Atlantic Canada is located on the Atlantic coast and consists of the provinces New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. There are over 2 million people that live in this area and many travelers visit Atlantic Canada each year. One of the reasons why it is such a popular tourist destination is that it’s easily accessible by plane, boat or car. No matter what time of year a traveler plans to visit, there’s plenty to do in each province. Atlantic Canada tours are quite popular in the fall for the beautiful changing of the leaves along with scenic coastlines.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick differs from the other provinces in that it has a lot smaller of a seacoast. This lends itself to a continental climate. There are a lot of outdoor activities available in the area. Hopewell Rocks is a great place to explore, take pictures and play in the tide when it is warm out. The Fundy National Park has miles of hiking trails available. While there visitors can see the many forest streams or pack a picnic lunch to eat along the shoreline. During the colder months, snowboarding and snowmobiling are the preferred activities of tourists. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery features both British and Canadian artists. The gallery has an eclectic mix of artwork. The Magnetic Hill Zoo is perfect for the kids. Animals on display include lions and wolves. Accommodations in New Brunswick include traditional chain hotels as well as mom and pop type establishments.
Prince Edward Island
Home to Anne of Green Gables, this province has an air of excitement and mystery. The best way to get around on the island is by bike. There are more than 25 bike shops that provide bicycle rentals. Since the area is surrounded by water, the most popular activities in the summer include traditional water sports like canoeing and swimming. During the winter, visitors like to ice skate or go cross country skiing. The island is also known for its performing arts. Visitors can sit in on a musical or dance recital. Music is also all around on the island. From country to jazz, there’s something for everyone. There are also several fun parks in the area for little ones to explore. The Shining Waters Family Fun Park features over 40 attractions including waterslides and a mirror maze. The Burlington Amusement Park has go karts for both adults and kids as well as miniature golf and batting cages. Prince Edward Island strives to make sure that visitors have comfortable accommodations. It doesn’t matter if travelers are staying at a camping ground, cottage or inn; their location will be well taken care of.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is surrounded by numerous estuaries and bays as well. No matter where you are at in Nova Scotia you will never be more than 42 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the many water activities available the area during the warmer months, there are also 27 museums to visit. Some of these museums include The Dory Shop Museum, Museum of Industry and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The Discovery Centre is perfect for kids. They can learn about science in a hands on environment. One of the most interesting parts of Nova Scotia is Old Town Lunenburg. It has received the prestigious honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire town has unique architectural detail and appears to look as if it’s right out of the 1700’s. It’s not uncommon to see a horse drawn carriage in the middle of town. There are over 1,000 different places to stay at in Nova Scotia. There’s everything from country inns to oceanside cottages.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador did not join Canada until 1949, which makes it the youngest province. The area is very interesting as it has many cliffs and makes visitors feel as if they are some place far away. Popular activities in the area include whale watching, hiking or iceberg viewing in the colder months. A great activity for tourists to try is golf. There more than 20 courses on this province. Many tourists also like to go bird watching. Newfoundland and Labrador is considered the Seabird Capital of North America. There are over 350 species of birds to view. For the kids there’s the Railway Coastal Museum where children can learn about boats and trains. Travelers to Newfoundland and Labrador have a variety of options when it comes to accommodations including upscale hotels or laidback bed and breakfasts.
There’s a lot to do in any of the provinces in Atlantic Canada. Each province is different than the other and travelers may find themselves wanting to visit each one in order to take in all that Atlantic Canada has to offer. The entire area is vibrant and refreshing and a great area of the country for travelers to visit any time of year.
