From Rails to Lobster Rolls: A Winter Foodie Escape to Nova Scotia by Train
Imagine climbing aboard the Ocean train in Montreal as dusk falls, the rhythmic lull of the tracks carrying you eastward through snowy valleys and along the seashore. The next morning you awake in the Maritimes, greeted by crisp air and the promise of a full day of rich chowders, buttery lobster, and local wines. If you’re looking for more than just a ski lodge or a city break — if you want story, movement, flavour — this is the kind of experience that delivers.
Taking the train
The Ocean isn’t just transport, it sets the tone for your winter getaway. Travelling by rail means you arrive slower, more present, one-step into the holiday mindset. The route itself is beautiful: from the Lower Saint Lawrence, through the Matapédia Valley, across New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia’s coastal terrain.
Winter means fewer crowds, and arriving via train gives you that unhurried feel — a perfect complement to a foodie-focused getaway.
In Halifax, the pace remains unhurried. The waterfront hums softly in winter, its restaurants glowing with candlelight and the scent of buttered seafood.
Spend your days wandering from cafés to craft breweries, tasting your way through local favourites like EDNA, The Bicycle Thief, and Bar Kismet. Between meals, duck into small galleries and shops tucked along cobblestone streets. Halifax rewards curiosity, offering warmth in every corner.
Rent a car and go for a short drive to the Annapolis Valley, where vineyards roll under a dusting of snow and farm-to-table dining shines even in the quiet season.
Wineries such as Benjamin Bridge and Lightfoot & Wolfville pour crisp whites and sparkling wines that pair beautifully with winter fare, while restaurants in Wolfville and Port Williams showcase the bounty of Nova Scotia’s fields and tides. Book an immersive cultural experience through FoodArtNature.
Whether you visit for the day or stay overnight in a countryside inn, the valley feels like a gentle exhale — a final taste of the province’s hospitality before flying home.
