Fun in your own backyard
There are plenty of great options for summer activities on the East Coast
Like the rest of the world, Atlantic Canadians are enjoying their freedom after living through COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Even with this freedom, many are choosing to stick close to home for their 2022 summer travel adventures.
And why not? There’s plenty to see and do right here on the East Coast.
THE CABOT TRAIL
Norma MacNeil moved from Cape Breton to Halifax in 2017, and goes back annually to go over the Cabot Trail.
“I love to discover those little hidden gems, such as the Gypsum Mine in Cheticamp, Meat Cove, and the many walking and hiking trails,” she says.
In the past 12 years, she has gone over the Cabot Trail about 10 times and has seen it change during this time.
“The road and highways are much safer and easier to travel, there are more places to stay and eat, and with the help of social media and the internet, there are more and more places to discover,” she says.
“Locals are sharing their community’s hidden gems and, with the large growth in tourism, comes more to see.”
MacNeil also points out that there are things to do around the Cabot Trail year-round.
“Cape Smokey is open again, snowmobiling is very popular, as well as winter camping and hiking, which are becoming bigger and bigger.”
N.L. STAYCATION
This summer, Tasha Skinner from Stephenville, N.L., travelled across her province with her family and explored a lot of places they have never been.
“We travelled as a family of seven. Me, my husband, my three children and my parents,” she says.
Their first stop was at Gros Morne National Park.
“Our first day, we visited the Tablelands (unbelievable), Rocky Harbour and ended our day in Cow Head. Shallow Bay Beach in Cow Head was a hidden gem,” she added.
The next day, the family headed to Kings Point and Springdale to visit the Sea Glass beach.
“Kings Point pleasantly surprised us. The waterfront was very quaint and the Whale Pavilion was a great experience for the kids,” Skinner said. “Unfortunately, the Sea Glass Beach was the biggest disappointment of our trip! It was treacherous to get to, was an extremely small space, and it was picked clean of sea glass, even though the signs clearly stated not to take any. It was very obviously an old dump site.”
The next stop was Gander, where the family explored the beaches on the Road to the Shore (Route 320).
“I will say, this was our favourite part of the trip. Lumsden Beach is our absolute favorite place in Newfoundland and we will definitely revisit,” Skinner says.
“We were able to drive right onto the beach. A building was recently built that the Lumsden Beach Company uses to sell merchandise and food, which is delicious. Cleanest washrooms I have ever seen and sandy beach for miles.”
The family enjoyed the beach at Musgrave Harbour, as well, but encountered a surprise at the Banting Memorial Park.
“When we visited the park, the washrooms were closed for renovations for an undisclosed amount of time. We were not told this when we paid to get into the park. But the beach itself was very nice and not crowded at all.”
A whale-watching tour was attempted in Bonavista, but got cancelled because of bad weather. But this meant an extra day in St. John’s for the family.
Skinner says it was not their first time in St. John’s, as they often go for the shopping and food.
The weather turned around for the family and they were able to book a boat tour in Witless Bay with Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch, which Skinner says “was our second favourite part of the trip.”
“After a week-long vacation, we turned around and headed home. Tired, tanned and happy as larks.”
CHARLOTTETOWN
Originally from the United Kingdom, Alex and Janet Handyside have been living in Atlantic Canada for the past 32 years.
The Dartmouth, N.S., couple visited Charlottetown, P.E.I., this summer, the fourth time they’ve done so in six years.
“We stayed close to downtown in an Airbnb so we could walk to the pubs and restaurants, and then drive each day to Blooming Point Beach, 25 minutes away,” Handyside said.
This time the couple did something they hadn’t done before: visited the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Luck was on their side when they visited the Top of the Park restaurant.
“We had tried to book a table three days prior (the restaurant there gets excellent reviews!), but it was all sold out. On the day of the races, we went anyway and waited outside the restaurant for a possible no-show,” Handyside said. “Just three minutes later, there was a no-show! And we got a front row table, a $30 per person four-course meal, $32 per litre wine and $7 cocktails. We’re glad we walked in, and the entertainment was terrific.”
Alex said that during the final race of the evening, “we left the air-conditioned comfort of the restaurant and went trackside to really experience and hear the horses and drivers. It was an exceptional evening to end a wonderful day.”
The Handysides say Charlottetown is very walkable and has many great restaurants.
It can get busy, though, so they recommend booking ahead, “especially if you want to enjoy a day at the races.”
OVER LANDING AROUND NEWFOUNDLAND
Ken Penney of Dartmouth, N.S., made a 10-day trip to the east coast of Newfoundland this summer, overlanding in his side-by-side RMax.
“My trip was around the Avalon Peninsula to travel the historic railway from Argentia to Bay de Verde that was built from 18901920, but torn-up and removed in the 1980s,” he says.
Penney says that Newfoundland towns and areas are rejuvenating the old rail beds into trails.
“Towns and cities are allowing street use to get amenities and find their way back on the trail system. There are several thousand kilometres of this,” he says.
Penney says it was an incredible trip.
“Every day, I’d say to myself, ‘ I can’t believe I’m doing this.’ This is side-by-side/ UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicles)/RMax heaven,” he says. “If you have the ability to do this, go.”
This isn’t Penney’s first trip in his side-by-side in Newfoundland.
“This is the second summer travelling with my RMax. Last year I crossed Newfoundland with my son.”
For Penney, the most interesting thing was seeing towns from views not traditionally seen from streets and then “meandering thru some towns to get amenities and then get back on the trail.”
“I basically travelled around, taking pics and telling stories. I saw and experienced everything from sunsets at sea to the Rock Solid Builds TV show, breweries, the trails, capelin, camping, etc.,” he said.
His tip for travelling this way is simple.
“Reach out to locals. They’re incredible and always want to help,” he says.
Penney enjoyed his trip so much, he’s returning to Newfoundland for a 17-day trip in August.