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While maritime Canada is usually associated with rugged coastlines and a centuries-old seafaring culture, it's also home to some of the country's most unusual attractions and communities. From quirky museums to festivals that defy the norm, each of these sometimes eccentric destinations is worth including in your Eastern Canada travel itinerary.

These six towns not only challenge the usual perceptions of a typical travel destination but also present visitors with a refreshing alternative to the usual tourist spots. So, if you enjoy letting your curiosity take the lead, be sure to check out these six most eccentric towns in the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Sackville, New Brunswick

Sackville sits on the Tantramar Marshes of New Brunswick and has developed a reputation for its unconventional art thanks to the presence of Mount Allison University, an institute established in 1839 that continues to influence the community with its academic events and art exhibitions. A must-visit on campus is the Owens Art Gallery, constructed in 1895 and Canada鈥檚 oldest university gallery, with rotating displays of historical and contemporary works.

Sackville鈥檚 annual Fall Fair in late September provides a great excuse to visit and includes a fun parade, agricultural exhibits, and artisan demonstrations. The title of the most eccentric event in town, though, goes to the wonderfully named Sappyfest, a unique downtown music and art-making festival in July that features alternative rock, experimental performances, and community art projects. If that sounds like your idea of fun, you will also want to check out the Sackville Music Barn, which is now hosting folk music concerts. Round off your visit to this eccentric town with a stay at the Marshlands Inn, built in 1854 as a stagecoach stop and still a great place to stay in Sackville.

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Situated in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, an area known for its apple orchards and farmland, Wolfville's roots extend all the way back to the mid-18th century, with formal incorporation taking place in 1893. Notable sightseeing opportunities include Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, located on the grounds of Acadia University and boasting six acres of native plant habitats to explore, and Grand-Pr茅 National Historic Site. Established in 1922 just outside of town, this fascinating attraction commemorates Acadian history with a quaint church constructed in 1930 and immaculately landscaped grounds.

Many visitors are surprised to learn that Nova Scotia has many thriving wineries, some of the best of which are found near Wolfville. If visiting between June and October, hop aboard the Magic Winery Bus, a vintage British double-decker that stops at local vineyards that produce sparkling wine and varietals suited to the Maritimes' climate. The town also hosts Devour! The Food Film Fest, which screens culinary-themed films every October while local chefs prepare tasting menus and wine tastings.

Architectural enthusiasts should visit the Randall House Museum, featuring artifacts from Wolfville's first European settlers, while the Al Whittle Theatre, which opened in 1911 as a vaudeville venue, now hosts independent films and live music. Wolfville's waterfront park, which covers three acres along the Cornwallis River, provides magnificent views of the Bay of Fundy's unique high tides, which can vary by up to 12 meters (40 feet).

Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Summerside, PEI, was officially incorporated in 1877 and rapidly expanded as its shipbuilding and fishing industries thrived. Wyatt Historic House Museum built in 1867, is a major attraction and displays original furnishings and memorabilia from the Victorian era. Spinnakers' Landing, set along the waterfront, features themed boardwalks and around 30 small shops that highlight locally made products, while the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, founded in 1989, offers bagpipe, drumming, and dance demonstrations throughout the year.

Summerside鈥檚 Lobster Carnival in early July is the perfect time to visit. Spread over several days, highlights include interesting parade floats, a midway, and delicious lobster suppers. The fun continues into August with the Summerside Arts Festival with its local authors, painters, and sculptors in pop-up galleries. Culture vultures will also want to experience the Harbourfront Theatre, which regularly hosts live music, theater productions, and comedy shows. Be sure to grab photos of the nearly 13-kilometer (eight-mile) long Confederation Bridge joining PEI to the mainland; it鈥檚 the 麻豆AV record holder for the longest ice-spanning bridge (yes, the Strait of Northumberland freezes over).

Pictou, Nova Scotia

Often referred to as the Birthplace of New Scotland, it was here in Pictou that the ship Hector landed in 1773, bringing the first Scottish settlers to what is now Nova Scotia. The town鈥檚 Hector Heritage Quay houses a full-scale replica of the original Hector along with fascinating tours describing the harsh realities of 18th-century transatlantic travel. You can learn about Pictou鈥檚 early years at The McCulloch House Museum & Genealogy Centre, built in 1806 and home to a sizable collection of artifacts from the early settler days. Another must-visit is the Northumberland Fisheries Museum, with its exhibits on lobster conservation and local seafaring traditions set in a fish storage and sorting facility built in 1879.

The Pictou Lobster Carnival has been held each July since 1934 and is a fantastic time to let your hair down; all you need to bring is your appetite. When you do visit, be sure to stroll along the boardwalk around Pictou Harbour and check out the heritage plaques detailing the town鈥檚 shipbuilding past. One of the more unusual attractions is the Grohmann Knives factory outlet. Founded in 1961, here you can purchase locally crafted knives and even watch part of the production process.

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

While Yarmouth鈥檚 maritime heritage dates to its settlement in the mid-18th century, it was in the 1800s that it gained prominence as a major shipbuilding hub. The Yarmouth County Museum & Archives, founded in 1935, is a great place to learn more about this period in time. Housed in a former church constructed in 1893, it contains exhibits and artifacts related to fishing, shipping, and regional genealogies. One of the area鈥檚 most iconic landmarks is the Cape Forchu Lighthouse, initially constructed in 1840 and later redesigned into its current "apple core" structure in 1962. The site includes a 19-acre property with walking trails and a seasonal tea room.

The many old Sea Captains' homes, erected in the late 1800s, remain a distinguishing feature along Yarmouth鈥檚 streets and reflect a prosperous period when the town had one of the largest sailing fleets per capita in North America. It鈥檚 an especially popular destination for Americans visiting between June and September when the ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine, operates regularly across the Gulf of Maine. Other attractions worth seeing include the W. Laurence Sweeney Fisheries Museum, a 1930s-style fish processing plant.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Although it's one of the best-known tourist destinations in the Maritimes, lovely Lunenburg is also an eccentric town as it鈥檚 home to a number of unusual things to do. Founded in 1753 and recognized as a UNESCO 麻豆AV Heritage Site, the star attraction here is the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, housed in a former fish processing plant built in 1865. You will also want to admire the town's brightly painted wooden architecture that dates to the 18th and 19th centuries and is laid out in the original colonial-era grid style. Also, check out the Knaut-Rhuland House Museum, built in 1793 and home to a collection of period furniture and exhibits about early settlers.

Lunenburg is also where you will find one of the most recognized vessels in Canada, the Bluenose II. Launched in 1963 as a replica of the 1921 original, tours are available during the summer months. Lunenburg鈥檚 waterfront also hosts the annual Folk Harbour Festival every August, featuring performances at multiple indoor and outdoor sites around town. Finally, if you enjoy a great beverage, make sure you visit the Ironworks Distillery. Established in a renovated marine blacksmith shop from 1893, it offers guided tours and tastings of rum, vodka, and gin produced using local ingredients.

For the curious traveler, few destinations in Canada can quite match the Maritimes. Home to the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (PEI), this beautiful part of Eastern Canada features plenty of fun things to do, many of them appealing to the collective quirky side. From seafood and music festivals to historic old homes and regional folk traditions, be sure to include these six of the most eccentric towns in the Maritimes in your future travel plans.