We're going on a road trip July 4th weekend. Driving up on Friday to Halifax, Nova Scotia. We will have Saturday to explore there. Then Sunday morning, I guess, drive to Charlottetown, PEI and see whatever we can in that area the rest of Sunday. And drive home on Monday. Alice picked up the AAA Tour books and I suppose we'll pick out some "Gems". If you have any tips, please let us know. Thanks!

Kim, While in Halifax, if you have time drive up to Peggy's Cove. The scenery on the way up is gorgeous and the views around the lighthouse are really nice. The local restaurant has some dynamite warm gingerbread with homemade vanilla ice cream.... and I'm not a big gingerbread person. You and Alice can work it off with some of your ex~scream adventures later!

My husband and I spent 2 weeks in NS and PEI. In addition to Peggy's Cove I would continue to drive up the coast to Lunenburg, a World Unesco Heritage Site. It is a very quaint fishing village. We went over to Fundy's Bay to watch the tide (it rises and falls 60 ft everyday!) and took the most awesome whale watching trip on that side of the island ever!. Of course the Cabot Trail is incredible. If you can, get the Nova Scotia travel guide on-line (google Nova Scotia), it is free and it was our bible throughout our trip. NS/PEI is very easy driving and there are tourist spots everywhere that can help you with your every need. The lobster and scallops are incredible up there, never tasted anything like it.

You're cracking me up, Beth!!

I like the Peggy's Cove and on to Lunenburg idea. I don't really want to spend much time in Halifax if it feels like just another city.

Dixiechick - NovaScotia.com is a nice website! I hadn't even check there. Good downloadable guides. Thanks for the tip!

I realize this trip is really too short to do either location justice, but we just want to have a nice little road trip and see the highlights. Too many ski trips, scuba trips, and cruises using up all our vacation time. So a little time off like a holiday weekend and we jump at the chance to go somewhere.

Two Labor Day weekends ago we went to see the tides at Bay of Fundy. Very cool.

Ok, off to study the guides.

Kim, Fort George in Halifax might be an interesting place to visit. We just made a photo stop, but I'm reading on Trip Advisor that the guided tour is a good thing to do.

In PEI you can visit Green Gables from the Book Anne of Green Gables. The PEI Jam or Jelly Factory had some jams/jellies we brought home and it was wonderful. Worth the stop. Strawberry and Grand Marnier - the photography at Peggy's Cove was great. Also there was a history re-creation site with buildings that were restored and a real working farm. I don't recall the name.

mmmmm, Grand Marnier jam.... sounds good!!

Unfortunately, you probably can't do it in a short weekend, but we LOVED Digby (the Scallop Capital of the World!). Had a great time watching the tides come and go, and also the scallop fleets. We took the CAT ferry from Portland, spent a few days in Nova Scotia and then took the CAT to Bar Harbor. It was a great week. If you find yourself able to make Digby, here's a great place to stay in Digby http://www.fundyrestaurant.com/docksidesuites.shtml

Thanks, Beth. Going to look up Fort George now. Seems like we should see something in the city.

Kathy -- Alice will like the photo ops. She's still enjoying the Powershot S80 you helped her pick out. And, me? Well, I'm having fun with the Olympus Stylus Tough I bought in March that's shockproof up to 6ft, waterproof down to 33ft, freezeproof down to 14 degrees and crushproof to 220 lbs. So, it's perfect for our, what was it Beth, "ex-scream" adventures!

Grand Marnier jam? wow! do you put that on English muffins or vanilla ice cream!?

I'm bummed that the CAT ferry isn't running anymore. Funding issues, I guess.

I didn't realize the CAT was no longer running - that's too bad. It was a great trip!

I would say either or both!!

Kim, Alice..it's Charlene from the Mariner. Oh, and I happen to have been BORN in PEI. So, please do enjoy my darling wee Island.

Having said that...first, I also love Nova Scotia, and definitely do as Sally (Dixiechick) said, and order the free tourist booklet, it's free, and filled with lovely photos, ideas, maps etc. PEI has one as well, I think it may be under "the gentle island" or similar tourism place. Google it!

In NS I agree with everyone who advised taking a drive along the coast, visiting Peggy's Cove, (do it early, before the cruise ships arrive), see lovely Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. There's a beautiful coastal drive for you to take, and then there's a quick slightly inland highway route for a quick return. Maps are in brochure they'll send you,

Where are you staying in Halifax? Halifax has more pubs per capita than anywhere in NORTH AMERICA. I think you should have fun, and I will happily recommend a couple!!!!

As for PEI, what day of the week are you there? Would you be able to take in a stage production of "Anne of Green Gables" at the Charlottetown Festival? I swear, you'd adore it, it's fabulous, and better than going to the actual Lucy Maud Montgomery House. Check out the Charlottetown Festival website, if you can get tickets, go!!!

Drive the "Blue Heron" route on the Island (through Rustico and Cavendish etc), no need to go beyond that one, it will take a couple of hours, and take in so much of the gorgeous scenery, it's all you'll need. P.E.I. is like a picture pop-up book that children get, perfect little picket fences, farms, rolling green hills...I pray you get good weather!!!

Email me if you need ANY other info!!!

xoxoxo

Kim & Alice - Or you could be daring, spend the 4th in the US and go to Halifax in the middle of winter like my son and DIL. Actually they had a wonderful time. Lots of brewery viewing and sampling.



Have a wonderful time.

Charlene - I loved PEI and Charlottetown! Great places to sit and have a glass of wine at the harbor and watch life.

Correction: The jam is Strawberry with Grand Marnier combined. I think they had Stawberry and Champagne too.

On our recent cruise we rented a car in Halifax an drove to Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove, through the little seaside villages. I definitely can recommend that route! Lunenburg and Mahone Bay were both beautiful little towns, and in Lunenburg we had the best seafood chowder in my life at a little cafe. We got the recommendation from the visitor center and the fudge shop across the street. Speaking of foodie items, at the little gift shop at Peggy's Cove we picked up some luscious wild blueberry and maple syrup jam.

Hi Charlene!

Thanks so much for the tips! We will be at the Marriott Harbourfront in Halifax. Nothing booked yet for PEI. Thanks for the Blue Heron route recommendation. I hadn't been able to determine the best choice for scenic driving. We will be there Sunday night for sure, haven't decided yet whether to stay in Halifax on Saturday night or somewhere else.

Priscilla - Yep, we'll do that Peggy's Cove on beyond drive. Ray sent us a link for the video he took on his cruise up there a couple years ago. Looks great!

Betty, Are there mountains to ski on? Winter is for skiing! Or FUN2. Great photo, though.
Thanks all!!

Well, we had a great time! Got back Monday evening. We drove 1996 miles in 4 days. It was stinking HOT, but we were happy with the clear skies. We drove to Halifax on Friday and checked into the Marriott Harbourside (used annual free night from Marriott Visa card). Walking along the boardwalk was very pleasant. We ate outside on the deck at the touristy, but fun, Murphy's. Saturday morning breakfast outside at the Marriott was very nice looking at the water and the ferry going back and forth to Dartmouth. We then drove out to Peggy's Cove. The QM2 was in port, so it was a bit crowded by the time we left Peggy's Cove. We got there at a good time. It was incredibly beautiful morning. Then we drove to Lunnenburg. Also a nice 5 km drive to Blue Rocks a very "quaint" working fishing community. Then back to Halifax the long way on back roads along the coast instead of the hwy. Checked into the Four Points Sheraton (Free Weekend Night). Excellent sushi dinner after an hour-long walk through the harbor front.

Up Sunday morning for the drive to PEI across the dramatic Confederation Bridge. Did most of the Central Coast Drive (formerly known as the Blue Heron Trail) and the Points East Drive. Then into Charlottetown and checked into the Great George Hotel. Had to pay for that one, but it was worth it. Fantastic hotel! After dinner, walking back to the hotel, we stumbled onto a street parade performance by Cirque du Soleil! Really very very cool.

During the 1996 mile drive, we saw a black bear along the hwy in New Brunswick, 2 foxes on PEI back roads, a bald eagle standing on a beach near North Lake Harbour PEI, and a few deers.

Thanks again for the tips and advice. It was an excellent trip! Next up, Yosemite and Sequoia Labor Day week, followed by Vail/Beaver Creek Dec 3-11, and then on to FIESTA and FUN2!
woo hooo!!! :app:

Hey Kim,

So glad you and Alice had a nice July 4th weekend. Sounds like a lot of driving, but I know you saw some beautiful scenery and have wonderful memories. Would love to see pictures.

loved reading your trip report Alice!

Kim - Yes there are mountains to ski on during the summer. Only missing snow. But the Gondola at Lionshead runs all summer and it's free on weekends from 4-7. If that doesn't convince you, nothing will. Lots of other fun summer things to do. :app:

Kim and Alice, I'm SO glad you enjoyed your short trip to NS and PEI. Two of my favourite places. I hope the maritimers you ran into treated you well, "we" are known for our hospitality!!!!

No longer the "Blue Heron" trail, then? Hmmmm. I do not embrace change. LOL.

Love, Charlene

Yes, Charlene, everyone was great! They took excellent care of us. We loved our short time there. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't able to find anything on-line about the Blue Heron Trail. So, we stopped at the info center when we got over the bridge and asked. Everything was clear after that!