to think of the worst case scenario while on vacation, but finding a good travel insurance policy means that no matter what you can focus on having the trip of a lifetime.