Things to do in Atlantic Canada
Looking for special events, festivals and other fun things to do while visiting Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces? You’ll quickly discover that these four most Eastern provinces in Canada are simply jam-packed with things to do. Whether you’re seeking historic sites, cultural events and festivals, outdoor adventure, scenic tours, or urban experiences, you will find it all on your Atlantic Canada holiday. We invite you to please take the time to view the exciting special events and festivals below.
Special Events, Festivals and things to do in Atlantic Canada:
Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 — The largest gathering of Tall Ships in North America will sail into Nova Scotia ports July 16–26. The festival is part of an international race series that circles the North Atlantic Ocean, covering more than 7,000 nautical miles. The gathering of world-class tall ships will begin with a five-day event in Halifax, July 16-20, with the Parade of Sail on July 20. Designated ships will then head to Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Pictou, Lunenburg, Shelburne, and Yarmouth. Ships from around the world will join many of Canada's finest sailing vessels to form the international gathering of world-class Tall Ships. www.novascotia.com, www.tallshipsnovascotia.com
Newfoundland and Labrador: Fun Reasons to Celebrate — Have you ever celebrated a "Berries are abundant in Newfoundland and Labrador" blueberry? An accordion? A salmon? A muddy hole? In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are a lot of things worth celebrating…our favorite places, favorite foods, favorite pastimes, and our favorite traditions. Rocky shores, gardens, forests and, yes, even muddy holes. It's our tradition to gather people and entertain; after all, we are masters of the kitchen party! There is always something to celebrate — from stellar performances of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra www.nso-music.com, to the mind-tingling Harbour Haunt www.harbourhaunt.com, or from The Brigus Blueberry Festival www.brigus.net/blue to the Muddy Hole Scuff & Scoff Festival www.musgraveharbour.com. Explore, discover, and celebrate!
Award winning destination in New Brunswick — The quaint Town of Bouctouche is quickly being recognized as an award winning Eco-tourism destination. Bouctouche is a finalist in the 'Best Destination Category' for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award 2008. The Awards, the largest of their kind in the world, selected 19 finalists from a group of 1900 nominations. The town's submission highlighted how the economic, social and environmental objectives of responsible tourism can be achieved with the full participation of all stakeholders. The Awards will be presented at WTM on Nov. 12th, WTM World Responsible Tourism Day. http://www.bouctouche.ca/site/indexEN/
Live like a Prince Edward Islander — Prince Edward Island is now offering visitors the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary…to try a "Once in a Lifetime" experience. Learn to tong and shuck oysters, own a standard bred racehorse for an evening, uncover some "Seaweed Secrets," or make moonshine (legally!) These are just a few of our "Once in a Lifetime" experiences that puts visitors in touch with real authentic Islanders to experience firsthand how to fish, make, bake or shake the world around them. Experiences also include geo-caching, fishing for lobster and creating a piece of folk art. www.once-in-a-lifetime-experiences.com
New Brunswick's shores of the Bay of Fundy — UNESCO Biosphere Designation. UNESCO recently recognized the Bay of Fundy's unique ecosystem as one of 15 designated Biosphere Reserves in Canada and one of 529 found in 105 countries in the world. The natural beauty of the upper Fundy region, including New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, was identified as the key region for the Biosphere Reserve. A Biosphere Reserve is an area of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable resources. Fundy National Park is recognized as an environmentally protected area while the outlying areas, including various Provincial Parks in the Fundy region, also include some protected areas. www.bayoffundytourism.com
Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia Receives World Heritage Site Designation — The Joggins Fossil Cliffs, long recognized as a geological site of outstanding universal value, has been recently designated a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Embedded in 15 kms of accessible coastal cliffs, the fossils reveal details of life in the Coal Age, 300 million years ago. Constant erosion from the Fundy tides, rising and falling 15 metres (47 feet) twice daily, creates possibilities for exposing new fossils. With careful observation visitors may find fossils on the beach that have fallen from the cliff, or view the spectacular sandstone layers that entomb ancestors of the first dinosaurs. www.novascotia.com, www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net
Prince Edward Island's newest Fall Flavours Festival will be bigger and better in 2009! — A brand-new fall food festival was successfully launched across Prince Edward Island this past September that went far beyond the normal dining experience to include a variety of agri-tourism and agri-food activities. An ambitious schedule over just six days, featured over 130 different events spread clear across the Island drawing praise from all corners. Visitors enjoyed interactive taste workshops, harvested PEI's famous and delicious oysters, created organic herb oils, took part in Culinary Boot Camps, studied Smoking & Curing and dined with some of the Island’s most talented chefs. www.gentleisland.com/festivals, www.fallflavours.com
New Brunswick hosts Congrés Mondial Acadien 2009...and the world is invited! — The fourth edition of the Congrès Mondial Acadien will be a huge gathering of Acadians from around the world. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend the 2009 event Aug. 7-23 in New Brunswick's Acadian Peninsula, a region of small towns, fishing villages and hamlets dotted with multi-coloured houses proudly flying the Acadian flag. The Congrès Mondial is an opportunity to celebrate everything Acadian — heritage, culture, cuisine, spectacular coastal scenery and, most importantly, the Acadian 'joie de vivre' (joy of life)! www.cma2009.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador: Culture — It's what sticks! — A pristine environment, rich history and cultural significance appeals to the mind and soul of the curious traveler, all of which is fulfilled through a significant "Eco-Culture Experience”™ full of personal meaning and accomplishment. Cape Race Cultural Adventures has created a unique and exciting holiday option for the savvy traveler whose participation in 'local' community occurs on his/her own terms, own time, and in an authentic, sustainable setting. It all begins with a key which fits the locks of three historic homes in spectacular coastal locations, a car, and a personalized traveler's guidebook to launch an exploration of authentic proportions! www.caperace.com
Newfoundland & Labrador: Admire, Appreciate, Applaud! While stunning art collections and museum exhibits are showcased at The Rooms — a spectacular, world-class facility in St. John's www.therooms.com — George Street, the vibrant, rollicking, centre of downtown entertainment, plays nightly host to live, local music ranging from traditional, to jazz, to rock www.stjohns.com. If folks like their stories told in person, the St. John's Storytelling Circle www.hauntedhike.com/storytelling and Seasons in the Bight Theatre Festival fill that bill www.risingtidetheatre.com And, the renowned St. John's International Women's Film Festival screens short films and documentaries from around the corner, and around the world. A standing ovation all around! www.womensfilmfestival.com
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park — Day Use Area to Open in Spring 2009 — At Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, towering 185-meter (600-foot) cliffs rise from the Bay of Fundy while the world’s highest tides lap at their base. Cape Chignecto is a 4,200-hectare natural environment park featuring 29 kms of pristine coastline and some of Nova Scotia’s most significant geological features — deep valleys, sheltered coves, rare plants, remnant old growth forest, scenic views, and a rich cultural heritage. The Eatonville day-use area park will feature a series of short walking trails leading to look-offs on the Bay of Fundy including the must see look-off at the Three Sister's rock formation, a natural icon for the park. www.novascotia.com, www.capechignecto.net
It's easy to 'Eat Up' in Prince Edward Island — The Island restaurant scene has been hot over the past year, with a dozen or more new dining establishments opening up. In the heart of Charlottetown, renowned chef Gordon Bailey just opened the doors to 'Lot 30'. Near the Island’s North Shore, the 'Pearl' is a new café — a great spot for brunch. Snacks or tea? 'Hurricanez' by the Bay is newly opened in Darnley, while 'Grandma's Afternoon Tea Room' is now open in Hunter River. Tucked away in Georgetown or Victoria are the 'Rusty Anchor' and 'Ruthie's'. These round out the perennial favourites like 'Dayboat', Inn at Bay Fortune and ‘Flex Mussels’, where mussels are served 47 different ways! www.gentleisland.com/food
