Early 30's Couple Spending Two weeks in Coastal Maine and Canada
Apr 29th, 2016, 07:47 AM
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Early 30's Couple Spending Two weeks in Coastal Maine and Canada
My boyfriend and I are traveling to coastal Canada and Maine mid-late summer and would love some recommendations on can't miss hikes, kayak trips, dining, breweries/vineyards/distilleries and the like. Early 30's and love to explore local haunts, stay active, and eat our way through each city and town we stumble upon no matter how humble. I've done my research, but don't want to miss some been-there-done-that insight. We've booked our accommodations, all set there. We're flying in and out of BOS - Logan so any preferred lobster roll joints along the way (or any roadside can't misses) would be great!
We understand that we won't be able to fit in everything in two short weeks, but at least if we know the "fan favorites" outside of TripAdvisor and Yelp we'll feel like we spent our time well.
Where we plan to hang our hats over the course of two weeks:
St. Andrews, New Brunswick (pit stop after a day's drive from Boston)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Baddeck, Cape Breton (longest part of the vacation)
St. Martins, New Brunswick (Bay of Fundy Nat'l Park)
Bar Harbour, ME
Kennbunkport, ME
Thank you in advance!
We understand that we won't be able to fit in everything in two short weeks, but at least if we know the "fan favorites" outside of TripAdvisor and Yelp we'll feel like we spent our time well.
Where we plan to hang our hats over the course of two weeks:
St. Andrews, New Brunswick (pit stop after a day's drive from Boston)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Baddeck, Cape Breton (longest part of the vacation)
St. Martins, New Brunswick (Bay of Fundy Nat'l Park)
Bar Harbour, ME
Kennbunkport, ME
Thank you in advance!
Apr 29th, 2016, 09:01 AM
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Hi,
That is a lot of driving. There is now a new high speed ferry from Portland Maine to Yarmouth Nova Scotia which might help with some of the driving. Portland is a great foodie town (small city); Portland also has a brewery which gets many visitors.
Might be worth staying the first night then taking the ferry on day 2. (I do realize you booked your accommodations but this ferry news has only been out for a few weeks - maybe you missed it).
http://www.novascotia.com/about-nova...ea/bay-ferries
Bar Harbor:
Lots of opportunities for great kayaking in Bar Harbor / Acadia Nat'l Park.
http://www.acadiafun.com/
http://acadiakayak.com/
In addition, many hiking opportunities. A low-key, easy hike goes around Jordan Pond and then you can stop and have one their famous popovers! Many folks enjoy getting up early to climb Cadillac to see the sunrise.
http://mainetoday.com/blog/maineiac-...years-sunrise/
That is a lot of driving. There is now a new high speed ferry from Portland Maine to Yarmouth Nova Scotia which might help with some of the driving. Portland is a great foodie town (small city); Portland also has a brewery which gets many visitors.
Might be worth staying the first night then taking the ferry on day 2. (I do realize you booked your accommodations but this ferry news has only been out for a few weeks - maybe you missed it).
http://www.novascotia.com/about-nova...ea/bay-ferries
Bar Harbor:
Lots of opportunities for great kayaking in Bar Harbor / Acadia Nat'l Park.
http://www.acadiafun.com/
http://acadiakayak.com/
In addition, many hiking opportunities. A low-key, easy hike goes around Jordan Pond and then you can stop and have one their famous popovers! Many folks enjoy getting up early to climb Cadillac to see the sunrise.
http://mainetoday.com/blog/maineiac-...years-sunrise/
Apr 29th, 2016, 09:40 AM
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@Bette, thank you for the insight on the ME - NS ferry! I researched this earlier in the year and read that the cruise line had shut down for financial reasons, but obviously they have it back up and running. Luckily all of our accommodations include easily cancellation, so will definitely take some time to factor that in. And appreciate the links for the kayak tours in Acadia--definitely on the to do list, was just a little overwhelmed with all of the options.
Again, major thanks for pointing out the new cruise line! Could be a game changer since we have time to shuffle our schedule a bit.
Again, major thanks for pointing out the new cruise line! Could be a game changer since we have time to shuffle our schedule a bit.
Apr 29th, 2016, 12:32 PM
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The previous ferry did go out of business. The previous ferry was an overnight trip. The new ship is faster and seems to be more reasonable in price.
Do check out Portland Maine - a very happening place with LOADS of highly regarded restaurants.
You can check out Portland Head Light (famous lighthouse) and the brewery....Shipyard Brewery.
https://shipyard.com/verify?destination=node
Many people enjoy taking the "mailboat" to see the harbor.
http://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-b...ises/mailboat/
Do check out Portland Maine - a very happening place with LOADS of highly regarded restaurants.
You can check out Portland Head Light (famous lighthouse) and the brewery....Shipyard Brewery.
https://shipyard.com/verify?destination=node
Many people enjoy taking the "mailboat" to see the harbor.
http://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-b...ises/mailboat/
May 2nd, 2016, 07:15 PM
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I cannot for the life of me understand whyyyyyyyy most people contemplate the Portland-Yarmouth ferry <b>as if</b> it does or saves anything for them.
Why take a ferry which arguably places you farther from the highlights than you were in the beginning?
Just as an example, consider <b>Hopewell Cape, NB</b>... a place that most first-time visitors to the Maritimes should see...
<b>From Hopewell Cape</b> to Yarmouth it is FIVE HOURS AND 51 MINUTES (according to Google maps)... and from Hopewell Cape to Portland it is 6 hours and 39 minutes. (... of driving time)
<b>The FERRY COSTS $199 <u>each way</u> for a car</b>... AND $107 each way, per passenger.
The ferry <b>also takes "5 1/2 to 6 hours" to get across the water</b>.
Now if you're heading to your summer home between Argyle and Barrington, NS... <b>then fine!</b> ... make use of the ferry.
<b>But if</b> you are new to the Maritimes, and wanting to see most of the main sights... then save your money and your time, and put yourself in the area of the most significant sights.
As for hikes, the OP should consider the hike to <b>Cape Split, NS</b>...
I think, otherwise, the OP has enough on the ball already to have plotted a pretty good itinerary... but if one wants to peruse various other NS questions from this board in the past, she could click on my name and scroll back and find a good representation of various needs and wants, mixed with some options and/or ideas.
Much of the charm of the Maritimes is the quaint little places on lesser-traveled (than in mainstream North America) roads of the sorts you only encounter when you're <b>on</b> those roads.
Even the Bay of Fundy's greatest appeal <b>is along the shorelines</b> (as those <I>shorelines</i> relocate themselves rather quickly) and <b>NOT</b> out in the middle of the water.
Why take a ferry which arguably places you farther from the highlights than you were in the beginning?
Just as an example, consider <b>Hopewell Cape, NB</b>... a place that most first-time visitors to the Maritimes should see...
<b>From Hopewell Cape</b> to Yarmouth it is FIVE HOURS AND 51 MINUTES (according to Google maps)... and from Hopewell Cape to Portland it is 6 hours and 39 minutes. (... of driving time)
<b>The FERRY COSTS $199 <u>each way</u> for a car</b>... AND $107 each way, per passenger.
The ferry <b>also takes "5 1/2 to 6 hours" to get across the water</b>.
Now if you're heading to your summer home between Argyle and Barrington, NS... <b>then fine!</b> ... make use of the ferry.
<b>But if</b> you are new to the Maritimes, and wanting to see most of the main sights... then save your money and your time, and put yourself in the area of the most significant sights.
As for hikes, the OP should consider the hike to <b>Cape Split, NS</b>...
I think, otherwise, the OP has enough on the ball already to have plotted a pretty good itinerary... but if one wants to peruse various other NS questions from this board in the past, she could click on my name and scroll back and find a good representation of various needs and wants, mixed with some options and/or ideas.
Much of the charm of the Maritimes is the quaint little places on lesser-traveled (than in mainstream North America) roads of the sorts you only encounter when you're <b>on</b> those roads.
Even the Bay of Fundy's greatest appeal <b>is along the shorelines</b> (as those <I>shorelines</i> relocate themselves rather quickly) and <b>NOT</b> out in the middle of the water.
May 3rd, 2016, 04:46 AM
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@NorthwestMale - thanks for your insight on the ferry. We consider ourselves amateur road warriors, so certainly aren't scared of long drives, as long as they're incorporating unique parts of the region. Very much appreciate your encouragement on exploring the maritimes by car, I'll definitely peruse your posts on other boards for specific suggestions.
All this info has been tremendously helpful, re: opinions on both the ferry and driving. This is why I hopped on the boards early, still time to make adjustments as needed! Thanks, all!
All this info has been tremendously helpful, re: opinions on both the ferry and driving. This is why I hopped on the boards early, still time to make adjustments as needed! Thanks, all!
May 3rd, 2016, 06:32 AM
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Oh, one thing I wholly endorse is to <b>print out the tide tables for the Fundy tides <U>during the entire period of your trip</u></b>.
You can do so at this link:
http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times/
Maybe select, eh, 3 or 4 spots.
Definitely include Hopewell Cape, NB
MAY-be Wolfville, NS
and, who knows, Truro???
Also, if timing suits, consider stopping for the <I>Tidal Bore</i> at a small park/viewing area in <b>Moncton, NB</b> (find the schedule for that, and have it printed, just in case...)
You can do so at this link:
http://bayoffundytourism.com/tides/times/
Maybe select, eh, 3 or 4 spots.
Definitely include Hopewell Cape, NB
MAY-be Wolfville, NS
and, who knows, Truro???
Also, if timing suits, consider stopping for the <I>Tidal Bore</i> at a small park/viewing area in <b>Moncton, NB</b> (find the schedule for that, and have it printed, just in case...)
May 18th, 2016, 12:36 PM
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I have to say a HUGE thank you for all of the thoughtful and detailed replies! I've had such fun telling friends in the U.S. about our trip to the Maritimes--and you all have given us some great tidbits to consider when planning our route. I'll look forward to writing a trip report when everything is said and done 
Cheers!
Cheers!
