10 Day Canadian vacation

[mort1331]

We went on a whale watching tour out of Digby.
Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises

Digby also know for its scallops...yum
Speaking of yum both in PEI (home) and NS ,,,Cows ice cream, the best.

 

[tom1944]

Digby also know for its scallops...yum
Speaking of yum both in PEI (home) and NS ,,,Cows ice cream, the best.

I love scallops.

 

[40ariel]

Here are my favorites.

Saint Andrews New Brunswick. The Algonquin Resort, Minister's Island National Historic Site (The Vanhorne Estate), The Clamdigger Seafood Restaurant. Minister's Island is accessible at low tide by car, bicycle or by foot across the ocean floor on a gravel road.
Kings Landing, New Brunswick. Open-air museum on Saint John River, New Brunswick, 20 minutes West of Fredericton, close to Trans-Canada Highway 2. Try the homemade brown bread at the King's Head Inn restaurant.
Campbello Island, New Brunswick. Roosevelt Campobello International Park (two ferries are required from New Brunswick, or bridge from Maine). Although some planning is required to get here, it is well worth it and the International Park is free. The Prince Cafe has a porch overlooking the Passamaquoddy Bay.
Fort Beausejour, Aulac, New Brunswick. National Historic Site close to Trans-Canada Highway 2, has a picnic area. Stop here on the way to or from Nova Scotia.
Five Islands Provincial Park, Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. On the shores of the Bay of Funding with Hiking, beach, and mud flats.
Hydrostone Historic District, Halifax, Nova Scotia. From the ashes of the catastrophic Halifax Explosion rose the Hydrostone District, an example of the English style garden suburb. Don't miss Lucy's Hydrostone Cafe, formally Julien's Patisserie for coffee and pastries.
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
North Lake Provincial Park, North Lake, New Brunswick. A beautiful lake for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Headwaters to the St Croix.
McAdam Railway Station, McAdam New Brunswick. Heritage Railway Station, National Historic Site, Provincial Historic Site. Railway Pie Sundays. Guests are invited to enjoy a slice of famous Railway Pie while exploring the historic train station.

 

[musika]

Local to NS here. I think what provinces you hit strongly depend on your interests. Are you more into museums? Outdoor experiences? Cities?

We're small, but we're not *that* small. You could easily spend most of your 9 days just on driving (and I assume you're renting a car? You're gonna want a car.). For example, Halifax to Sydney is around 4.5 hours of driving with one quick stop. In the other direction, Halifax to Yarmouth is around 3-3.5 hours.

Unless there's something absolutely amazing in NB you are dying to see, I'd skip that province (Sorry New Brunswickers, you've got a rep and you know it lol). Anything you can experience with the Bay of Fundy on the NB side can also be easily experienced on the NS side.

Depending on your travel plans, I'd highly recommend stopping in to one of the villages in NS - Acadian village, Highland Village, Sherbrooke village. They have renactors in costume to tell you about the time period you're "visiting". Lots of fun! Other similar experiences can be found at the Halifax Citadel and Fortress of Louisbourg. If you do go to Louisbourg you can easily allot a whole day just to wandering around and catching some of the interpretation activities. Another shoutout to Glace Bay where you can visit an actual coal mine.

I think you would want to pick a direction then maximize your time in it - for example, either go west from Halifax and around the South Shore/Annapolis Valley (you could in theory hop over to NB from here on the ferry. It's not that cheap, and depends how badly you want to explore NB). OR go east to CB, explore either the Cabot trail area or Sydney/Louisbourg/Glace Bay (you don't really have time for both unless you want to just hit the highlights), then loop back and take the ferry to PEI. Spend 2-3 days on PEI then take the bridge back to Halifax. If you choose the south shore/NB option, you could reverse direction on getting to PEI - take the bridge over, and the ferry back. I do recommend the ferry - it's fun to get some ice cream on board!

Any questions just ask

 

[40ariel]

I just saw this on CBC with some amazing pictures of places to visit across Canada. If you scroll all the way down you can see a picture and a description of each location. https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/canada-travel-destinations-bucket-list

 

[redrosesix]

In 2026 we are skipping our WDW vacation and looking to take a Canadian trip instead. I figure 1 day to travel there and 1 back and 9 days in Canada. I am thinking our first trip will be to Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Can we visit all 3 over 9 days or is that too much travel?

If we can I would appreciate any recommendations of places to go and things to do

Thanks in advance

It can be done but you're going to be spending a lot of time in the car. If you're flying in to Halifax you can hit up the best that the province has if you actually skip the city of Halifax. I always tell people to at least get to Lunenburg and the Annapolis Valley but if you're interested in dinosaurs Parrsboro is a must do...accomodations in the city are quite expensive...I live in Halifax and I can't say there is anything special about them except for the Historic Inns, which are members of an association, like Waverly Inn which is all decked out with antiques. Accommodations outside the city are less expensive, and smaller, and usually include breakfast...and the branded hotels aren't necessarily better. then you'll be driving up to Pictou to get the ferry to PEI (try to book for a meal time so you won't just be crossing. It's a great break). PEI is tiny so even taking the scenic route you can get yourselves to Cavendish in just a few hours. If you're ok with not doing 4 star accommodations, I highly recommend renting a cottage on a beach and just relax a bit. Dig some clams or go to a ceiligh, and take your pick of lobster suppers.

then coming back the same way you drive up to Cape Breton...if you skip the Cabot Trail (which I wouldn't) you can get to the ferry to Newfoundland in less than a day. You can stop in at Rita's Tea House if you take this route. If you do the Cabot Trail give yourselves at least an extra day with a stay overnight somewhere along it. it's beautiful but it can be tiring for the driver, especially with the brake checks every now and then.

Honestly, it's easier to make Newfoundland and Labrador its own trip. So many people skip Labrador but if you have the time to take your time you'll see a part of the country unlike any other. There are many festivals on the east coast, like Celtic Colours in Cape Breton. I hope you have a great trip...best if you just explore and take your time along the way. You will get some beautiful photographs and have lots of good pies.

 

[redrosesix]

Local to NS here. I think what provinces you hit strongly depend on your interests. Are you more into museums? Outdoor experiences? Cities?

We're small, but we're not *that* small. You could easily spend most of your 9 days just on driving (and I assume you're renting a car? You're gonna want a car.). For example, Halifax to Sydney is around 4.5 hours of driving with one quick stop. In the other direction, Halifax to Yarmouth is around 3-3.5 hours.

Unless there's something absolutely amazing in NB you are dying to see, I'd skip that province (Sorry New Brunswickers, you've got a rep and you know it lol). Anything you can experience with the Bay of Fundy on the NB side can also be easily experienced on the NS side.

Depending on your travel plans, I'd highly recommend stopping in to one of the villages in NS - Acadian village, Highland Village, Sherbrooke village. They have renactors in costume to tell you about the time period you're "visiting". Lots of fun! Other similar experiences can be found at the Halifax Citadel and Fortress of Louisbourg. If you do go to Louisbourg you can easily allot a whole day just to wandering around and catching some of the interpretation activities. Another shoutout to Glace Bay where you can visit an actual coal mine.

I think you would want to pick a direction then maximize your time in it - for example, either go west from Halifax and around the South Shore/Annapolis Valley (you could in theory hop over to NB from here on the ferry. It's not that cheap, and depends how badly you want to explore NB). OR go east to CB, explore either the Cabot trail area or Sydney/Louisbourg/Glace Bay (you don't really have time for both unless you want to just hit the highlights), then loop back and take the ferry to PEI. Spend 2-3 days on PEI then take the bridge back to Halifax. If you choose the south shore/NB option, you could reverse direction on getting to PEI - take the bridge over, and the ferry back. I do recommend the ferry - it's fun to get some ice cream on board!

Any questions just ask

good advice. We take the ferry both ways...but it depends on which area of PEI you want to see. We love the College of Piping in Summerside but that's only half an hour from where we stay on the south shore of PEI, but so is Cavendish, and so is Charlottetown.

Also the ferry has live music in the summer...and the driver gets a break.