A travel guide to Atlantic Canada’s culinary and urban experiences
There is much more to Atlantic Canada than the great outdoors, and its city life and seafood scene is bound to surprise. We’ve teamed up with the experts at Audley to help you plan a tasty urban escape to Atlantic Canada…
New Brunswick
History and culture:
A fascinating mélange has made New Brunswick what it is today: influenced by Indigenous, and generations of Scots, Irish and French-speaking Acadian settlers have all added their own flavour to New Brunswick’s cultural stew. The best place to discover the area’s Acadian history is at the Village Historique Acadian, where restored buildings and costumed guides will transport you back to centuries past. There’s a similar time travel experience at Kings Landing, which resembles a traditional settlers’ village circa the mid 1800s. Another landmark worth visiting is Grande Anse Lighthouse, built to protect ships from foundering on the treacherous Fundy coast: it’s painted with the colours of the Acadian flag. And in Fredericton, don’t miss the incredible art collection at Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which includes works by Dalí, Gainsborough, Turner and many others.
What to eat:
If you love seafood, then you’ll be in fishy heaven in New Brunswick – especially in Shediac, the lobster capital of the world. Forget etiquette: don a bib, crack some claws and just dive in. Fredericton has a dynamic dining scene: sink a few brews at Graystone Brewing or Grimross, then head downtown for small plates at 11th Mile or surf-and-turf at Maxwell’s. For tastings of award-winning wines, make a trip to Magnetic Hill Winery, near Moncton, or for hyper-local dining with a Maritime twist, trek out to upscale Origines in Caraquet.
How to get there:
Audley’s 13-day self-drive tour of New Brunswick begins in Halifax, then heads to New Brunswick for Acadian history in St-Louis and Caraquet, island-hopping and coastal exploring around Saint Andrews by-the-Sea, and two days of hiking and kayaking around Fundy National Park and Hopewell Rocks.
Prince Edward Island
History and culture:
As every Canadian knows, Charlottetown played a pivotal role in their history. It was here, at the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, that the foundation for the modern nation of Canada was born. You can still visit important buildings including Government House, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, and Beaconsfield House, built in 1877 for well-to-do islanders James and Edith Peake, and now considered one of the finest examples of Canadian Victorian architecture. Book buffs will want to make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the beloved author who was born and raised on Prince Edward Island. Her Anne of Green Gables series has enchanted generations of readers, young and old, making her a central figure in the Island’s legacy.
What to eat:
Charlottetown offers even more world-class lobster to enjoy, whether you choose to partake in a traditional lobster feast or hop aboard a working lobster boat to catch your own. Back in town, head for Slaymaker & Nichols for a taste of fresh, local ingredients with a trendy, cozy atmosphere, Claddagh Oyster House for fresh oysters or The Brickhouse for quality pub grub. Venture a bit further east to enjoy a fire-cooked feast at the Inn at Bay Fortune. Sample seafood at Malpeque Oyster Barn or the seasonal local favourite, Blue Mussel Cafe in beachy North Rustico. And don’t forget an ice-cream from the original branch of COWS – tempting flavours include bubblegum, Gooey Mooey, PEI Apple Crisp and more.
How to get there:
To get to PEI from New Brunswick, you cross the 2okm Confederation Bridge, one of Canada’s longest road bridges. You’ll cross the bridge on Audley’s Atlantic Canada’s Maritime Treasures self-drive tour, spending time soaking up Charlottetown’s history and culture.
Nova Scotia
History and culture:
From its hilltop fortress to its historic waterfront, the Nova Scotian capital Halifax, has a past stretching back to the early days of Canada. Explore the history of immigration at the moving Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 or climb up to the star-shaped Citadel for the best views over the city. There are two more historic forts to see in Louisbourg and Annapolis Royal, while the charming UNESCO-listed town of Lunenburg looks like something out of a storybook, with its clapboard buildings, churches and straight streets. You can also visit the former home of inventor Alexander Graham Bell on Cape Breton Island, now a National Historic Site.
What to eat:
Halifax has a thriving craft beer scene, from stalwarts like Garrison Brewing and Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery to newer brewers such as Stillwell and Good Robot. Glenora Inn & Distillery in Mabou was North America’s first single Malt Whiskey Distillery. Visit to learn about their fascinating story and sample the whisky for yourself.
The vineyards of the Annapolis Valley are an essential stop for oenophiles; many also offer sophisticated farm-to-table dining. For lobster, book in for a feast at Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound or the Shore Club in Hubbards, or how about dining out on the ocean floor with Food Fantastique? As the mighty Bay of Fundy tides recede, tables are set out on the sand near Burntcoat Head for an unforgettable al fresco culinary experience.
How to get there:
Nova Scotia’s coast roads make for scenic driving, as you will soon discover on Audley’s Atlantic Canada’s Maritime Treasures self-drive tour which includes road tripping Atlantic Canada’s scenic highway, the Cabot Trail.
Newfoundland and Labrador
History and culture:
Any trip to Newfoundland and Labrador has to begin in the capital city, St John’s, with its rainbow-coloured houses, atmospheric harbourfront and late-night music scene. Once you’re done with downtown, head over to Quidi Vidi to explore the area’s fishing history and browse the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios. Over on the Bonavista Peninsula, Trinity is another former fishing town turned artistic hub that’s well worth a visit. And on the tip of the island’s Great Northern Peninsula, at L’Anse aux Meadows, the remains of a 1,000 year-old Viking settlement established by adventurer Leif Erikson, a.k.a. Leif the Lucky, can still be seen.
What to eat:
St John’s is the epicentre of Canada’s craft beer revival, with microbreweries like Bannerman Brewing Co and Yellowbelly Brewery leading the way. Don’t miss Quidi Vidi Brewery to sample its iceberg beer. The lager is made from water from the bergs, and claims to be the purest water on earth.
For nightlife, the raucous area around George St is the heart of the action, while Water and Duckworth Sts are more laid-back. The Duke of Duckworth and O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub are classic St John’s pubs to savour. For refined local dining, try the Merchant Tavern or Mallard Cottage, both champions of sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients.
How to get there:
Discover Newfoundland from behind the wheel on Audley’s 15-day itinerary that takes in towering icebergs, the magnificent scenery of UNESCO-listed Gros Morne National Park, L’Anse aux Meadows and the wildlife along the Northern Peninsula.
