“Must-Do’s” in Atlantic Canada, Province by Province
- Experience dramatic natural forces, from the world's highest tides at the Bay of Fundy — shared by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia — to the massive icebergs drifting down Iceberg Alley along the coast of Newfoundland & Labrador.
- Step back in time by exploring a 1,000-year-old Viking settlement, a preserved 18th-century town and a historic French fortress.
- Find adventure at every turn, whether you're rafting on a tidal bore in Nova Scotia, hiking along oceanside cliffs in Newfoundland & Labrador or kayaking through sea caves in New Brunswick.
- Enjoy world-famous seafood, explore the beloved home of Anne of Green Gables, and wander through charming seaside villages on Prince Edward Island.
The scenic eastern provinces of Atlantic Canada are big on adventure, big on history and big on marvels both natural and human made. Each of them — New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island — offers myriad opportunities for learning and discovery, but we ‘ve picked three places in each province that we think you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Adventures in New Brunswick
Bay of Fundy
The tides in the bay have the greatest range of anywhere in the world — up to 52 feet between high and low tide. Twice a day, the rising sea collides with streams from outflowing rivers to create a tidal bore, forming waves that can exceed 10 feet and a roar like an approaching train. You can have the unique experience of walking on the ocean floor at low tide and kayaking 40 above it — in the same place — at high tide. The bay is also an outstanding spot for whale watching in the summer. On land, Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark has a geologic history going back 1 billion years.
Campobello Island
Just a quarter mile off the upper tip of Maine, Campobello is home to the Roosevelt Cottage, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s beloved family retreat. Though the island is in New Brunswick, the Arts & Crafts-style cottage is part of a parkland managed jointly by the U.S. and Canada. With 34 rooms and magnificent gardens, it is hardly a “cottage” by most standards, but the interior is a faithful representation of vacation life for the Roosevelts circa 1920.
Kingsbrae Gardens
Often described as a “horticultural paradise,” Kingsbrae spans 27 acres in Saint Andrews with themed gardens featuring over 50,000 perennials, along with ponds, old-growth forests and remarkable outdoor sculptures.
Torngat Mountains National Park
Adventures in Newfoundland & Labrador
L’Anse aux Meadows
The Vikings beat Columbus to North America by about 500 years. Newfoundland & Labrador’s L’Anse aux Meadows, first excavated in the 1960s, represents their farthest known exploration. So far, archaeologists have unearthed nearly 1,000 Norse artifacts including the remains of eight buildings, which have been reconstructed on the site. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site can enjoy interpretive programs on Viking life, as well as stunning coastal views.
Iceberg Alley
Off the coast of Newfoundland & Labrador is one of the best areas is the world for viewing icebergs. Iceberg Alley, as it is popularly known, sees hundreds of the floating giants arrive each year after breaking off in the Arctic and along the west coast of Greenland. Some are truly enormous, and while their speed varies with weather conditions, they generally saunter by at about .4 miles an hour. Local artisans use the pure water from the glaciers for brewing beer and distilling spirits.
Cape Broyle
At Cape Broyle, kayaking is a richly rewarding experience. You can explore sea caves including the “Devil’s Nostrils,” glide past waterfalls, spy puffins and other marine life and enjoy the remarkably clear water along the rocky shore. It’s one of many places in the province that attract kayakers, and in fact, all the Atlantic provinces are popular among paddlers.
Old Town Lunenburg
Adventures in Nova Scotia
Shubenacadie River
Driven by the Bay of Fundy tides, the Shubenacadie River turns into a spectacular whitewater rafting site. Waves as high as twelve feet create a wild, exhilarating roller coaster ride. If you don’t mind getting very, very dirty, an added treat is mud-sliding on the slippery red clay banks of the river!
Lunenberg
Established in 1753, Old Town Lunenberg is North America’s best remaining example of a planned British colonial settlement. Many of the well-preserved wooden houses and public buildings at this UNESCO World Heritage Site date to the 18th century and feature unusual architectural features like five-sided dormers. In addition to being one of Canada’s most historic towns, seaside Lunenberg is unquestionably also one of the most scenic.
Fortress of Louisbourg
The British weren’t the only 18th-century presence in Nova Scotia. The French established a fortress at Louisbourg, which has been partly reconstructed and today stands as a National Historic Site. Operated as a living history museum, it features reenactors in period clothing and demonstrations of weaponry of the time, including muskets and cannons.
Prince Edward Island
Adventures on Prince Edward Island
Green Gables
Discover the charming home and grounds that inspired “Anne of Green Gables.” Now a National Historic Site, Green Gables Heritage Place lets fans relive iconic scenes while those not familiar with the story soak in the idyllic landscape that sparked Lucy Maud Montgomery’s imagination.
North Shore
Prince Edward Island rivals its Atlantic neighbors when it comes to spectacular coastline. Its northern coast features dramatic red sandstone cliffs, best seen at Prince Edward Island National Park, just 30 minutes from Charlottetown. With beaches and scenic trails, the park is the perfect day trip.
Taste of the Island
Practically anywhere you turn in Prince Edward Island, you’ll encounter some of the world’s best seafood. Lobster, oysters, clams, mussels and more make the island a foodie’s dream. One wonderful way to enjoy it is at a clambake just offshore on Lennox Island, where the Indigenous Mi’kmaq tribe bakes its traditional Bannock bread under the sand on a nearby beach, while clams cook above.
One Last Recommendation
We’d be remiss if we failed to mention something common to all the Atlantic provinces — a wealth of charming small towns well worth a visit. In addition to Lunenberg, some of our favorites include the island town of Twillingate in Newfoundland and Labrador, situated along Iceberg Alley; New Brunswick’s Saint Andrews, retaining much of its 18th-century layout and architecture; and Victoria-by-the-Sea on Prince Edward Island, a picturesque fishing village that also has a thriving community of artists and artisans.
Why not make Atlantic Canada the destination for your next great learning adventure? Road Scholar has a dozen ways to experience the big wonders of the eastern provinces!
