Our First Road Trip Vintage Finds Are In! Thrifting Our Way to Newfoundland

We’re officially on the road and making our way from coastal Maine to Newfoundland—thrifting all along the way!

Our first road trip vintage finds are in, and I couldn’t wait to share a peek at what we’ve discovered so far.

From small-town antique stops to a few surprises (including Ella’s strong opinions on riding shot-gun), it’s already been an adventure.

Our Road Trip Route: From Coastal Maine to Newfoundland

Curious where we’re headed? Here’s a look at our route so far—from southern Maine, up through coastal towns and antique shops in New England, across Nova Scotia, and onward to Newfoundland. We’re thrifting, sightseeing, and collecting vintage finds as we go—one charming stop at a time.

Destination, Iceberg Alley

What Should I Thrift on My Road Trip? Help Me Decide!

Before we packed up the RV and set out for Newfoundland, I asked you for ideas on what to thrift along the way—and wow, did you deliver! I received dozens of amazing suggestions on the blog, plus DMs and emails filled with inspiration from vintage-loving friends near and far. If you haven’t seen the full list yet, head over to this post, What Should I Thrift on My Road Trip? Help Me Decide! and check out the creative (and sometimes quirky!) ideas readers shared to help shape this road trip.

“I once had a pen pal in Newfoundland who lived in a fishing village. I had the chance to visit when I was a pre-teen and she gave me a genuine glass fishing float that her family had used. We lost touch as adults but over the years, as I moved to different areas, the float was always a treasured item for many reasons. The village no longer exists so the float is even more rare and significant to me. So as you may have guessed, my vote is for nautical finds and fishing gear that is part of a fast-fading way of life. Happy hunting and adventures!”

Andrea

~ Dabbling & Decorating Reader

Antique Treasure Hunting in a Nor’easter? Nova Scotia Said Yes Please!

Picture this: it’s pouring rain—sideways. We’ve been on the road for three days, and a classic Nova Scotia nor’easter has rolled in like it owns the place. So what do we do? Pullover, of course. And trust my favorite travel sidekick (yes, I mean ChatGPT) to find us a cozy corner to explore.

Enter Great Village, just outside Truro. This little hamlet looks like something straight out of a storybook—fog rolling in, a church-turned-café on the corner, and not one, not two, but three antique shops that practically beg you to come inside and poke around. Get Directions

And oh, we did.

Antiquing at Great Village Antiques Exchange, Nova Scotia’s Hidden Gem

Village Vintage

First stop: Village Vintage—and I knew we were in the right place the second we pulled in. Even my husband, who usually humors my antique shop detours, looked around and said, “Whoa, this place is so you.” That’s when you know you’ve hit vintage gold. From outdoor displays that begged for a closer look to one cozy, curated room after another, this place had all the charm you dream about on a road trip. Every corner revealed a new surprise—handmade frames, charming little paintings, and treasures tucked into every nook. It was the kind of spot that makes you wish you brought a trailer.

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Masonic Hall Antique Store

Next stop: just across the street, the Masonic Hall Antique Store—housed in an old town bank and full of moody charm. This shop had a more dramatic, masculine edge with deep blue antique hutches, vintage dishes, weathered flags, and an art collection that stole the show. It felt like stepping into a truly old-school Nova Scotia antique store, packed with beautifully curated and collectible vintage finds.

R.F. Layton General Merchant Antique Store

And finally—just next door and rounding out the trio—was the largest stop in the Great Village Antiques Exchange. With two full stories, over 300 vendors, and 10,000 square feet of glorious vintage finds, this was the kind of place that makes your thrifting heart skip a beat. I could’ve spent the entire day wandering room after room, discovering everything from antique flags to coastal license plates, hooked rugs, and the most charming vintage artwork you can imagine.

One of my favorite vendor booths here was Clair’s Classic Antiques, known locally for her hand-painted furniture, coastal decor, and beautiful gallery wall–worthy pieces. If you’re planning a vintage road trip through Nova Scotia, this final stop in Great Village is not to be missed—it’s a true vintage treasure trove.

By then, we were soggy and starving, so we ducked into the church-turned-diner on the corner—Angel’s Diner. Warm coffee, pie that tasted like Grandma made it, and a view of the antique shops out the rain-streaked windows. It was the perfect little Nova Scotia moment.

Take a Walk Through These Great Village Antique Shops

Want to see what it’s really like to go thrifting in a Nova Scotia May nor’easter? I put together a little video tour walking you through all three antique shops at the Great Village Antiques Exchange—including the vintage treasures, cozy corners, and even a peek inside the old Masonic Hall bank turned antique shop. Whether you’re planning your own road trip vintage finds adventure or just love a good treasure hunt from the comfort of your couch, this one’s for you!

Watch below and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more vintage road trip stops as we head to Newfoundland!

Trip Stats So Far

Miles driven: ~ 648
Antique shops peeked into: 3
Vintage finds: 2 (and counting!)
The time’s Ella called shotgun: 12
Items I almost bought, but didn’t have the room: too many

Road Trip Vintage Finds from a Rainy Day in Nova Scotia

So what did I come home with from our whirlwind day of antiquing through Great Village in the middle of a nor’easter? Just a couple of treasures—but oh, they’re good ones.

Purple and White Vintage Transferware Pitcher

First up: a purple and white transferware pitcher I spotted tucked into one of the many cozy booths. I’ve been dreaming of adding a purple piece to my collection for years, but they’re always so pricey back in the States. This one? Just $45 Canadian. With the exchange rate, I couldn’t say no—and honestly, I didn’t even try.

Hand-Painted Coastal Scene

My second find was a small hand-painted coastal scene by a local artist named Lewis. It’s rustic and simple, with a sweet Nova Scotia charm that instantly made me think of our Maine bathroom or a quiet bedroom vignette. A little piece of our road trip captured on canvas, and one I’ll always treasure.

These were the kind of road trip vintage finds that make the journey worth every mile—and every soggy sock.

A Maud Lewis-Inspired Find

This sweet little coastal painting I picked up isn’t an original, but it’s a replica inspired by the work of Maud Lewis, one of Canada’s most beloved folk artists. You can often find her joyful, colorful scenes in shops throughout Nova Scotia. Learn more about Maud Lewis’s incredible life and art here.

Next Stop: Newfoundland—Leaving the Nor’easter Behind

After a magical morning antiquing in the storybook village of Great Village, we hit the road once again—this time heading toward Baddeck, Nova Scotia. The three-hour drive quickly turned into a soggy, white-knuckle trek through what was now a full-blown Nor’easter. Torrential rain, cold temps, and soaked roads made for less-than-ideal travel, so we treated ourselves to a warm hotel and a cozy dinner in Baddeck to wait out the storm.

But brighter days are ahead—literally. With sunshine in the Newfoundland forecast and ferry tickets in hand, we’re off to chase icebergs and (hopefully) uncover even more road trip vintage finds along the way.

Next up: the ferry to Newfoundland and whatever treasures we discover once we land on the other side. Be sure to check back soon—or better yet, subscribe—so you don’t miss the next leg of our vintage road trip adventure.

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More Road Trip Vintage Finds You Might Love

If you enjoy chasing down antiques from the passenger seat and turning road trips into treasure hunts, here are a few of our past adventures that you might love exploring next:

What Should I Thrift on My Road Trip? Help Me Decide!

Vintage Shopping in Maine: A Local’s Guide to Thrift & Antique Finds

Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary Antiquing Coast-to-Coast

Maine Coastal Towns, Antiques, & Boondocking Road Trip

Best Vintage and Thrift Shops in Vermont and Maine

Eclipse 2024 Vermont, RV Boondocking

My Paris Flea Market Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide

Final Thoughts from the Road

There’s nothing quite like the joy of discovering vintage treasures on the open road—especially with a Bernese Mountain Dog riding shotgun and a nor’easter in the rearview mirror. This stretch of our road trip vintage finds journey took us from charming antique shops to coastal artwork and purple transferware dreams come true.

We can’t wait to share what’s next once we reach Newfoundland. Until then, thank you for coming along with us—and if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe or follow along for more vintage adventures, travel tips, and decorating inspiration with a story behind every piece.

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