Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island For Dummies^?, 2nd Edition

by Andrew Hempstead

• ISBN13: 9780470837399
• ISBN10: 047083739X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Make the most of your trip to the Canadian Maritimes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island offer many attractions: the Bay of Fundy, Cape Breton Island, Avonlea, and much more. But how do you make sure that you see everything worth seeing? Relax! With this friendly guide in hand, you'll always know what to do next. Discover: * Down-to-earth trip-planning advice * What you shouldn't miss - and what you can skip * The best hotels and restaurants for every budget * Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages

Author Biography

Andrew Hempstead is a travel writer and photographer who has traveled widely throughout Canada from his home in Banff, Alberta. His research trip for the second edition of this book took him to every corner of the Maritimes, and along the way he found himself searching for fossils along the Bay of Fundy, wine-tasting in Nova Scotia, and golfing the fairways of Prince Edward Island.
In addition to this book, Hempstead has authored guidebooks to Alberta, British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies, and Vancouver, and has co-authored guidebooks to Atlantic Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. His writing and photography have also appeared in many national and international publications.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
About This Book	1	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	3	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	3	(2)
Part I: Introducing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island	3	(1)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to the Maritimes	4	(1)
Parts III, IV, V: The Provinces	4	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	4	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	5	(1)
Where to Go from Here	5	(2)
Part I: Introducing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island	7	(36)
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island	9	(8)
The Best Places to Stay	9	(2)
Best splurges	10	(1)
Best historic getaways	10	(1)
Best ocean outlooks	10	(1)
Best for active travelers	11	(1)
The Best Places to Eat	11	(3)
Best seafood	11	(1)
Best views	12	(1)
Best pub dining	13	(1)
Best Acadian	13	(1)
Best inexpensive dining	13	(1)
The Best Historic Attractions	14	(1)
The Best Scenic Drives	15	(2)
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into the Canadian Maritimes	17	(6)
History 101: The Main Events	17	(3)
Taste of the Maritimes: Local cuisine	20	(1)
Swimming in seafood	20	(1)
Eating Acadian	20	(1)
Background Check: Recommended Books and Movies	20	(3)
The Maritimes in print	21	(1)
The Maritimes on the big screen	21	(2)
Chapter 3: Deciding Where and When to Go	23	(12)
Going Everywhere You Want to Be	23	(2)
Nova Scotia	23	(1)
New Brunswick	24	(1)
Prince Edward Island	25	(1)
Scheduling Your Time	25	(1)
Knowing the Secrets of the Seasons	26	(4)
Spring	27	(1)
Summer	28	(1)
Fall	29	(1)
Winter	29	(1)
Hitting the Big Events: A Maritimes Calendar	30	(5)
May	30	(1)
June	30	(1)
July	30	(1)
August	31	(1)
September	32	(1)
October	33	(1)
November	33	(1)
December	34	(1)
Chapter 4: Following an Itinerary: Four Great Trips	35	(8)
Seeing the Maritimes in One Week	35	(1)
Exploring the Maritimes in Two Weeks	36	(2)
Enjoying the Maritimes with Kids	38	(1)
Cruising the Coast: In Search of Seafood	39	(4)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to the Canadian Maritimes	43	(56)
Chapter 5: Managing Your Money	45	(12)
Planning Your Budget	45	(5)
Transportation	46	(1)
Lodging	47	(1)
Dining	47	(1)
Attractions	48	(1)
Activities and tours	49	(1)
Shopping	49	(1)
Nightlife	49	(1)
Tips on tipping	49	(1)
Cutting Costs — but Not the Fun	50	(1)
Handling Money	51	(3)
Making cents of the loonie	51	(3)
Taking Taxes into Account	54	(1)
Dealing with Loss or Theft	55	(2)
Coping with lost credit cards	55	(1)
Losing your identity	55	(2)
Chapter 6: Getting to the Canadian Maritimes	57	(10)
Flying to the Maritimes	57	(3)
Getting the best deal on your airfare	58	(2)
Driving to the Maritimes	60	(1)
Arriving by Other Means	61	(1)
Taking the train	61	(1)
Bussing it in	61	(1)
Arriving by ferry	62	(1)
Joining an Escorted Tour	62	(2)
Choosing a Package Tour	64	(3)
Chapter 7: Getting Around the Canadian Maritimes	67	(6)
Driving Around	67	(2)
Renting a car	68	(1)
Ferrying Between Provinces	69	(2)
Nova Scotia to New Brunswick	69	(1)
Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island	70	(1)
To Newfoundland	70	(1)
Getting Around by Other Means	71	(2)
Traveling by plane	71	(1)
Taking the train	71	(1)
Catching the bus	72	(1)
Chapter 8: Booking Your Accommodations	73	(6)
Finding the Place That's Right for You	73	(3)
Hotels and motels	73	(1)
Bed-and-breakfasts	74	(1)
Cottages, cabins, and chalets	75	(1)
Resorts	75	(1)
Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate	76	(3)
Uncovering the truth about rack rates	76	(1)
Making sure the price is right	76	(2)
Getting the most for your money	78	(1)
Chapter 9: Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests	79	(6)
Traveling with Kids: Are We There Yet?	79	(1)
Seeing the Maritimes in Senior Style: The Age Advantage	80	(1)
Accessing the Maritimes: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities	81	(1)
Advice for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	82	(3)
Chapter 10: Taking Care of the Remaining Details	85	(14)
Getting a Passport	85	(2)
Applying for a U.S. passport	86	(1)
Applying for other passports	86	(1)
Packing for the Maritimes	87	(2)
Knowing what to bring	87	(1)
Knowing what not to bring	87	(1)
Meeting airline baggage requirements	88	(1)
Getting through Immigration and Customs	89	(1)
Crossing the border	89	(1)
Passing through Customs	89	(1)
Keeping Up with Airline Security	90	(2)
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance	92	(1)
Staying Healthy When You Travel	93	(1)
Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-mail	93	(4)
Using a cellphone in Canada	94	(1)
Accessing the Internet away from home	95	(2)
Sizing Things Up: Converting to Canadian	97	(2)
Part III: Nova Scotia	99	(88)
Chapter 11: Halifax	101	(30)
Getting There	101	(4)
By plane	104	(1)
By car	105	(1)
By train or bus	105	(1)
Orienting Yourself in Halifax	105	(1)
Downtown	106	(1)
Dartmouth	106	(1)
Bedford and Sackville	106	(1)
Getting around Halifax	106	(2)
Driving (and parking)	106	(1)
On foot	107	(1)
Catching cabs	107	(1)
Transit tips	107	(1)
Staying in Halifax	108	(3)
First-Choice Lodgings	108	(3)
Runner-up lodgings	111	(1)
Dining in Halifax	111	(4)
Exploring Halifax	115	(9)
The top attractions	115	(5)
Crossing the harbor to Dartmouth	120	(2)
Seeing Halifax by guided tour	122	(1)
Suggested one-, two-, and three-day itineraries	123	(1)
Shopping	124	(3)
Checking out the scene	124	(1)
What to look for	125	(1)
Where to find it	125	(2)
Nightlife	127	(2)
Pubbing and clubbing it	127	(2)
The arts	129	(1)
Fast Facts	129	(2)
Chapter 12: Southwestern Nova Scotia	131	(26)
Peggy's Cove	131	(2)
Getting there	132	(1)
Staying in Peggy's Cove	132	(1)
Exploring Peggy's Cove	132	(1)
Mahone Bay	133	(3)
Getting there	133	(1)
Staying in Mahone Bay	133	(1)
Dining in Mahone Bay	134	(1)
Exploring Mahone Bay	135	(1)
Lunenburg	136	(7)
Getting there	136	(1)
Orienting yourself in Lunenburg	136	(1)
Staying in Lunenburg	137	(1)
Dining in Lunenburg	138	(1)
Exploring Lunenburg	139	(4)
Shelburne	143	(2)
Getting there	143	(1)
Staying in and around Shelburne	143	(1)
Dining in Shelburne	144	(1)
Exploring Shelburne	144	(1)
La Côte Acadienne	145	(1)
Getting there	145	(1)
Staying along La Côte Acadienne	145	(1)
Dining along La Côte Acadienne	145	(1)
Exploring La Côte Acadienne	146	(1)
Digby and Digby Neck	146	(5)
Getting there	147	(1)
Staying in and around Digby	147	(1)
Dining in Digby	148	(1)
Exploring Digby	149	(2)
Annapolis Royal	151	(6)
Getting there	151	(1)
Staying in Annapolis Royal	151	(1)
Dining in Annapolis Royal	152	(1)
Exploring Annapolis Royal	152	(5)
Chapter 13: Central Nova Scotia	157	(12)
Truro	157	(3)
Getting there	157	(1)
Staying in Truro	157	(1)
Dining in Truro	158	(1)
Exploring Truro	158	(2)
Pictou	160	(3)
Getting there	160	(1)
Staying in Pictou	160	(1)
Dining in Pictou	161	(1)
Exploring Pictou	161	(2)
Touring along Northumberland Strait	163	(1)
Eastern Shore	163	(6)
Getting there	164	(1)
Staying along the Eastern Shore	164	(1)
Dining along the Eastern Shore	165	(1)
Exploring the Eastern Shore	166	(3)
Chapter 14: Cape Breton Island	169	(18)
Baddeck	171	(4)
Getting there	171	(1)
Staying in Baddeck	171	(1)
Dining in Baddeck	172	(1)
Exploring Baddeck	173	(2)
Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Cabot Trail	175	(8)
Getting there	175	(1)
Paying entrance fees	175	(1)
Arriving at the park's main entrance	175	(1)
Staying along the Cabot Trail	176	(2)
Dining along the Cabot Trail	178	(1)
Exploring the Cabot Trail	179	(4)
Shopping	183	(1)
Louisbourg	183	(3)
Getting there	184	(1)
Staying in Louisbourg	184	(1)
Dining in Louisbourg	184	(1)
Exploring Louisbourg	185	(1)
Fast Facts: Cape Breton Island	186	(1)
Part IV New Brunswick	187	(66)
Chapter 15: Moncton and the Acadian Coast	189	(22)
Getting To Moncton	189	(5)
By plane	193	(1)
By car	193	(1)
By train or bus	193	(1)
Getting Around Moncton	194	(1)
Parking	194	(1)
Cabbing It	194	(1)
Taking transit	194	(1)
Staying in Moncton	194	(2)
Dining in Moncton	196	(2)
Exploring Moncton	198	(2)
Downtown	198	(1)
Magnetic Hill	199	(1)
Nightlife	200	(1)
Bars and live music	200	(1)
The arts	201	(1)
Acadian Coast	201	(9)
Shediac	201	(3)
Bouctouche and beyond	204	(1)
Kouchibouguac National Park	205	(1)
Acadian Peninsula	206	(4)
Fast Facts: Moncton	210	(1)
Chapter 16: Saint John and the Fundy Coast	211	(26)
Getting To Saint John	213	(1)
By plane	213	(1)
By car	213	(1)
By ferry	213	(1)
Getting around Saint John	214	(1)
Parking	214	(1)
Grabbing a cab	214	(1)
Taking transit	214	(1)
Staying in Saint John	214	(3)
Dining in Saint John	217	(1)
Exploring Saint John	218	(5)
Other cool things to see and do	221	(2)
Night Life	223	(1)
Pubs and clubs	223	(1)
The arts	223	(1)
Fundy Coast	223	(12)
Fundy National Park	223	(3)
Hopewell Cape	226	(2)
St. Andrews	228	(5)
Fundy Isles	233	(2)
Fast Facts: Saint John	235	(2)
Chapter 17: Fredericton	237	(16)
Getting to Fredericton	237	(2)
By plane	237	(2)
By car	239	(1)
By bus	239	(1)
Getting Around Fredericton	239	(1)
Parking	239	(1)
Catching cabs	239	(1)
Transit tips	240	(1)
Staying in Fredericton	240	(2)
Dining in Fredericton	242	(2)
Exploring Fredericton	244	(3)
Historic Garrison District	244	(1)
Other Fredericton sights	245	(1)
Other cool things to see and do in Fredericton	246	(1)
Shopping	247	(1)
Antiques	247	(1)
Arts and crafts	247	(1)
Books	248	(1)
Market	248	(1)
Night Life	248	(1)
Pubs and clubs	248	(1)
The arts	249	(1)
Side Trips from Fredericton	249	(2)
Gagetown	249	(1)
Mactaquac and area	249	(2)
Fast Facts: Fredericton	251	(2)
Part V: Prince Edward Island	253	(48)
Chapter 18: Charlottetown	255	(18)
Getting There	255	(1)
By plane	255	(1)
By car	256	(1)
By bus	256	(1)
Getting Around Charlottetown	256	(3)
Parking	259	(1)
Transit and tours	259	(1)
Staying in Charlottetown	259	(3)
Dining in Charlottetown	262	(3)
Exploring Charlottetown	265	(3)
Other cool things to see and do	268	(1)
Shopping	268	(1)
Nightlife	269	(1)
Pubs and clubs	269	(1)
The arts	270	(1)
Harness racing	270	(1)
Fast Facts: Charlottetown	270	(3)
Chapter 19: Cavendish	273	(10)
Getting There	273	(2)
Staying in Cavendish	275	(1)
Dining in Cavendish	276	(2)
Exploring Cavendish	278	(3)
Anne attractions	278	(2)
Cool things for kids to do in Cavendish	280	(1)
Touring Beyond Cavendish	281	(2)
Prince Edward Island National Park	281	(1)
North Rustico Harbour	282	(1)
Chapter 20: Prince County	283	(10)
Summerside	283	(3)
Getting there	283	(1)
Staying in Summerside	284	(1)
Dining in Summerside	284	(1)
Exploring Summerside	285	(1)
Région Évangéline	286	(2)
Getting there	286	(1)
Staying in Région Évangéline	286	(1)
Dining in Région Évangéline	286	(1)
Exploring Région Évangéline	287	(1)
Malpeque Bay	288	(2)
Getting there	288	(1)
Staying around Malpeque Bay	288	(1)
Exploring Malpeque Bay	289	(1)
Western Prince County	290	(3)
Getting there	290	(1)
Staying in western Prince County	290	(1)
Touring through western Prince County	291	(2)
Chapter 21: Kings County	293	(8)
Southern Kings County	293	(4)
Getting there	293	(1)
Staying in southern Kings County	294	(1)
Dining in southern Kings County	295	(1)
Exploring southern Kings County	295	(2)
Northern Kings County	297	(6)
Getting there	297	(1)
Staying in northern Kings County	297	(1)
Dining in northern Kings County	298	(1)
Exploring northern Kings County	299	(2)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	301	(14)
Chapter 22: Ten Maritimes Experiences	303	(4)
A Day in Anne's Land	303	(1)
Drinking and Dancing	303	(1)
Fishing the Miramichi	304	(1)
Going Golfing	304	(1)
Having a Whale of a Time	304	(1)
Hiking the Highlands	304	(1)
Making the French Connection	305	(1)
Sailing into the Sunset	305	(1)
Snapping the Perfect Picture	305	(1)
Walking on the Ocean Floor	305	(2)
Chapter 23: Ten Places to Eat Great Seafood	307	(4)
Blue Mussel Café	307	(1)
Butland's Seafood	308	(1)
Chowder House	308	(1)
Five Fishermen	308	(1)
Murphy's	308	(1)
Muddy Rudder	308	(1)
New Glasgow Lobster Supper	309	(1)
O'Neil's Fundy Fish Market	309	(1)
Seaweed Pie Café	309	(1)
Shediac Bay Cruises	309	(2)
Chapter 24: Ten Famous People You Probably
Didn't Realize Were Maritimers	311	(1)
Alexander Graham Bell	311	(1)
Stompin' Tom Connors	311	(1)
Samuel Cunard	312	(1)
Sam Langford	312	(1)
Lucy Maud Montgomery	312	(1)
The McCain Family	312	(1)
Anne Murray	312	(1)
John Patch	313	(1)
Harry Saltzman	313	(1)
Joshua Slocum	313	(2)
Appendix: Ouick Concierge	315	(6)
Fast Facts	315	(2)
Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	317	(2)
Major airlines serving the Maritimes	317	(1)
Major car-rental agencies in the Maritimes	317	(1)
Major hotel and motel chains in the Maritimes	318	(1)
Where to Get More Information	319	(2)
Tourist Information	319	(1)
Other Guidebooks	319	(2)
Index	321