(BPT) – Love traveling, but find your best adventures somewhere between big cities and crowded attractions? If your favorite travel memories involve exploring hidden gems on roads less traveled, you’re following the current travel trend — “detour destinations” — which seek amazing experiences beyond the usual tourist spots.
For one-of-a-kind and unforgettable travel, your next trip should include amazing small towns and coastal communities in Atlantic Canada — the four eastern provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Ready to go exploring? Here are must-see places that are off the beaten path — and well worth the visit.
New Brunswick: Whales and lobsters and deer, oh my!
While your New Brunswick itinerary might include the capital city of Fredericton, or the stunning rock formations of Hopewell Rocks, you don’t want to miss two coastal towns offering one-of-a-kind experiences.
Saint Andrews: An hour from Saint John, this town on the Bay of Fundy was named the best place to visit in Canada by USA Today. Saint Andrews offers rich historical atmosphere, along with a variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes.
Love outdoor adventures? Join a whale-watching excursion to spot species like humpback, minke and finback whales. You could embark on a sport fishing adventure with Island Quest Marine — or join a shark tagging excursion, where sharks are caught, tagged with a microchip, then released and tracked for scientific research.
Get up close to Bay of Fundy marine life at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, or immerse yourself in 27 acres of gorgeous plants, birds and animals at the multi award-winning horticultural masterpiece Kingsbrae Garden.
While you’re relaxing and enjoying the stunning views of the Bay of Fundy, you may just see a deer crossing the street.
Shediac: Known as the “The Lobster Capital of the World,” this town along New Brunswick’s Acadian Coast celebrates its heritage with a 90-ton lobster sculpture and hosts a major lobster festival each July featuring music, dancing and an outdoor lobster feast at a 600-guest table. Shediac Bay Cruises also offers 2.5-hour Lobster Tales Cruises, filled with humor, French Acadian music and the secrets of catching, cooking and eating lobster.
This seaside community 20 minutes from Moncton is steeped in French Acadian culture, offering unique restaurants, pubs and coffee shops to enjoy on the Pointe-du-Chene Wharf. You can also relax on pristine beaches like Parlee Beach, boasting the warmest saltwater north of Virginia.
Newfoundland and Labrador: What do icebergs and root cellars have in common?
Special places in Newfoundland and Labrador showcase the passage of time, delve into the past — and create memories to last a lifetime.
Twillingate, the “Iceberg Capital of the World,” embodies everything that Newfoundland and Labrador towns are famous for: stunning rugged coastlines, historical picturesque streets and lush country roads. You may see whales, dolphins, seabirds and, in the right season, icebergs.
An 85-minute drive from Gander, Twillingate is a stop along Iceberg Alley, a corridor of ocean that witnesses the slow-motion migration of these frozen leviathans. Enjoy the sights from locales like Long Point Lighthouse, looking out over Notre Dame Bay, or take a boat expedition and witness whales breaching and playing just yards away.
Known as the “Root Cellar Capital of the World,” Elliston is one of over a dozen geosites in the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark. Perched at the tip of Bonavista Peninsula, the area is dotted with the tiny doors of root cellars from the 18th-19th centuries, when settlers needed to store potatoes and other root vegetables to endure the harsh winters. Every third weekend of September, Elliston becomes the backdrop to Roots, Rants and Roars, a culinary festival celebrating the natural gifts of Newfoundland and Labrador’s food, culture, land and sea.
You’ll also find a beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered cove on a coastline that’s home to hundreds of colorful puffins — the official bird of Newfoundland.
Nova Scotia: Quirky coastal communities
Nova Scotia is “Canada’s Ocean Playground,” and you can make the most of it by visiting these incredible coastal communities.
Mahone Bay: Named one of Canada’s top 10 most beautiful towns, Mahone Bay is an hour’s drive from the capital city of Halifax, offering water views, colorful artisan shops and culinary experiences to savor. Beauty abounds in the work of artisans such as Amos Pewter, where you can finish and personalize your own keepsake, or the Indigenous Glass Art Cultural Experience, where you can choose a pattern to create a glass mosaic while hearing stories of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew and Mi’kmaw cultures of your First Nation hosts. Or discover Canada’s first art maze — close to a mile of paths at BernArt Maze featuring sculptures, mosaics and murals by local artists and others from around the world.
Nearby Oak Island has resounded with tales of hidden pirate bounty for over 250 years, intriguing historians and treasure hunters alike, including the makers of the History Channel’s TV series “The Curse of Oak Island.” Hop aboard a tritoon with your knowledgeable skipper at Salty Dog Sea Tours to uncover its mysteries from the sea.
Tatamagouche is a charming seaside village 95 miles from Halifax, with a bustling Main Street where you can enjoy craft beer, handmade chocolates, baked goods, and so much more. After visiting the weekend farmers’ market, stop at Jost Vineyards or Vista Bella Farm for wine and cider tastings. The village is close to three provincial parks with sandy, warm water beaches, and the Wentworth Valley, which offers both downhill skiing and mountain biking (depending on the season).
Railroad aficionados will love the Train Station Inn: vintage Canadian-built cabooses and boxcars that are authentic on the outside, deluxe suites inside. Onsite, you will also find an eclectic gift shop and a locally roasted coffee bar and café, both housed in the former train station that was built around 1887. For a heartier meal, savor local seafood in the restored 1928 Railway Dining Car.
Prince Edward Island: From artisans and seafood to ultimate R&R
While PEI offers the bustling capital of Charlottetown and opportunities to revisit the story of “Anne of Green Gables,” two lesser-known towns should top your list.
Victoria by the Sea is an historic fishing village 30 minutes from Charlottetown that’s been revitalized by the many artists and creative people who live there. Enjoy restaurants showcasing local seafood like The Lobster Bar Pub & Eatery, Casa Mia by the Sea, The Landmark Oyster House and Richard’s Fresh Seafood, followed by award-winning treats at Island Chocolates. Then visit artisan shops like Michael Stanley Pottery or enjoy a kayaking experience to make this village your favorite PEI stop. You’ll find charming accommodations at OH Victoria Hotel or Victoria Cottages. Before saying goodbye, take advantage of a photo op at the picturesque Victoria Range Light & Seaport Museum.
You’ll experience the charm of a hidden gem on PEI’s Points East Coastal Drive in St. Peter’s Bay, with stunning coastal views, pristine beaches and warm hospitality — perfect for adventure or relaxation. About an hour’s drive from Charlottetown, St. Peter’s Bay offers artisan shops at St. Peter’s Landing, and several spots for seafood lovers, like Rick’s Fish & Chips restaurant. Julio’s Oyster Express, offering a small oyster bar with fresh oysters from across the Island and The Golden Dory, a food truck-style shack serves casual bites and classic Island flavors.
Love the outdoors? Walk or bike part of the Confederation Trail, which runs 273 kilometers from one tip of the Island to the other, or visit nearby Greenwich, PEI National Park. If your goal is rest and relaxation, unwind at Mysa Nordic Spa, PEI’s first and only Nordic spa, or enjoy glamping in a yurt along with yoga and other wellness experiences at Nature Space Resort.
Learn more about the four provinces of Atlantic Canada at VisitAtlanticCanadaNow.com.
