Maritime provinces overrun w/ tourists in late August? (rental car, rental)

[kanhawk]

I have a week's vacation the last week of August and would like to drive up from the US to Nova Scotia and maybe Prince Edward Island, however, I hate crowded highways and am wondering if waiting and going some other time might be better to avoid big tourist crowds.
Can anyone from the area tell me how bad it is at that time and what might be a better time to go?

[nuala]

The last week of August may show a slighlty increased tourist activity with children (mostly beaches), however, the "increased activity" here is a leisurely happening comparing to the US highways and attractions.

That's the best time to visit. Warm days, the ocean is finally warm, too, and no biting insects.

[sunshineleith]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

I have a week's vacation the last week of August and would like to drive up from the US to Nova Scotia and maybe Prince Edward Island, however, I hate crowded highways and am wondering if waiting and going some other time might be better to avoid big tourist crowds.
Can anyone from the area tell me how bad it is at that time and what might be a better time to go?

Traffic here, even in peak season, is pretty minimal - you just don't see the highways clogged like you do, say, around Cape Cod.

Where are you driving from? A week isn't very long . . .
Are you bringing children? If you provide a little more info I could give you some really good ideas on what to see, where to go, etc.

[kanhawk]

Originally Posted by sunshineleith

Traffic here, even in peak season, is pretty minimal - you just don't see the highways clogged like you do, say, around Cape Cod.

Where are you driving from? A week isn't very long . . .
Are you bringing children? If you provide a little more info I could give you some really good ideas on what to see, where to go, etc.

Just me and the wife. I'll be driving in a rental car up from Boston, Mass after a brief visit with relatives, if I decide to go, which is more likely since you say traffic isn't bad on the highways there at that time. I am not so much interested in beaches as I am rocky coastlines, cliffs and other rugged terrain.

[ajau]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

Just me and the wife. I'll be driving in a rental car up from Boston, Mass after a brief visit with relatives, if I decide to go, which is more likely since you say traffic isn't bad on the highways there at that time. I am not so much interested in beaches as I am rocky coastlines, cliffs and other rugged terrain.

Just check and make sure that your rental car agreement allows you to cross the border with the car. Many don't allow it, many do. Wouldn't want to have a vacation ruined because of something trivial like that.

[Wendy11]

Did you know that theres a ferry between Boston and Yarmouth, NS?
Yes, August is busy, but the weather is also the best. Even in August you will need heavy sweaters in Cape Breton at night.
For Rocky coasts - see Peggys Cove (stay back from the waves - every year a tourist gets sucked out by a rogue wave - 80% of the time they don't get back), and Cape Breton. Fortress of Louisburg is a very nice historical recreation using original buildings - a very cold and damp place too. PEI is quite pretty and rural too - but flat with red sand.
If you go to Duncan's Cove (near Peggys) there's a lot less traffic - some times of the year you can just see whales from the shore - but I'm not sure about August - anyone else know? The whale watching tours from the north tip of Cape Breton are the best though.
The worst for congestion is Charlottetown in PEI because it has few major street - and it can be bumper to bumper. Next worse is Peggys Cover which is nuts in summer - but as I said - try Duncans - it is just a point jutting out into the ocean anyhow. Halifax is a big city, so busy all year long - no different in August. The major highways flow pretty well most of the time.
You could go in late September, early October when the fall colours are gearing up in Cape Breton - but it will be much colder - you will want a fall coat, and don't be surprised if many tourist attractions and restaurants are closed for the season. I don't think the hotel rates will be significantly cheaper either. Enjoy your trip.

[kanhawk]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Sounds like a good time to go and I think I'll make plans to do so.