Nova Scotia Vs. Prince Edward Island: 8 Key Differences

As Canada’s smallest and second smallest provinces respectively, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia provide guests unimaginable worth in a really compact house. However whereas these neighbors have a lot in widespread, locals will eagerly share that the 2 east coast spots are very completely different in some methods. It’s a scenario I do know properly, as I grew up in Nova Scotia and spent appreciable time in PEI. If you happen to’re planning a visit, listed here are some key variations to ponder.

1. Transportation And Getting Round

Nova Scotia is accessible by automobile, bus, the Via Rail prepare community, RisePEI International Airport (which connects with most main Canadian cities, plus a number of well-liked U.S. and European locations like Boston, Orlando, Frankfurt, Dublin, and London), and through a ferry with hyperlinks to Maine, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Throughout the province, there’s fundamental public transportation by way of Maritime Bus and a few non-public shuttle companies. Nonetheless, for many journeys your personal transportation is important. Nova Scotia is deceptively lengthy, and roads are hardly ever straight. Because of this, guests usually underestimate the period of time it takes to get to key locations (like North Sydney, the place the Newfoundland ferry departs). Well-known scenic drives just like the Cabot Path seem like quick journeys however are day-long excursions.

Prince Edward Island has far fewer transportation choices. Because it’s an island, guests should both fly in by way of Charlottetown or cross the water. The airport presently has flight connections to RisePEI and main japanese Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal however nothing with the US or Europe. These driving can both cross the Confederation Bridge, which hyperlinks PEI and New Brunswick, or take the ferry to Nova Scotia. 

Ferry reservations are really helpful, particularly throughout the busy summer season season. Maritime Bus presents restricted public transportation choices on the island however it’s actually designed to hyperlink main communities like Summerside and Charlottetown with mainland locations in New Brunswick.

2. Geography

PEI is known for its photogenic purple roads (what you’re seeing is the rusty iron oxide) and is mostly very flat. On the brand new Island Stroll, a 400+ mile mountain climbing route that circumnavigates the province, there aren’t any slopes higher than a two-degree grade, making it excellent for anybody who desires a delicate trek.

Nova Scotia has a extra numerous geography. Particularly, the province’s Cape Breton Island is known for its highlands which resemble these in Scotland. You’ll be able to count on rather more difficult mountain climbing circumstances, particularly at Cape Breton Highland’s National Park.

3. Meals And Drink

Nova Scotia and PEI have many culinary similarities. These are meat and potato type locations, and infrequently that “meat” is definitely fish! These are fantastic spots for recent seafood and shellfish and lobster, haddock, salmon, and trout are extensively out there.

In Nova Scotia, scallops are a degree of native pleasure, and in the neighborhood of Digby, the scallops are sometimes boasted as being the most effective on the earth. In the meantime, in PEI, oysters are a signature product. They’re transported around the globe however fortunately are sometimes served “buck-a-shuck” type at native eating places.

Whereas each provinces have French-speaking Acadian populations, their culinary influence is felt extra strongly in Nova Scotia, the place rappie pie (an area rooster and potato casserole) is well-liked within the south and rooster fricot (a hearty soup) is widespread within the north. In the meantime, Charlottetown, PEI, boasts a number of the finest Lebanese meals in Canada, the legacy of a neighborhood that first got here to the island within the Eighties to flee non secular persecution.

Nova Scotia is justifiably happy with its wine trade, which is quick incomes world recognition. PEI’s vineyards are nonetheless growing and fruit wines and mead are widespread.

4. Arts And Tradition

Prince Edward Island boasts some critical literary prowess, because the province was each the early residence and long-term inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery, creator of the Anne of Inexperienced Gables collection. Anybody who counts themself as a “fan of Anne” will see PEI as a must-visit vacation spot. Anne of Inexperienced Gables: The Musical is likely one of the oldest working theatre productions in Canada and is staged every summer season at Charlottetown’s Confederation Middle of the Arts.

However whereas PEI could declare the best fame by way of the Anne collection, Nova Scotia has its personal literary chops. A few of the greatest names in fashionable Canadian literature have Nova Scotia roots, and particularly, the province’s Cape Breton Island is particularly notable for its lengthy checklist of outstanding literary award winners. Nova Scotia has the best variety of universities per capita in Canada, and, as such, it slightly fancies itself a little bit of an mental chief (whether or not or not the remainder of the nation feels this fashion is one other factor altogether…).

Each provinces have robust creative communities. Nova Scotia’s arts scene is mostly higher recognized, thanks largely to the province being the house of folks artist Maud Lewis, whose work continues to achieve prominence.

5. Seashores

If you’d like attractive seashores, you can’t go incorrect with Nova Scotia and PEI. They’ve a number of the best coastal surroundings on the earth. Nonetheless, you may discover some delicate variations between the 2 provinces after visiting each for some time.

Usually, PEI’s seashores have calm, light waters. Most of the province’s hottest seashores fall beneath the purview of the nationwide parks system. Which means they’re usually in pristine situation and have good services however there could also be parking prices or park entrance charges and canine will not be allowed.

In Nova Scotia, every seaside varies a lot as its personal character. You’re by no means precisely positive what you’ll discover — it might need glorious washrooms and altering services or maybe none in any respect! As Nova Scotia’s east coast is unprotected, you’ll see increased waves and winds there and it’s a well-liked spot for surfers.

6. Vibe

In my expertise, Nova Scotians expertise a higher sense of regionalism than PE Islanders do. For example, Cape Bretoners will make it very plain that they don’t take into account themselves “mainlanders.” Throughout the island, Cape Bretoners make a distinction about whether or not they’re from Sydney (the biggest neighborhood) or not. Those that are near Sydney will then additional share in the event that they’re from Sydney correct or the higher space. 

There’s fierce loyalty within the close by cities and residents received’t hesitate to inform you that Glace Bay is not the identical as Sydney! And simply to complicate issues additional, rural Cape Bretons will usually additional make clear which aspect of the island they’re from. (Everybody will deny it however these from western Cape Breton are a bit snobby about the truth that they’re not from japanese Cape Breton!) When doubtful, it’s simpler (and safer) to ask the place somebody is “in relation to the Causeway” as an alternative of in the event that they “are close to Sydney.”

On Prince Edward Island, a lot of the vacationer scene is concentrated within the heart of the province. In any case, that’s the place you’ll discover Charlottetown and Cavendish, residence to the Inexperienced Gables-related sights. If you happen to head to the province’s east or west coasts, you’ll discover a a lot quieter scene however that is the place you’ll possible make your strongest connections.

Confused? Simply keep in mind this rule of thumb: When doubtful, say one thing disparaging about Toronto. Shaking heads on the antics of huge metropolis Canadians is a well-liked pastime amongst all Maritime residents!

7. Sensible Issues

In each provinces, you’ll discover diminished companies on Sundays (particularly in rural areas) — in Nova Scotia, it was truly the regulation till 2006. Issues bought messy when grocery shops began taking part in a bit quick and free with rules, and it was finally easier to only finish the laws. However in lots of communities, you’ll nonetheless discover companies that don’t open on Sundays or have restricted hours.

Whereas I’ve no conclusive proof, it’s been my expertise that many companies on PEI shut throughout holidays and lengthy weekends. I absolutely settle for that I would simply have a string of dangerous luck on this matter, so take my recollections with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, I all the time inform pals that in the event you’re trying to find supper on Labor Day in PEI, you might need to accept pizza!

8. Prices

On a theoretical stage, you’ll be able to count on prices to be barely increased on PEI because of the elevated value of transporting items to an island. However in sensible phrases, I’ve by no means observed any important distinction. In truth, you may simply make an argument that many dear luxurious items are cheaper in PEI than simply about wherever else in Canada. You’ll be able to keep at a beautiful nation inn, gorge your self on oysters and lobsters, and end the evening with home made native ice cream for a fraction of the value in most different jurisdictions. As all the time, buying and consuming regionally delivers the most effective worth.