Editor’s Word: This information was initially printed in 2021 and has been fully up to date for 2025 to make sure all info is correct and present.
After greater than 20 years of travelling the world, you get fairly good at recognizing the distinction between tourism hype and an genuine expertise. Nova Scotia is the actual factor.
We’ve road-tripped throughout Canada from coast to coast, exploring a number of the finest and most lovely cities in Canada, and there’s a purpose we hold coming again right here. It’s a spot that doesn’t want a filter. From the rugged, windswept shoreline of the Cabot Path to the energetic pubs in Halifax pouring native beer. It feels lived-in, welcoming, and endlessly attention-grabbing.
We created this information as a result of we all know how irritating it may be to point out up someplace and really feel such as you’re lacking the perfect spots. We’ve been there. This information is constructed from our personal journeys, highlighting the issues we’d do once more in a heartbeat.
Right here’s our trustworthy, no-fluff information to the perfect issues to do in Nova Scotia that will help you plan your individual journey.
Fast Checklist: High 5 Issues to Do in Nova Scotia
Should you’re quick on time or simply need absolutely the can’t-miss highlights, listed here are the highest experiences we advocate prioritizing in your journey. We’ve performed all of them, they usually signify the perfect of what the province has to supply.
- Drive the Cabot Path: One of the crucial scenic drives on this planet, it is a must-do for its coastal views and rugged highlands.
- Discover Halifax’s Waterfront: The guts of town is its bustling waterfront, filled with historical past, nice meals, and harbour views.
- Go to Peggy’s Cove: Residence to some of the iconic lighthouses in Canada, this picturesque fishing village is well worth the go to.
- Wander the Lunenburg Waterfront: A UNESCO World Heritage Website, its vibrant colonial buildings make it one of many prettiest cities within the nation.
- Go Tidal Bore Rafting: For an actual journey, trip the incoming tide of the Bay of Fundy on a zodiac. It’s a singular thrill you gained’t discover wherever else.
Greatest Issues to Do in Halifax
Halifax is the colourful coronary heart of Nova Scotia, a metropolis the place maritime historical past meets a energetic, fashionable vitality. We all the time make it our first or final cease on any journey to the province as a result of it units the right tone. Listed here are a couple of of our favorite issues to do within the metropolis.
Stroll the Halifax Waterfront
You’ll be able to’t actually say you’ve been to Halifax till you’ve hung out on its waterfront. It stretches for a number of kilometres and is the true pulse of town.
We love grabbing a espresso and simply watching the tall ships and harbour ferries go by. You’ll discover every little thing from museums and playgrounds to breweries and meals stalls serving up contemporary seafood. It’s the right place to get a really feel for town.
Go to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
It is a actually shifting expertise. Pier 21 was the gateway to Canada for over one million immigrants, and this museum tells their tales with unimaginable care and element.
It provides you a profound sense of the hope and hardship that formed so many Canadian households. We predict it’s a must-visit to grasp an important piece of our nationwide story.
Discover the Halifax Public Gardens
When the vitality of town will get to be a bit a lot, the Public Gardens are our go-to spot to unwind. These are a number of the most interesting surviving Victorian gardens in North America.
It’s a ravishing and peaceable place for a quiet stroll among the many fountains, flower beds, and outdated, shady timber. It’s an ideal, low-key afternoon exercise.
Tour Alexander Keith’s Brewery
This is likely one of the most entertaining brewery excursions we’ve ever taken. Neglect a dry, technical rationalization of brewing. Right here, actors in Nineteenth-century costumes information you thru the historic brewery with songs and tales. It’s a energetic and enjoyable approach to spend an hour, and sure, you get to pattern the well-known beer.
Benefit from the View from Citadel Hill Nationwide Historic Website
For the perfect panoramic view of Halifax, it’s a must to make the stroll as much as Citadel Hill. This large, star-shaped fort has been watching over the harbour for hundreds of years.
We advocate timing your go to to listen to the firing of the midday gun, a practice that occurs each day. The view of the downtown core and the harbour from the ramparts is well worth the climb alone.
Issues to Do on the Cabot Path & Cape Breton Island
Leaving the mainland for Cape Breton Island looks like getting into a unique a part of the province. The panorama will get wilder, the cliffs get larger, and the Celtic music will get louder. This a part of Nova Scotia is an journey in itself, and it’s a bucket-list vacation spot for a purpose.
Drive the well-known Cabot Path
Individuals name this one of many world’s finest drives, and for as soon as, the hype is totally justified. The Cabot Path is a 298 km freeway that loops round Nova Scotia’s North Shore, hugging mountainsides and providing unimaginable views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Our greatest recommendation is to offer it time. The most important mistake you can also make is attempting to hurry it in a single day. Take two or three days, pull over at each lookout, and discover the small villages alongside the way in which.
Hike the Skyline Path
Should you solely do one hike in Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park, make it this one. The Skyline Path is known for its boardwalk that descends a steep headland, supplying you with a commanding view over the rugged shoreline.
It’s an iconic Canadian view for a purpose, and it’s an particularly common spot for sundown. Maintain your eyes peeled for moose; we’ve usually noticed them grazing within the meadows close to the beginning of the path.
Go to the Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Historic Website
We weren’t positive what to anticipate right here, however this museum within the city of Baddeck is genuinely fascinating. Alexander Graham Bell was a lot greater than the man who invented the phone; he labored on every little thing from airplanes and hydrofoils to large kites.
The positioning is filled with his actual artifacts, innovations, and private results. It’s a fantastic look into the lifetime of a real genius and an ideal rainy-day exercise.
Discover the Fortress of Louisbourg Nationwide Historic Website
This isn’t your common historic website. Louisbourg is an enormous, dwelling reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortified city. The dimensions of it’s arduous to grasp till you’re strolling its streets. It’s really North America’s largest historic reconstruction venture.
You’ll be able to simply spend a full day right here interacting with costumed interpreters, watching blacksmiths at work, and even consuming fresh-baked bread from the interval bakery. It’s some of the immersive historic experiences we’ve had in Canada.
Go Whale Watching
The waters off the coast of Cape Breton are a wealthy feeding floor for a number of species of whales. Taking a zodiac tour from a city like Chéticamp or Nice Bay provides you a improbable likelihood of seeing them up shut.
There’s nothing fairly just like the second a pod of pilot whales surfaces close to your boat. It’s a robust reminder of simply how wild this nook of the nation actually is.
Issues to Do on the South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore is picture-postcard territory. That is the place you’ll discover the quaint fishing villages, historic lighthouses, and vibrant seaside houses the province is known for. It’s a improbable space for a scenic, stress-free drive.
Discover Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is likely one of the most photographed locations in Canada, and it lives as much as the hype. The traditional lighthouse perched on a mountain of large granite boulders is a scene you gained’t overlook.
Our greatest recommendation is to go early within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from the height tour bus crowds. And please, respect the warning indicators and keep off the moist, black rocks. The waves listed here are unpredictable and harmful.
Wander the Streets of Lunenburg
Lunenburg is a private favorite of ours. As a UNESCO World Heritage website, the whole outdated city is a protected historic space, and its distinctive colonial structure is extremely well-preserved.
We love simply wandering the hilly streets and admiring the colorful buildings. It’s additionally the house port of the well-known Bluenose II schooner, so make sure you examine if it’s within the harbour if you go to.
Go to Mahone Bay and the Three Church buildings
Simply down the street from Lunenburg is the beautiful city of Mahone Bay. It’s well-known for one iconic view: the three historic church buildings that line up completely alongside the waterfront.
Whereas it makes for a ravishing photograph, the city itself is value exploring. It’s filled with nice little artisan retailers and cafes and has a extra relaxed really feel than a few of its extra well-known neighbours.
Go Kayaking in Blue Rocks
If you wish to see what an actual, working fishing village appears to be like like, head to Blue Rocks. Situated just some minutes exterior Lunenburg, this tiny group of fishing shacks, fishing boats, and stacked lobster traps feels a world away from the vacationer monitor.
The waters across the scattered islands are fairly sheltered, making it considered one of our favorite spots for a guided sea kayaking tour.
Hike at Kejimkujik Nationwide Park Seaside
Whereas the primary a part of Kejimkujik Nationwide Park is inland, the Seaside adjunct is a improbable cease on the South Shore. The Harbour Rocks Path is a straightforward 5.2 km hike that takes you to a ravishing shoreline of turquoise water and white sand. We all the time see seals sunning themselves on the rocks right here.
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley Experiences
This a part of Nova Scotia is all about dramatic pure forces. The Bay of Fundy is residence to the best tides on Earth, making a panorama that adjustments fully twice a day. Simply inland, the fertile Annapolis Valley provides a a lot gentler, however equally attention-grabbing, expertise.
Expertise the World’s Highest Tides
It’s arduous to wrap your head across the scale of the tides right here till you see the proof. Twice a day, 160 billion tonnes of water circulate out and in of the bay, inflicting the water degree to rise as a lot as 16 metres (52 toes).
The secret’s to go to a spot like Corridor’s Harbour at low tide after which return six hours later for top tide. Seeing the fishing boats go from sitting on the muddy ocean flooring to floating excessive above is one of the simplest ways to understand this pure marvel.
Go Tidal Bore Rafting
This is likely one of the most original adventures we’ve had in Canada. You head out on a zodiac on the Shubenacadie River whereas the water is low, and then you definately trip the incoming tidal bore, a wave created by the huge tide, because it rushes up the river.
You may be crashing by means of enormous, muddy waves and getting fully soaked. It’s an absolute thrill and one thing you gained’t overlook.
Stroll on the Ocean Ground at Burntcoat Head Park
That is the very spot the place the world’s highest tides have been formally recorded. At low tide, the water recedes, permitting you to stroll on the ocean flooring for kilometres. You’ll be able to discover the tide swimming pools and see the “flowerpot” sea stacks up shut.
You completely should examine the tide schedule earlier than you go. The water is available in a lot sooner than you’d assume. You’ll be able to actually have a distinctive eating expertise by consuming on the ocean flooring at Burntcoat Head Park. How enjoyable is that?
Go Wine Tasting within the Annapolis Valley
After the wild adventures on the bay, the Annapolis Valley provides an ideal change of tempo. That is Nova Scotia’s wine nation, producing glorious cool-climate wines.
We advocate visiting a couple of vineyards like Lightfoot & Wolfville or Domaine de Grand Pré to pattern Tidal Bay, the area’s signature crisp, white wine. It’s an effective way to spend a relaxed afternoon.
Go to Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Website
This highly effective UNESCO World Heritage Website tells the story of the Acadian individuals and their deportation, often called the Grand Dérangement, within the 1750s. It’s a somber however extremely vital piece of Canadian historical past.
The positioning itself is gorgeous and peaceable, with a memorial church and gardens overlooking the unique dykelands that the Acadians created.
Distinctive Nova Scotia Meals Experiences
You’ll be able to’t discuss Nova Scotia with out speaking in regards to the meals. The seafood right here is a number of the freshest on this planet, however there are a couple of different native specialties it is advisable attempt to get an actual style of the place. These are a couple of of our non-negotiable meals experiences.
Eat a Lobster Roll
You will note lobster rolls on nearly each menu, and for good purpose. A correct Nova Scotia lobster roll isn’t difficult or fussy, it’s only a beneficiant pile of contemporary lobster meat, evenly dressed with mayo or melted butter, and served in a toasted, top-split bun.
The perfect ones we’ve had usually come from small, unassuming seafood shacks by the aspect of the street. Don’t overthink it; simply order one everytime you get the prospect.
Strive Digby Scallops
The city of Digby is residence to one of many world’s largest scallop fishing fleets, and the scallops from these waters are well-known for being extremely contemporary, candy, and tender.
Whether or not you could have them completely pan-seared or evenly fried, they’re a real style of the area. We all the time make some extent to get them organized after we see them on a menu.
Bask in a Donair
This one would possibly shock you, however the donair is the official meals of Halifax. It’s a singular tackle the Turkish doner kebab, made with spiced floor beef that’s sliced from a vertical spit and served on a heat pita with tomatoes and onions.
What makes it a Halifax authentic is the sauce: a candy, garlicky concoction constituted of evaporated milk, vinegar, and sugar. It’d sound a little bit unusual, but it surely’s an area obsession and the final word late-night snack. You need to strive it not less than as soon as.
Sensible Info for Planning Your Journey to Nova Scotia
Okay, now that you’ve got an thought of what you wish to do, let’s cowl the logistics. Right here’s our easy recommendation on how one can plan your go to to Nova Scotia.
Greatest Time to Go to Nova Scotia
The most well-liked time to go to is throughout the summer season months of July and August. The climate is heat and sunny, and every little thing is open and in full swing. Nevertheless, that is additionally the busiest and most costly time.
Our favorite time to go to is in September. The climate continues to be lovely, the summer season crowds have thinned out, and the autumn colors start to look within the Cape Breton Highlands. Spring could be unpredictable and wet, whereas winter is reserved for the actually hardy.
Attending to Nova Scotia
You’ve got a couple of choices for attending to the province, relying on the place you’re coming from.
- By Air: The Halifax Stanfield Worldwide Airport (YHZ) is the primary gateway to the province, with connections throughout Canada and internationally.
- By Automotive: Should you’re driving, the primary entry level is through the Trans-Canada Freeway from neighbouring New Brunswick.
- By Ferry: Automobile ferries function from Prince Edward Island, Saint John, New Brunswick, and even Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), providing a scenic different.
Getting Round
We will’t stress this sufficient: you have to to lease a automotive to correctly discover Nova Scotia. Outdoors of Halifax, public transportation may be very restricted. This province is made for road-tripping, and having your individual automobile provides you the liberty to discover by yourself schedule.
The place to Keep in Nova Scotia
Lodging can e-book up months prematurely, particularly for the height summer season season, so we advocate reserving forward. Now we have an entire information devoted to The place to Keep in Nova Scotia that’s primarily based on all our journeys out East.
In Halifax, you’ll discover loads of main lodges to select from. Within the smaller cities alongside the South Shore and the Cabot Path, we love staying within the native inns, B&Bs, and rental cottages for a extra private expertise.
Nova Scotia FAQ
We get plenty of questions on planning a visit to Nova Scotia. Listed here are the solutions to some of the most typical ones.
It’s robust to select only one, however the two most well-known sights are the Cabot Path and Peggy’s Cove. The Cabot Path in Cape Breton is taken into account one of many world’s most scenic drives, whereas the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is the long-lasting picture of a maritime fishing village.
We advocate not less than 7 to 10 days to get an excellent really feel for the province. This offers you sufficient time to discover Halifax, drive the Cabot Path with out dashing, and see a number of the South Shore. When you’ve got two weeks, that’s even higher.
July and August have the warmest, most dependable climate, however they’re additionally the busiest months. We predict September is the perfect time to go to. The climate continues to be nice, the massive summer season crowds are gone, and the autumn colors begin to seem within the highlands.
No, and we wouldn’t advocate attempting to. Whereas it’d look manageable on a map, Nova Scotia is a big province filled with issues to see. Driving the Cabot Path loop alone can take a full day. To correctly expertise it, it is advisable plan for a multi-day street journey.
Nova Scotia is a type of locations that actually delivers. It’s greater than only a assortment of fairly sights; it’s a province with an actual sense of place and a heat, welcoming spirit. We’ve liked each journey we’ve taken there, from the rugged highlands of Cape Breton to the quiet shores of the Bay of Fundy.
Whether or not you’re in search of a wild coastal street journey or a calming getaway in a historic city, you will discover it right here. We hope this information has given you the arrogance and concepts it is advisable begin planning your individual journey.
