Canadian Maritime Provinces trip. Anyone have any advice?

[djm_ct]

I want to plan a trip this summer for my daughter and myself to the Canadian Maritime provinces (New Brunzwick, Nova Scotia, etc.) I am in the early stages of this and am basically starting from scratch.
Would like to make it around a 5 day trip, starting from Connecticut.

I'm sure some of my fellow forum members have made such a trip. Can anyone offer any advice on scenic routes, must see attractions, etc?

Any advice or links to planning resources would be much appreciated.

 

[Wanderer]

Howdy,
Well to start 5 days is not a lot of time to do Nova Scotia, two weeks would be ideal. Of course while there you must do the Cabot Trail, in both directions, check out Meat Cove off the Cabot, Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck, Fort Lewis, get some snow crab while there and you will also see a few oyster farms, Fundy Nat. Park in N. Brunswick, an awful lot to do and see up there. Plus if your traveling through Maine you might want to check out Acadia Nat. Park as you go by. Great people in Nova Scotia.
Later,
Norm

 

[Salty]

Hello from Halifax. Wanderer is correct , five days is a whirlwind trip. It would be better to consult tourism New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and decide which venues would be available at the time of your trip and plan a time and route for each. Also recommend you book your accommodations in advance . PM me if you want further info , help if I can . Salty

 

[talonboy]

Watching the tide come in at bay of Fundy is pretty cool. You will have to see find the times for optimal viewing.

 

[nga]

I want to plan a trip this summer for my daughter and myself to the Canadian Maritime provinces (New Brunzwick, Nova Scotia, etc.) I am in the early stages of this and am basically starting from a scratch.
Would like to make it around a 5 day trip, starting from Connecticut.

I'm sure some of my fellow forum members have made such a trip. Can anyone offer any advice on scenic routes, must see attractions, etc?

Any advice or links to planning resources would be much appreciated.

djm_ct,

Check out this trip report:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13834742#post13834742

 

[Stray Goose]

Cabot Trail - must do!

 

[djm_ct]

Thank you all for your input. It is a big help. Very nice video BTW on the ADV rider post.
Think I might extend the trip a few days based on your advice. Will definitely do the Cabot trail.

We already spend a lot of time in Maine so not so concerned about seeing sights there. As a matter of fact I'm already spending a couple of week this summer in that beautiful state.
Main focus for this trip is to see the sights across the border.

Once again. Thanks.

 

[Donk]

Take the high speed ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth. It will save you northern Maine and get you where you want to be. Go to Chester NS. I must have ate 10 meals there in 2 days the food was so good! Great seafood and pies.

Weather is funny. It can switch between 60 and foggy and 80 and sunny several times a day. I love the area. I think the reason it stays so nice is its not easy to get to.

 

[djm_ct]

Donk,
When you mentioned about taking the ferry I thought that was excellent advice. It made so much sense to cut off a days ride and get me to the final destination that much quicker. When I looked into it though I found that the Bar Harbor ferry stopped running several years ago. Bummer.

But wait!

Upon further investigation I found that just a few weeks ago they started a NEW ferry.. from Portland! So that one saves even more time. It's actually pretty cool. The trip from Portland, ME to Yarmouth, NS runs over night, like a mini cruise. So you leave Portland at 9 PM and arrive fresh as a daisy in Yarmouth at 8 AM the next morning. The return trip runs the opposite. You leave Yarmouth at 10 AM and arrive in Portland at 7 PM.

So anyway, I went ahead and booked it round trip, but with 5 days in between. Will save me 18 hours of riding and give me more time in the Maritimes. It's pretty expensive, but hey, it's now part of the adventure. You can book a stateroom if you want, or not. I booked one for the overnight trip to NS but not for the return trip. Why would I need a room for the day trip? The ship has multiple bars and restaurants, and even a casino.

Anyway, I appreciate you mentioning it. Otherwise I would not have done the digging and found out about this ship. If anyone is interested, the web site is novastarcruises.com.

Thanks again!

 

[Salty]

Now that you have established a date an entry /exit from Nova Scotia. I can help with routing and events which you may be interested in. Five days is still short but due able. An alternate route would be to motor to St. John N B. And take the ferry to Digby N S or reverse and travel one way by Yarmouth / Portland ferry. As I don't know when you will travel, keep in mind that the best maritime weather is August through to October , it can still rain but less frequent . PM me if you want further info .

Salty

 

[djm_ct]

Thanks Salty. PM sent.

 

[Donk]

Goes to show how long its been since I took the ferry!