Editor’s Observe: This information was initially printed in 2021 and has been utterly 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 among the finest and most lovely cities in Canada, and there’s a purpose we maintain 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 full of life pubs in Halifax pouring native beer. It feels lived-in, welcoming, and endlessly fascinating.
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 personal journey.
Fast Record: High 5 Issues to Do in Nova Scotia
In the event you’re brief on time or simply need absolutely the can’t-miss highlights, listed here are the highest experiences we suggest prioritizing in your journey. We’ve achieved all of them, they usually symbolize the perfect of what the province has to supply.
- Drive the Cabot Path: One of the vital scenic drives on the earth, this can be a must-do for its coastal views and rugged highlands.
- Discover Halifax’s Waterfront: The guts of the town is its bustling waterfront, full of historical past, nice meals, and harbour views.
- Go to Peggy’s Cove: House to one of the vital iconic lighthouses in Canada, this picturesque fishing village is well worth the go to.
- Wander the Lunenburg Waterfront: A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, its vibrant colonial buildings make it one of many prettiest cities within the nation.
- Go Tidal Bore Rafting: For an actual journey, experience the incoming tide of the Bay of Fundy on a zodiac. It’s a novel thrill you received’t discover anyplace else.
Finest Issues to Do in Halifax
Halifax is the colourful coronary heart of Nova Scotia, a metropolis the place maritime historical past meets a full of life, trendy power. We at all times make it our first or final cease on any journey to the province as a result of it units the proper tone. Listed below are a couple of of our favorite issues to do within the metropolis.
Stroll the Halifax Waterfront
You possibly can’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 the town.
We love grabbing a espresso and simply watching the tall ships and harbour ferries go by. You’ll discover every thing from museums and playgrounds to breweries and meals stalls serving up contemporary seafood. It’s the proper place to get a really feel for the 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 1,000,000 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 expect it’s a must-visit to know a significant piece of our nationwide story.
Discover the Halifax Public Gardens
When the power of the town will get to be a bit a lot, the Public Gardens are our go-to spot to unwind. These are among the most interesting surviving Victorian gardens in North America.
It’s a gorgeous and peaceable place for a quiet stroll among the many fountains, flower beds, and previous, shady bushes. It’s an ideal, low-key afternoon exercise.
Tour Alexander Keith’s Brewery
This is among the most entertaining brewery excursions we’ve ever taken. Neglect a dry, technical clarification of brewing. Right here, actors in Nineteenth-century costumes information you thru the historic brewery with songs and tales. It’s a full of life 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 Web site
For the perfect panoramic view of Halifax, you need to make the stroll as much as Citadel Hill. This huge, star-shaped fort has been watching over the harbour for hundreds of years.
We suggest timing your go to to listen to the firing of the midday gun, a practice that occurs every single 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 seems like coming into a distinct 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 provide it time. The largest mistake you may 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
In the event 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 well-liked spot for sundown. Preserve 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 Web site
We weren’t certain 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 thing from airplanes and hydrofoils to massive kites.
The positioning is stuffed with his actual artifacts, innovations, and private results. It’s an excellent look into the lifetime of a real genius and an ideal rainy-day exercise.
Discover the Fortress of Louisbourg Nationwide Historic Web site
This isn’t your common historic website. Louisbourg is a large, dwelling reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortified city. The dimensions of it’s arduous to grasp till you might be strolling its streets. It’s really North America’s largest historic reconstruction undertaking.
You possibly can 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 one of the vital 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 unbelievable probability 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 strong 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 unbelievable space for a scenic, enjoyable drive.
Discover Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is among the most photographed locations in Canada, and it lives as much as the hype. The traditional lighthouse perched on a mountain of huge granite boulders is a scene you received’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, all the previous 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 to test if it’s within the harbour once you go to.
Go to Mahone Bay and the Three Church buildings
Simply down the highway 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 gorgeous photograph, the city itself is price exploring. It’s stuffed 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 like, head to Blue Rocks. Situated only a few minutes outdoors Lunenburg, this tiny neighborhood of fishing shacks, fishing boats, and stacked lobster traps feels a world away from the vacationer observe.
The waters across the scattered islands are fairly sheltered, making it one in every 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 unbelievable cease on the South Shore. The Harbour Rocks Path is a simple 5.2 km hike that takes you to a gorgeous shoreline of turquoise water and white sand. We at all times 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 dwelling to the very best tides on Earth, making a panorama that adjustments utterly twice a day. Simply inland, the fertile Annapolis Valley affords a a lot gentler, however equally fascinating, 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 is 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 the easiest way to understand this pure surprise.
Go Tidal Bore Rafting
This is among the most unusual adventures we’ve had in Canada. You head out on a zodiac on the Shubenacadie River whereas the water is low, and then you definitely experience the incoming tidal bore, a wave created by the large tide, because it rushes up the river.
You’ll be crashing by way of enormous, muddy waves and getting utterly soaked. It’s an absolute thrill and one thing you received’t overlook.
Stroll on the Ocean Ground at Burntcoat Head Park
That is the very spot the place the world’s highest tides had been formally recorded. At low tide, the water recedes, permitting you to stroll on the ocean flooring for kilometres. You possibly can discover the tide swimming pools and see the “flowerpot” sea stacks up shut.
You completely should test the tide schedule earlier than you go. The water is available in a lot quicker than you’d assume. You possibly can also 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 affords an ideal change of tempo. That is Nova Scotia’s wine nation, producing glorious cool-climate wines.
We suggest 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 a good way to spend a relaxed afternoon.
Go to Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Web site
This highly effective UNESCO World Heritage Web site tells the story of the Acadian folks and their deportation, referred to as the Grand Dérangement, within the 1750s. It’s a somber however extremely necessary 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 possibly can’t discuss Nova Scotia with out speaking in regards to the meals. The seafood right here is among the freshest on the earth, however there are a couple of different native specialties it’s good to 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 notice lobster rolls on nearly each menu, and for good purpose. A correct Nova Scotia lobster roll isn’t sophisticated or fussy, it’s only a beneficiant pile of contemporary lobster meat, calmly dressed with mayo or melted butter, and served in a toasted, top-split bun.
The most effective ones we’ve had usually come from small, unassuming seafood shacks by the aspect of the highway. Don’t overthink it; simply order one everytime you get the possibility.
Strive Digby Scallops
The city of Digby is dwelling 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 might have them completely pan-seared or calmly fried, they’re a real style of the area. We at all times make a degree to get them organized once we see them on a menu.
Take pleasure in a Donair
This one would possibly shock you, however the donair is the official meals of Halifax. It’s a novel 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 produced from evaporated milk, vinegar, and sugar. It would sound a bit of unusual, however it’s an area obsession and the last word late-night snack. It’s a must to strive it no less than as soon as.
Sensible Data for Planning Your Journey to Nova Scotia
Okay, now that you’ve an thought of what you need to do, let’s cowl the logistics. Right here’s our simple recommendation on find out how to plan your go to to Nova Scotia.
Finest 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 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 will be unpredictable and wet, whereas winter is reserved for the really hardy.
Attending to Nova Scotia
You’ve gotten 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: In the event you’re driving, the primary entry level is by way of the Trans-Canada Freeway from neighbouring New Brunswick.
- By Ferry: Car ferries function from Prince Edward Island, Saint John, New Brunswick, and even Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), providing a scenic different.
Getting Round
We are able to’t stress this sufficient: you have to to hire a automobile to correctly discover Nova Scotia. Exterior of Halifax, public transportation may be very restricted. This province is made for road-tripping, and having your personal car 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 suggest reserving forward. We’ve a complete information devoted to The place to Keep in Nova Scotia that’s based mostly on all our journeys out East.
In Halifax, you’ll discover loads of main accommodations 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 loads of questions on planning a visit to Nova Scotia. Listed below are the solutions to some of the commonest ones.
It’s powerful to select only one, however the two most well-known points of interest 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 suggest no less than 7 to 10 days to get an excellent really feel for the province. This offers you adequate time to discover Halifax, drive the Cabot Path with out dashing, and see among the South Shore. If in case you have two weeks, that’s even higher.
July and August have the warmest, most dependable climate, however they’re additionally the busiest months. We expect 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 suggest attempting to. Whereas it’d look manageable on a map, Nova Scotia is a big province full of issues to see. Driving the Cabot Path loop alone can take a full day. To correctly expertise it, it’s good to plan for a multi-day highway journey.
Nova Scotia is a type of locations that really 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 cherished 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 highway journey or a soothing getaway in a historic city, you could find it right here. We hope this information has given you the boldness and concepts it’s good to begin planning your personal journey.
