Travel with 6 mo. old: NYC to Cape Breton, are we crazy?
Feb 23rd, 2012, 11:13 AM
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Travel with 6 mo. old: NYC to Cape Breton, are we crazy?
Hello,
My husband and I are hoping to take our 6 month old baby on a 10 day roadtrip from NYC to Nova Scotia at the end of August/early Sept. We want to focus on the landscape and food (eg. skip Halifax)
Our other choice is 2 week trip to Barcelona, Spain
Yay or nay?
We could really use some advice from seasoned travelers since we are'nt parents yet!
Thanks,
S
My husband and I are hoping to take our 6 month old baby on a 10 day roadtrip from NYC to Nova Scotia at the end of August/early Sept. We want to focus on the landscape and food (eg. skip Halifax)
Our other choice is 2 week trip to Barcelona, Spain
Yay or nay?
We could really use some advice from seasoned travelers since we are'nt parents yet!
Thanks,
S
Feb 23rd, 2012, 06:24 PM
#2
Save the money-Start a 529 college plan.
When are you due? Late August is 6 months from now.
My mom and dad took me to Nova Scotia nearly 50 years ago.
I remember the ocean water being cold with no sandy beaches.
When are you due? Late August is 6 months from now.
My mom and dad took me to Nova Scotia nearly 50 years ago.
I remember the ocean water being cold with no sandy beaches.
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:08 PM
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If you go to Spain, you have a little baby on an airplane, which coulddrive both the kids and the passenger nuts.
If you go to Nova Scotia, you have a little kid attached to you with a snuggly kind of a thing, or riding in a stroller, or resting in a car bed, etc.
Kid doesn't care where he is, but he knows his ears don't hurt from an airplane ride.
So as long as you realize you'll be in your hotel rooms in theevenings instead of bars -- and you sy you are skipping Halifax --it sounds like a fine idea to me.
BAK
If you go to Nova Scotia, you have a little kid attached to you with a snuggly kind of a thing, or riding in a stroller, or resting in a car bed, etc.
Kid doesn't care where he is, but he knows his ears don't hurt from an airplane ride.
So as long as you realize you'll be in your hotel rooms in theevenings instead of bars -- and you sy you are skipping Halifax --it sounds like a fine idea to me.
BAK
Feb 24th, 2012, 08:21 PM
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Wait... "FOOD" ???
There's a reason nobody ever hears anybody else say:
"Where can I find a good Canadian restaurant?"
I mean, not that you should go without eating on such a trip, but if the child, um, gets sick in the car, and, uh, renders one or both of you unable to enter a restaurant along the path, well, you haven't likely missed much.
I don't know much about babies, and I've never been to Spain, but I could sure go for 10 days to travel from NYC to Nova Scotia and back (again and again and again).
I'm inclined to suggest staying on the interstate, up through Maine (vs. the Saint John route)... to keep you moving at a steady pace... as "10 days" really doesn't afford much time for dilly-dallying (when you have to get BACK, too).
In fact, I wouldn't do anything too 'indirect' until detouring from Moncton to see Hopewell Cape. Get as far into and around NS as possible as soon as possible, and then gauge your time available when deciding what else to pick-up on the way back.
Guess I'd aim to make the Moncton, NB area by your 2nd night... but wow, I don't know how/whether the baby will slow you considerably.
At any rate, be sure to let yourself see Hopewell Cape on the way in...
If when going further eastbound you can take a bit of extra time, go from Amherst, NS to Parrsboro, NS to Truro, NS... along the bay shore, for a more scenic path.... THEN make a steady trek to (what I think should be) Baddeck, NS for TWO nights (you'll make use of the relative 'rest' by then).
Drive the Cabot Trail at first opportunity...
Then, if you're really sure Halifax is out for you... maybe consider Pictou, NS as a spot to spend another night, or even two... (which would be your 5th and possibly 6th nights)
Perhaps on the way back you might to to Moncton, then down to Hopewell Cape again (ideally for a contrasting look at the high/low tide you saw first) (side note: go at LOW tide first time through).
Go here and print tide tables for Hopwell Cape, maybe Truro, and maybe one other spot, for the entire window of your travel dates, once they're firm: http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30
... this time go from Hopewell Cape through Fundy NP... and then perhaps the southern path to Saint John, where you can spend another night.
Not sure about the timing... but if you want to add one more night somewhere... probably add it to Baddeck or Pictou.
Just some thoughts... about how the path toward Nova Scotia would really play-out.
There's a reason nobody ever hears anybody else say:
"Where can I find a good Canadian restaurant?"
I mean, not that you should go without eating on such a trip, but if the child, um, gets sick in the car, and, uh, renders one or both of you unable to enter a restaurant along the path, well, you haven't likely missed much.
I don't know much about babies, and I've never been to Spain, but I could sure go for 10 days to travel from NYC to Nova Scotia and back (again and again and again).
I'm inclined to suggest staying on the interstate, up through Maine (vs. the Saint John route)... to keep you moving at a steady pace... as "10 days" really doesn't afford much time for dilly-dallying (when you have to get BACK, too).
In fact, I wouldn't do anything too 'indirect' until detouring from Moncton to see Hopewell Cape. Get as far into and around NS as possible as soon as possible, and then gauge your time available when deciding what else to pick-up on the way back.
Guess I'd aim to make the Moncton, NB area by your 2nd night... but wow, I don't know how/whether the baby will slow you considerably.
At any rate, be sure to let yourself see Hopewell Cape on the way in...
If when going further eastbound you can take a bit of extra time, go from Amherst, NS to Parrsboro, NS to Truro, NS... along the bay shore, for a more scenic path.... THEN make a steady trek to (what I think should be) Baddeck, NS for TWO nights (you'll make use of the relative 'rest' by then).
Drive the Cabot Trail at first opportunity...
Then, if you're really sure Halifax is out for you... maybe consider Pictou, NS as a spot to spend another night, or even two... (which would be your 5th and possibly 6th nights)
Perhaps on the way back you might to to Moncton, then down to Hopewell Cape again (ideally for a contrasting look at the high/low tide you saw first) (side note: go at LOW tide first time through).
Go here and print tide tables for Hopwell Cape, maybe Truro, and maybe one other spot, for the entire window of your travel dates, once they're firm: http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30
... this time go from Hopewell Cape through Fundy NP... and then perhaps the southern path to Saint John, where you can spend another night.
Not sure about the timing... but if you want to add one more night somewhere... probably add it to Baddeck or Pictou.
Just some thoughts... about how the path toward Nova Scotia would really play-out.
Feb 24th, 2012, 08:27 PM
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Sue,
It's an odd choice: 10 day roadtrip to Cape Breton or 2 weeks in Barcelona, Spain. But that oddness is not the subject of your post.
Babies do not care where they are as long as they are adequately fed, changed when needed, have enough sleep and are loved. You can make sure your baby has those pre-requisites in Cape Breton or Spain. So, it comes down to: Where do you want to go? Cape Breton or Barcelona?
I have never been to Spain. I grew up in Cape Breton. I no longer live there.
When our son was 4 months old we "went home" to Cape Breton. It was not a road trip. We flew Toronto/Sydney. Our son has made that trip at least 3 times a year for the past 24 years. That's crazy! You are not crazy. If you want to travel to Cape Breton with your baby, go! By my calculations, you are due any day now (Feb 23-Aug 23...6 months). Please post back after your baby has arrived. This is such an exciting time for you!
All the best,
OB1
It's an odd choice: 10 day roadtrip to Cape Breton or 2 weeks in Barcelona, Spain. But that oddness is not the subject of your post.
Babies do not care where they are as long as they are adequately fed, changed when needed, have enough sleep and are loved. You can make sure your baby has those pre-requisites in Cape Breton or Spain. So, it comes down to: Where do you want to go? Cape Breton or Barcelona?
I have never been to Spain. I grew up in Cape Breton. I no longer live there.
When our son was 4 months old we "went home" to Cape Breton. It was not a road trip. We flew Toronto/Sydney. Our son has made that trip at least 3 times a year for the past 24 years. That's crazy! You are not crazy. If you want to travel to Cape Breton with your baby, go! By my calculations, you are due any day now (Feb 23-Aug 23...6 months). Please post back after your baby has arrived. This is such an exciting time for you!
All the best,
OB1
Feb 25th, 2012, 06:45 AM
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Babies are easy to travel with--especially in a car when you can stop whenever you need to. Travelling with teens and toddlers takes more planning and thought. With each trip you take, you become a little wiser. I think the more your children become used to travel and the more you let them know what your expect, the better your kids will be. I grew up in a family that travelled a lot but only travelled by car because there were 6 children; so I never even considered not travelling with my children.
I think travelling by car is easier for young families because of the flexibility and the cost savings. Young families today enjoy flying to locations that we never even considered when we were young and trying to save money. Flying with children can be a challenge. I don't think I would choose to travel abroad as my first trip with the baby.
Just the other day, when we were getting out of the car, my 30 year old son reminded me of one his loving memories of me during his childhood. He said that every time we got our of the car, I would say to him, "Now don't embarrass me in public." Now that he mentioned it, I do remember saying that a lot.
Good luck with your new baby and happy travels this summer. My parents took 6 children(my cousin went with us too) and a 3 month old on a monthlong cross country camping trip. We must have been the most wonderful children in the world. My Dad was travel obsessed and my mother was an angel.
I think travelling by car is easier for young families because of the flexibility and the cost savings. Young families today enjoy flying to locations that we never even considered when we were young and trying to save money. Flying with children can be a challenge. I don't think I would choose to travel abroad as my first trip with the baby.
Just the other day, when we were getting out of the car, my 30 year old son reminded me of one his loving memories of me during his childhood. He said that every time we got our of the car, I would say to him, "Now don't embarrass me in public." Now that he mentioned it, I do remember saying that a lot.
Good luck with your new baby and happy travels this summer. My parents took 6 children(my cousin went with us too) and a 3 month old on a monthlong cross country camping trip. We must have been the most wonderful children in the world. My Dad was travel obsessed and my mother was an angel.
Feb 25th, 2012, 02:11 PM
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More power to you for wanting to make the trip. But once the little one arrives you will realize how radically changed your life is, and you may not feel so keen on travelling A lot depends on how well the babe sleeps, and thus how sleep deprived you are. However, by 6 months most babies are sleeping reasonably well. If you are breast feeding your baby that will be a big plus--so simple with a no muss, no fuss meal ready at any time no matter where you are. When our first born was 6 months old we spent the summer working at a camp for disturbed children, sleeping in a tent and cooking meals on a camp stove. It worked out fine. (It was 1969, our hippie years).
I've never been to Spain, but my daughter went when her daughter was about 18 months and found it quite difficult because restaurants did not open for dinner until about 8, at which time they wanted to be back at the hotel. Also worth considering; a trip to Europe requires more advance planning and less flexibility once airfare, etc is booked. If you opt for the road trip, you can wait and see how it goes with baby, and cancel or change you plans accordingly.
Either way, enjoy this exciting time.
I've never been to Spain, but my daughter went when her daughter was about 18 months and found it quite difficult because restaurants did not open for dinner until about 8, at which time they wanted to be back at the hotel. Also worth considering; a trip to Europe requires more advance planning and less flexibility once airfare, etc is booked. If you opt for the road trip, you can wait and see how it goes with baby, and cancel or change you plans accordingly.
Either way, enjoy this exciting time.
Feb 27th, 2012, 01:55 PM
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Thank you all! Very very useful.. Yes, we will wait to book until the baby arrives and we are settled into his habits but these answers will make the babies father very happy as he loves roadtrips 
Will post more questions after we have made up our mind..
Thank you again for the very detailed answers..
Will post more questions after we have made up our mind..
Thank you again for the very detailed answers..
Feb 28th, 2012, 05:16 AM
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Definitely Nova Scotia!!! So many people I know (including my daughter) have been robbed in Barcelona. There is actually a police station downtown that is solely for robbed tourists. And my daughter had to line up!
Nova Scotia, especially Cape Breton, is one of the friendliest places on earth. And most beautiful! That's why Alexander Graham Bell chose it for his home for 37 years and is buried here. His descendants still come here and some have retired here. In Bell's own words "I have travelled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all!"
As for sandy beaches, check this out! http://nsbeaches.com/types/ocean-sand-beaches.php
And we love babies!!!
Nova Scotia, especially Cape Breton, is one of the friendliest places on earth. And most beautiful! That's why Alexander Graham Bell chose it for his home for 37 years and is buried here. His descendants still come here and some have retired here. In Bell's own words "I have travelled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all!"
As for sandy beaches, check this out! http://nsbeaches.com/types/ocean-sand-beaches.php
And we love babies!!!
Mar 3rd, 2012, 07:13 AM
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Nova Scotia is great. You will love it, but driving from New York to Cape Breton and back in 10 days wont allow you to visit anything. You will end up spending all your time driving. I would strongly recommend flying into Halifax, an amazing city with great restaurants, a lot of history, then driving to Cape Breton.
The best about driving aroung in Nova Scotia is stopping every 30min to 1 hours to visit a small costal village, go soak in the sun on a great beach (try Crystal Crescent!) or simply enjoy the scenery.
Have fun
The best about driving aroung in Nova Scotia is stopping every 30min to 1 hours to visit a small costal village, go soak in the sun on a great beach (try Crystal Crescent!) or simply enjoy the scenery.
Have fun
Mar 3rd, 2012, 08:45 AM
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Agree with Ocean that babies don't know the difference and really at that age they are pretty easy to travel with- easier than when they are 2 or 3 so go for it, but I think a car trip would be easier than a plane trip.
Cape Breton is on my bucket list of places to visit- I have a friend who grew up there ( not Ocean) She says they were so poor they had to take lobster sandwiches to school as that is all they had - sad situation to be in.
Cape Breton is on my bucket list of places to visit- I have a friend who grew up there ( not Ocean) She says they were so poor they had to take lobster sandwiches to school as that is all they had - sad situation to be in.
Mar 6th, 2012, 03:48 PM
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Lobster sandwiches, eh? Bet they would've traded for a ham and cheese in a heartbeat. Tough ol' life.
As for the Cabot Trail, I did it last September and it was gorgeous. The weather was (as one would expect in fall) a tad variable but I'd recommend it to anyone. There's an awful lot of natural beauty packed into a relatively short drive and the sheer change in elevation so quickly is breathtaking and intimidating at the same time.
As for the Cabot Trail, I did it last September and it was gorgeous. The weather was (as one would expect in fall) a tad variable but I'd recommend it to anyone. There's an awful lot of natural beauty packed into a relatively short drive and the sheer change in elevation so quickly is breathtaking and intimidating at the same time.
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