Photo Credit: EB Adventure Photography
From the gentle landscapes to some tasty food, Atlantic Canada feels custom-made for road trips.
Eastward ho! If you’re packing the car for an eastbound road trip from Ontario or Quebec into Canada’s Atlantic provinces, then this is the list for you. We’ve collected some of the tastiest, prettiest, and strangest stops along the way! Ready? Let’s go.
1. This way to the prettiest town in Quebec.
Foresta Lumina (Photo Credit: The Moment Factory)
WHERE IT IS: Lac-Brome’s Knowlton village, pop. 5595
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Lac-Brome (or Brome Lake for the Anglophiles) is a town that’s actually comprised of seven villages, the oldest (and loveliest) of which is the Victorian-era Knowlton. Founded in 1849, today it’s home to the Historical Society’s museum, children’s museum, Coldbrook Park, and a bevy of antique shops.
WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS: Musée Lac-Brome, in the heart of town, houses the WWI aircraft, Fokker DVII, one of few in perfect condition in the world!
TRAVEL TIP: An hour east is the ethereal Foresta Lumina, a magical nighttime experience running through October 2022.
STOP AT WAYPOINT: in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal
2. This way to an axe to grind.
The World’s Largest Axe in Nackawic, New Brunswick (Photo Credit: Darlene Munro)
WHERE IT IS: Nackawic, New Brunswick
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Move over, Thor! This 49-foot tall axe juts out of the ground as a monument to Canada’s forestry industry. Constructed in 1991, the head of the axe also holds a time capsule
WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS: The round base surrounding the axe is host to live music events, if you’re lucky enough to be around at the right moment.
TRAVEL TIP: If you have the time (about 75 minutes), don’t miss Nackawic’s Loop Scenic Drive, along the shores of the St. John River, with more than a dozen breathtaking vistas.
STOP AT WAYPOINT: in Edmunston, New Brunswick, outside Quebec, and on the Maine border.
3. This way to the phenomenal Bay of Fundy.
Bay of Fundy (Photo Credit: Peter Lloyd)
WHERE IT IS: the waters between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Named one of the 7 Natural Wonders of North America, the Bay is home to stunning rock formation, pre-historic dinosaur fossils, and unique wildlife including puffins, dolphins, and the spectacular North Atlantic Right Whale! And the region also has the world’s highest tides, up to 56 feet!
WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS: Walk on the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park, and stand next to the imposing “Flowerpot Rocks” at Hopewell Cape.
TRAVEL TIP: You will have to pay an entry fee per person to enter Fundy National Park of Canada.
STOP AT WAYPOINT: in Sussex, New Brunswick.
4. This way to hit the Trail.
West side of Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada
WHERE IT IS: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia’s scenic highway
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Looping around the northern tip of the island, it’s 298 kilometres of breathtaking scenery, passing through both the Cape Breton Highlands and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS: Book a whale watching tour in Ingonish for your chance to see a Humpback.
TRAVEL TIP: Be cautious on the windy roads, as the weather on Cape Breton Island can change from sunny to foggy from moment to moment.
STOP AT WAYPOINT: in Antigonish
5. This way to step back in time.
Lunenberg, Nova Scotia (Photo Credit: Nova Scotia Tourism)
WHERE IT IS: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, south of Halifax.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Founded in 1753, the tiny seaside town is still home to 70% of its original, colourful buildings. (No wonder it’s only one of two urban communities in North America with UNESCO designations!) Today, it’s one of the province’s most beloved destinations, filled with distilleries, artisans, and shops.
WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS: The seafood! The area’s South Shore is known for some of the best seafood in Atlantic Canada, from take-out fish and chips to elegant dining experiences.
TRAVEL TIP: Put this on your summer to-do list, as many local businesses are only open from May to October.
STOP AT WAYPOINT: with three locations in Halifax.
About this Blog
Every great adventure needs convenience.
This blog is for those who believe the journey is just as fun as the destination! Whether to visit family, adventures with friends, or classic family fun, no road trip is complete without the perfect snacks to fuel the good times! Like this blog is the stop at the start of the adventure, a Waypoint convenience store is a stop along the way to a lifetime of memories.
