8 Storybook Towns In The Maritimes
Tangy sea air, pastel-painted houses, red sand roads, and fern-lined walkways show up again and again in small towns across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.
Travelers have long been drawn to towns such as Lunenburg, with its UNESCO-protected streets, and Mahone Bay, known for its three historic waterfront churches. Cavendish also stands out as the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery found inspiration for her most enduring work. Watching the sun set over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence offers a clear sense of why these landscapes left such a lasting mark on her writing.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Lunenburg is a popular day trip from Halifax and is widely known for its well-preserved historic character. The town is known as the best-surviving planned colonial British town in North America, and its Old Town region has received UNESCO World Heritage Status.
Along the waterfront, brightly painted buildings sit beside a mix of working boats and historic ships. The King Street Walking Tour passes nearby, weaving through rows of Victorian houses not far from the water. From here, it is easy to visit the Fisheries Museum or head out on a harbor sail aboard the Bluenose II. St. John’s Anglican Church stands above the waterfront on a hillside overlooking the town. The original building dates to 1754 and was rebuilt in 2001 after a fire, with a distinctive white-and-black exterior.
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
More historic churches await in Mahone Bay, twelve minutes away from Lunenburg. Three churches sit next to each other at the waterfront: St. James Anglican Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and Trinity Church. These iconic churches are Mahone Bay’s most popular and most photographed attractions.
Other things to experience in Mahone Bay include the downtown museum, where you will learn more about the shipbuilding craftsmanship for which this region of Canada is known. The museum is open only during the warmer months. Kayaking or paddling in the bay offers views of working fishing wharves, with occasional sightings of porpoises and seals. After your water adventure, head to BernArt Maze, just outside Mahone Bay, to see the outdoor maze filled with sculptures and murals.
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Just over an hour from Mahone Bay on the other side of the Nova Scotia province, lies Wolfville. This pretty-as-a-picture town is located within the Annapolis Valley, which means you can enjoy excellent farmers’ markets and equally fantastic wines and ciders. The Wolfville Farmers’ Market is a must-visit on a Saturday, with more than sixty vendors to buy from and a 9,000 square foot apple warehouse to explore. There are three other Farm Markets on Main Street, including Elderkin, where you can taste self-brewed cider.
A few minutes outside town, Wolfville opens up into the Annapolis Valley, where vineyards take advantage of the local climate and soil. Tastings are easy to work into an afternoon, and Grand Pré National Historic Site sits nearby, offering space to walk, learn about Acadian history, and spend time outdoors among gardens and open fields.
St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick
Of course, the Maritimes are not all about Nova Scotia. If you travel to New Brunswick, you will find the charming St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, one of Canada’s first seaside resort towns. St. Andrews is filled with historic buildings, including the Courthouse, Gaol, and Sheriff Andrew’s House. At the Ross Memorial Museum, located in a red brick Georgian mansion, you can see the art collection of Sarah Juliette Ross and Henry Phipps Ross and an exhibit on Edward Bannister, the only nationally recognized black artist of the 19th century (in America).
When you explore the rest of St. Andrews, you will find a stunning pier from where you might just spot a whale or two in the water. If you want to see them up close, book a whale watching boat tour with one of the many companies located near the pier. Much of St. Andrews’ carefully maintained landscape character is on display at Kingsbrae Garden. The garden covers twenty-seven acres and is filled with alpacas, peacocks, sculptures, and around 50,000 perennials.
Shediac, New Brunswick
If you are in search of great lobster while exploring the Maritimes’ heritage towns, Shediac is the place to be. This beautiful town, better known as the Lobster Capital of the World, sits in Westmorland County on Shediac Bay along the Northumberland Strait. The main attraction is the massive lobster statue, one of the biggest statues in the country. Lobster itself remains a central part of the town’s identity. The statue measures roughly thirty-five feet long and weighs more than fifty tons, making it one of the largest roadside attractions in the region. And if you're hungry later, Le Moque-Tortue offers great, fresh lobster rolls, and La Coast offers casual lobster cuisine along with a range of other seafood options.
After a meal, Parlee Beach Provincial Park is an easy place to spend a few hours, with clear, warm water and soft sand. The nearby Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf adds a working-harbour feel, with boating and fishing activity throughout the day. In July, Shediac also hosts its annual Lobster Festival, which includes a large outdoor lobster dinner held on Main Street.
Saint Martins, New Brunswick
Another seaside town to explore in New Brunswick is the lovely Saint Martins. There are only around 300 residents here, but that does not mean you will run out of things to see or do. If you are an adventurer, one of the best activities on offer in St. Martins is a Fundy Coastline tour in an inflatable Zodiac boat. During your tour, you will see magnificent views of the coastline, and you might also spot grey seals. At low tide, St. Martin's sea caves along the coast become accessible for exploration.
A drive along the Fundy Parkway reveals hiking trails, waterfalls, and rugged beaches. There is also a 60-meter suspension bridge for those not afraid of heights. If you are not a fan of hiking, you can take the footpath to nearby Seely Beach, where you can camp overnight. Back in St. Martins, the Quaco Lighthouse awaits. You can see the sea caves from here as well as the rocks on the beach down below.
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Summerside, on Prince Edward Island, appears in Anne of Windy Poplars, though it is very much a real town, incorporated in 1877. Several sites connected to Lucy Maud Montgomery are located a short drive away, including the former Lower Bedeque School (now in Central Bedeque) and the Anne of Green Gables Museum, which explores her life and work.
Beyond its literary connections, Summerside offers plenty of outdoor and waterfront experiences. The Confederation Trail connects with the Baywalk Boardwalk and Cycling Trail along the waterfront. The boardwalk takes you past Green’s Shore Beach and by the Summerside Outer Front Range Light. From the waterfront, you’re a short drive from Linkletter Provincial Park, where you can camp overnight if you have a reservation. Or head back into Summerside for an oyster meal at Knot Beach Bar and Rentals.
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
Finally, you will come full circle (so to speak) to the pretty town of Cavendish. Reading Anne of Green Gables before arriving in Cavendish provides helpful context for many local sites; the Green Gables Heritage Place will look instantly familiar. If you visit during the holidays, you can take the Haunted Wood Trail or the Balsam Hollow Trail, which starts as Lover’s Lane.
Cavendish is also home to the Avonlea Village, which you can explore free of charge. You can also make your way to Cavendish Beach to enjoy the views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and splash around in the water.
Storybook Towns Across Canada’s Maritime Provinces
From the pastel and boldly colored houses of Lunenburg to the old red sand lanes of Cavendish, the region spans a wide range of landscapes. So, whether you just want to see the sun set over the spectacular Gulf or you want to take the cobblestone streets where heritage buildings line up, your trip to this part of Canada is something you will never forget.
