20 Best Attractions in East Coast in Canada
Canada is a big, diverse nation. Due to its immensity, the majority of visitors concentrate on the western and eastern provinces. The East coast of Canada is an exciting area to discover the history, culture, and magnificent beauty, while the west boasts Vancouver and the Rockies.
You’ll have the impression that you’re in France when you’re in Quebec City. You’ll be in awe of the magnificent waterfalls at Niagara Falls. Eastern Canada is unquestionably a must-visit area of the nation because of its breathtaking scenery and quaint communities. Consider including these popular locations on your itinerary.
East Coast in Canada
There are many interesting spots to visit on Canada’s east coast since it has a rich history that tells the country’s tale. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are frequently lumped together as one province; each has its distinct history. Here are some must-see locations on the East coast in Canada.
1. Viewing icebergs on Canada’s East Coast
Natural wonders that are unique to Canada’s east coast can be found nowhere else. A procession of 10,000-year-old icebergs travels through Iceberg Alley, which is located between Labrador’s coast and Newfoundland’s northeastern edge, in late May & early June.
Awe-inspiring coastal views of the bergs can be seen in Newfoundland and Labrador at places like St. Lewis, Twillingate, Bonavista, and Cape St. Mary’s. Take a boat trip or paddle a kayak for a unique perspective if you’d rather get up close & personal with all these icy creatures.
These old glacial giants can be seen in the spring and summer from numerous locations along the northern & eastern shores, particularly on clear, sunny days. They come in every size, shape, and color imaginable, ranging from bright white to the deepest aquamarine. They continue to be in awe of them even though they come from the Arctic every spring and leave a few months later.
2. The Western Greenland Glaciers
Icebergs are glacier edges that have separated and slid into the water. The western Greenland glaciers produce around 90% of the icebergs observed off Newfoundland and Labrador, with the remaining 10% coming from Canadian Arctic glaciers. Even without taking into account the fact that 90% of them are still beneath the ocean’s surface, their sheer immensity will astound you.
Around here, icebergs are so common that we make use of them. You can sip it neat, like with Berg water, or mixed with alcoholic beverages like Iceberg Vodka & Rum. Keep in mind the well-known Iceberg Beer.
Icebergs should not be taken lightly. The historic Titanic was sunk by one of these icebergs just 400 miles off our coast.
Only 10% of the iceberg is viewable above the water’s surface, as you’ve surely heard. But did you realise that the majority of iceberg drawings we see would be completely unstable in reality? In reality, icebergs float laterally rather than vertically. Check it out yourself!
3. Places to Watch
From the Labradorian coast to the southeast coastline of the island of Newfoundland, there is a place called Iceberg Alley. St. Lewis, Red Bay, Point Amour, La Scie, Twillingate, Change Islands, Bonavista, Cape Spear, & Bay Bulls / Witless Bay are some of the more well-known locations that can be reached on foot or by tour boat (from north to south). The first four, located on the southern Labrador coast, are all-year-round accessible by vehicle ferry from the island of Newfoundland. The iceberg season lasts longer the further north you go.
1. When to See
From early spring through early summer, icebergs pass through Iceberg Alley. The season lengthens as you head north. Bergs are most common in April and May, but they could be trapped in sea ice during that time, so we recommend late May or early June for the optimum views.
2. How to Watch
The greatest places to see icebergs are on land, in a kayak, and on a boat excursion. Many tourism businesses in the province provide boat tours that will show you the region’s most beautiful icebergs as well as any visiting whales and countless seabirds. Additionally, you can paddle out to see them or stand on our stunning beach to observe them pass by (although they don’t travel very quickly).
4. Hopewell Rocks
Which is better, the low tide or the high tide? There is no need to decide on Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy. Enjoy the very finest of both worlds. The Bay offers an experience unlike any other because it has the greatest tides in the world. The Hopewell Rocks’ mysteries are revealed during low tide.
While learning about the local geology, viewing secret coves, and learning how the surging tides continue to alter the rocks today, dig your toes into the warm sand of the ocean floor. Six hours later, high tides return, and water rushes into it to hug the well-known Flowerpot Rocks, giving this work of nature a whole new viewpoint.
Take a kayak out & paddle around the enormous sandstone pillars, or simply stand on dry ground and take it all in. Stay the day and take in both tidal displays.
In Hopewell Cape, the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy have already been painstakingly creating their masterpiece for thousands of years. No trip to Atlantic Canada is complete without seeing the more than twenty gratis sea stacks that dot the two kilometers of beach.
Wait six hours after you’ve had your fill of the ocean floor’s transformations, only when you think you’ve seen it all. To provide you with the flexibility to view both high and low tides, our Park entrance is good for two consecutive days.
5. Stacks of Sea
The sea stacks, often called flowerpots, are incredibly diverse in terms of their sizes and shapes. Visitors just need to look at them to realise why they were given silly names like Mother-in-Law, Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, and so on. Visitors are met by brand-new rock characters at every turn if they use their imagination.
The Hopewell Rocks is a self-guided park. However, there are helpful interpretive staff members scattered throughout the grounds if you have any queries.
1. Access to the sea floor
There are three main entrances to the ocean floor in the Hopewell Rocks. The Main Deck features a sizable metal stairway and a roomy viewing platform. Going a little further in the direction of North Beach provides access to a bridge with benches positioned at strategic intervals along the incline for those who prefer not to use steps.
Although the ramp is wheelchair-accessible, many people find the sea floor to be too difficult to manoeuvre on wheels. Finally, visitors who take the trail heading south from the Interpretive Centre will find the treasures of Demoiselle.
No ramps or stairs are necessary for this Ocean Floor accessibility because the trail gradually slopes down to the water. The shoreline could be fully accessed from any point on the ocean floor.
At low tide, the shoreline could be thoroughly investigated. Up until the ledges, your walk will be rather simple. Many people use the Ledges as a turning point, but our more daring visitors might decide to scale this outcropping ridge of limestone rock. The Ledges can shift beneath the foot and are frequently slippery. Therefore caution must be exercised.
2. Trails
The system of well-maintained, accessible trails is the park’s lifeblood. Our main structure is only a short stroll away from breathtaking lookout points, exclusive vistas, access to the ocean floor, and unspoiled woodlands.
6. Observing whales throughout the Bay of Fundy
Are you interested in whale watching along Canada’s East Coast? Make your fantasy a once-in-a-lifetime reality by travelling to the Bay of Fundy. The mouth of the Bay, which is teeming with marine life, offers a breathtaking range of nature’s greatest beasts, the ideal feeding habitat. Minke, Humpback, Finback, & North Atlantic Right Whales frequented this area in the summer and early fall to gorge on its abundant underwater smorgasbord.
The best part is that in addition to seeing whales, you may also see dolphins, seals, sharks, and a variety of seabirds, including puffins and gannets. Throughout the summer, whale-watching trips leave from various ports in New Brunswick & Nova Scotia.
7. Meadows in L’anse
Did you know that more than a thousand years ago, Newfoundland was the very first place in North America that European explorers found? The mythical Vinland of the terrible Norse sagas is said to have existed at L’anse aux Meadows; the sole verified Viking settlement in North America. L’anse aux Meadows, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites travelers to discover its deep Viking heritage. Visit the Norse ruins to learn more about life in 1,000 AD Newfoundland.
For ages, their discovery had been mentioned in Norse sagas. However, it had always been disputed whether this was merely a myth. Then, everything changed when archaeologists Helge & Anne Stine Ingstad found a little cloak button. This and later archaeological findings demonstrated Leif Erickson and Norse explorer parties established themselves in Newfoundland & Labrador.
The only verified Norse site in North America is L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can try weaving or blacksmithing at the Viking Campsite, and you can interact with people who will help you understand the history of the Vikings. Listen to epic and sad tales of Thor, Erik the Red, as well as other characters from the Sagas in the evenings as you congregate around the skáli (kitchen).
L’Anse aux Meadows is only two kilometers away from Norstead, a reconstructed Viking trading centre. Here, you can test your skills in a classic Norse game, pick up axe-throwing skills, learn how to spin yarn, or attend pottery classes. A copy of the Viking ship that followed Erickson’s route from Greenland to the Meadows, Snorri, is also available for you to board.
8. Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Joggins Fossil Cliffs, which are not only stunning but also play host to many of the most remarkable fossil finds ever made, are noteworthy from a geological perspective. Famous authors and geologists Sir Charles Lyell & J. William Dawson made the first pre-dinosaur fossil discoveries here.
They found amphibians, millipedes, snails, and early reptiles preserved inside petrified trees. This ground-breaking discovery provided the first concrete evidence that terrestrial animals were thriving 300 million years ago during the “Coal Age” of the planet.
The tides of the Bay of Fundy frequently erode the Joggins Cliffs, revealing fresh fossil finds. Today, tourists can take a guided tour of the well-known cliffs and hear about the 195+ varieties that have been discovered here. Unearthed by force, preserved in nature.
Discover one of nature’s most magnificent masterpieces, in which the highest tides in the world expose the most extensive fossil record from the “Coal Age,” which occurred 100 million years well before dinosaurs. Every rock contains the potential for discovery, & the guided walks can help you locate a piece of history that has been lost. Even though the backyard at Joggins is 300 million years old, every day is unique!
Massive amounts of organic material were produced by the swamp forests throughout millions of years, resulting in the coal deposits that gave this period its name.
9. Newfoundland’s Lighthouses
The North Atlantic’s ever-shifting seas are renowned for their violent storms, dense fog, and buried rock formations. Up until the first lighthouse was built on the banks at Fort Amherst, tragic shipwrecks & lost sailors were all too prevalent along Newfoundland and Labrador’s rocky coastline.
Since then, a variety of distinctively painted lighthouses have appeared throughout the province’s coastline, safely guiding sailors away from danger. The romantic allure of a lonely life by the sea can be experienced by visitors thanks to the fact that many of these old buildings are now accessible to tourists.
10. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Sail the quick (25 km) journey from Fortune to the French region of Saint-Pierre & Miquelon to experience a taste of France without having to traverse the Atlantic. You are no longer in Canada! The islands represent the last remaining part of New France’s colonial empire, and they are located at the mouth of Fortune Bay in Newfoundland.
The language spoken here is French, and the blue, white, and red flags of France proudly wave in the wind. Without leaving too much of Canada behind, immerse themselves in French culture, savor delectable lobster and mussels straight from the North Atlantic, and discover France in a whole new manner. Just remember to bring enough Euros for souvenirs shopping and your passport.
11. P.E.I.’s Green Gables Heritage Site
Thousands of book enthusiasts travel to Prince Edward Island each year to emulate Anne of Green Gables, one of Canada’s most beloved literary characters. The globally renowned author of the Anne novels, Lucy Maud Montgomery, grew raised in Cavendish and frequently travelled to Green Gables.
The quaint farmhouse, which belonged to Montgomery’s grandparents’ relatives, served as the model for Anne’s made-up residence. Visitors to Cavendish can get a behind-the-scenes tour of the residence that served as the focal point of Anne’s story. Mid-May to the end of October is when Green Gables Heritage Place is open.
12. Halifax’s Titanic Experience
The tragic account of Halifax’s involvement in the Titanic disaster is told by the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Halifax, the largest harbor that is closest to the sinking ship, was crucial in the frantic hunt for Titanic victims. 150 of the 328 dead discovered by ships dispatched from the harbor are buried in cemeteries in Halifax.
A wooden deck chair, pieces of a life jacket, as well as a tiny pair of genuine leather children’s shoes, were among the unusual relics found floating in the frigid seas during the rescue attempts. The records and relics on display just at the Maritime Museum of Atlantic operate as heartbreaking reminders of this tragic event.
13. Birthplace of Confederation
Delegates from the province of Canada, the British provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, as well as the United Kingdom, met in Charlottetown’s Province House to consider uniting as one nation. P.E.I. participated in the initial confederation debates but didn’t formally ally with Canada.
Visitors may now celebrate Canada exactly where it all started. Admire the magnificent techno Province House, which is now closed for restoration but is still worth visiting, and engage with the Confederation Players, historically-costumed tour guides who assist in narrating Canada’s founding story.
14. Kingston
Kingston briefly served as Canada’s capital in the seventeenth century. It is now more well-known as a picturesque area in Eastern Canada with amazing history, culture, and architecture.
Consider packing your itinerary with a trip to the storied Fort Henry and some time just at Bellevue House, a stunning mansion that formerly served as the residence of the first Prime Minister of Canada. To give you the impression that you are travelling back in time, the Bellevue House is currently brimming with 1840s-era costumed tour guides.
15. Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is located just south of Brunswick and north of Maine. Although this Bay is most renowned for its high tides, tourists flock here because of the quaint coastal communities and world-class seafood.
At Hopewell Rocks, you may witness the tides changing quickly while stepping out onto the barren seabed just minutes after watching the seas recede. The area’s many seafood restaurants serve up some delicious fresh lobster.
16. Thousand Islands
The amazing Thousand Islands are located right at the point where the Lawrence River and Lake Ontario converge on the boundary between the U.S. and Canada. Over 1,700 little islands that rise out of the water make up this incredibly popular summer vacation spot. You’ll be in for a treat if you’re fortunate enough to book a cottage nearby.
Choose a boat tour as well as a trip to Boldt Castle if you can only do a day vacation. The castle, which is the main draw to Thousand Islands and is legally in the United States, is situated on a small island in a river.
17. Montreal
Although Montreal is the largest city in the province, Quebec City is its capital. Montreal has a distinctly European feel because it is the furthermore French-speaking metropolis in the world after Paris.
You won’t want to skip Old Montreal’s historic structures like the Château Ramezay Museum from the 18th century or the Notre-Dame Basilica. Suppose you want to see the Montreal Science Museum or the renowned Clock Tower; head over to the Vieux-Port. Stroll down the Place Jacques-Cartier, a pedestrian street for dining and souvenir shopping.
18. Rideau Canal
The canal, which was constructed in the early 19th century, is now more than 200 kilometers (130 miles) long, with numerous locks in its path. You can stay on dry land by riding a bicycle or driving next to it.
Start your journey with the Bytown Museum, which provides further information about the canal’s past. After that, engage in some exercise while taking in Rideau’s landscape and water. Wintertime turns a stretch of the Rideau Canal through the heart of Ottawa into an 8 km ( 5 mi) long ice skating rink.
19. Gros Morne National Park
Don’t miss Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park for its magnificent natural beauty and abundance of options for outdoor activities. A peek inside the Long Range Mountains by the name of Gros Morne offers some fantastic hiking for anyone looking to stay active while taking in beautiful surroundings.
Bring a camera since the geological beauties include, to name a few, cliffs, waterfalls, and strange rock formations. Visit Western Brook Pond to take a boat excursion on the water and enjoy breathtaking views of the cliffs and mountains that surround the pond. Additionally, numerous bars in the area serve up fresh seafood and provide a jovial, inviting ambience for guests.
20. Niagara Falls in Eastern Canada
In the United States, in New York, as well the Canadian side, in Ontario, these waterfalls can be seen. The spectacular views of the waterfalls may be had from Queen Victoria Park, which is on the Canadian side of the falls.
But Niagara Falls is not just about the natural beauty. Numerous hotels, gambling establishments, and nightlife alternatives may be found at the destination. You may go on a boat tour to see the waterfalls up close, fly over them in a helicopter, and then enjoy fine dining in a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sparkling falls.
Final Note
East Coast in Canada is renowned for its gracious hospitality, vibrant culture, and untamed natural beauty, making it an enticing attraction for tourists from all over the world. There are many places to visit on the east coast of Canada, like an east coast road trip, the eastern Canada road trip, maritime provinces, charming fishing villages, and so many others.
