Summer season Journey in Canada 2025: Exploring Atlantic Canada with Youngsters

With summer time across the nook, many households are trying nearer to house for his or her subsequent journey and there’s no higher time to rediscover the great thing about Canada. From coast to coast, the nation affords a various panorama of experiences excellent for household journey, whether or not you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring charming small cities, having fun with the good open air, or simply desirous to unwind at a resort.

On this multi-part collection, let’s break it down by journeying throughout the nation, exploring family-friendly locations area by area, from the coastal charms of the East coast to the rugged great thing about the West. I’ll share a few of the enjoyable experiences my household has loved, together with locations which might be nonetheless on our hit record.

Let’s begin off with Atlantic Canada, the place should you love the good open air, there’s positively loads to see and discover.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island delights households with its iconic purple sand seashores and a contact of literary magic. At Inexperienced Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, youngsters can step into the world of Anne of Inexperienced Gables and produce the beloved story to life.

Of the quite a few seashores that dot the island, my prime picks are:

• Cavendish Seaside. which gives excellent sandcastle-building with supervised swimming areas
• Basin Head Provincial Park, nicknamed “Singing Sands Seaside”, which options distinctive squeaking sand and a maritime museum
• Thunder Cove Seaside. which affords secluded purple cliffs and a well-known sandstone arch excellent for exploring throughout low tide.

Really useful Keep: Delta Accommodations Prince Edward in downtown Charlottetown affords spacious, no-frills lodging with an indoor pool, all inside an hour’s drive of most of Prince Edward Island’s prime sights.

Nightly charges this summer time vary from $300–400 (all costs in CAD) or 39,000–50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors, which implies you possibly can use a 35K Free Evening Award (with a factors top-up) that comes yearly with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Specific®* Card.

Paying to your Marriott keep along with your card will earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy factors per greenback spent, serving to you rack up rewards quicker to your subsequent redemption.

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island enchants guests with its breathtaking coastal views, finest skilled alongside the scenic Cabot Path. Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park affords seashores, climbing trails, wildlife recognizing and spectacular views.

One family-friendly hike to not miss is the Skyline Path—simple, rewarding, and providing sweeping vistas.

For one thing completely different that celebrates Canadian heritage, head to the seasonal Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Historic Web site, the place youngsters can get hands-on with interactive displays and discover the world of invention.

On the south aspect of the Cape Breton, go to the Fortress of Louisbourg the place historical past comes alive with costumed interpreters and demonstrations. 

Really useful Keep: Cape Breton Villas is a superb trip rental property to discover the northern a part of the Cabot Path from. It’s proper near the coast and affords as much as 4-bedroom villas. Costs begin at simply over $300 per evening for a 2 bed room villa throughout the summer time.

If in case you have golfers within the household and are up for a splurge, the Cabot Cape Breton affords luxurious however expensive rooms and villas with gorgeous coastal views. I stayed right here just a few years in the past on a {couples}’ golf journey and whereas I’m not a golfer myself, I’d return only for the setting.

Vacation Inn Sydney-Waterfront, positioned additional south, gives snug lodging with an indoor pool and waterslide and quick access to downtown sights for underneath $200–300 per evening, or an affordable 26,000–40,000 IHG One Rewardsfactors per evening.

St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

When you’re searching for a resort-style escape in a picturesque coastal city, St. Andrews by-the-Sea in New Brunswick is a unbelievable selection. One in every of Japanese Canada’s most charming small cities, it’s stuffed with boutique retailers, artwork galleries, and a laid-back seaside vibe.

On the town you’ll additionally discover the Kingsbrae Backyard, the place youngsters can work together with alpacas whereas having fun with the floral shows. When the tide goes out, you’ll be able to even drive throughout the ocean ground to achieve Minister’s Island, as soon as house to Canadian Pacific Railway President Sir William Van Horne.

For an up-close take a look at the area’s marine life, go to the Fundy Discovery Aquarium for hands-on displays nice for youths. Older youngsters and adults can be a part of one among their Huntsman Marine Experiences – land and boat day excursions led by skilled naturalists–for an immersive, enjoyable, and academic dive into the area’s sealife.

When you’re already in New Brunswick, it’s nicely value making the three.5-hour drive to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, the place you’ll be able to stroll on the ocean ground at low tide and marvel on the towering rock formations.

Really useful Keep: The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Assortment is the place you’ll wish to stick with your loved ones. This full-service resort has all of the facilities you’ll need for a enjoyable, laid again household trip, with an indoor pool and waterslide, outside pool, and Playzone video games room.

Nightly charges this summer time vary from $300–500 per evening. Base room redemptions vary from 37,000–50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening, however sadly solely accommodate as much as two company.

When you’re reserving a money price, be sure you get in contact with our journey company, Prince Assortment, for a quote. This property participates in Marriott Luminous, and we’re capable of supply further perks corresponding to complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit score, and extra, all at no further value to you.

Sable Island, Nova Scotia

When you’re up for a splurge and a novel journey, Sable Island sits 300 km southeast of Halifax. This distant sandbar is legendary for sand dunes and wildlife. Entry requires chartered flights or boat excursions from Halifax with advance Parks Canada permits. 

Sights embody observing wild horses, beachcombing pristine shores, and photographing various chicken populations and seal colonies. With no on-island lodging, households ought to base in Halifax. 

Though the accommodations in Halifax are cheap, the island expertise doesn’t come low cost, with transfers costing at minimal $2,000 per particular person, however it is going to be a memorable one. This premium tour affords a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to see one among Canada’s most protected ecosystem.

Whilst you’re in Halifax, take a look at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. It’s an academic and fascinating cease for youths who love ships, tales, and hands-on discovery. They will discover actual boats, find out about pirates and the Titanic. Afterwards, seize lunch and let the children burn off some vitality on the harbourfront play space.

Really useful Keep: Muir, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Halifax  gives an opulent possibility alongside the harbour for ~$700 or 72,000–80,000 Bonvoy factors per evening for a room with two queen beds. This property can be part of Marriott STARS, a most well-liked companion program out there by our in-house journey company, Prince Assortment.

For extra economical choices, there’s the brand new Moxy Halifax Downtown for underneath $300 or 25,000–33,000 Bonvoy factors per evening, or a full-service resort with a pool, contemplate the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Resort for ~$400 or 42,000–49,000 Bonvoy factors per evening. 

Fogo Island, Newfoundland

Fogo Island affords a particular expertise on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. This distant vacation spot options rugged magnificence, conventional fishing tradition, and world-class structure. 

Other than taking within the wonderful ocean views, summer time is a superb time for climbing the various terrain, whale watching, puffin viewing, berry choosing, and probably iceberg viewing should you’re fortunate.

The Marine Interpretation Centre additionally gives interactive displays about native marine life whereas on the Wood Boat Museum youngsters can find out about boat constructing.

Really useful Keep: The architecturally gorgeous Fogo Island Inn affords an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive expertise and welcomes kids aged 8 and older. Meals and native experiences like hikes, jam-making, foraging, wildlife watching, and extra, are all included.

E book this property by our in-house journey company, Prince Assortment, which may give you entry to unique perks to raise your keep.

Finances-conscious choices are additionally out there for $200–300 an evening all through the island and might be booked by Airbnb (and keep in mind to ebook by British Airways’s platform to earn Avios to your keep).

Gros Morne Nationwide Park, Newfoundland

Gros Morne Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in Newfoundland, isn’t only for hardcore hikers–it’s an unimaginable playground for households, too. With its dramatic fjords and views that rival these of New Zealand, quiet seashores, and simple trails, there’s one thing for youths of all ages to get pleasure from. 

The Discovery Centre options interactive displays explaining the park’s distinctive geology in kid-friendly methods earlier than embarking on a climbing path. For a comparatively flat, simple hike, the place it seems such as you’re strolling on Mars, take a look at the beginner-friendly Tablelands path.

The Inexperienced Gardens path affords an extended trek that results in coastal cliffs, sea stacks, and grassy meadows. Lastly, for many who are up for a climb, take a look at the Lookout path for wonderful panoramic views. 

For a extra stress-free day, households can discover tidal swimming pools at Shallow Bay Seaside or take a ship tour of Western Brook Pond for a more in-depth view of the spectacular fjords, towering cliffs, and waterfalls. 

Really useful Keep: You’ll wish to keep near the the Nationwide Park to benefit from all it has to supply. The cities of Rocky Harbour, Norris Level, and Woody Level are 10–45 minutes away and shall be the best choice.

Sadly, they don’t have resort chains like Hilton, Marriott, or Vacation Inn. As a substitute, they provide a number of regionally owned mattress and breakfasts and boutique lodging that present a extra intimate and genuine expertise. Many of those might be booked by Airbnb. 

Utilizing Fastened-Worth Packages in Atlantic Canada

As you enterprise past the cities within the Maritimes, you would possibly discover a scarcity of big-name resort chains. An effective way to offset the price of boutique stays or Airbnbs is by utilizing bank cards that provide fixed-value rewards applications.

For instance, Scene+ factors earned by a Scotiabank Gold American Specific® Card might be redeemed in opposition to any journey purchases at a price of 100 Scene+ factors to a $1.

Alternatively, TD Rewards Factors earned by a TD First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card may also be redeemed for journey purchases. Each 200 factors is value $1 off journey purchases on Expedia for TD, which is the most effective redemption possibility for his or her program. 

Conclusion

If your loved ones loves the good open air, the Atlantic provinces supply loads of locations excellent for a summer time getaway. This publish highlighted just some, however hopefully it’s sparked your curiosity in exploring the East Coast for some household enjoyable this yr.

Staying inside Canada means your greenback goes additional—with out sacrificing the journey. Keep tuned for the following publish the place we’ll discover the opposite Japanese provinces, Ontario and Quebec.