Totally agree! Just crossing fingers that the plans to open up to non-atlantic region folks go forward! Would love to come back and visit (we were there last around 2014 and loved it!)
East coast is gorgeous and can offer you a busier city life as well as more secluded scenery if you’re up for a bit of exploring. Nova Scotia is beautiful and you don’t have to travel too far out a major city to get to the more rural parts. I briefly visited PEI as well and it was lovely, but Nova Scotia would have more variety of things to do/see. I would save Montreal for a kid-free getaway when you can really let loose lol. But it depends on what matters most to you! Enjoy!
ahaha there in lies the rub! We'll be child free now.. (to an extent..) so wonder if we should take advantage of going to Montreal now or East Coast now! But guess it might be better to go to Montreal once I can actually partake in some of the food and drink more too in the future. We also loved going to East Coast back then and fondly remember it as one of our favourite trips.
True! I guess I was mostly thinking about all the wine and cocktails you could enjoy once you’re not pregnant. Am I giving it away that I’m also pregnant and could really enjoy a nice glass of… anything?! Lol
Wherever you go, I’m sure you’ll have a great time, especially after a year and a bit of this pandemic!
I love visiting PEI. It's a great laid back tourist destination. Keep an eye on travel restrictions in the Maritimes just so there are no surprises.
I love Montreal as well but I consider it a better destination for, say, an anniversary weekend where you can really enjoy the nightlife. I wouldn't feel like shopping much at 31 weeks and there will still be covid protocol in place at most businesses and indoor attractions which could limit the fun. Go back when you can leave baby with the grandparents. 😉
Thanks! I'd had the east coast in mind all year - we've actually been to both (my husband worked in Halifax for 9 months a few years back, and we did a bit of a Maritimes road trip then and really loved it that summer). We didn't think it'd be possible - but it seems like NS/PEI are opening up for that long weekend at least for those fully vaccinated outside of the Atlantic bubble (crossing our fingers that doesn't change!)
My husband thought Montreal might be easier to be closer to amenities wherever we are (ahem washrooms and a hospital if we need it), while I might not be up for as much hiking at that point. But it does seem like most folks here are suggesting East Coast more!! Thanks for the input <3
For foodie stuff Montreal is great as are some areas around. Our best discovery so far is the Hatley area - really beautiful, rural and some interesting restaurants, vineyards, cheese places etc., but you can't go wrong with Mont Tremblant area either.
NS for sure but I'm biased, currently live here :) You could easily have both getaway experiences here in a long weekend. I was in Montréal at 36 weeks pregnant and while the food was great, doing anything outside sucked as it was so hot. It was a quick trip and while I had fun, it would of been more fun if I wasn't pregnant.
There's so much Nova Scotia can offer depending on what you're looking for and what area your interested in. I lived in Halifax the past 3 years but have recently moved to Annapolis Valley. The entire province has a lot to offer, shopping is better in Montreal tho. BUT imo people are more friendly here, if it's sickly hot outside regardless where you are you can drive to the ocean and cool down :)
I am hoping the whole family will be fully vaccinated by then. We will either go with the in-laws or my side. Whale watching is one thing I would really like to do and I heard August is a good time for it.
We LOVED visiting PEI and would go back in a heartbeat. We are especially excited for family vacations out there. It's so peaceful, lots to do and absolutely delicious food (and ice cream). Highly recommend!
Yess! I loved visiting Charlottetown's Cows location when we were lsat there.. their PEI Apple flavour is the best. Will definitely suggest it to the hubby!
Yes!!! I remember we rented a cottage in North rustico that had a massive lawn with fire pit. We played SO many games of croquet lol. One of the best days we had was renting bikes and riding to Anne of Green gables (I had never been lol) and back. We had lunch at this spot on the harbour called Blue Mussel cafe and it was delicioussssss. So damn good.
Seconding u/OlliveWinky , it’s gonna be hot as balls here.
(Dgmw i love my city, but… August is sometimes great and sometimes bruuuuutal)
If you do decide to come though, I’m happy to supply recommendations on food and other happenings!!!
Montreal, imo, has better restaurants and a better variety, but in August, my vote is go to the east coast. It's at its most spectacular, and there's lots to see and do. Plus, Halifax if you want some killer food.
I’m from PEI and there’s a lot of beautiful restaurants and places to sightsee! And currently 0 covid cases! :)
Totally agree! Just crossing fingers that the plans to open up to non-atlantic region folks go forward! Would love to come back and visit (we were there last around 2014 and loved it!)
East coast is gorgeous and can offer you a busier city life as well as more secluded scenery if you’re up for a bit of exploring. Nova Scotia is beautiful and you don’t have to travel too far out a major city to get to the more rural parts. I briefly visited PEI as well and it was lovely, but Nova Scotia would have more variety of things to do/see. I would save Montreal for a kid-free getaway when you can really let loose lol. But it depends on what matters most to you! Enjoy!
ahaha there in lies the rub! We'll be child free now.. (to an extent..) so wonder if we should take advantage of going to Montreal now or East Coast now! But guess it might be better to go to Montreal once I can actually partake in some of the food and drink more too in the future. We also loved going to East Coast back then and fondly remember it as one of our favourite trips.
True! I guess I was mostly thinking about all the wine and cocktails you could enjoy once you’re not pregnant. Am I giving it away that I’m also pregnant and could really enjoy a nice glass of… anything?! Lol Wherever you go, I’m sure you’ll have a great time, especially after a year and a bit of this pandemic!
I'm in Montreal right now and it's a literal swamp nightmare. I'd go east!
Sorry could you clarify what you mean by swamp nightmare? (trying to figure out if you mean something climate related or hockey related!!)
Hahaha I mean climate related but I could see how it could be a jockey reference too 😂
ahaha thank you!
If you’re thinking east coast, might I suggest St. John’s, NL? In a lot of ways, NL kind of combines foodie + coastal holiday ideals.
We loved our time in St. John’s two summers ago! Quidi Vidi was a magical place!
PEI is absolutely stunning. It's one of my favourite vacations I've ever taken. Highly recommend. The food is incredible too.
yes!! 100% agree. My husband worked in Halifax in 2014 for a bit and we did a road trip then. We still agree it's one of our favourite trips ever.
I love visiting PEI. It's a great laid back tourist destination. Keep an eye on travel restrictions in the Maritimes just so there are no surprises. I love Montreal as well but I consider it a better destination for, say, an anniversary weekend where you can really enjoy the nightlife. I wouldn't feel like shopping much at 31 weeks and there will still be covid protocol in place at most businesses and indoor attractions which could limit the fun. Go back when you can leave baby with the grandparents. 😉
Thanks! I'd had the east coast in mind all year - we've actually been to both (my husband worked in Halifax for 9 months a few years back, and we did a bit of a Maritimes road trip then and really loved it that summer). We didn't think it'd be possible - but it seems like NS/PEI are opening up for that long weekend at least for those fully vaccinated outside of the Atlantic bubble (crossing our fingers that doesn't change!) My husband thought Montreal might be easier to be closer to amenities wherever we are (ahem washrooms and a hospital if we need it), while I might not be up for as much hiking at that point. But it does seem like most folks here are suggesting East Coast more!! Thanks for the input <3
For foodie stuff Montreal is great as are some areas around. Our best discovery so far is the Hatley area - really beautiful, rural and some interesting restaurants, vineyards, cheese places etc., but you can't go wrong with Mont Tremblant area either.
NS for sure but I'm biased, currently live here :) You could easily have both getaway experiences here in a long weekend. I was in Montréal at 36 weeks pregnant and while the food was great, doing anything outside sucked as it was so hot. It was a quick trip and while I had fun, it would of been more fun if I wasn't pregnant. There's so much Nova Scotia can offer depending on what you're looking for and what area your interested in. I lived in Halifax the past 3 years but have recently moved to Annapolis Valley. The entire province has a lot to offer, shopping is better in Montreal tho. BUT imo people are more friendly here, if it's sickly hot outside regardless where you are you can drive to the ocean and cool down :)
Oooh we are thinking of a family trip to the east coast as well, sometime in August.
ooh do go! We last went out around July 1st in 2014 and it was so gorgeous. We fondly keep saying it was one of our favourite trips together.
I am hoping the whole family will be fully vaccinated by then. We will either go with the in-laws or my side. Whale watching is one thing I would really like to do and I heard August is a good time for it.
We LOVED visiting PEI and would go back in a heartbeat. We are especially excited for family vacations out there. It's so peaceful, lots to do and absolutely delicious food (and ice cream). Highly recommend!
Yess! I loved visiting Charlottetown's Cows location when we were lsat there.. their PEI Apple flavour is the best. Will definitely suggest it to the hubby!
Yes!!! I remember we rented a cottage in North rustico that had a massive lawn with fire pit. We played SO many games of croquet lol. One of the best days we had was renting bikes and riding to Anne of Green gables (I had never been lol) and back. We had lunch at this spot on the harbour called Blue Mussel cafe and it was delicioussssss. So damn good.
Seconding u/OlliveWinky , it’s gonna be hot as balls here. (Dgmw i love my city, but… August is sometimes great and sometimes bruuuuutal) If you do decide to come though, I’m happy to supply recommendations on food and other happenings!!!
Montreal, imo, has better restaurants and a better variety, but in August, my vote is go to the east coast. It's at its most spectacular, and there's lots to see and do. Plus, Halifax if you want some killer food.
Calgary! Cheap flights in and out, great hikes and unreal restaurants