Road-tripping to the East Coast with Your Dog? We’ve Got Your Trip Planned.
If you’ve ever wanted to go on an adventure but hate to leave your doggo behind, the journey from Ottawa to the East Coast was meant for bringing them along! Here’s everything you can do, including pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants and activities.
The Maritimes are all about small towns, coastal scenery, seafood, hiking, and slowing down. It’s the perfect trip for you and your dog.
This is Maximilien, our full-size bernedoodle. Max loved our East Coast adventures. This article is in memory of him. We miss you every day, buddy.
Begin your journey from Ottawa in the morning and start heading east.
A great first pit-stop is in Deschambault-Grondines, Quebec. Most Ontario travellers blast past this section of Quebec and miss one of the prettiest villages along the St. Lawrence. This village has local farms, a cheese factory, a chocolate shop, an ice cream shop, a coffee roastery and an artisan bakery. Grab lunch from the Deschambault Public Market, it’s under the big trees beside the church. Lounge out on the grass and take in the picturesque views of the river.
After your first stop, continue onwards to…
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec
Accommodations:
The local Days Inn is pet-friendly with lots of green space to run around.
Activities:
Go for a hike: Parc de Chutes - Accessible via la rue Frontenac - Over ten kilometres of woodland trails along the riverside and through a heritage orchard, just steps from downtown.
Grab some breakfast: Café du Pain Gamin - 288-290, rue Lafontaine - If you love cozy cafes with croissants, fougasses and homemade jam, make sure to visit their terrace.
Visit a cheese factory: Fromagerie des Basques - 69, route 132 ouest, Trois-Pistoles - This cheese factory offers a variety of ripened and aged cheeses, as well as fresh cheese daily. Onsite: bakery, pastry shop, dairy bar, regional products and gift counters. Picnic areas, restaurant, parking area for cars and buses.Open 24 hours.
The next day, you’ll depart from Quebec and reach New Brunswick.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Accommodations:
Fredericton has lots of pet-friendly AirBnB options. We stayed here and adored their fenced in backyard.
Activities:
Go for a hike: Odell Park - 350 Rookwood Avenue - of course, dogs are allowed (and if you stay in the above linked AirBnB, it’s only a 12 minute drive)
Go for a hike and see a waterfall: Garden Creek Falls
Stroll around the Cultural Market - 9am-4pm on 28 Saunders Street
Visit a Beach: Killarney Lake Park - 1600 Saint Mary’s Street - please note, dogs are not allowed on the sand, but there is lots of grass surrounding it.
The Riverfront Trail system
Historic Garrison District
Picaroons Brewing Company
The Green (waterfront area)
This next one is for the campers….
Fundy National Park of Canada
Accommodations:
We camped for 4 days in Fundy National Park. I would probably add even more days to this spot. We loved it - there is so much to do and explore. Hiking, walking along the ocean-floor, eating outside by the campfire. You will love it but your dog will love it even more!
Activities:
Hiking Trails:
Easy - Shiphaven Trail 1km
Moderate - Laverty Falls Trail 5km (Moderate trails are medium length (3-6 km), or are shorter trails with a major hill. Most people should have little difficulty. Be prepared for changing weather!)
Difficult - Bennett Brook Trail 15km / Third Vault Falls Trail 7.5km (Difficult trails are long, with steep sections, rough terrain, and/or river fords. You should have a map, a first-aid kit, extra clothing, drinking water and food.)
A Must-Do: Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks - No East Coast road trip is complete without experiencing the Bay of Fundy's world-famous tides. At Hopewell Rocks, visitors can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and return later to see the same landscape submerged beneath metres of water. It's one of Canada's most unique natural attractions. When the massive tides recede, they leave behind a vast inter-tidal zone - endless mudflats where a wide variety of sea creatures make their home. Pick your way through fields of mud, sand and seaweed to discover barnacles, rock crabs, dog whelk sea snails, limpets, periwinkles and other crustaceans.
For the history-lovers:
Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site - Perched high on a rocky cliff overlooking Saint John, the British-built Carleton Martello Tower dates from the War of 1812 and played a pivotal role in conflicts leading up to World War II.
Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site - Explore the historic fort where once the future of Acadie and North America hung in the balance. Located on the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Fort Beauséjour — Fort Cumberland Historic Site stands at the crossroads of Canadian natural and cultural history.
Now we’ll head over to my personal favourite, Prince Edward Island.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Accommodations:
The pet-friendly AirBnB we stayed at is no longer an option, however there are plenty to choose from (all very spacious and charming).
Activities:
Explore downtown. The downtown is super walk-able! You’ll find little stores to browse, restaurants, and great views of the water.
Victoria Row
Peake's Wharf
Founders' Food Hall - try Dave’s lobster rolls!
Confederation Landing Park
Drop your puppy off at Fiona Var Kennels so you can take in some nightlife, such as Mark’s Charters - Lobster Cruise.
Cavendish Beach
Greenwich Dunes - best place to visit in PEI’s National Park. The floating boardwalk through the dunes is spectacular.
Basin Head - a very unique beach to visit.
Point Prim Lighthouse
Richard’s Fresh Seafood - a PEI institution!
At this point, we’ve hit Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and PEI. Now it’s time to head into Nova Scotia.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Accommodations:
Another pet-friendly AirBnB option!
Activities:
Walk around downtown. Explore Halifax’s Waterfront Boardwalk.
Explore the Public Gardens.
Walk around Point Pleasant Park.
Cow’s Creamery - you know you have to try this ice-cream, if you haven’t already!
Shakespeare by the Sea.
Drop puppy off at another awesome daycare (Pampered Pets) and go for a beer tour at Alexander Keith’s and then try H2o golf (Tee Off Into The Halifax Harbour), or axe throwing at The Timber Lounge, or go for a kayak tour, and then visit Halifax Citadel National.
Of course, you’ll need to visit Peggy’s Cove.
History-lovers: visit the Fortress of Louisbourg.
Don’t miss Dartmouth - tourists increasingly mark it as a must-do.
Must-do day-trip: Lunenbourg -it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Centre for a reason. Unique, beautiful and amazing seafood. Established in 1753, it has retained its original layout and overall appearance.
Must-do day-trip: Mahone Bay - The three churches are iconic and it's one of the prettiest small towns in Nova Scotia.
Spending a few days in Halifax probably won’t be enough because there’s lots of fun things to do, but the journey must continue… and we’re back to camping!
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Accommodations and activities:
Cape Breton Highlands National Park - “The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has its share of ups and downs – and that’s a very good thing for visitors. Steep cliffs and deep river canyons are carved into a forested plateau bordering the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. The world famous Cabot Trail, with it's many scenic look-offs and stopping points, weaves through the park. Stop at the Cheticamp or Ingonish Visitor Centres to enhance your visit, get trip planning assistance, Parks Canada merchandise, free Wifi and more. With 26 hiking & walking trails, six magnificent beaches, 24 stunning look-off points, eight campgrounds, numerous waterfalls, and world class golf at Highlands Links, it’s natural freedom for families, couples and solo adventurers.”
Cape Breton is bucket-list worthy. It’s the place we talk about time and time again. Tons of things to do, tons of things to see. Breathtaking views.
Dedicate a few days here, at minimum!
And from here, you’ll start to make your way back west.
Sackville, New Brunswick
Accommodations:
This is going to be extremely niche, but if you ever wanted to stay at a tiny house, now is your chance! We stayed at Bára Tide Tiny House and had the best time.
Activities:
Enjoy tiny living. Sit outside. Visit the Farmer’s Market. There’s not much to do, and it’s the best.
Quebec City, Quebec
Accommodations:
There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels to choose from.
Activities:
The activity options are endless. Quebec City is a MAGICAL place to visit.
Montmorency Falls - this stunning waterfall does allow dogs on leashes in authorized areas.
Plains of Abraham - this historic park offers expansive green spaces and trails.
Dufferin Terrace - stroll along this iconic boardwalk with your dog, enjoying views of the Château Frontenac and the St. Lawrence River.
Dog Parks - visit Pointe-aux-Lièvres Dog Park, a fenced area with plenty of space for dogs to run and play.
Visit Kogi to eat - they let you bring your doggo inside!
And from here, the route back to Ottawa is about 4.5 hours away.
This road-trip could be done within 14-16 days, with of course the option to add more time in the places you especially love. Who knew it was this easy to visit 5 provinces in Canada?
Our road-trip with our Maximilien is filled with some of our most favourite memories. You don’t have to leave the dogs behind, and you don’t have to miss out on a fun summer road-trip. Enjoy it, dog-lovers!
