So my wife and I have decided that we will be going to the East Coast this year as I really enjoyed it and she's never been.
we were thinking late May (ending trip around May 24 weekend so we get an extra day.
We're thinking about 10 days total Friday to the Monday
Thanks!
the 10 days limits you .. 2 days down, 2 days back,, the stop in QC adds another day , possibly..
and ,, MAY .. well,, don't go to PEI till they open the island,, or you will be dissappointed in the winter debris look .. and not the beautiful "nature" of the island that starts about Mid to late June
Southern Ontario can and ,probably this year, will be cold at may 2-4 ,, The Maritimes will probably have snow till June! lol
Ok,, don't let that stop you !
here is a womens perspective that may really help you out,, <wink>
Fredericton- the Saturday Farmers market is an experience not to be missed! Its less of a market and more of a feeding experience - go hungry and eat adventurously. NB is sarcastically known (by locals) as the Drive by Province - as you can cut through the province and see nothing but trees and highway - if you are interested in the more scenic route take the old way (following the Saint John River) from Fredericton to Saint John passing through the village of Gagetown, a small artist community with artists shops, galleries and cafe's on the water. In Saint John, skip the disappointing Reversing Falls which sounds way more interesting than it is - If you are not there in the 1/2 hour window, you will missing the slight reversing taking place. Its also the site of a large pulp and paper mill which overshadows the Falls. Same goes for Magnetic Hill which always baffled me as a child - I could see no magnetic pull happening - its quite gimicky and touristy now with eateries, petting zoo and waterpark (although my sister and family think the water park is awesome (never been)).
Hopewell Rocks (known as the flower pots) is kind of on your way from SJ to PEI. You have to see it at low tide (and at the beginning of low tide- so you have time, timing is critical) in order to explore the caves. Check tide charts at any tourist info site, local papers or the Rocks website.
Dito for beach combing and tide pool exploration at Fundy National Park - you want to be there at low tide to find some interesting creatures! Potentially out of your way - might be on your way home - but Grand Manan Island is a little known Maritime treasure - its a ferry ride away, but has an awesome campground - Hole in the Wall and the best whale watching in all the maritimes (late July - September). Excellent, fresh caught seafood at the docks. St Andrews is on your way to the NB/Maine border and is also another quaint seaside community.
PEI
there is no shortage of the Anne experiences. Cavendish tends to be very touristy - wax museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, trinkit shops etc,. Downtown Charlottetown is a great walking/wandering spot. There are some great walking tours of the historic sites relating to Confederation and a really great interactive experience (Founder's Hall). The Anne musical at the Confederation Centre is always fantastic. A lobster supper on the Island is a must - best if its in a church hall.
Consider taking the Ferry from Wood Islands PEI to Pictou (Caribou), NS. It might save you time (depending where your next destination is) and is a great experience - they often have on board, local entertainment in the summers. On a nice sailing day you can sit out in a sunny spot and watch the ocean go by!
NS
Halifax is a great city - loads of good eating, the waterfront is fun to stroll day or night. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is Great, Citadel Hill, Saturday Farmers market a must if you are there on the weekend. skip Peggy's cove -<unless you like dark memories> yes especially on a blustery day. Mahone Bay and Lunenberg are definitely worth spending time in if you can. Mahone Bay is a picturesque Artist community with lots of great shops to poke in and out of, the to die for LeHave Bakery and a fabulous beach (provincial park?) called Rissers Beach. Its really beautiful there. Lunenberg is a UNESCO Heritage site. Shipbuilders museum is great. Apparently they have a fun Pirate festival (never been). You can cut through the province to head back to NB and pass by Keji....National Park en route if you need to camp. Joggins is worth a visit depending if you have kids - its also a UNESCO site for fossils which are plentiful on the beaches. Local provincial park for camping is Five Islands. Nearby you can raft the tides at Shubenacadie river which is an exhilarating experience - done it a few time- loved it always!
Maine/NH/VT/NY
We typically travel to and from NB through Maine and Vermont. We find the drive much more scenic and have favorite campgrounds along the way. Here is a typical route home for us...Acadia National Park in Bar Harbour is beautiful and a favorite. If you go, hike to Jordon Pond for popovers at the lodge, swim at Sand Beach and climb the Beehive if you dare! Freeport ME. is a shoppers mecca. Outlets as far as the eye can see! A great campground - Winslow Park with live music at supper. Saco River campground in North Conway NH is a good stopping spot if you did not get your fill of shopping/outlets in Freeport (its less expensive to shop here and no tax in NH!) Tubing down the crystal clear, mountain fed, Saco River right from the campground.. Little River State Park in VT (Middlebury Vermont) just outside of Stowe Ski Resort (Village of Stowe is great for unique one of a kind shops), home of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Its also not far from Burlington (state capital) another great farmers market and a fabulous spot to roam about. Grand Isle state park, Wellesley Island state park and then we cross into Canada at the 1000 Island Border - its typically less busy than Niagara Falls and/or Cornwall.
Delicacies? Lobster dinners (church or community centres are best), church suppers advertised at the side of the road, sticky buns in Alma, NB (just outside of Fundy National Park), Digby scallops, blueberry ice cream, dulse (for the adventurous), samosas at the Fredericton market, everything at the Halifax market, anything at the LaHave bakery. Lobster rolls (home made only!)
hope that helps
