10 Best Towns In The Maritimes For A Two-Day Recharge

From the rocky coasts of Nova Scotia to the pastoral lanes of Prince Edward Island and the quiet river towns of New Brunswick, the Maritimes are full of places made for slowing down. Recharging means something different for everyone. Maybe it means morning walks along secluded beaches, or chowing down on fresh seafood at a restaurant you can't find in the big city, or perhaps it's just watching the waves of the Atlantic Ocean roll in. Regardless of what you're after, these Canadian provinces have a small town perfect for a two-day recharge.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Waking up at the Sail Inn is one of the best ways to get your two-day recharge in Lunenburg going. The bed and breakfast's windows frame the harbor like a slow-moving painting with fishing boats drifting out to sea, gulls circling, and water shifting from steel to silver. From there, you're standing in the middle of Old Town Lunenberg, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage urban sites in North America, where two centuries of wooden homes and shipbuilders' workshops still fill the streets with color and history.

You can duck into Ironworks Distillery, once a blacksmith's shop, now pouring small-batch spirits laced with local fruit. Down by the docks, the Bluenose II sails in and out with guests eager to immerse themselves in the experience of sailing aboard a Grand Banks schooner for a couple of hours. Ultimately, this maritime town is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in history and a seafaring lifestyle at a comfortable and leisurely pace.

Grand Bouctouche, New Brunswick

As of January 1, 2023, the town formerly known as Bouctouche was officially renamed Grand-Bouctouche. A recharge in Grand Bouctouche means slowing down by the Atlantic, where the Bouctouche River meets one of North America's last great dunes. At the Irving Eco-Centre - La Dune de Bouctouche, you can wander the 800-meter boardwalk over the shifting 12-kilometer sand ridge, spot terns and piping plovers darting through the tall grass, and just let the salt air clear your head.

Back in town, Le Pays de La Sagouine brings Acadian stories to life on its own island stage; it's part theater, part kitchen party, and uniquely situated in this corner of New Brunswick. If the theater isn't your thing, there's always Golf Bouctouche or the Irving Arboretum, which stretches behind the main road, with looping walking trails under old willows and spruce. Before heading out, stop at Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm, where (during the right months) rows of purple plants roll toward the horizon. Regardless of the season, the Aubege Bouctouche Inn & Suites is a great home base, as it's close enough to all the best ways to enjoy a two-day recharge.

Summerside, Prince Edward Island

In Summerside, everything happens by the water. The Baywalk Boardwalk ties the whole town together thanks to its 6 kilometers of seaside air. This is the kind of town where a two-day recharge feels effortless, built around small pleasures that don't require a strict schedule. At Spinnaker's Landing, wooden shacks painted bright colors house shops, ice cream counters, and live music on summer nights.

Across the street, Evermoore Brewing Co. pours its own craft beers inside a historic building. And if you'd rather sit back and let someone else set the pace, the Harbourfront Theatre keeps things lively with concerts, touring acts, and local ceilidhs. Stay at the Boardwalk Inn downtown since it's close enough that you can leave the car parked all weekend and wander from the harbor home.

St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick

St. Andrews-by-the-Sea's premier lodging is the Algonquin Resort, which has been in operation since 1889. It's a red-roofed retreat perched above the town with a golf course that rolls toward the bay and a spa that takes full advantage of that sea breeze. Down the hill, Kingsbrae Garden unfolds across 27 acres where alpacas roam and sculptures peek out from flower beds. It's part botanical wonder, part open-air art exhibit, but it's entirely the place to visit during your two-day recharge.

When the tide pulls back, locals drive across the ocean floor to Ministers Island, where the Van Horne Estate still stands with its stone barn and carriage home. While there's much to do and see around the town, hop on a Cruisin' With The Whales tour to head out into the water to see minke whales and humpback whales between July and September.

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

An hour southwest of Halifax, Mahone Bay's waterfront bends around a calm harbor dotted with sailboats and 19th-century homes painted in sherbet colors. The scenery you've probably seen before —the Three Churches lined shoulder to shoulder along the water —isn't just postcard-famous; it sets the tone for how unhurried everything moves here.

On Main Street, local makers keep that pace alive just down from the Kitch'Inn Boutique Inn & Wine Bar. Yes, you can stay here during your two-day recharge in the Maritimes, but you can also have a couple of glasses of wine and a wood-fired pizza at Betty's at the Kitch. But you have to take to the water to truly appreciate just how remarkably beautiful and relaxing this place is. Sail and See offers sailing tours aboard a 35-foot cutter-rigged yacht that'll take you to the best parts of Nova Scotia's South Shore.

Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island

Down by the wharf and the Victoria Boardwalk, red cliffs frame Victoria-By-The-Sea's harbor where kayaks from By-The-Sea Kayaking skim the calm South Shore water, and if you're lucky, you'll paddle out for a clam dig and eat what you find on the beach itself. This Prince Edward Island town offers the kind of relaxing experience that makes it an excellent choice for a two-day recharge.

Restaurants here are also a 'can't miss' option, including Landmark Oyster House, where the oysters come fresh from the Northumberland Strait, without you having to go and catch them yourself. And if you're into grabbing a few chocolates as you wander through the quiet streets of town, Island Chocolates is a family-run spot inside a century-old general store. The Victoria Cottages rest conveniently close to all of these attractions, so you barely need to travel more than a couple of blocks.

Shediac, New Brunswick

A 35-foot lobster dominates Main Street in Shediac, New Brunswick, a quirky nod to its title as the "Lobster Capital of the World". Past Parlee Beach Provincial Park, and the adjoining RV and camping area, is Parlee Beach, where the Northumberland Strait warms in the summer and stretches of soft sand make it easy to drop everything and relax in the sand.

The summertime also brings the annual Lobster Festival, which has all the trappings of the perfect, and somewhat eccentric, carnival escape. But the fall and winter are also ideal times to plan your two-day recharge in Shediac. The Blue Lobster Cafe Kitchen + Lounge is one of the best places to grab seafood year-round, and it's only a couple of blocks from Hotel Shediac, a historic, upscale retreat that you can use as your basecamp.

Digby, Nova Scotia

A two-day recharge in Digby, Nova Scotia, is made easy by the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, a Norman-style chateau from 1929 on the Annapolis Basin. The resort offers guestrooms or cozy Maritime cottages, as well as wooded trails to wander around, and the Stanley Thompson-designed 18-hole course. There's even a full-service spa and Churchill's Restaurant and Lounge to enjoy. Beyond the resort, the scallop capital lives up to its name.

Walk down to Fisherman's Wharf and watch the Digby Scallop Fleet unload the day's catch, or sample freshly shucked scallops at waterfront restaurants like The Crow's Nest. Bay of Funday whale-watching tours depart nearby, taking you past Brier Island, where humpbacks, minkes, and finbacks surface from June through September. For a touch of local art, follow in the footsteps of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, spotting her bright, joyful motifs on walls and in galleries around town.

Georgetown, Prince Edward Island

On the east end of Prince Edward Island, Georgetown is the kind of town that makes time feel elastic. The harbor, once a shipbuilding hub and still one of the deepest on the Atlantic coast, is both a stop and a destination along the Points East Coastal Drive. This is because the town is conveniently placed between some of the island's best beaches and golf courses. So, if you're into hitting the ball down the fairway, choosing Georgetown as the place for your two-day recharge is your best bet. The closest course is Brundenell River Golf Course, under 10 minutes out of town.

But within Georgetown itself, there are several attractions close enough to the Georgetown Historic Inn, where you can use as a basecamp. The A.A. MacDonald Memorial Gardens is around the corner and is great for a peaceful stroll. For something a little more time-consuming, the Georgetown Confederation Trail offers a 7.4-kilometer route through the forest, making it a great place to take your dog on a leash. If your two-day recharge calls you to the water, Tranquillity Cove Adventures will take you deep-sea fishing, clam digging, or just out to haul in a few fresh lobsters.

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Antigonish pulses with Scottish heritage and student energy in northeastern Nova Scotia. The Antigonish Highland Games, running since 1863, turn town streets into a summer spectacle of bagpipes, Highland dancing, and traditional heavy-event competitions. St. Francis Xavier University brings leafy campus grounds and a youthful vibe that feeds downtown cafes and pubs. But this isn't just a party town; it's also one of the best places in the Maritimes to recharge.

Stay at the Antigonish Victorian Inn, a five-acre mansion near the university, where airy rooms, private bathrooms, and a peaceful garden set the tone for a restorative stay. Wake up with a slow walk along the Antigonish Landing Trail, a 4-kilometer salt marsh path that's great for spotting birds. On a sunny afternoon, head 20 minutes out of town to Pomquet Beach Provincial Park, which offers excellent opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, or simply lounging about. In town, you'll find an assortment of shops, galleries, and restaurants to enjoy while you recharge your batteries lazily.

Recharging in the Maritimes isn't a one-size-fits-all. For some, it's a quiet morning on a soft-sand beach, for others, the energy of a bustling university town or a lively festival sparks the soul. Across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, the region's seafaring and shipbuilding history hums beneath every harbor and boardwalk, but each town brings its own character. From St. Andrews by-the-sea to Digby or Summerside, there's a distinct rhythm and pace for every kind of reset.