Family trip to Nova scotia
 

Message: My husband, I and our 17-years old daughter are planning a trip to coastal Maine - Nova Scotia area in the middle of August for 12 days. So far we came up with the following itinerary:<BR>1st day - drive from NJ to Portland, tour Portland a little bit and take a ferry to Yarmouth,NS <BR>2nd-day Yarmouth - Halifax with multiple stops on the way (Peggy cove,...)<BR>3rd day - Halifax (should we stay second night in Halifax or drive to Wolfville area?)<BR>4th - drive to Wolfville area, watch Fundy tide, and take a rafting tour. Drive to New Glasgow.<BR>5th day - New Glasgow (I've heard the water is warm there)and later drive to Cape Breton (with multiple scenic stops) and stay for a night perhaps at Cheticamp ???<BR>6th day - Cape Breton national park, hike,drive... stay for a night at Ingonish or Baddeck???<BR>7th-day - drive along Bras d'Or lake (is there swimming there?) and continue drive to<BR>New Glasgow area for a night???<BR>8th day - drive to New Brunswick and spend a day at Hopwell rock (watch Fundy and walk on ocean floor) and Fundy national park.(nignt at Saint John??)<BR>9th day - stop at St. Andrews by-the sea and drive to Bar Harbor, Maine<BR>10th and 11 th day - spend in Acadia national park<BR>12th day Drive along Maine coast with the stops at Camden and...<BR>Next day we have to be in Boston.<BR><BR>Does it sound reasonable and feasible? <BR>Any suggestions, comments would be really appreciated.<BR>Where is the best place to take a whale watching tour, kayaking??? <BR>

It does sound doable, it's just a lot of driving. I think you should try to limit the number of places you are trying to see and stay a night or 2 in several places. Cape Breton is gorgeous and Halifax is definitely worth at least 2 days. <BR><BR>You've got me thinking now - I used to live in Cape Breton - most of my live - and I can't think of a place to swim on the Bras d'or Lakes. I own a cottage there so I never went to public beaches on the Bras d'or. I'm sure if you keep this topped though someone will know where to go. It's definitely worth it because the water is warmer than the ocean but still salt water (not a real lake). <BR><BR>Ingonish and Baddeck are both great places to stay but if you are going to be in Camden Maine and that area, I would stay in Ingonish. Baddeck is much like those little towns along the coast of Maine. Also, while Cheticamp is nice, Ingonish would be my choice to stay instead of Cheticamp. <BR><BR>Finally, I want to let you know, we are planning a very similar trip at around the same time and if you wait too long, accommodations are hard to come by, sometimes even in Halifax. Try to book at least the weekend nights as soon as possible.<BR><BR>Have a great time!

You are right about the beaches in the New Glasgow area. Melmerby is one of the fav's for the area. Also less crowded beaches at Sinclairs Island and Black Point but these two have no amenities. There is a new little cafe opened on Archimedes St. in New Glasgow - have heard the food is excellent. Also there is a great pub by the riverfront called the Dock - a little taste of Ireland! Spend an hour in Pictou - there may still be a boat that travels downriver from New Glasgow to Pictou.<BR><BR>We travelled to Maine several years ago and really enjoyed Bar Harbour. From there you can take the high speed ferry the CAT to Yarmouth. Only takes 2.5 to 3 hours for the crossing.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!

Victoria -<BR>It sounds like a lot of driving to me. In NS there are a couple of places you might want to stop and see. The Alexander Graham Bell museum in Braddack was very interesting and Louisberg Fort was great. Very interesting to see the history of the French & English - all done by people in character. IMHO think you need to spend more time doing and less time driving.

Thanks Everbody for replying. I would love to have less driving, but we do need get back to US. We are taking ferry only one-way. And Cape Breton is a must. <BR>One full day just for Cape Breton Park (those ~ 100 km part of Cabot trail) is enough? We are planning do some hiking there. <BR>Rafting Fundy tide. Did anybody tried it? What is the best places to watch tides on NS side and NB side?

Thanks Everbody for replying. I would love to have less driving, but we do need get back to US. We are taking ferry only one-way. And Cape Breton is a must. <BR>One full day just for Cape Breton Park (those ~ 100 km part of Cabot trail) is enough? We are planning do some hiking there. <BR>Rafting Fundy tide. Did anybody tried it? What is the best places to watch tides on NS side and NB side?

Hate to burst your bubble but I am not sure the tides are that remarkable to see. You may be disappointed ... Perhaps others can give you their opinions.<BR><BR>By the way, you can do whale watching from Halifax Waterfront or in Cape Breton from Cheticamp or Pleasant Bay. Kayaking - seem to recall Bar Harbour having a lot of kayaking rentals ...

I actually found the tidal action most interesting.<BR>In Nova Scotia:<BR>Truro {next to the Palliser Restaurant} is a good place to watch the tide reverse it's flow {some days it's more impressive than others} - though as a destination, the town itself isn't all that desirable IMHO. <BR>Cape Split {a short-medium hike} near Wolfville is supposedly a great place to see the effects of the tides - be sure and consult a tide table if you go; my husband and I didn't, and missed the tide action.<BR>We very much enjoyed a drive to Hall's Harbor near Kentville and Wolfville. The effects of the tides were pretty dramatic, with boats stranded as the tides receded. There is also a lobster pound there from which you can observe the "show" while enjoying very fresh fish.<BR>Have a great trip!

I agree with the previous post - make Hall's Harbour a stop! Some people think they are going to see a huge wave when the tide comes in or out - just want to make sure you aren't disappointed!