WELCOME HOME: Six Of Atlantic Canada’s Coolest Streets
Before settling into your new Atlantic Canadian home, beyond the vast forests, trails, and rivers there are cities to explore. Across the region, there are pockets of culture and community that bring the urban centres of Eastern Canada to life.
Each street in this list has its own unique energy that encapsulates its city’s character. Take a stroll through their unique shops, grab a bite at their restaurants, and dive deep into their one-of-a-kind nightlife and see what exactly has turned each of these streets into a landmark destination to visit or even to welcome you home.
Prince William Street | Saint John, New Brunswick
When you stand on the south end of Prince William Street, it’s easy to get lost in the sights of Saint John’s harbour from the city’s famous Three Sisters Lamp. As you continue north, you will walk past Saint John High School, Canada’s oldest secondary institution.
But it’s when you continue to move towards the city’s uptown core that the street really comes to life. If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll certainly pass by patios stretched onto the old streets in front of shops, restaurants, and cafés in buildings that are hundreds of years old.
Whether you’re grabbing a bite at one of the street’s famous restaurants like Cask & Kettle and East Coast Bistro, or a drink and throw some axes at Woodchucks Axe Throwing, or browsing the stacks at Scheherazade Books & Music, you’re sure to find delight in Port City’s most charming street.
George Street | St. John’s, Newfoundland
It’s hard to think of any other street in Newfoundland with as much notoriety as George Street. Located in its downtown core, George Street is iconic for its pubs and bars. For all its life and character, it’s hard to believe it’s only a little over two blocks long.
The brick street is open only to foot traffic for most of the day, aside from mornings when the bars, restaurants, and pubs restock their supply from the late night before. The street gets crowded around midnight and stays that way for hours – sometimes until 6 a.m. It is home to the annual George Street Festival in early August that typically brings in over 120,000 people in six days.
In case you haven’t been able to tell, George Street guarantees you a good night out. Stop by any of the street’s bars, pubs, or restaurants – but for the full experience, head into a place like Trapper John’s Museum & Pub to be “screeched in” to earn the title of honorary Newfoundlander.
Portland Street | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
While Portland Street stretches through all of Dartmouth before reaching Coles Harbour, the section that makes it stand out in Downtown, near the edge of the water that separates Dartmouth from Halifax.
Beyond water access where you can catch waterside views of the Macdonald Bridge or even catch the ferry across the water, this area has seen tremendous growth over the past five years. It’s hard to go a block without finding a neat spot like the New Scotland Yard Emporium, a record store and café co-owned by local musician Joel Plaskett. Other popular venues on the street include Lake City Cider House and The Canteen on Portland.
Victoria Row | Charlottetown, PEI
In the summer months, Victoria Row is a pedestrian-only street that is full of live music, gift shops, and galleries. It’s found in the heart of Charlottetown and has high foot traffic in the evening, especially when a show at the Confederation Centre lets out and the crowd visits the street’s restaurants and boutique shops.
The cobblestone street is surrounded by architecture from the 19th century. These buildings house galleries, restaurants, and unique shops like the Anne of Green Gables Store. While Victoria Row is short, it has a unique character that makes it a must-see for Charlottetown visitors and residents.
Queen Street | Fredericton, New Brunswick
Running along the Saint John River waterfront, Queen Street is the core of New Brunswick’s capital city. Along the street, there are plenty of access points if you want to walk along the river, but the street itself boasts an impressive number of bars, historic sites, and restaurants.
Along the street, you will find Officers’ Square, an outdoor event venue where it’s not uncommon to stumble into a performance, particularly during the annual Harvest Festival in September. Queen Street is also home to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and the Fredericton Playhouse.
Along with the cultural stops along the road, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars waiting to welcome you in. Stops like the Clay Café where you can paint your own pottery, bars like The Provincial, pubs like 540, and restaurants like J’s Asian Kitchen fill the street and make it a staple of Fredericton.
Main Street | Moncton, New Brunswick
While it may seem a little obvious to include Main Street on a list like this, the character of Moncton’s booming street is undeniable. Each block of Main Street features a different interesting restaurant or bar that is not offered anywhere else including Tide & Boar, Osaka Hibachi, The Old Triangle, and Taj Mahal.
Like Queen Street in Fredericton, it’s easy to find access to a walking path that will take you along the water. Main Street is also home to Atlantic Canada’s newest arena, the Avenir Centre, which regularly hosts big concerts and sports games. The street is lined with cool stores to check out and provide a small city downtown experience unlike any other.
As Proud Atlantic Canadians we want to say “Welcome Home” to all new arrivals.
— KENT, Your Atlantic Canadian Home Improvement Store