The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In The Maritimes

Spanning New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island (PEI), the Maritimes draw visitors from across Canada, the US, and beyond. Most come in the summer for the national parks and trails, sandy beaches, fresh seafood, friendly communities, one-of-a-kind harbors, and coastal charm. A trip to the Maritimes is simply not complete without exploring these towns that offer a much deeper dive into authentic maritime life and adventure.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

When visiting Nova Scotia, a visit to the town of Lunenburg is a must. Lunenburg sits in the South Shore and is part of Nova Scotia’s famous Lighthouse Route. Strolling along Lunenburg’s brightly painted wooden buildings and sloping streets makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard. Delight in exploring Lunenburg’s unique local shops, art galleries, and breweries like Shipwright Brewing Company. Lunenburg’s core is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg.

Old Town Lunenburg's colorful waterfront and harbor is a historic waterfront where tourists can tour tall ships, watch fishing boats sail in and out of the port, and book a tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours to hear about the enriching history of the town. The Waterfront hosts some of the town's signature attractions like the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic featuring vintage vessels, interactive exhibits, and hands-on maritime displays. Directly in front of the museum on the waterfront sits the iconic Bluenose II drawing in tourists eager to tour or sail on the replica racing schooner featured on the Canadian dime.

Stratford, Prince Edward Island

Located in Queens County across the Hillsborough River from Charlottetown, Stratford is a must-see town in Prince Edward Island. Originally known as Bunbury, the town was renamed Stratford in 1913 to honor the birthplace of William Shakespeare in England as an effort to attract tourists. Tourists now flock to Stratford for its many attractions including Tea Hill Park and Beach boasting family-friendly red-sand beaches, grassy picnic areas, and sweeping views of Northumberland Strait.

The Stratford Waterfront Trail is a coastal trail that runs along the shoreline with views of the Charlottetown harbor perfect for a leisurely walk, a family outing, or a challenging hike. Fox Meadow Golf Course is one of the most prominent commercial attractions in Stratford with a popular 18-hole course with rolling greens and a scenic golfing experience for players of all levels.

After a round of golf at the Fox Meadow Golf Course, stop by the Lone Oak Fox Meadow Taproom for high-end pub food with breathtaking views of the Charlottetown harbor from the dining areas. Another popular destination in Stratford is the Kinlock Beach offering a serene sandy beach with calm waters perfect for a dip in the ocean and a relaxed vibe ideal for beachcombing or sunrise photography.

Saint Andrews, New Brunswick

Nestled in Passamaquoddy Bay in southern New Brunswick, the town of Saint Andrews is a can’t miss stop in the Maritimes named by USA Today as the best place to visit in Canada. This resort town houses many fascinating attractions including the Kingsbrae Garden celebrating Saint Andrews’ heritage of fine gardens with over 50,000 perennials in themed gardens, ponds, old-growth Acadian forest, and streams.

While visiting the garden, stop by the Sage Restaurant for can’t-miss fine cuisine with the freshest New Brunswick products. Saint Andrews Historic Waterfront is the heart of the town with long boardwalk-style shorelines, stunning views of Passamaquoddy Bay, and working wharves and fishing boats. Running parallel to the waterfront, Water Street is lined with galleries, lovely buildings, ice-cream shops, and seafood restaurants like The Gables Restaurant.

For some adventure, Saint Andrews Harbour offers access to some of the best whale-watching tours in the Maritimes including Jolly Breeze and Quoddy Link Marine. Departing from the picturesque harbor, experience the thrill of sighting minke, fin, and humpback whales. Just outside of Saint Andrews at the end of Bar Road, you can access the site of Ministers Island during the five hours of low tide when you can walk across the exposed seabed, take a guided tour of the estate buildings, and explore the nature trails with stunning ocean views.

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful towns in Canada with colorful streets lined with historic buildings, unique shops, and galleries. A main attraction to Mahone Bay is the Three Churches where Saint-James Anglican, Saint-John’s Evangelical Lutheran, and Trinity United churches all line up along the Mahone Bay Harbour. This stretch of waterfront is a favorite stroll for tourists looking to browse studios and boutique and enjoy a coffee or seaside meal at one of the restaurants overlooking the harbor.

Some favorite spots are the Amos Pewter for one-of-a-kind jewelry and handcrafts, The Barn Coffee & Social House, Jo-Ann’s Deli Market & Bake Shop for coffee and baked goods, Birdsall-Worthington Pottery artisan studio, and Rebecca’s Restaurant Waterfront Dining for unforgettable food with a view. Step into the Mahone Bay Museum to explore the town’s shipbuilding heritage and community history. For an adventurous outing in Mahone Bay Harbour, book an excursion with Sail and See for private sailing tours, sunset sails, and sailing lessons.

Georgetown, Prince Edward Island

Georgetown sits on the eastern side of Prince Edward Island along the Three Rivers system. This island town is rich with old buildings, heritage homes, and aquaculture proudly representing its past tied to shipbuilding, trade, and fishing. Georgetown Historic Courthouse is one of the oldest surviving civic buildings in the region reflecting the town’s political and legal history and former role as the capital of King’s County. The courthouse is one of the finest sandstone buildings on PEI built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.

For a fun stop in Georgetown steeped in nature, you don’t want to miss a walk through AA Macdonald Memorial Gardens to enjoy paths lined by over sixty colorful floral beds, a pond with a lighted fountain, heritage monuments, and Canada’s largest ship wheel. For some restorative recreation on your trip to Georgetown, spend some time at the Georgetown West Street Beach Walking Trail where you can bask in breathtaking views along a sunset stroll on the beachside boardwalk or enjoy a day at the park’s picnic area, play area, and observation lookout.

Shediac, New Brunswick

Shediac, New Brunswick, is a can’t miss town in the Maritimes for its friendliness, beaches, and the world’s best lobster. Parlee Beach Provincial Park is one of the most popular beaches in Eastern Canada with the warmest saltwater North of Virginia. The park’s campground holds over 200 sites and the beach hosts a variety of activities throughout the summer. Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf is a social tourist destination known for its well-run and well-planned marina service center perfect for boating, fishing, and water sports.

Also available on the Wharf are the Lobster Tales Cruises which offer hands-on experiences with a guide who explains the history and art of lobster fishing and shows you how to prepare and eat delicious, freshly cooked lobster. You will definitely want to see and photograph Shediac’s Giant Lobster Sculpture erected in 1989 to honor Shediac’s world-wide recognition as “The Lobster Capital of the World.” The monument stands at 11 meters long, five meters wide, five meters high and weighs about 90 tons.

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Situated along the shores of the Minas Basin, Wolfville is an unforgettable maritime destination rich in Acadian history. Founded in 1838, Acadia University is a stunning campus and one of the oldest and most respected liberal arts universities in Canada. On campus, students and the public can attend concerts, theatre, athletics, and public events. The University also houses the Acadia University Art Gallery and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens.

Wolfville’s Main Street is lined with a myriad of spots to stop that are as full of character as the town including bars and cafes that often host live music. Main Street also overlooks the breathtaking Acadian dykes. Step onto Dykeland Street’s Waterfront Park to embark on a flat, scenic trail along the dykes through the Waterfront Park Dykes Trail with views of the tidal marshes and the Minas Basin. At the Waterfront Park, you can also enjoy a picnic in the gorgeous dyke-side gazebo to watch the tide change before your eyes.

If you’ve come to Wolfville for wine country, look no further than the Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards offering tastings, tours, and dining. Just outside Wolfville, Grand-Pré National Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose memorial church, gardens, and sweeping landscape tell the story of Acadian settlement.

Souris, Prince Edward Island

Souris is a can’t miss maritime gem with beaches, a lighthouse, and a commercial strip. At the Souris Beach Gateway Park, hunt for spectacular sea glass on the east end of the Souris Beach. The Gateway Park offers access to the waterfront boardwalk where you can stop into souvenir shops, dip your feet into the Northumberland Strait, and enjoy local cuisine from beloved spots like The Lobster Shack.

The Souris Beach Gateway Park also hosts The Souris Historic Lighthouse where you can climb the 45 steps to the lantern room for a panoramic view of Northumberland Strait and Souris Harbour. To take home a local keepsake souvenir at the lighthouse, stop into the Souris by the Sea Treasures Gift Shop. For a taste of Souris’ relaxed ambience, don’t skip a trip into town up Main Street lined with cute shops like Second Time Around, local art at Artisans, and Breakwater Restaurant & Bar (just off Main Street).

For a supervised beach just steps from Souris, head east to the Basin Head Provincial Park which features a Fisheries Museum, on-site concessions, and a play area. The white sand of the Basin Head Beach is geologically unique because of its high silica content causing the sand to seemingly sing when it is stepped on which is why the beach was nicknamed “The Singing Sands.”

Alma, New Brunswick

Last but not least, Alma is a maritime stop just one hour south of Moncton. Tourists revel in experiencing the world’s highest tides along the Bay of Fundy at Alma Beach where you can explore the ocean’s floor at low tide to search for shells, rocks, and tidal creatures. Right in the center of Alma, at the mouth of Upper Salmon River on Shore Lane, sits Alma’s harbor and fishermen’s wharf offering the best vantage point from which to watch the effects of the changing tides as the fishing boats go from sitting on the ocean floor below the surface of the wharf to bobbing at the top of the wharf six hours later.

You can also go kayaking or take a boat tour of the coastline with Fresh Air Adventures. Alma’s beautiful downtown is worth a stroll up Main Street for delicious seafood, unique shops, and famous baked goods from bakeries like Kelly’s Bake Shop. The entrance to Fundy National Park is just a short walk from Main Street, where you can venture onto trails that lead to waterfalls deep in Acadian forests.

Plan a Maritime Trip Like No Other

You might come to the Maritimes for the beaches, bustling harbors, fresh seafood, or simply to try something new. But if you want to uncover the region’s hidden gems, these nine small towns should be at the top of your itinerary. From soaring tides and singing sands to historic courthouses, charming galleries, wineries, and whale-watching adventures, each town offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else — and memories that will linger long after you’ve left the coastline.