Boston-NS-PEI (9 nights)
Jun 21st, 2015, 05:56 PM
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Boston-NS-PEI (9 nights)
I've been scouring this forum for advise you've given and would like feedback on our itinerary, please. We have a total of 9 nights to do a Boston - Nova Scotia roundtrip. We are two adults & a 12 yo boy. We especially love being by the water. We have friends in Corea, Maine to see our 1st night (about 300 miles from home).
2nd night: Corea, Maine to Moncton or Alma - the goal is to see tides in Bay of Fundy
3rd night: drive to Charlottetown, PEI for an overnight - explore PEI
4th, 5th, 6th & 7th night: stay in Halifax - day trips to Wolfsboro, Truro, Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay & Lunenburg
8th night: overnight in St John - maybe stop in Parrsboro, if possible
9th night: overnight in Belfast, Maine (where we love)
10th day: drive home to Boston
Originally, I hoped to go to Cape Breton but think it's just too too much driving. I had planned to stay in different places rather than day trips from Halifax but my spouse wants more of a home base.
I'd appreciate any thoughts. Any particular accommodation recommendations for Moncton or Alma? For St John? Looking at the Harbour House in Charlottetown. We'll stay by the harbor in Halifax.
Thank you!
2nd night: Corea, Maine to Moncton or Alma - the goal is to see tides in Bay of Fundy
3rd night: drive to Charlottetown, PEI for an overnight - explore PEI
4th, 5th, 6th & 7th night: stay in Halifax - day trips to Wolfsboro, Truro, Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay & Lunenburg
8th night: overnight in St John - maybe stop in Parrsboro, if possible
9th night: overnight in Belfast, Maine (where we love)
10th day: drive home to Boston
Originally, I hoped to go to Cape Breton but think it's just too too much driving. I had planned to stay in different places rather than day trips from Halifax but my spouse wants more of a home base.
I'd appreciate any thoughts. Any particular accommodation recommendations for Moncton or Alma? For St John? Looking at the Harbour House in Charlottetown. We'll stay by the harbor in Halifax.
Thank you!
Jun 21st, 2015, 10:23 PM
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I hope there is a good reason for the <I>day trip to Truro</i>...
Everybody goes <b>through</b> Truro, but I've seldom been enticed enough to spend much time there. River rafting, tidal bores, and other potential reasons to spend time in the area do exist, but I still don't know that one need make a "day trip" to Truro from Halifax.
And do you mean <b>Wolfville</b>? (I <i>would</i> go there)
One thing I think you should do, is <b>at least <u>compare</u></b> the look of a 4-night (home base) stay on Cape Breton (I vote Baddeck, for this consideration) while targeting the Cabot Trail, Louisbourg, and Sydney <b>instead of</b> the Halifax base and points south.
If you see just one thing in Nova Scotia... (lol - well, for me it's the Fundy Tides, but I'm <I>that way</i>... and you can do <b>that</b> from New Brunswick, so, I mean, <b>after that</b
... it's <b>The Cabot Trail</b>.
And a problem-with/bonus-to Nova Scotia, is that <b>it isn't on the way to anywhere</b> (unless you're a Newfie)... <b>SO</b> there is good common sense behind checking-off the very best (considering you may not get back anytime soon).
Now, perhaps ideally, you could allocate 2 nights to Baddeck, and 2 more to Halifax, but I understand that your spouse doesn't want to split it up.
As always, upon confirming the window of your trip, <b>print out the tide table for 2 or 3 spots in the Bay of Fundy <U>for the entire window of your trip</u></b>.
http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times/
I endorse taking the path from Truro to Parrsboro and then up toward Sackville, etc
(I was just thinking about a cute <I>country store</I> I stopped into, along that road, and how peaceful and <I>far-away</i> I felt while there for a short time)
Generally, though, you have covered most of the bases, and are clearly up-to-speed on the hot spots.
Everybody goes <b>through</b> Truro, but I've seldom been enticed enough to spend much time there. River rafting, tidal bores, and other potential reasons to spend time in the area do exist, but I still don't know that one need make a "day trip" to Truro from Halifax.
And do you mean <b>Wolfville</b>? (I <i>would</i> go there)
One thing I think you should do, is <b>at least <u>compare</u></b> the look of a 4-night (home base) stay on Cape Breton (I vote Baddeck, for this consideration) while targeting the Cabot Trail, Louisbourg, and Sydney <b>instead of</b> the Halifax base and points south.
If you see just one thing in Nova Scotia... (lol - well, for me it's the Fundy Tides, but I'm <I>that way</i>... and you can do <b>that</b> from New Brunswick, so, I mean, <b>after that</b
... it's <b>The Cabot Trail</b>.And a problem-with/bonus-to Nova Scotia, is that <b>it isn't on the way to anywhere</b> (unless you're a Newfie)... <b>SO</b> there is good common sense behind checking-off the very best (considering you may not get back anytime soon).
Now, perhaps ideally, you could allocate 2 nights to Baddeck, and 2 more to Halifax, but I understand that your spouse doesn't want to split it up.
As always, upon confirming the window of your trip, <b>print out the tide table for 2 or 3 spots in the Bay of Fundy <U>for the entire window of your trip</u></b>.
http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times/
I endorse taking the path from Truro to Parrsboro and then up toward Sackville, etc
(I was just thinking about a cute <I>country store</I> I stopped into, along that road, and how peaceful and <I>far-away</i> I felt while there for a short time)
Generally, though, you have covered most of the bases, and are clearly up-to-speed on the hot spots.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 08:38 AM
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I agree with NorthwestMale regarding Truro. I like the South Shore - some of which, as you've noted, can be explored as day-trips from Halifax (Lunenburg etc). But I also like getting a little farther down the south-shore (Lighthouse Route) to the less visited but quaint little villages and quiet but beautiful (albeit cold) beaches. However that would take an extra day or 2.
For Fundy Tides - an option to staying in Saint John might be to try to stay in the small village of Alma where the tides are dramatically displayed against the backdrop of the Town Pier and adjacent picturesque Fundy National Park (especially if you're there long enough to view both high and low tides - if you can't, time it for low if possible). On the way you might stop at Hopewell Rocks, another famous spot to view the tides (again, try for low tide if you can't visit twice). I like Parrsboro area (in fact visiting there this summer), but I think Hopewell and Alma might be more dramatic for a short visit.
What activities do you like (e.g. nature trails/hiking, or more scenery watching from the car?).
Cape Breton is spectacular as also noted by NorthwestMale(especially the famous Cabot Trail scenic route through Cape Breton Highlands National Park), but of course your time limits only allow for so much....
Now, I have a question for you. You mentioned Belfast Maine where we overnighted many years ago, but spent little time and remember very little. As mentioned, we're off to Atlantic Canada ourselves late summer/early fall and I'm considering somewhere new on route (from the Toronto area) to spend a few nights. Bar Harbour/Acadia are much too crowded for my tastes (we visited there once too) so I've been looking for options. Could you tell me more about Belfast, or other possibilities along that general route. Thank you!
For Fundy Tides - an option to staying in Saint John might be to try to stay in the small village of Alma where the tides are dramatically displayed against the backdrop of the Town Pier and adjacent picturesque Fundy National Park (especially if you're there long enough to view both high and low tides - if you can't, time it for low if possible). On the way you might stop at Hopewell Rocks, another famous spot to view the tides (again, try for low tide if you can't visit twice). I like Parrsboro area (in fact visiting there this summer), but I think Hopewell and Alma might be more dramatic for a short visit.
What activities do you like (e.g. nature trails/hiking, or more scenery watching from the car?).
Cape Breton is spectacular as also noted by NorthwestMale(especially the famous Cabot Trail scenic route through Cape Breton Highlands National Park), but of course your time limits only allow for so much....
Now, I have a question for you. You mentioned Belfast Maine where we overnighted many years ago, but spent little time and remember very little. As mentioned, we're off to Atlantic Canada ourselves late summer/early fall and I'm considering somewhere new on route (from the Toronto area) to spend a few nights. Bar Harbour/Acadia are much too crowded for my tastes (we visited there once too) so I've been looking for options. Could you tell me more about Belfast, or other possibilities along that general route. Thank you!
Jun 22nd, 2015, 10:01 AM
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I was reading the post as if <I>Hopewell Cape</i> were a given, and that's why I didn't mention it.
Mat54 has the right advice re: Alma (high and low is ideal, but the small-ish area begs the question <b>What does one DO for <I>six hours</i> in between??</b
And, yeah, <I>Saint John</i>... I love its size and location, yet I too was enticed to <I>keep going</i> after stopping there for lunch and a look around.
The <I>reversing water falls</i> thing was a bit of a yawner, (*and I am somebody who is intrigued by the tidal bores)
I was excited to see my first <I>Nova Scotia</i> license plate in a parking lot there, and really excited upon later going through Fundy National Park to get down to the shore of the bay near Alma.
Mat54 has the right advice re: Alma (high and low is ideal, but the small-ish area begs the question <b>What does one DO for <I>six hours</i> in between??</b
And, yeah, <I>Saint John</i>... I love its size and location, yet I too was enticed to <I>keep going</i> after stopping there for lunch and a look around.
The <I>reversing water falls</i> thing was a bit of a yawner, (*and I am somebody who is intrigued by the tidal bores)
I was excited to see my first <I>Nova Scotia</i> license plate in a parking lot there, and really excited upon later going through Fundy National Park to get down to the shore of the bay near Alma.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 07:16 PM
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mat54 - I'm not familiar with your route so check if these places will work.
About an hour past Acadia (Bar Harbor) is Schoodic Peninsula. We've been vacationing there, in the small village of Corea, for 16+ years. Corea is an active lobstering town. There's a small art gallery in town. One year, someone's adult child opened a lobster shack on the harbor. We had to drive up & out of town to get wifi. Love it there!
Schoodic is very isolated, compared to Acadia. It is, in fact, part of Acadia. We are charmed by it. There are hiking trails, biking a few galleries. Very few restaurants but enough to get by. For example, The Kitchen Garden is a fantastic limited menu restaurant run in the owner's house - they grow most everything there and catch their own fish, etc. That's in Goldsboro, if I remember correctly. We've been going so long we have 'friends' along the way - the Breedens of Springwoods Gallery in Sullivan, the smoked fishery in Sullivan, various glass makers and potters.
There is a short (compared to Cape Breton!) drive around Schoodic that is like a mini Acadia trip - rocky shore, crashing waves, still water - as you drive or bike through, the topography changes. It's truly lovely. And SO much less crowded than Acadia. You can stay in B&B's or rent. There are a lot of vacation homes there.
Have you visited Lubec or Eastport? We've visited there but haven't stayed. We take all sorts of day trips from Corea. I check the tides and do a lot of beach walking, searching for sea glass.
Belfast is about an hour south of Schoodic. We love it there, too. It's a charming town, right on the water, very walkable, interesting homes. Nice small shops, lots of galleries, bookstores, ice cream & candy stores and lots of good fresh food (try to eat at Chase's Daily). See if there are any events when you might be going through. We've been to some great art/craft shows.
We also have enjoyed Deer Isle (lots of small villages) which is scenic, full of interesting shops but crowded & Rockport.
About an hour past Acadia (Bar Harbor) is Schoodic Peninsula. We've been vacationing there, in the small village of Corea, for 16+ years. Corea is an active lobstering town. There's a small art gallery in town. One year, someone's adult child opened a lobster shack on the harbor. We had to drive up & out of town to get wifi. Love it there!
Schoodic is very isolated, compared to Acadia. It is, in fact, part of Acadia. We are charmed by it. There are hiking trails, biking a few galleries. Very few restaurants but enough to get by. For example, The Kitchen Garden is a fantastic limited menu restaurant run in the owner's house - they grow most everything there and catch their own fish, etc. That's in Goldsboro, if I remember correctly. We've been going so long we have 'friends' along the way - the Breedens of Springwoods Gallery in Sullivan, the smoked fishery in Sullivan, various glass makers and potters.
There is a short (compared to Cape Breton!) drive around Schoodic that is like a mini Acadia trip - rocky shore, crashing waves, still water - as you drive or bike through, the topography changes. It's truly lovely. And SO much less crowded than Acadia. You can stay in B&B's or rent. There are a lot of vacation homes there.
Have you visited Lubec or Eastport? We've visited there but haven't stayed. We take all sorts of day trips from Corea. I check the tides and do a lot of beach walking, searching for sea glass.
Belfast is about an hour south of Schoodic. We love it there, too. It's a charming town, right on the water, very walkable, interesting homes. Nice small shops, lots of galleries, bookstores, ice cream & candy stores and lots of good fresh food (try to eat at Chase's Daily). See if there are any events when you might be going through. We've been to some great art/craft shows.
We also have enjoyed Deer Isle (lots of small villages) which is scenic, full of interesting shops but crowded & Rockport.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 07:22 PM
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I'm angling to add an extra day to our trip. We will time tides to catch low and high tide. I am looking at the tide tables. Hopewell Rocks Motel looks like a good possibility. Will check out Alma, too. Will stay in the area one night at beginning and one night at end of trip.
I guess we are more scenery people, than hiking. I do love walking the beach so will do that wherever we are, looking for sea glass and interesting rocks. My son still likes to do that with me.
I have a much better handle on the trip after reading both of your posts. I did add Cape Breton for two nights and will have two (maybe three) nights in Halifax to do the day trips I'd mentioned.
I guess we are more scenery people, than hiking. I do love walking the beach so will do that wherever we are, looking for sea glass and interesting rocks. My son still likes to do that with me.
I have a much better handle on the trip after reading both of your posts. I did add Cape Breton for two nights and will have two (maybe three) nights in Halifax to do the day trips I'd mentioned.
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