Add These Stops To Your East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary

How does one decide what to see and do when planning an east coast Canada road trip itinerary? That’s a tough question since there’s so much to experience you’ll need much more than a week to even scratch the surface of just one province. From farm to table dining to exploring naturally beautiful cities to indulging in vodka made from water frozen in icebergs, Canada’s east coast will steal a piece of your heart and make you want to come back again and again to this magical part of the country.

Last year, before the world of travel changed, my wife and I planned to head over to Portugal for our 25th anniversary. This year, we were planning to follow that trip with one to the east coast. We still want to visit Portugal but it’s not something we feel comfortable doing right now. When it’s safe, we intend to explore Canada a lot more before thinking about international destinations. The first place we’re looking at is Atlantic Canada. It’s a shame that it took a pandemic to make us want to see more of Canada.

Getting There

The east coast of Canada is made up of four provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. You can definitely get there by driving (it is an epic east coast Canada road trip after all) and it’ll take about about sixteen hours to drive from Toronto to Moncton, NB. It’ll most likely take longer as I’m sure you’ll be stopping quite often to take in the fantastic views along the way.

If you’re short on time then you can find an Air Canada flight from many major airports. Depending on where you’re coming from you might need to take a connecting flight from Toronto or Montreal. If you’re flying through any of those airports I highly suggest spending a couple of days in either of those cities.

What To Add To Your East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re anything like me, trying to figure out what to add to your east coast Canada road trip itinerary is a very difficult thing to do. Each province has its own set of unique experiences.  Since we aren’t sure on what we should do when we finally get there, I reached out to a few fellow bloggers for some tips and they were more than willing to send me some highlights from their own past trips.

Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland & Labrador

Fogo Island Inn. Photo credit: Christopher Rudder

By: Christopher Rudder, rudderlesstravel.com

There is no place (other than my city and province) I love more than the East Coast when it comes to Canada. You will never meet friendlier human beings in any other place – except maybe Ireland, and based on the deep ancestral connection between the East Coast and Ireland, I’m not surprised. From visiting the Easternmost part of Canada, Cape Spear, and getting Screeched In, in St. John’s to the ridiculously delicious fresh Atlantic lobster, breathtaking nature and lazy icebergs.

I have to admit. There has never been a place I wanted to revisit more.

One of the most memorable experiences was spending the night in the Fogo Island Inn, on Fogo Island Newfoundland and Labrador. Breath-taking, elusive, remote and exclusive, the Fogo Island Inn is a Nordic-style luxury hotel that mixes modern and traditional and sits on stilts overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The Inn is the work of Zita Cobb, who realized the island needed a self-sustaining economic solution that didn’t rely on the island’s unpredictable fishing industry. Executive Chef Jonathan Gushue leads the Inn’s culinary team, and together they use ingredients specific to Fogo Island – Fresh North Atlantic ingredients are fished, farmed, and foraged locally.

All that aside, nothing beats the sound of the North Atlantic Ocean gently strumming at the shore a few feet from the large windows of your room while you fall asleep.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

By: Arienne Parzei, seeyousoon.ca

Canada’s East coast is home to a number of incredible national parks and one that can’t be missed is Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Spanning the width of the northern peninsula of Cape Breton Island and covering an area close to 1,000 square kilometres, Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers spectacular coastal views and mountain vistas. Accessible along the famous Cabot Trail, you can enter the park either through the east or west entrances in the communities of Ingonish or Chéticamp respectively. Once inside, visitors can enjoy beaches, waterfalls, fishing, golfing, and hiking any of the 26 trails.

For those looking for a challenge, take on the Franey Trail. Located on the eastern side of the park, this trail is rated difficult, gaining over 400m in elevation, and will take around 3 hours to complete. But you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline. Now, if there’s only one hiking trail you do, it has to be the Skyline Trail on the western side of the park. This 8km, fairly flat loop trail is best done around sunset. At the top of the loop you’ll come to the most spectacular view point with the sun setting over the ocean on one side and cars cruising along the Cabot Trail on the other side. There are platforms built along the boardwalk and benches for you to sit back and enjoy the view.

When planning your visit to Cape Breton Highlands National Park, set aside 4-5 days. Split your time between both sides of the park and choose between a variety of accommodations including tent camping and oTENTiks.

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse

By: Samantha Karen, samseesworld.com

No trip to Canada’s stunning East Coast is complete without making a visit to one of the most photographed places in Canada: Peggy’s Cove. Peggy’s Cove is a vibrant fishing village located on the coast of Nova Scotia only a short distance from the capital city of Halifax. A visit here will show you the authentic and real beauty of the east coast where you will find one of the world’s most famous lighthouses, smooth rocks, and small colourful village houses.

Nova Scotia is full of lighthouses but none are as famous as the one in Peggy’s Cove. The Lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove is one of the main attractions as people from around the world venture to the village to stroll around and see it in person. This lighthouse is called Peggy’s Point Lighthouse and it was built in 1915 and is still in use today. The view of the white lighthouse sitting on top of the smooth rock formations as the Atlantic Ocean waves crash against the shore is nothing short of amazing.

In addition to the world famous lighthouse, Peggy’s Cove is home to some small wooden houses and shops perfect for exploring. There are authentic souvenir shops, art galleries, and fresh coastal lobster restaurants. This makes Peggy’s Cove the perfect East Coast getaway that will show first time visitors of the coast what this magical area is all about.

Bay Of Fundy, New Brunswick

Bay Of Fundy. Photo credit: Mikaela at Voyageur Tripper

By: Mikaela, voyageurtripper.com

The Bay of Fundy is a gorgeous stretch of coast along the eastern stretch of Canada in New Brunswick. There are so many great opportunities for outdoor exploration like hiking and camping in Fundy National Park. However, if you love beautiful views without the hard work then you can drive the Fundy Trail Parkway which has many great overlooks.

A few of my personal favourite overlooks were Fox Rock Lookout, Melvin Beach Lookout, and Fuller Falls. If you’re looking for hikes in Fundy National Park then you shouldn’t miss Butland Lookout or Matthew’s Head. Taking a walk around Herring Cove or Point Wolfe are also great ways to spend the morning. For a gorgeous waterfall, hike take Moosehorn-Third Vault Falls.

Depending on when you make your trip, you may not see another soul on your adventure in the National Park. These are great places to enjoy the beauty of the coast, see some wildlife, and have your thoughts to yourself.

After you’ve had your fill of exploring the National Park drive up to Hopewell Rocks. These tall monoliths are large at the top and skinny at the bottom from the relentless waves that meet them twice each day. Walk along the beach among these giants and you’ll be in awe.

If you’re up for a unique adventure then take a guided kayaking tour around Hopewell Rocks with Baymount Adventures. You’ll get to see these giant rocks from a whole different perspective as you follow the coastline and weave through covered passageways.

The Bay of Fundy really is a can’t-miss destination on Canada’s east coast because of the natural beauty and outdoor adventures!

Iceberg Viewing, Newfoundland & Labrador

Iceberg viewing. Photo credit: Win Shi Wong

By: Win Shi Wong, winshiwong.wordpress.com

Did you know you can view icebergs in Canada? Every year, late March to early August, icebergs in Greenland and Canada’s Arctic break off from glaciers and float through Iceberg Alley, which stretches from Labrador all the way to Newfoundland’s southeast coast. In 1912, it was one of these icebergs that sank the infamous Titanic. Since then, local authorities started to take icebergs more seriously and Iceberg Alley was named after this disaster. Iceberg movement is monitored around the clock to advise boats accordingly.

Locals are used to seeing huge icebergs pass by their front door, even in the summer. Non-Newfoundlanders would surely want to experience this once in their lifetime. It’s not every day you get to see icebergs as tall as buildings. For me, it was a truly unique and humbling experience to see giant ice floating around me, giving off cold air as they melted off, bit by bit.



Newfoundland has a maritime climate so that means the weather can be unpredictable. You can experience, cold, rain, snow, sun, fog, all within the same day. Clear, sunny days are the best days to see icebergs clearly. You can find them in different shapes and sizes. Even colours can be slightly different from iceberg to iceberg. Some are pure white while some are light blue-green.

To see these icebergs, you most likely have to fly into St. John’s airport then drive to popular viewing spots. Twillingate is the iceberg capital of the world. During iceberg season, local businesses offer iceberg-related activities like boat tours (to get up close to the icebergs), whale watching, and bird watching. During my short visit, we drove to Bonavista and Trinity on a day trip to see the icebergs. We also saw a lot of icebergs along the coast during our drive. Feel free to pull up on the side of the road and get as close as you can. You might also find them at St. John’s Cape Spear. Pro tip: Use the Iceberg Finder website to find icebergs nearby.

While you’re there, be sure to try out beverages made from glacier water, e.g. Berg water, Iceberg Vodka. They can be easily found at local stores.

Murphy’s Camping On The Ocean, Nova Scotia

Murphy’s Camping On The Ocean. Photo credit: Donald Yap

By Donald Yap, exploringwiththeyaps.com

Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean. Recommended by a friend who is a native Nova Scotian, as an authentic East Coast experience! Our stay here was definitely one of the highlights of our trip out east. When people think of East Coast Canada, visions of rugged coastal shores and great seafood come to mind. All combined with a giant helping of the famous East Coast friendliness.

Located about an hour outside of Halifax, Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean is one of the longest-running campgrounds in Nova Scotia. The small family-run campsite has been in operation since 1960. Operated by Brian and Marylin Murphy, their mission is “To provide an unforgettable camping experience by creating a friendly and hospitable atmosphere with untethered access to the 100 Wild Islands.” and accomplishing this mission they do extremely well.

Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean is a small campground with just 51 sites. The campsites range from un-serviced wooded sites to fully serviced sites for trailers. As well as its campsites, Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean also offers fully loaded trailer rental and even The Upper Deck of the Lobster Tank Building.



As well as the campgrounds themselves, Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean also offers a wide variety of ways to explore the coastal island wilderness of the 100 Wild Islands. Zip-around the area with the 100 Islands in 100 Minutes’ experience or take a leisurely ride around on the Scenic Boat Tour. There are even options to be dropped off for a day or overnight on one of the islands for your very own ocean paradise. For those looking to get a more intimate feel with the 100 Wild Island, Murphy’s also offers kayaking experiences to get up close and personal with the islands. Our recommendation is to take the Sunset tour. Captain Ryan Murphy will take you out 5km into the ocean, for a sunset experience like no other.

Once the sun has gone down and everyone is back at the campgrounds, the highlight of our stay at Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean, is the Communal Campfire & Mussel Boil. Whenever possible Brian and Marylin Murphy invites all the guests of the campsite to join in on a Communal Campfire by the main dock. Basking in the warmth of the campfire, listening to the strum of a guitar, crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean or tales of local folklore, all while enjoying a plate of complimentary mussels. This IS the quintessential warm hospitable East Coast experience.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax Waterfront

By: Anjali Wadhwa, cheerfultrails.com

Nova Scotia’s capital and a pretty maritime city, Halifax is a must visit destination in the country. Vibrant, cosmopolitan, and historically steeped in Canadian culture, Halifax greets visitors with iconic landmarks, museums, beaches, cultural hotspots, stunning harbour and ample amount of greenness.

There is something for everyone in Halifax. The splendid Halifax waterfront that is home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration, the Maritime Museum of Atlantic, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the oldest farmer’s market is one of the most picturesque places to visit in the city.

It is known to be one of the longest downtown boardwalks in the world. The waterfront is lined up with cafes, seafood shacks, beer crafts and local stores. A tour on the unique and amphibious Harbour Hopper takes you through all the landmarks of the city by land and sea.



The historically significant Halifax Citadel is the highest overlooking site which is best for panoramic views of the harbour and the entire city. Many festivals and events are held in Halifax during the summers, which make it even more enjoyable. These include the Busker Festival, Jazz Festival, Pride Festival, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Festival, Whisky Festival, and Rib Festival.

The renowned show Shakespeare By The Sea held at the Point Pleasant Park showcases live classic performances based on the writing of Shakespeare and other notable literary writers. Do not miss out visiting the Public Gardens, one of the most picturesque Victorian styled gardens featuring seasonal blooms, charming ponds, quaint bridges, ornate fountains, decorated gates, sculptures and little arcades to walk through.

Halifax is a city that offers epic adventures, historical explorations, great eateries and some of the finest seashore beaches of Canada’s East coast.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Photo Credit: Stephen Walker

By: Jerry Godinho, fourcolumnsofabalancedlife.com

The South Shore of Nova Scotia is famous for its scenic and quaint seaside towns. Lunenburg is an example of this.

Lunenburg is a classic port town in Nova Scotia, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. No city in North America gives you a better insight into how the British planned their settlements as Lunenburg. Lunenburg is named after the Duke of Braunschweig-Lunenburg who would become King George II of Great Britain.

The perfect picture card town is a great place to take a walking tour of the downtown which is also a National Historic Site of Canada. Take some time to visit the harbor and see the beautiful tall ships, including Bluenose II. The boat tour gives you an amazing view of the waterfront. Ironworks Distillery offers an insightful tour of Nova Scotia’s first artisan distilley.

Look at the homes, the vibrant colors, the shops. There is a certain magic about Lunenburg.

If you are fan of sea food, I strongly recommend The Dockside Inn & Restaurant. Go to the patio have a delicious meal and look at the beautiful waterfront and the natural beauty.

The Farmer’s Market offers fresh seafood and beautiful artisan items.

For a lovely souvenir head out to Admiral Benbow Trading company where you will find quality products with a nautical theme. My favorite is the Mosaic which has a robust line up of products from all over Canada.

Lunenburg takes you into another world of old charm and beauty and you have to visit it.

I have to say a huge thanks to all those who helped with this post. I’ve realized that there’s a whole lot I need to add to my East Coast Canada road trip itinerary.  I know our time there will be limited but that’s not a problem as I’m sure we’ll visit more than once.