Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Where to go with grandson in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick , PEI

Five days doesn't exactly afford lots of lallygagging around. I think the age of twelve is a good time to be captivated by the awe of the Bay of Fundy... and I have to say that perhaps the best single spot for getting a feel for it is at Hopewell Rocks, NB. So I think you should go there.

But I will admit, also, that many beach areas on the Fundy shore can let one romp waaaaaaaaaaay out in the sand, near the distant water line, during low tide.

There are lighthouses in many different spots, as you might expect... the one at Peggy's Cove is famous, and makes for a short lunch trip from Halifax.

I'm no expert on kayaking but perhaps river rafting up stream might be a thrill to you. Look for a business not far from Truro, NS which hosts such a unique experience each time the Tidal Bore comes in during daylight hours.

I have many other thoughts about touring NS as offered to many other people here at Fodors, but yours I'm tailoring to a 12-year-old grandson and to just 5 days to make something of it all.

IF, say, I were landing in Halifax on a Monday at noon, and flying out of Halifax at noon the following Saturday, I might do the following:

Upon arrival, rent car and high-tail it toward the area of Moncton, New Brunswick (162 miles, 2 1/2 hours). Spend the night in that area, and make a special effort to see the Tidal Bore at Tidal Bore Park there in Moncton. (I went outside to watch it at 11:30 at night, and then saw it again the next day in daylight)

That (phenomenon) should capture the attention of a 12yo. Then you go down to Hopewell Cape timed with low tide and walk around on the sand, and take pictures against the huge flower pots.

You don't really even have time to think about waiting around for high tide, so it's back in the car and back the way you came. You will have taken the fast way en route TO Moncton, so how about leaving the main freeway at Amherst, NS to go down to the Fundy shore at Parrsboro and then drive on the peaceful shoreline on the path back to Truro?

IF you want the most beautiful scenery the area has to offer then you have to go north, toward Cape Breton, and the Cabot Trail. It's rather daring to bank on ONE day for making the loop around the Cabot Trail, because of potential fog or other less-than-ideal weather.

IF the timing is favorable... maybe finesse your 2nd night for somewhere near to Truro mainly only in the event of your having reservations to go white water river rafting with the Tidal Bore near Truro the next day.

IF interested in going north for the Cabot Trail, I'd target Baddeck for the 3rd night (hopefully after a fun time on the water with the Tidal Bore) (Truro to Baddeck = 155 miles, 3 hours).

With good weather in the A.M. you get out early and head right for the Cabot Trail...

Baddeck to Breton Cove to Pleasant Bay to Port Hawkesbury entails 215 miles and five hours of DRIVING time.

For the next night, however, I think I might target Antigonish or Pictou (Port Hawkesbury was just a point of reference)

So lets see, where ARE we:

(does "5 days" entail "5 nights" as well??? )

(pretending it does)

Night 1: near Moncton, NB

Night 2: near Truro, NS (based mainly on the river rafting)

Night 3: near Baddeck, NS (based on your possible interest in the scenery)

Night 4: near Pictou, NS (scenic town)

Next day you drive 105 miles/95 minutes back to Halifax... from there you schedule a lunch or dinner trip 30 miles/45 minutes away in Peggy's Cove.

Night 5: Halifax (and you're ready to fly out the next day)

And yeah, of course I had to leave a million things out... but I tried to keep thinking about the grandson while balancing that between you all getting a pretty good representation of the whole area.

Obviously there is a lot there, and much of it is made extra pleasant by the fact that it isn't on the way to anywhere else.

Perhaps your grandson will go back one day, after you've afforded him a pretty thorough visit for the time available.

My first awareness of Nova Scotia was upon reading the Guiness Book of World Records at age 8, and seeing the unforgettable image of a boat tied to a dock while sitting on the ocean floor, with the low tide hundreds of feet off in the distance behind it all. I didn't get there for a quarter-century after that, but I was in awe of the place upon my arrival. (had to stop on the side of the main highway from New Brunswick to photograph the "Entering Nova Scotia" sign).

Hope this gets you started, as far as a blueprint.