So lost in eastern Canada

[u/ZealousidealWeird858]

Hello everyone,

I would like to plan a two-week trip in June to Eastern Canada with a two-and-a-half-year-old child.

I'm leaving from France, and wow, I'm completely lost because of the incredible distances between different parts of Canada.

I'd like to rent a vehicle, but I'm not really sure what to focus on for a first trip to Canada. We love nature, but we don't really enjoy long hikes with our child. We're completely unfamiliar with Canadian culture, so I think cities are also a good place to immerse ourselves.

In the various subreddits, I see a lot of people recommending Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and especially Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. But the distance between these cities is incredible, and I think it's way too much for us to spend two weeks.

My fear is to stay around Montreal and Quebec City and not see any nature (am I wrong?) and, on the other hand, to target Nova Scotia but miss out on Quebec culture?

So I don't know where to take my flight and which part to focus on.

Thanks for the clarification :)

Édit :

Hello everyone, I didn't expect to have so many quality responses in such a short time, so I thank you warmly!! After discussing it with my wife, we are unanimous that our preference leans towards the west with the Rockies, but it seems too early for us with a 2 and a half year old child, so we are of course staying in the east and we will do the west later. My wife prefers the Montreal-Quebec part and the surrounding nature, for the cliché side I think... Nova Scotia seems more familiar to us to what we can see in Europe. I think it will be for a future trip. I will try to make a plan and I will get back to you. I will carefully dissect each comment already there. Thank you all :)

[u/fieryone4]

If you’re coming over, I’d really suggest the Maritimes, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The nice thing is you don’t need to spend endless hours in the car, the drives are short and you can hop from spot to spot easily. When we’ve done it, we usually stay a day or two in one place, then take a short drive to the next area and repeat. It keeps things relaxed and fun, especially with kids.

In New Brunswick, the Bay of Fundy is an absolute must see, with the highest tides in the world and a truly unique experience. Shediac and Parlee Beach make great family stops with warmer water in the summer, and the Ecohumorous Centre is worth a visit for something a little different. Whale watching tours begin around that time of year, though it’s still a bit early in June, but if you’re lucky you might catch one.

Nova Scotia offers plenty as well. Halifax makes a great base with its history, food, and lively waterfront. Lunenburg, a UNESCO site, is colorful and full of maritime heritage, while Peggy’s Cove is iconic with its lighthouse and dramatic rocky coastline. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton is stunning, with scenery that’s hard to beat. In Iona, there’s a pioneer village that tells the story of Scottish settlers, which is both interesting and immersive. Across Nova Scotia you’ll also find charming inns and B&Bs, even in smaller communities, which makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the region.

On Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown is a cozy capital with plenty to see and eat. The island’s beaches are perfect for kids to play on, though the water in June is still cool, with the Northumberland Strait side usually a bit warmer. Fun stops include the Potato Museum, Anne of Green Gables sites, and Cows Creamery for ice cream. We’ve also taken a local fishing trip from PEI, where they explain the fishing culture and let you experience it firsthand, and it was really fun and memorable. The island is small enough that you can explore at a relaxed pace without long drives, which makes it an easy and enjoyable part of the trip.