I visited the Maritimes from Alberta and this is what stood out

‘Tis the summer for Canadian travel. While Alberta has no shortage of beautiful places to visit, it’s always fun to venture further and see what differences you find. I had the chance to visit the Maritimes myself this spring, and as an Albertan, I had some thoughts.

For context, I should add that I’m something of a “new” Albertan, having moved here three years ago from B.C. Nonetheless, I’ve fully embraced my new home, so I’m definitely a little biased whenever I travel elsewhere.

For two weeks, I traipsed around the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Nova Scotia. From the dramatic Bay of Fundy to the patchwork hills of Cavendish, and all the way around the Cabot Trail before finishing up in Halifax.

I’ll throw in the obvious disclaimer that two weeks is far from enough time to really understand a new place. However, if you’re curious about my personal observations, this is what surprised and delighted me the most about my trip.

Read on for the biggest differences that stood out to me when visiting the Maritimes from Alberta.

The seafood

The Maritime provinces are resplendent with seafood options. That being said, I quickly discovered that while there’s seafood everywhere, that doesn’t mean you should order it anywhere.

The Maritimes have a reputation for seafood, and a lot of tourists visit for that experience. As a result, I suspect many restaurants will toss a seafood option on the menu for the upcharge opportunity. And upcharge they will, because that local lobster isn’t cheap!

If you ever find yourself in the Maritimes with a hankering for seafood, I would recommend avoiding the gimmicky dishes at random pubs and saving your budget to splurge at a dedicated seafood restaurant. Take it from someone who ate a lot of overpriced lobster rolls on their trip.

Two standout spots that I enjoyed were Sea Rocket Oyster House in Charlottetown and The Five Fishermen in downtown Halifax. Pricey, but worth every penny.

So much history

There’s history everywhere in Canada, especially if you delve into the First Nations cultures that have lived here since time immemorial. That being said, Western Canada does stand out a bit for its ‘newness’ as far as buildings go. Now you’re either one of those tourists who take way too many pictures of the architecture, or you couldn’t care less. But if you’re of the former group (like me), a visit to the Maritimes is chock-full of eye candy.

The cities of Saint John, Fredericton, Charlottetown, and Halifax all boast lovely historic downtowns that are absolutely littered with beautiful old buildings. From everyday businesses clad in brick facades, to hundred-year-old churches that are stunning to behold, regardless of your spiritual beliefs.

While Alberta’s cities of Edmonton and Calgary certainly have a few old gems themselves, I have to admit they don’t hold a candle to the variety you’ll find out East. Granted, given the timeline of European colonization in Canada, the age gap makes sense. If you ever visit, I highly recommend visiting a museum or two to learn more about the history of these cities. Every building has a story.

A slower pace

The pace of life feels much slower in the Maritimes, and that’s reflected in everything from the vibes to the business hours. Don’t expect to find a lot of things open if you’re in downtown Saint John, N.B., after 5 p.m.

As a tourist, this didn’t bother me since it meant I could gawk and photograph every landmark to my heart’s content. Although coming from Calgary, I did find the lack of evening pedestrian traffic downtown to be surprising. Granted, my  Maritimes visit was at the beginning of spring, well before the crush of peak tourist season. My photos might make it look like I was the only person in the city, but I’m sure it’s a different story for anyone visiting in the height of summer.

While I wouldn’t say Alberta has the hustle culture of Eastern provinces like Ontario, the relaxed atmosphere of the Maritimes was still a nice break. After all, who doesn’t want that on vacation?

It’s red!

As an Anne of Green Gables fan, I knew Prince Edward Island had a reputation for its red dirt and sands. What I didn’t realize was that this feature is also found in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. From the ruddy waters in the Bay of Fundy and the tilled fields in rural P.E.I. to even some of the asphalt on paved roads throughout Nova Scotia. It’s really red!

Maybe this is a pretty mundane observation, but the change in topography was very cool to see. One note of warning: don’t pack white shoes if you want them to still be white when you come home. Lesson learned.

The nature

Elaborating on that last point, the nature is stunning and diverse. Alberta has plenty to brag about with the Rockies, but the Maritime provinces might just give us a run for our money.

The forests are incredibly lush thanks to all the humidity and rainfall, and the landscape alternates between gentle rolling hills and dramatic cliffs that fall into the sea. Foggy mornings are not uncommon, and the weather can change on a dime – something Alberta has in common!

I also need to acknowledge the beaches in P.E.I. Now you don’t have to listen to me, but they are probably the most beautiful in the country. I’m talking silky soft sand that goes on forever. Another fun fact: no matter where you are on Prince Edward Island, you’re never more than 20 km from the ocean. Needless to say, I think I need to visit the Maritimes again in the summer just to lie on this beach all day.

French culture

If you live in Western Canada, it can be easy to forget that we have a second official language. Now, this might just be true of the Eastern Canada in general, but the French language and culture have a much stronger presence in the Maritimes. From Acadian flags and French signage, to historical sites that taught me way more about Canadian history than I could remember from Social Studies.

If you’re ever in Cape Breton, N.S., be sure to pay a visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg. This national historic site is a partial reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortress that fell to the British twice. Before its untimely demise, it was a bustling port settlement welcoming traders, merchants, and travellers from all over Europe. It only costs $8.50 for a day ticket that lets you tour the historic site where you’ll find a ton of exhibits and costumed staff who will happily tell you about their life in the 1700s.

Take a guided tour or wander at your own pace. You can learn all about the history of the period, along with exactly how much work went into rebuilding the fort after it was levelled in the 1760s. You can even spend the night in the fortress camp, guardhouse, or prison!

Overall, I had a fantastic time visiting the Maritimes, and I would recommend anyone from Alberta (or anywhere) to put it on their bucket list.

Where are your favourite places to travel in Canada? Are you ever surprised at how different it feels from home? Tell us about your coolest Canadian travel experience in the comments below.

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Editor’s note: Saint John, N.B., was incorrectly spelled in an earlier version of this article. It has since been updated with the correct information.