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

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

On this multi-part sequence, 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 among the enjoyable experiences my household has loved, together with locations which can be nonetheless on our hit listing.

Let’s begin off with Atlantic Canada, the place if you happen to love the nice outside, there’s positively loads to see and discover.

Prince Edward Island

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

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

• Cavendish Seaside. which supplies 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 presents secluded pink cliffs and a well-known sandstone arch excellent for exploring throughout low tide.

Really helpful Keep: Delta Resorts Prince Edward in downtown Charlottetown presents 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 season vary from $300–400 (all costs in CAD) or 39,000–50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors, which implies you could possibly use a 35K Free Night time Award (with a factors top-up) that comes yearly with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Specific®* Card.

Paying on your Marriott keep along with your card will earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy factors per greenback spent, serving to you rack up rewards sooner on 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 presents 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 children can get hands-on with interactive reveals 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 helpful 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 presents as much as 4-bedroom villas. Costs begin at simply over $300 per evening for a 2 bed room villa through the summer season.

In case you have golfers within the household and are up for a splurge, the Cabot Cape Breton presents 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, supplies 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

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

On the town you’ll additionally discover the Kingsbrae Backyard, the place children 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 flooring to succeed in Minister’s Island, as soon as residence to Canadian Pacific Railway President Sir William Van Horne.

For an up-close have a look at the area’s marine life, go to the Fundy Discovery Aquarium for hands-on reveals nice for youths. Older children and adults can be a part of one in every of 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.

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

Really helpful Keep: The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Assortment is the place you’ll need 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, out of doors pool, and Playzone video games room.

Nightly charges this summer season 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.

In the event you’re reserving a money price, make sure to get in contact with our journey company, Prince Assortment, for a quote. This property participates in Marriott Luminous, and we’re in a position to provide further perks similar to complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit score, and extra, all at no further price to you.

Sable Island, Nova Scotia

In the event you’re up for a splurge and a singular journey, Sable Island sits 300 km southeast of Halifax. This distant sandbar is known 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 hen populations and seal colonies. With no on-island lodging, households ought to base in Halifax. 

Though the resorts in Halifax are cheap, the island expertise doesn’t come low cost, with transfers costing at minimal $2,000 per particular person, however it will likely be a memorable one. This premium tour presents a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to see one in every of 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 power on the harbourfront play space.

Really helpful Keep: Muir, a Luxurious Assortment Lodge, Halifax  supplies an expensive choice alongside the harbour for ~$700 or 72,000–80,000 Bonvoy factors per evening for a room with two queen beds. This property can also be part of Marriott STARS, a most popular companion program obtainable by means of 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 lodge with a pool, think about the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Lodge for ~$400 or 42,000–49,000 Bonvoy factors per evening. 

Fogo Island, Newfoundland

Fogo Island presents 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 superb ocean views, summer season is a superb time for climbing the varied terrain, whale watching, puffin viewing, berry selecting, and probably iceberg viewing if you happen to’re fortunate.

The Marine Interpretation Centre additionally supplies interactive reveals about native marine life whereas on the Wood Boat Museum children can find out about boat constructing.

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

Guide this property by means of our in-house journey company, Prince Assortment, which might give you entry to unique perks to raise your keep.

Price range-conscious choices are additionally obtainable for $200–300 an evening all through the island and may be booked by means of Airbnb (and keep in mind to guide by means of British Airways’s platform to earn Avios on 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 unbelievable playground for households, too. With its dramatic fjords and views that rival these of New Zealand, quiet seashores, and straightforward trails, there’s one thing for youths of all ages to take pleasure in. 

The Discovery Centre options interactive reveals 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 appears such as you’re strolling on Mars, take a look at the beginner-friendly Tablelands path.

The Inexperienced Gardens path presents an extended trek that results in coastal cliffs, sea stacks, and grassy meadows. Lastly, for individuals who are up for a climb, take a look at the Lookout path for superb 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 helpful Keep: You’ll need 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 might be the best choice.

Sadly, they don’t have lodge 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 may be booked by means of Airbnb. 

Utilizing Fastened-Worth Applications in Atlantic Canada

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

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

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

Conclusion

If your loved ones loves the nice outside, the Atlantic provinces provide loads of locations excellent for a summer season getaway. This put up highlighted only a few, 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 put up the place we’ll discover the opposite Japanese provinces, Ontario and Quebec.