Okay, travelling at the end of the summer with a family of four, kids are 11 and 13. Need to know the best places to stay to experience the Bay of Fundy (tides, whale watching, kayaking). Then best route (most scenic, most things to do along the way) from Truro to Cabot Trail and back to Halifax. All ideas are welcome.

The best swimming is along the shore of Northumberland Strait, near Shedica. Look for Parlee Beach. And on Prince Edward Island. Look for Cavendish.

Otherwise, the water in the maritumes is very cold, but these areas are exceptions.

BAK

We did this trip when our boys were ages 7 and 11.
Be sure to go to Cape North, at the very top of Cape Breton, to Meat Cove. We actually camped there several days in mid-July in 1995. As we started to set up camp, whales started arriving in the cove. Mothers and their young, breaching and cavorting.
We were going to go on a whale watching trip and after that, realized there was no need. We had seen more standing on the beach there than we had ever imagined possible.
We also stayed at Bras d'Or lake and a fledging eaglet did his initial flight from the nest and landed in the lake. He ended up drying his wings while sitting on top of our camper.

This is great advice. Thanks!

In Cape Breton, our girls love Baddeck as a central point in Cape Breton. We typically spend time boating, but it is a charming village. Take a cruise, Bell museum, you can take a little ferry from the marina to a small beach. Pleasant Bay has a whale interpretation centre which is interesting. Also whale watching tours from here. Fortress Louisbourg is worth a full day, especially if you get sunshine! The Miner's Museum not far from Lousibourg would probably be of interest to them too.

Alma - the small village at the foot of Fundy National Park - is a great spot to spend a couple of nights and easy to get to Hopewell Rocks. The Park has a great outdoor saltwater pool and lots of events that happen during the evening (campfire, etc.) Cape Enrage is another spot worth visiting with the kids. In the village you can rent kayaks, etc. and they have guided tours.

Moncton has a water park but even more spectacular is the beach at Parlee. Worth a day's visit.

As for the trip towards Cape Breton, take the sunrise trail from Amherst to Pictou. Pretty drive. The Town of Tatamagouche has a "railway inn" where you can actually sleep in rail cars. Between Tatamagouche and Pictou stop at Lismore Sheep Farm. In the Town of Pictou there is a Ship Hector, Carver's coffee shop where you might see a wood carving class in session. Pictou Co also boasts wonderful beaches with warm water. Melmerby or Caribou are both good choices. Spend a night at Pictou Lodge or one of the many B&B's located in the historic downtown area.

Thanks for the great advice.

How about this as an itinerary so far? Any comments or recommendations?

Day 1
Fly to Moncton
Drive to Cavendish, PEI (2 hours driving time)
Stop in Shediac
Parlee Beach
Cross the Confederation Bridge to Port Borden
Continue on to Cavendish
Lobster Dinner on the beach
Swimming
Overnight in Cavendish

Day 2
Early morning swim
Tour Anne of Green Gables
Drive to Wood Islands via Charlottetown (1 ½ hour driving time)
Take ferry to Pictou (1 ½ hours)
Drive to Baddeck, NS (2 ½ hours driving time)
Overnight in Baddeck

Day 3
Drive the Cabot Trail
Visit Cape North
Hike the Skyline Trail
Nightime Caleigh in Baddeck
Overnight in Baddeck

Day 4
Drive to Louisbourg via Sydney Mines (1 ½ hours driving time)
Visit Fort Louisbourg
Overnight in Baddeck or drive to Antigonish, NS (1 3/4 hours driving time)

Day 5
Drive from Baddeck/Antigonish to Truro (3 hours From Baddeck/1 ¼ hours from Antigonish)
Go kayaking in Bay of Fundy
Overnight in Truro

Day 6
Drive to Yarmouth (4 1/4 hours driving time)
Overnight in Yarmouth

Day 7
Drive to Halifax via the western shore
Visit Lunenburg
Visit Mahone Bay, Chester
Visit Peggy’s Cove
Dinner in Halifax
Overnight in Halifax

Day 8
Tour Halifax
Sailboat ride in Atlantic
Tour Citadel
Overnight in Halifax

Day 9
Fly home


Of course, haven't researched all activities yet. Just trying to get the route down first.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Ok, waaaaayyyy tooo ambitious There is no way with nine days you can do the whole province of Nova Scotia plus two other provinces, unless of course you don't take time to enjoy the place you are visiting. I would also suggest since you are renting a car to make sure you get a GPS. Even though the provinces might be rural, it will certainly save a lot of grief!

With kids of that age, I would probably give PEI at least 2-3 days. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, Cavendish has lots to do for kids as well. You can rent bikes and ride through the national park. Take a tour boat out of Rustico - go fishing. In my opinion, Green Gables isn't exciting, but if it is something on your list, then I would do it. Charlottetown is a great spot to spend a night too. The waterfront usually has live bands. Pieks Quay a great spot to have supper on the deck and people watch.

Cape Breton warrants at least another 3 days. The itinerary you have for doing the trail, and hiking skyline all in one day is ambitious. You could enter the Island and go towards Port Hood and do the trail clockwise. If leaving PEI in the morning, you could easily wind up in Cheticamp that day and still perhaps have time to hike Skyline. The next day, take your time and enjoy the trail. Pleasant Bay has whale watching tours. You could do Baddeck that night. Spend a few hours in Baddeck that next day and then make your way to Louisbourg - which you will probably need another full day to explore.

So that doesn't leave much time to spend in Nova Scotia but with kids your age, take them into Halifax and spend the remainder of time there. Lots to do in the city. Waterfront, boat tour, Citadel Hill, Museum of the Atlantic, Freak Candy Shop, home-cut french fries at the Library on Spring Garden Road and lots of shopping.

You may want to check out the drop off rate for a vehicle if you are flying into Moncton and departing from Halifax.

Okay, took your advice, Tanya, and cut things back a bit. I think we will spend another day or two in Cape Breton, and then hang out a little longer in Halifax. Looks like we will have to save the trip to Yarmouth for the next visit!

Any other recommendations? Any "must see" or "must do" activities that I have overlooked?

I would say 2 days in Halifax are enough and I wouldn't drop the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores area. You can make a nice loop with Halifax and the southern part of Nova Scotia using highways 101, 203, and maybe 203. See: http://www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com/

Hi Cally -

Your plan sounds pretty ambitious - I hope you'll adjust to make time to pause in New Brunswick a bit longer.

We've got lots of family friendly sites to see, and some of the warmest water for swimming in the area.

If you need help planning your journey, try our trip planner:
http://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/MyTripPlanner.aspx

-Parker
On Behalf of Tourism and Parks New Brunswick