Depart mid-morning from Quebec City and take the scenic Route 132 east, stopping for fresh air and shoreline views at Parc des Chutes de la Chaudière before continuing toward the St. Lawrence. Break for brunch in the village of Kamouraska-wander its hillside cemetery and visit a local bakery-then stretch your legs with a short walk on the boardwalk at Pointe-au-Père before arriving in Rimouski in the afternoon.
Arrive in Rimouski and warm up with a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk to the Esplanade de Rimouski, taking in sweeping St. Lawrence views and public art installations before a cozy late-afternoon visit to the maritime-focused Musee Maritime du Quebec to learn about local shipwrecks and lighthouse history. Finish the afternoon with a short scenic drive to Parc Beausejour for a quiet viewpoint over the river and a hot drink at a nearby café in downtown Rimouski as daylight fades.
As night falls, head to the atmospheric old port for a relaxed dinner at Le Bateau Ivre (or another local seafood bistro) and sample fresh Atlantic fare while watching lights shimmer on the river. After dinner, take a brisk, lantern-lit stroll to Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse Museum grounds for an exterior view of the illuminated lighthouse and a quiet moment overlooking the St. Lawrence before warming up with a hot drink at a nearby café.
Leave Rimouski after an early breakfast and follow Route 132 east toward Matane, stopping first at Parc national du Bic for a brisk shoreline walk among wind-sculpted rocks and tidal pools where seals sometimes bob offshore. Continue to Sainte-Flavie to climb the visitor platform at the Observatoire de la mer for panoramic views of the St. Lawrence, then arrive in Matane in time to explore the working port and sample locally smoked seafood at Marché public de Matane before boarding the ferry to the Gaspé Peninsula.
After disembarking the ferry, wander the charming streets of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and warm up with a bowl of seafood chowder at Bistro du Port, then visit the nearby coastal boardwalk for fresh sea air and panoramic views. Continue to Côte-de-Gaspé lookout for dramatic cliffside vistas and a short interpretive trail where you can watch for seabirds, finishing the afternoon with a visit to the historic Maison Fleury to learn about local fishing heritage before settling into your Gaspé accommodation.
After checking into your Gaspé lodgings, settle into a cozy seafood-forward dinner at Le Bout du Quai where you can sample local scallops and a regional wine while watching the harbor lights. Later, take a peaceful post-dinner stroll along the shoreline to Anse-à-Beaufils-the sheltered cove is perfect for listening to waves and spotting nocturnal seabirds-then warm up with a nightcap at Café Chez Tousignant, a friendly local spot known for its tea blends and homemade desserts.
Begin the morning with a coastal hike along the dramatic headlands of Forillon National Park, taking the easy yet panoramic Les Graves trail to watch seabirds and scan the surf for seals before heading to the park's Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse for a guided exterior tour and sweeping St. Lawrence views. Afterward, drive a short distance to Parc national de la Gaspésie's lesser-known seaside outcrop at Pointe-aux-Pères (local lookout) to enjoy a picnic of smoked fish and fresh bread while listening to interpretive audio panels about local marine history.
Head west from Forillon into town for a hearty late-afternoon visit to Musée de la Gaspésie, where rotating exhibits delve into regional culture and you can warm up with a coffee in the museum's cozy reading nook. Afterward, drive the scenic coastal road to Grande-Vallée for a short cliffside walk to the Cap-Gaspé lookout-scan the horizon for whales and seabirds, then stop at Le Bercail bistro for local seafood and a sunset view before returning to Gaspé.
As twilight deepens, enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner at Le Capitaine Lune, sampling local cod and seasonal sides while watching harbor lights reflect on the water. Afterward, take a gentle evening promenade along the sheltered bay at Baie des Chaleurs viewpoint, stopping at the waterfront Galerie d'art locale to browse regional crafts before warming up with a hot chocolate or liqueur tasting at Microbrasserie la Maison du Malt to round out the night.
Leave your Gaspé lodgings after breakfast and follow the coastal Route 132, stopping first at Parc de la Pointe-Navarre for a bracing cliff-top walk and tidepool watching; bring binoculars to scan for seaducks and resting seals. Continue west to Île-Bonaventure-sur-Mer's mainland viewpoint near Bonaventure lookout for dramatic rock formations and coastal photography, then warm up with a mid-morning coffee and locally baked pastries at Café du Quai in a small fishing village before crossing later toward Carleton-sur-Mer and the New Brunswick border.
Pause mid-afternoon for a coastal detour to Parc national de Miguasha to explore its dramatic cliffs and fossil-rich shoreline with an interpretive trail and small visitor center, then continue toward Carleton-sur-Mer to stretch your legs on the sheltered boardwalk at Promenade Samuel-Belisle overlooking the bay. Finish the afternoon with a warming visit to Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur (or a nearby café) for local beer or hot cider and a seafood snack while watching the sun tilt low over the Gulf as you prepare to cross into New Brunswick.
After settling into Carleton-sur-Mer, enjoy a leisurely dinner at Auberge La Maison du Pêcheur, sampling local lobster or seafood chowder while watching the harbor lights. Later, take a moonlit stroll along the Plage de Carleton boardwalk to listen to the surf, then pop into Le Phare café-bar for a warm drink and live-acoustic tunes or a regional beer to cap off the evening before crossing into New Brunswick the next morning.
Depart Campbellton after breakfast and follow Route 11 south with a scenic stop at Miramichi River Lookoff to watch salmon anglers and scan the riverbanks for bald eagles, then stretch your legs on the riverside boardwalk at Dalhousie Waterfront Park while sampling a local pastry from a nearby café. Continue toward Bathurst for a visit to Chaleur Regional Museum to learn about Acadian shipbuilding before a mid-morning coffee break and a stroll through the historic streets of Caraquet to admire colorful shingle houses and pick up regional treats for the road.
Mid-afternoon, continue south and pause in Miramichi for a riverside stroll along the Miramichi River Boardwalk, followed by a warming bowl of seafood chowder at the cozy The Old Bagel Café & Eatery before hitting the road. Later, detour to Kouchibouguac National Park's Visitor Centre for a short interpretive trail through wind-sculpted dunes and saltmarsh viewpoints, then arrive in Moncton in time for an early evening walk across the dramatic Magnetic Hill area to watch the landscape glow as the sun lowers.
As dusk settles, head to Towering Pines Park for a riverside walk beneath tall evergreens and catch the golden light reflecting off the tidal Petitcodiac before continuing into town for dinner at The Third Place Café & Bistro, known for its locally sourced comfort dishes and craft beer list. After dinner, enjoy a short drive to the dramatic Hopewell Rocks visitor area (evening tides permitting) to watch the rock formations silhouette against the sky, or if tides don't align, take a peaceful post-meal stroll along the Riverfront Trail in downtown Moncton and finish with a warm drink at Café C'est La Vie while listening to live local music if available.
Leave Moncton after breakfast and drive east to pause at Shediac Bay Provincial Park for a brisk boardwalk stroll and panoramic marsh views, then continue toward the Northumberland Strait with a stop at Souris Lighthouse for a short history talk and seaside photos. Cross the impressive Confederation Bridge and, after arriving in Borden-Carleton, visit the interactive exhibits at The Confederation Bridge Interpretive Centre before taking a scenic coastal drive to Victoria-by-the-Sea for a cozy mid-morning tea at a local tearoom and a wander of the artisan shops.
After crossing the bridge, follow the coast to Point Prim Lighthouse for a guided exterior tour and sweeping views of the Northumberland Strait, then drive into Cavendish country to explore the dunes and shoreline at Brackley Beach Provincial Park with a brisk walk and birdwatching along the boardwalk. Finish the afternoon with a visit to Green Gables Heritage Place to wander the literary landscapes and interpretive exhibits, then sip tea and homemade cookies at the on-site tearoom before continuing toward Charlottetown as evening approaches.
After settling into Charlottetown, enjoy a waterfront aperitif and oyster tasting at Peakes Quay before wandering the historic streets to discover local galleries and craft shops such as Confederation Centre of the Arts' gift boutique and rotating exhibits. Finish the night with a farm-to-table dinner at The Pilot House featuring Island mussels and seasonal vegetables, then take a quiet post-dinner stroll along the illuminated shoreline at Queen's Wharf to listen to the harbor and plan tomorrow's exploration.
Start your day with a leisurely stroll and breakfast at Peake's Quay Farmers' Market, sampling local cheeses and freshly baked brown bread before wandering the nearby Confederate-era streets. Continue with a guided walk from St. Dunstan's Basilica through the historic Victoria Row, stopping at Bishop's Landing for harbor views and a mid-morning craft coffee at a waterside café while admiring restored Victorian architecture and the gentle bustle of the waterfront.
Wander the waterfront boardwalk toward Peake's Wharf for an oyster tasting or lobster roll at a waterside shack, then join a guided harbour cruise from Charlottetown Harbour Tours to learn about island maritime history while scanning for seals and coastal birds. After returning, browse artisan stalls and tasting flights at East Coast Craft Co. before warming up with a late-afternoon tea and Islanders' shortbread at The Gahan House or a nearby café, keeping the day's relaxed coastal rhythm after your Green Gables and Brackley Beach explorations.
As twilight falls, savor an intimate farm-to-fork dinner at Claddagh Oyster House, sampling Island oysters and seasonal vegetable sides while enjoying live piano in the dining room. Afterward, join a guided evening ghost-and-history walk that pauses at Victoria Row Theatre for storytelling and then ends with a nightcap and local craft gin tasting at Peake's Distillery overlooking the softly lit harbor.