CA DISErs advice needed!

[DisneyPups]

Hi northern neighbors: I posted to the DCL forum and somebody recommended heading here: OG post follows:
So we booked the 7-nt Oct 21 Canada cruise. I'm starting to have second thoughts as the excursions roll out. I think I made a mistake not booking the 5nt Bar Harbor, St. John cruise, and it's too expensive now to switch (we booked opening day).
So my question for the Canada DISers is this... we are traveling for my husband's 40th bday with 2 DDs, age 5 and 2. What activities can we do in the ports of call... Sydney (NS), Halifax (NS) and Charlottetown (PEI)? Any suggestions, places you've been, etc. I love water, lighthouses, coasts/cliffs... get a little sea sick on smaller vessels, probably could do easy hikes w/DDs, I'm open to any and all suggestions. My hubs loves craft beers, but the alcohol tour excursions are 21+. I hate this feeling of second thoughts and I want it to go away. Ha.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scar1199]

If the weather cooperates you'll be hitting the area at just the right time for the fall colours to really be in full swing. I lived in Halifax for 8 years and my folks live there now. That will definitely be the biggest city of all the stops. The waterfront in Halifax is great, lots of local pubs you can stop into, go find the Lower Deck, great spot. The new Discovery Center just opened down on the waterfront as well, your kids would enjoy that. I'm sure there's a trip to Peggys Cove, if you like lighthouses and the sea coast, that's a great trip to sign up for. Sydney probably offers up sight seeing along the Cabot Trail, and if the leaves are at their peak, that would be worth checking out. In Charlottetown its a smaller waterfront but still has many shops and pubs. If they offer a viewing of Anne of Green Gables at the Confederation Centre go check it out, your kids would enjoy that as well. Fall is my favourite time of the year in this area so I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Scar1199]

One more thing, go find King of Donair and order a donair. Other places in Canada have donairs but they're just not the same as in Halifax. I live 4 hours away and can't find a good one around here.

 

[DisneyPups]

If the weather cooperates you'll be hitting the area at just the right time for the fall colours to really be in full swing. I lived in Halifax for 8 years and my folks live there now. That will definitely be the biggest city of all the stops. The waterfront in Halifax is great, lots of local pubs you can stop into, go find the Lower Deck, great spot. The new Discovery Center just opened down on the waterfront as well, your kids would enjoy that. I'm sure there's a trip to Peggys Cove, if you like lighthouses and the sea coast, that's a great trip to sign up for. Sydney probably offers up sight seeing along the Cabot Trail, and if the leaves are at their peak, that would be worth checking out. In Charlottetown its a smaller waterfront but still has many shops and pubs. If they offer a viewing of Anne of Green Gables at the Confederation Centre go check it out, your kids would enjoy that as well. Fall is my favourite time of the year in this area so I hope you enjoy your trip.

Thanks Scar. This is just the kind of advice I'm looking for. I'm hoping for exactly what you described re:fall colors. I was worried that it could be hit or miss depending on the fall weather if that late in October meant it would be TOO late for the fall foliage. Fingers crossed! Are the pubs family-friendly? Since hubs would love sampling local brew, he'd love it, but if bringing two youngsters is a no-no, I wouldn't want to invite stares.

 

[DisneyPups]

Anyone know anything about the Hop on Hop off Pink Buses? I live just outside of Washington DC, so I have an aversion to the silly bus tours... but if anyone knows about it, would that be something worth doing to explore a little more but have flexibility?

 

[Scar1199]

Anyone know anything about the Hop on Hop off Pink Buses? I live just outside of Washington DC, so I have an aversion to the silly bus tours... but if anyone knows about it, would that be something worth doing to explore a little more but have flexibility?

Not sure about the pink bus service, I've seen them around the city but never looked into it. Another thing I thought of is to do a Harbour Hopper tour, they're these amphibious vehicles that will do a tour through the streets of Halifax and then to end it off they go into the harbour so you get a different view of the city. Same idea as the duck boats out of Boston.

 

[Micharlotte]

Definitely go to Gahan House in Charlottetown. It's a great restaurant that has its own brewery! And don't miss out on Cows Ice Cream there either! PEI is one of my favourite places, you'll love it!

 

[DisneyPups]

Definitely go to Gahan House in Charlottetown. It's a great restaurant that has its own brewery!

Ooh, I just looked it up. That is right up my husband's alley... heck, I may even try some blueberry beer! Thanks!