13 Best Things To Do in Canada & New England: A Guide

When summer begins to wrap up and the first fall leaves appear, there’s nowhere on Earth quite like New England and the east coast of Canada to get into the autumn spirit.

That’s why it’s prime time to plan a fall foliage-themed trip between Quebec City, Canada and Cape Liberty, NJ, with stops in stunning coastal regions along the way. These include Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as several beautiful spots in Maine, like Rockland and Bar Harbor.

Here are a few of the most unforgettable things to do in Canada, from culture to nature and cuisine, as you cruise between these charming, perfect-for-fall destinations.

Key Takeaways: Most Beautiful Sites in Canada and New England

●  Acadia National Park Lobster Bake: Tour the oldest Eastern national park and enjoy a classic, quintessential Maine lobster bake with fresh seafood.

●  Visit Prince Edward Island: See the highlights of this famous island, including historic lighthouses, and visit an award-winning winery for tastings.

●  Tour Charlottetown pubs and breweries: Learn about the boozy history of quaint Charlottetown on a guided walking tour while enjoying local drinks.

●  Whale watching in the Bay of Fundy: Set sail on a catamaran with a marine biologist to catch a glimpse of beautiful whales and eagles.

●  Do a walking tour in Old Québec: Wander cobblestone streets and see picturesque historical sites on a tour through North America's only walled city.

●  Try the seafood in Halifax: Stroll the charming waterfront with a guide to sample delicious Nova Scotian delicacies like traditional lobster sliders.

●  Zoom down the Reversing Falls zip line: Take a thrilling zip line ride soaring over a turbulent tidal cove for a bird's-eye view of the rapids.

●  Check out Niagara Falls: Experience the thundering cascades of the world-renowned Horseshoe Falls via a thrilling boat tour or misty boardwalk stroll.

●  Visit Banff National Park: Explore Canada's first national park to photograph jagged rocky peaks, spot wildlife and view stunning turquoise glacial lakes.

●  Walk the Athabasca Glacier: Ride a massive all-terrain vehicle directly onto North America's most-visited ice field to walk upon ancient ice.

●  Attend Canadian festivals: Celebrate local culture by participating in iconic events like the Montreal Jazz Festival or Nova Scotia's Celtic Colours.

●  Taste Prince Edward Island blue mussels: Enjoy delicious, rope-grown blue mussels steamed in white wine and garlic at a waterfront bistro for sea-to-table dining.

●  Rhode Island coastal mansions: Tour the extravagant summer cottages of the Vanderbilt family, featuring stunning Atlantic views along the famous Cliff Walk.

●  Cruise to Canada and New England to experience the cultural, natural and historic wonders.

1. Savor Fresh Lobster After Exploring Acadia National Park

What: A feast for the eyes and the taste buds — take a tour of Acadia National Park, the oldest American national park east of the Mississippi River, then enjoy a classic “Downeast” lobster bake, where you’ll chow down on lobster, mussels, fresh bread, coleslaw and more. Combining these two experiences is among the most quintessential things to do in New England, especially if you’re visiting via cruise.

Cool factor: The annual Maine lobster yield is 86 million pounds. That’s almost 90 percent of the nation’s supply.

Find it: You can take the free Island Explorer shuttle from the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine, which is five minute’ walk from the port.

2. Discover Carleton Martello Tower And Local Wine In Saint John

What: See the highlights of Prince Edward Island (home of Anne of Green Gables!), then visit award-winning Rossignol Estate Winery for a wine and cheese tasting.

Cool factor: You’ll get to visit two historic lighthouses: Point Prim Lighthouse and Wood Islands Lighthouse. Get your cameras ready!

Find it in: The waterfront and historic district are a five to 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. To get to the wineries, it’s possible to head out on a guided tour or rent a car. The drive typically takes around an hour.

3. Grab A Drink At Charlottetown’s Best Pubs And Breweries

What: Learn about P.E.I.’s boozy history on a walking tour of quaint Charlottetown, visiting three pubs and enjoying local-favorite tipples.

Cool factor: Your tour guide is a historical reenactor of a circa-1864 Father of Confederation.

Find it in: Most top-rated breweries are clustered within a 10 to 15-minute walk of the Charlottetown cruise pier, making this an ideal self-guided or walking tour.

4. Whale Watching Adventures In The Bay Of Fundy

What: Set sail with a marine biologist on a 55-foot catamaran to catch a glimpse of beautiful finback, minke or humpback whales in the Bay of Fundy. You may also see eagles, seals and porpoises.

Cool factor: For every whale excursion, Royal Caribbean adopts a Bay of Fundy right whale to help fund research, conservation and education.

Find it in: From the cruise port in Saint John, New Brunswick, you can take a short five-minute shuttle to the whale watching tour boarding area.

5. Stroll Through The Walled Streets Of Old Québec

What: Take a quaint walking, funicular and horse-and-carriage tour through lovely Quebec City, the only walled city in North America. You’ll wander down cobblestone streets, visit charming shops and cafes, and see talented street performers.

Cool factor: A horse and carriage will carry you past several picturesque historical sites, including the former French Governor’s home, Chateau Frontenac, now a Fairmont hotel.

Find it in: The Port of Québec is at the foot of the Québec City historic district. You can reach the Upper Town via a 10-minute walk (uphill) or just grab a taxi.

6. Taste Halifax’s Famous Seafood And Local Dishes

What: Stroll Halifax’s charming waterfront, popping into shops and cafes to sample popular Nova Scotian delicacies, including a traditional lobster slider, scrumptious locally made ice cream and a fried dough pastry stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail.

Cool factor: Your kilt-wearing tour guide will enlighten you on Halifax’s culture, foodie traditions and rich maritime history — pirates included.

Find it: The Halifax, Nova Scotia Boardwalk begins immediately outside the cruise pavilion, offering a flat, two-mile scenic walk to most culinary stops.

7. Zipline Over the Rapids at Reversing Falls in Saint John

What: Take a thrilling zipline ride down several lines, including one where you’ll soar 100 feet above a turbulent tidal cove.

Cool factor: You’ll get a birds’-eye view of the Reversing Rapids, where the St. John River and the Bay of Fundy come together.

Find it in: Located at Fallsview Park, you can take a 10-minute taxi from the Saint John, New Brunswick, cruise port.

8. Witness the Power of Niagara Falls

What: At the top of most people’s list of what to see and do in Canada is witnessing the Niagara Falls’ tumbling cascades. Experience the world-renowned Horseshoe Falls either via boat tour or a misty stroll around the boardwalk. These massive cascades move over 6 million cubic feet of water each minute, creating a thundering spectacle that thousands of people gather to witness each year.

Cool factor: The Niagara Falls has the highest flow-rate waterfall in North America and actually moves backward about one foot every year due to erosion.

Find it in: If you hire a car, Niagara Falls is approximately a 90-minute drive from Toronto, though the drive is much farther from Royal Caribbean cruise ports in Canada. This makes it an epic stop for those ending their cruise journey in Canada who want to extend their trip to visit the local sites.

9. Explore the Pure Waters of Banff National Park

What: Canada’s first national park offers jagged Rocky Mountain peaks that jut out over the horizon, turquoise glacial lakes like Lake Louise and plenty of wildlife to spot, including elk and grizzly bears. For outdoor adventurers, this is one of the best sites to see in Canada for hiking, photography and alpine landscapes.

Cool factor: The park’s famous blue water is caused by rock flour, which is fine particles of eroded rock silt that reflects sunlight.

Find it in: While this is typically a pre- or post-cruise excursion from Vancouver, it’s absolutely worth the visit. Guests can fly to Calgary airport following Canada’s Atlantic coast and reach the national park with a 90-minute drive.

10. Walk Across the Athabasca Glacier

What: Step onto the most-visited ice field in North America within the Columbia Icefield. Visitors can ride Ice Explorers (massive, six-wheeled all-terrain vehicles) directly onto the glacier to walk on ice thousands of years old.

Cool factor: This glacier is so thick (up to 980 ft) that you could almost completely cover the Eiffel Tower inside the ice.

Find it in: Located along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies; you can access the Athabasca Glacier via a 90-minute guided tour from Banff or Jasper.

11. Experience Iconic Canadian Festivals

What: During your cruise to Canada and New England, you might come across festivals to participate in — most notably, the Montreal International Jazz Festival in late June. If you’re cruising in October, you can catch the Celtic Colours International Festival in Nova Scotia and join the celebrations of Gaelic culture with music and community eats.

Cool factor: The Montreal Jazz Festival holds the Guinness World Record as the largest jazz festival on the planet.

Find it in: Check local event calendars to find out what’s on. For the Montreal International Jazz Festival, you’ll find many free gigs in downtown venues, about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive from the cruise port.

12. Try the Famous Blue Mussels in Prince Edward Island

What: P.E.I is well known for its rope-grown blue mussels, and it’s a can’t-miss meal if you’re visiting the region. Enjoy them steamed in white wine and garlic at a waterfront bistro for genuine Atlantic sea-to-table dining.

Cool factor: Prince Edward Island produces approximately 80% of all mussels consumed in North America.

Find it in: You’ll find plenty of casual and high-end seafood restaurants within a five-minute walk from the Charlottetown cruise port.

13. Tour the Historic Coastal Mansions in Rhode Island

What:  If you’re looking for historic places to visit in New England, look no further than the summer cottages of the Vanderbilt family. The Breakers and Rosecliff mansions feature extravagant architecture and stunning Atlantic views along the famous Cliff Walk.

Cool factor: The Breakers has 70 rooms and was built in just two years using Italian Renaissance styles.

Find it in: From the Newport cruise pier, you can take a 40-minute scenic walk to visit the mansions. Alternatively, a taxi can get you there in about 10 minutes.

Commonly Asked Questions

What Is the #1 Tourist Attraction in Canada?

Niagara Falls is widely considered Canada's top tourist attraction, attracting millions of visitors from around the world each year. Other popular spots include Old Québec City, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the stunning Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

What Are the Best Things To Do in Canada?

The best things to do in Canada depend on how much you love the outdoors. If you’re a nature fan, you can’t beat hiking through the blue-water scenery of Banff or catching a whale watching tour in the Bay of Fundy.

If you prefer a city vibe, wandering the European-style streets of Quebec City or Montreal feels like a quick trip to France without the long flight. And of course, you could eat your way through the entire country.

What Can I Do in Canada as a Tourist?

As a tourist, you’ll find a combination of urban sights and activities and wild, open spaces. You can keep it classic by heading to Banff or the Niagara Falls, or add a cultural twist by joining in on the Montreal Jazz Festival.

If you’re visiting in the autumn, a fall foliage cruise along the East Coast is easily one of the best ways to see the maple leaves change color while stopping in cozy seaside towns along the way.

What Do People Do in Canada for Fun?

Canadians and visitors alike embrace the outdoors during all four seasons. In the warmer months, kayaking, hiking and attending outdoor music festivals are popular local activities. In winter, snowboarding, ice skating and hockey are at the forefront of local culture.

Experience the Best of the East Coast, Canada and Beyond

When cruising Canada and New England, you have a rare opportunity to experience a taste of cultural, culinary and historic landmarks in a single journey. Besides the region’s stunning foliage and rugged coastlines, there’s plenty of world-class seafood to taste, wildlife to spot and outdoor adventure to engage with.

Ready for a fall escape? Find out how to book your autumn cruise through Canada and New England and start planning your seasonal getaway.