7-Day Maritime Provinces Road Trip

It may be possible to touch down in all four of Atlantic Canada’s provinces in one week, but such a rushed schedule is neither practical nor enjoyable. Therefore, in this itinerary, we’ll stick to the three Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island). This itinerary assumes you have your own vehicle or a rental.

Nova Scotia

Day 1: Halifax

After arriving in Halifax, settle in at a historic downtown B&B such as the Halliburton. Spend the afternoon taking in sights such as the Old Town Clock on the way to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and make dinner reservations at a waterfront restaurant.

Day 2: South Shore

100 km (62 mi)/1 hour

From Halifax, drive south through Peggy’s Cove (take the obligatory lighthouse photo) and Mahone Bay (browse the arts and crafts shops, eat lunch at Rebecca’s Restaurant) to Lunenburg. There’s plenty to see en route, but arrive in time for an afternoon walk through the UNESCO-protected core of downtown, which is filled with colorful buildings. For the views alone, the Salt Shaker Deli and Inn is my favorite Lunenburg lodging.

Related Travel Guide

Moon Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada: With New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador

by Andrew Hempstead

by Moon Travel Guides

Catch a glimpse of the world’s rarest whales, hike through lush forests, or wander around quaint historic towns: the very best of the northeast is yours with Moon Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada.

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This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around November 12, 2024. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

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Day 3: Fundy Coast

250 km (155 mi)/6 hours, including ferry

From Lunenburg, drive across to Annapolis Royal to explore the historic town and visit Fort Anne. Stop in Digby for a meal of plump Digby scallops and board the afternoon ferry for Saint John, New Brunswick. Plan on an overnight at one of the lodgings in nearby Fundy National Park.

New Brunswick

Day 4: Fundy National Park

160 km (99 mi)/2 hours

Mornings are a delight in Fundy National Park, so plan on exploring the Fundy Trail Parkway and taking a coastal drive. Be sure to stop at the lookout points and beaches along the way. At low tide, you can walk a short stretch across the exposed ocean floor at Long Beach. Turn in early to rest up for day of hiking in the national park.

Day 5: Fundy National Park

There’s a hike for everyone in Fundy National Park, which showcases a cross section of Fundy landscape from coastal cliffs to dense forests. Take a relaxing swim or paddle before tucking into a seafood dinner in nearby Alma.

Prince Edward Island

Day 6: Cavendish

260 km (160 mi)/3 hours

Leaving the Fundy Coast behind, drive to Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge. Check in early to Charlottetown’s Shipwright Inn and spend the afternoon on a rural jaunt through Cavendish, strolling the red-sand beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park and stopping at Green Gables Heritage Place.

Back to Nova Scotia

Day 7: Halifax

Drive to Halifax. If time allows, fit in a few more city sights, such as the beautiful Halifax Public Gardens.

Andrew Hempstead

About the Author

Kayaking around Bowen Island, enjoying a powder day at Whistler Blackcomb, chowing down on pancakes at the Elbow Room, joining the mid-day crowd at Butchart Gardens, and surfing on the west coast – Andrew Hempstead has done all of this and more. He’s out there not because it’s part of compiling a guidebook, but because he loves Vancouver and Victoria. These diverse experiences, coupled with a deep respect for nature and an interest in local history, have been essential in his creation of Moon Victoria & Vancouver Island.

Andrew spends as much time as possible out on the road, and rather than having an itinerary laid out for him by local tourism offices, he travels incognito so he can experience the many and varied delights of Vancouver and Victoria the same way his readers do.

Since the early 1990s, Andrew has authored and updated over 60 guidebooks, contributed to dozens of major magazines, supplied content for online clients like Expedia and KLM, and been employed as a corporate writer for Parks Canada. His photography has appeared in a wide variety of media ranging from international golf magazines to a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Andrew has spoken on guidebook writing to national audiences, and he has contributed to a university-level travel writing textbook.

Andrew and his wife Dianne own Summerthought Publishing, a regional publisher of nonfiction books. He and his family live in Banff, Alberta.

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