Eastern Canada

Hi Warren,

You can get from Quebec City to Moncton or Halifax, but only on Sunday, Wednesday or Fridays.

Moncton is most central if visiting all three provinces, but not a very interesting place, in my opinion. There is a lot more to see and do in Halifax.

As for time of year, summer of fall are fine. Storms can happen anytime of the year. August to November is hurricane season.

Rental car will be essential.

How much time do you have to explore the maritimes? I live here, so know the area.

If you happen to have Kindle Unlimited, there are several free travel guides for this region. Also, check out ebooks at your public library. I've found some good guides for my trip next week.

Retired, so number of days is flexible.

Halifax can't be used as a base, it's way too far from the other places you mentioned. You have to keep moving.

Halifax is the furthest east I've been (last year for a weekend). It's a terrific little place with a nice waterfront and plenty of good pubs.

My daughter says it's very pretty around Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. And Cape Breton.

Old Quebec is fabulous.

Gundersen is correct, having a base for the entire time won’t work as you will spend too much time driving back and forth. Your best best is to pick a route and avoid backtracking as much as possible.

You could start in Halifax and spend a few days, do a day trip to Lunenberg/Mahone Bay, another day trip to the Annapolis Valley. You could then travel to Cape Breton and do the Cabot trail (this is really nice in the fall with the colours and when the Celtic Colurs Music Festival is on). You would want a few days here. Then you could drive to Pictor, take the ferry to PEI and spend some time there. Then take the bridge to New Brunswick and travel around there. Do go to Hopewell Rocks and then you could fly to St Johns and finish.

If you have know time limit, you can spend a good amount of time exploring all the Maritime provinces have to offer.

There is a lot to see in the Maritimes. Over the last few years we have made a trip to New Brunswick and the Gaspé peninsula and another trip to Nova Scotia. This summer we will do a little more of New Brunswick to PEI. Newfoundland is high on my list but will be a separate trip. Our trips tons to be 2-3 weeks. There is a lot to see!

I know you said Maritimes, but think about going down the St Lawrence to Tadoussac for whale watching and the beautiful fjord! Cross the St Lawrence and do the Gaspé peninsula. We stayed in Percé. Beautiful, remote and great food! You need a car!

For Nova Scotia, we stayed in Antigonish (2 nights), Baddeck (2 nights), ingonish (3 nights), Mabou (1 night), Annapolis Royal (3 nights), Halifax (2 nights) and Advocate Harbour (1 night). We really enjoyed driving around and seeing small fishing villages. We were there in mid-June and the tourist season was just opening up. It was a lovely time to be there.

We were also in New Brunswick in mid-June. We stayed in St Andrews (2 nights), St John (1 night), Alma (3 nights), Caraquet (2 nights). We drove through St Martin which would be another nice place to stay.

Good luck planning your trip!

I've only been to Halifax and the south shore down to Liverpool about 20 years ago. Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove and Mahone Bay are lovely towns. You could probably cover these places in a day trip or two.
When I was there it was a cycling trip Halifax to Liverpool. The road winds along the shore or close to it and it was hiilier than expected but mind you I was cycling. The bus from Liverpool to Halifax was about 2 hours.

Quebec City is wonderful and deserves several days to explore- lots of history and musuems. Go to Montmorency Falls - it's not far outside of the city, about 13 km- you can take one of the city buses (Green MetroBus 800, stop 2562 - Gare Palais, every 10 minutes) to Montmorency Falls to the end of the route or there are coach bus tours to there if you want a cushier seat. There is admission to the park. I'm sure it would be even more beautiful in late summer/fall when the leaves are turning. I was in QC in late April 2024.

Montreal also deserves several days- Old Montreal, Mount Royal Park, Montreal bagels, smoked meat sandwiches ...

Welcome! Maritimer here (Moncton NB).

Via goes all the way from Montreal (or Quebec) to Halifax (but not to Fredericton - you got some bad info there). Its notoriously expensive, slow and unreliable, but if you are not on a timetable, its a fantastic way to see the country.

Distances are very long. Driving Montreal-Halifax is a terrible slog; I wouldn't do it. If train proves impractical, fly to Halifax or Moncton.

As noted, Halifax is not a great "base" as it is the end of the line. Its a great destination, and a great local base for seeing parts of Nova Scotia, so I would definitely go; you'll just have to plan to have a few more bases. The only true "base" in the Maritimes is my home town of Moncton (its called the Hub City - 2 hours or less to Saint John, Fredericton, PEI, Halifax). Once you select a "base", then yeah, renting a car makes perfect sense.

St. John's is far. I mean FAR. Personally, unless Newfoundland is the focus of your trip, I wouldn't do it. PEI and Cape Breton will get you as much Atlantic charm or more, and much closer.

Fall is the best time of year. Usually great weather and that is when you will see the leaves turn. Yes it is also hurricane season, but that only happens every couple of years and then only for a day or two. It shouldn't wreck your vacation.

Enjoy your trip!

My wife and I started in Halifax and used it as a base to see Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove then off to the Cabot Trail, PEI, Wolfsburg and Hopewell Cape. All worth the time!

We were there in September 2023 - the only thing I would add was there wasn't a lot open on the Cabot Trail as the "tourist season" was closing down. There may be other areas where the same occurs, so that might affect the timing of your visit.

This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Please keep the suggestions coming - it's helping bigtime.

Warren

We really enjoyed Halifax. One of our best adventures palces.so far in Canada. Be sure to read about it the history is truly fascinating wth their ties to the Titanic and also to.Boston. we did take a bus trip to Peggys Cove and scenery was beautiful. Be sure to go. to the museum to see Maud Lewis house reconstructed inside and read up on her life. Enjoyed the river tour on the pontoon boat as it was so informative about the history. Wonderful city.