TAKE A SAIL ON THE BLUENOSE II

Located south of Halifax, Lunenburg is a historical site claiming tourism notoriety in its own right. Historic landmarks throughout the UNESCO World Heritage designated town to celebrate centuries of European settlers attracted to maritime life.

Lunenburg is also the home port of Canada’s iconic Bluenose II schooner – the second Bluenose –  built in 1963 by the same team who created the original. In 1971, she was gifted to the province of Nova Scotia to sail as an ambassador for marine history.

Visitors drive to Lunenburg to see the impressive schooner docked, but there’s nothing like experiencing a sail – twice a day at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm from June to October, passengers can enjoy a two-hour harbour tour of the maritime coast. (Sign up 1.5 hours prior because tours fill up and are limited to 65 people. Arrive 45 minutes prior to sailing).

The smooth glide of the boat, the wind through your hair and the taste of salt air will fully immerse you in the maritime experience. The view is beautiful, yet equally fascinating is watching the crew choreograph the raising of four sails: main, fore, jumbo and jib. No, guests can’t steer the ship – the crew gets asked so often it’s a posted rule.

Contribution and Photo from Sherri of dogtrotting.net

Reviews of Bluenose II Cruise |  Lunenburg Marine Museum Society, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0

KAYAK ON THE BAY OF FUNDY

Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Scott Munn

The Bay of Fundy is a famous and wonderous body of water known for its extreme tidal changes that take place every day. This is where you will find the world’s highest tides, which is why it is one of the seven wonders of North America. Each day the Bay of Fundy takes in and out 16 billion tons of water with high tides reaching over 48 feet. However, during low tide, you are able to walk along the ocean floor. In addition to the amazing tidal changes, the Bay of Fundy is also home to a wide range of marine life, and spottings are common.

The most exciting and immersive way to experience the Bay of Fundy is by going sea kayaking on its waters during high tide. Via a guided kayak tour, you are able to see the unique rock formations, tidal changes, and even some marine life. The tour companies are well organized and know all the top places to bring you within the Bay. This is an adventure like no other and one of the best things to do in Nova Scotia. After this, you can say you have kayaked on the highest tides on earth.

Contribution from Samantha of Sam Sees the World

Reviews of Sea Kayaking |  37 School Lane, Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia B0M 1A0

SEE ‘SIGNAL HILL’ PLAY ON THE HALIFAX WATERFRONT

The Lower Deck on Halifax’s waterfront is one of the most popular pubs in the city. It’s a huge space overlooking the water and has become a staple of local nightlife scene – especially on Sunday nights. If you find yourself in Halifax over the weekend, you must head to ‘The Lower Deck’ to see Signal Hill perform. The band plays all kinds of Eastern Canada classics, combined with everything from Top 40 favourites to tunes from your youth. You’ll surely hear locals sing alone proudly to the “unofficial” Halifax anthem “Barrett’s Privateers” and by the end of the night, you’ll know every word.

In the summer, the band takes its performance outside for an epic east-coast-style party in the alleyway alongside the restaurant. If you haven’t fallen in love with Nova Scotia yet, a night at ‘The Lower Deck’ will surely solidify your love of East Coast culture. You cannot miss this spot in Halifax!

Contribution from Madeline of Madeline Rae Away

Reviews of The Lower Deck |  1887 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S9

WHALE WATCHING ON THE BAY OF FUNDY

Along part of the coast of Nova Scotia, you’ll find the Bay of Fundy which, as well as having the highest tidal change in the world, is also an important feeding ground for one of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures, whales. No tour of Nova Scotia would be complete without taking an excursion to see these mammals up close.

A whale-watching experience will take between 3 and 4 hours as it can be quite a trek to get out to wherever the whales are feeding. On route, you’ll no doubt be provided with interesting information as well as get the chance to see dolphins leaping out of the water.

Every trip is different and, though nothing is guaranteed, the tour operators are experts at getting you to see as many whales as possible. You might see a breach if you are really lucky, but whales diving with their tales then leaving “footprints” on the water are more common. We ended up idling up right next to two resting whales and could clearly see them just below the waterline. When they swam off, we were rewarded with the picture above as they dived in tandem to go and feed.

Reviews of Petit Passage Whale Watching |  3450 East Ferry, Digby County, Nova Scotia B0V 1Ao

STEP BACK IN TIME AT FORTRESS OF LOUISBOURG

The Fortress of Louisbourg offers an amazing opportunity to step back in time. The site is the largest reconstruction project in North America and definitely a highlight of any trip to Nova Scotia. Located on Cape Breton Island just 25 miles south of Sydney, this former French stronghold founded in 1713 is a great destination for all history buffs out there.

The place bustles with activity during the hotter summer months when elaborately dressed actors and enthusiasts alike roam the streets and put on a show with everyone they encounter. They will tell you stories about how people lived in the early 18th century. At the height of the summer, all restaurants are open, tours are available twice daily and the ocean breezes are at their warmest and most welcoming.

The fortress was completely rebuilt in 1961 after it had been destroyed by several sieges when the fortifications were destroyed by British engineers. Set aside at least four and a half hours to see it all. Plus, you can indulge in leisure activities like camping overnight and firing a cannon. May and September are the best months to visit with fewer crowds and more chances to ask questions.

Contribution and Photo from Ivan of Mind the Travel

Reviews of Fortress of Louisbourg |  259 Park Service Road, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia B1C 2L2

GIVE CLAM DIGGING A TRY

Photo Credit: Dennis Jarvis / CC BY-SA 2.0

In Nova Scotia, you are never too far from the ocean. And if you love the ocean, there is a big chance that you would love a good clam-digging adventure. Especially if you have small kids.

All you have to do is to bring your rubber boots and head over to Clam Harbour where you can join a guided clam-digging excursion organized by Memory Lane Heritage Village. This historic 1940s village reproduces rural Nova Scotian life in the form of a living history museum.

Darcy Baker, a fourth-generation clam digger will show you the ropes, and teach you all about clams. You will learn how to use a clam fork to dig white, soft-shelled clams. He will also teach you about the clams and their habitat, and how the clam-harvesting industry has changed with time.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a nice lunch that would, of course, come with ‘feed’ of fresh steamed clams.

Note that the tour is tide dependent which means so tour timings can change daily with the ebb and flow. You can do this from mid-June to mid-September. And if you forget your boots, footwear can be provided there as well.

Contribution from Deb of The Visa Project

Reviews of Memory Lane Heritage Village |  5435 Clam Harbour Road, Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia B0J 1Y0

VISIT CAPE FORCHU LIGHTHOUSE

Located about 10 kilometres south of the port town Yarmouth stands Cape Forchu Lighthouse. Also known as the “Beacon to Canada”, Cape Forchu started receiving visitors in 1604 and remains a popular tourist attraction in Nova Scotia today.

Built in 1839, the Original Cape Forchu Lighthouse operated until 1962, when it was replaced by the current lighthouse. When it was demolished and rebuilt, locals were extremely unhappy with the look of the lighthouse, as they were promised that it would be a replica. However, despite many people saying that the lighthouse was ruined, it continued to receive lots of tourists and is now the second most photographed lighthouse in the province.

Whilst you cannot go into the lighthouse itself, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. Tourists can visit the Cape’s gift shop, enter the Keeper’s House, or stop at the Keeper’s Kitchen for a traditional Nova Scotian meal.

Exploring the Cape Forchu lighthouse and its surrounding area of Nova Scotia can take up an entire day if you allow it. The 19-acre grounds around the lighthouse allow for many different views and photos of the lighthouse itself, while also letting visitors look off at the Atlantic Ocean.

Contribution and Photo from Matthew of Percussion Haven

Reviews of Cape Forchu Lighthouse |  1854 Highway 304, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A 4A7

GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH WITH TIDAL BORE RAFTING

Even though there are numerous things to do and places to see in Halifax, make sure you give yourself enough time in Nova Scotia to venture beyond the capital city.

You’ve probably never heard of tidal bore rafting, but after experiencing it, you’ll be telling anyone who asks about your trip to Nova Scotia — and even those who don’t!

Twice a day, the tides in the Bay of Fundy rise and fall between 3.5 meters and 16 meters. When that massive influx of water collides with the Shubenacadie River, this creates waves, rapids, and an exciting adventure!

Rather than just watching, I recommend going with one of the tidal bore rafting companies and getting out on the water in a zodiac. In a small group, you’ll hold on tight as your driver navigates the rapids. The boat launches over the waves — completely submerging itself in the water at times.

Due to the titanium in the water and the mud from the banks of the river, you’ll want to wear clothing that you’re not particularly attached to. This is a messy, fun way to spend a few hours in Urbania, Nova Scotia.

Contribution and Photo from Dariece of Goats on the Road

Reviews of Tidal Bore Rafting Resort |  12215 Highway 215, Urbania, Nova Scotia B0N 2H0

LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ACADIANS AT GRAND PRÉ

Grand Pré, which means “great meadow”,  is a small village in the heart of one of the most tragic events in Canadian history: the Acadians’ expulsion from their homeland. First settled in 1680 by an Acadian family who moved from the confines of nearby Port-Royal, Grand Pré grew to become one of the largest Acadian settlements in Nova Scotia. In 1755, at the hands of the British, 11,500 people were forcefully deported from these and other Acadian communities when they refused to sign oaths of allegiance to the British crown.

The UNESCO World Heritage site commemorates the Acadian deportations and brings the history to life. Located in the pretty Annapolis Valley region, Grand Pré features sprawling grounds crisscrossed by pathways where you’ll find vegetable gardens, a blacksmith shop, an orchard, a lookout over the dyked farmlands, and a small stone church. The church is believed to be built on the site of the original church. It houses an exhibit of paintings that showcase the history of the Acadians and a copy of the original expulsion order that was read to the congregation in the original church.

The poignancy of the Acadian’s plight was immortalized by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when he wrote about a woman, Evangeline, who lost her lover during the confusion of the deportations and then looked for him all over North America. She symbolizes loyalty, courage, piety, and patience and became a figurehead and source of inspiration and there is a bronze station of Evangeline at the site.

Reviews of Grand Pré National Historic Site |  2202 Grand Pré Road, Grand Pré, Nova Scotia B0P 1M0

GIVE FLY FISHING A TRY 

Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Wally Hayes

If you’re visiting Nova Scotia, you won’t want to miss the scenic drives and stunning coastlines of Cape Breton, and while you’re on Cape Breton, if you’re a fly fisherman or woman, you really can’t miss casting your line on the world-famous Margaree River.

The Margaree River flows from the Cape Breton Highlands in the Northeast down into Lake Ainslie in the Southwest. It is home to one of the most productive salmon runs on any river in Canada — and the scenery isn’t too hard on the eyes either.

The salmon that swim in this river can reach an impressive 40 lbs and make for an exciting challenge for any angler. The fishing here is barbless, catch-and-release fly fishing only, ensuring the protection and sustainability of the fisheries in this country.

If you’re going to attempt fly fishing in Cape Breton, you’ll have to pick up a fishing license from a local fly shop. I got mine from The Tying Scotsman, a tiny little shack on the side of the road near Inverness, owned and operated by a funny elderly gentleman who has spent his entire life fishing in the region.

Bring along nothing smaller than an 8-weight fly rod, as these salmon are too large for anything much smaller than that. Alternatively, if you don’t have your own gear, you can do what I did and hire a fly fishing guide.

Whether you go at it alone, or with an experienced guide, fly fishing on the Margaree River is like an adventure sport that will have your heart pumping and your adrenaline pulsing. You might just hook into the fish of a lifetime.

Contribution from Dariece of Into Fly Fishing

VISIT THE HALIFAX CITADEL

It’s hard to miss the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site while you’re spending time in Halifax. This massive star-shaped structure was built between 1828-1856 and was built to protect Halifax harbour, although it was never attacked. It’s easy to find, right in the centre of the city, overlooking the harbour.

It has been restored, and you can return to the Victorian era to learn what life was like in Halifax at that time. You can see historical re-enactments, and check out school rooms, bunkers and even an ambulance. It also houses an army museum to learn about Nova Scotia and Canada’s Naval and Armed Forces history.

If you’re not a history buff, perhaps you’d like to be spooked! In the summer and fall, the Halifax Citadel offers ghost tours during the evenings. You’ll learn about the various ghost sightings & get to visit the prison cells. 

Contribution and Photo from Jen of Will Save For Travel

Reviews of Halifax Citadel National Historic Site |  5425 Sackville Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3Y3

HEAD UNDERGROUND AT THE SPRINGHILL COAL MINE

Springhill Coal Mine operated from 1873 to 1970 mining coal from mines which ran as deep as 4,000 feet underground, among the deepest in the world. The mine had several disasters during its time, including two coal dust explosions in 1891 and 1956 and the underground earthquake of “bump” of 1958.

What’s left of the mine is now a National Historic Site of Canada and visitors can explore a small museum and descend into the Syndicate Mine with a guide. The depths of the mine are long since flooded, but you descend deep enough to get an inkling of what life would have been like heading ever deeper to extract the precious coal.

Around the site are various mining equipment, including a tool for cutting into the coal seam that looks like a giant’s chainsaw and several mine trucks. One of the most incredible things not to miss is the carved geodes showing mining scenes within the geode that can be viewed in the museum.

Reviews of Springhill Miner’s Museum |  145 Black River Road, Springhill, Nova Scotia B0M 1X0

DO SOME FOSSIL HUNTING AT JOGGINS FOSSIL CLIFFS

Built on top of a 250-year-old abandoned coal mine, the Joggins Fossil Centre now shares with visitors an introduction to the world’s most complete record of the Coal Age from 300 million years ago!

About 15km of the 30m high cliffs have eroded, under the constant surging of the Bay of Fundy’s tides, to reveal about 200 different fossilized specimens from an era when the region was steamy swamps and forests. In addition to displays of ferns, fish scales, reptile footprints, and gastropods at the Fossil Centre, visitors can also watch lab technicians at work and get all their questions answered.

You can wander the rock-strewn beach at the cliff base on your own to look for fossils which have fallen off the cliff face (but you can’t take them away with you without a permit). Or you can also take a guided beach tour from 30 minutes to four hours long, depending on your level of interest. Tours are dependent on weather and the tides so do check in advance of your visit to see if the beach will be accessible. We opted for a guided tour, over wandering on our own, and found it informative and helpful to actually find the fossils.

Joggins Fossil Cliffs were inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008 and Charles Darwin described Joggins in his revolutionary book On the Origin of Species. Joggins is truly a world treasure.

Reviews of Joggins Fossil Cliffs |  100 Main Street, Joggins, Nova Scotia B0L 1A0

DRIVE THE CABOT TRAIL

Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Hecktic Travels

The Cabot Trail is a scenic drive on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Continuously named one of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Cabot Trail is the perfect addition to an East Coast Canada road trip. Although the trail is only 298 km long, it will take 3-5 days to fully experience it.

The Cabot Trail is incredibly scenic, so you need a few days because you will be stopping for photos every five minutes! There are also endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, including hiking, kayaking, whale watching, horseback riding, boat touring, and swimming. Hike the Skyline trail at sunrise for an unforgettable view.

After a full day of adventure, check in to one of the varied accommodations options. You can find cozy B&Bs, cottages, hotels, cabins, and campsites along the trail. Be sure to stop and eat fresh seafood while driving along the trail; it’s some of the tastiest in the world.

Contribution from Lora of Explore With Lora

Reviews of the Cabot Trail |  Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia

EXPLORE THE 17TH CENTURY HABITATION AT PORT ROYAL

Port-Royal National Historic Site is one of the most historically important sites in not just Canada, but all of North America. In 1605 Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain, both from France, established this first European settlement north of St. Augustine, Florida after spending the disastrous winter of 1604 on St. Croix Island between New Brunswick and Maine.

The habitation is also the site of many other firsts for Canada including the first tended crops, the first staged play, the first water mill, and the first social club called the ‘Order of Good Cheer’ which still exists today. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the first fire department and the original fortress burned down within a decade.

Between 1939-1940 the Canadian government built the reconstruction of the c1605 French fur-trading post, which you can visit today, based on de Champlain’s drawings and using 17th-century construction techniques were possible. The buildings form a rectangle around a courtyard, including a governor’s house, priest’s dwelling, bakery, guardroom, kitchen, communal dining room, and a blacksmith’s shop – all furnished with period reproductions.

The costumed interpreters will show you the techniques and tools the pioneers brought with them and will talk about life in the colony for a fascinating look into the life of the early French settlers in this region. As you sit in the dining room, you’ll almost be able to imagine the chatter and laughter as the men ate their meals together over four centuries ago.

Reviews of Port-Royal National Historic Site |  53 Historic Lane, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia B0S 1K0

PEGGY’S COVE LIGHTHOUSE AND HARBOUR

Certainly not an “off the beaten track” or hidden gem that Nova Scotia has so many of, but we still consider a visit to the lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove a must-do. This is especially true if you want to visit one of the many beautiful lighthouses Nova Scotia is known for, but don’t have the time to head out to some of the more remote lighthouses.

The c1914 octagonal white lighthouse sits atop massive granite worn smooth by thousands of years of mighty waves. This picturesque beacon has been guiding sailors and fishermen home since 1968. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy its beauty, and that of the ocean, but reminded to be very careful and stay off the black rocks as more than one visitor has been swept out to sea.

The lighthouse itself is one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada, but we urge you also to make a little time to visit the little harbour beside the lighthouse. With weathered fishing shacks on stilts, stacks of lobster traps, piles of fishing nets, and bright green vegetation contrasted with the blue sea and colourful fishing boats – it can be a photographer’s dream (and is the photo we’ve used as the header image in this post).

Reviews of Peggy’s Cove |  Peggy’s Point Road, Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

MARITIME MUSEUM FOR SEAFARING HISTORY

Halifax has a long history of seafaring traditions and this museum is home to the city’s collection of all things nautical. Here you can learn all about the region’s links to the ocean – from the Titanic tragedy to fishing on the Grand Banks.

It is Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum housed in a purpose-built structure that even incorporates a 20th-century chandlery, all located in the heart of the city’s waterfront.

Exhibits include the world’s largest collection of artifacts from the unsinkable Titanic – including the only deck chair recovered at the time of the sinking and the wireless log taken as the ship floundered. A very powerful “Halifax Wrecked” gallery also tells the story of the 1917 Halifax Explosion that devasted the city. These are only a couple of the many, many exhibits in this wonderful museum and you could easily spend a few hours here.

Just outside the museum, you can also go aboard the CSS Acadia which is Canada’s longest-serving survey vessel. It was built in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England in 1913 and is the only surviving ship to have served the Royal Canadian Navy during both World Wars. It is free to tour the ship with proof of admission to the museum.

Reviews of Maritime Museum of the Atlantic |  1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S3

TOUR THE VINEYARDS OF THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY

Although the Annapolis Valley is technically the first wine region in Canada, the winemaking ended when the Acadians were expelled and it wasn’t resurrected until the late 1970s.

Nova Scotia wine isn’t well established yet it benefits from a long history in farming in the area, Maritime hospitality, along with a climate and soil that is very similar to the Champagne region in France.

Not only does the Annapolis Valley make award-winning sparkling wine, but it also has the only appellation wine in North America. ‘Tidal Bay’ wine is a crisp white wine that reflects the cool climate and pairs beautifully with local seafood.

Only an hour from Halifax, it’s a great day trip but is even better as an overnight trip to enjoy local food and wine.

Contribution and Photo from Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic

Reviews of Annapolis Valley Vineyards 

EXPLORE HECTOR HERITAGE QUAY

Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Ordinary Traveler

At the heart of the downtown waterfront in Pictou is the home of the Hector Heritage Quay which includes an interpretive centre and replica of the Hector where you can learn about Nova Scotia’s Scottish heritage.

The interpretive centre was designed to resemble an 18th-century Scottish warehouse and recounts the stories of the first Scottish immigrants’ arrival and their early years in Nova Scotia. In 1779 there were 33 families and 25 unmarried men who arrived on the original Hector from the Highlands of Scotland.

On the quay, you’ll find the replica of the Hector that was built entirely onsite by local craftspeople and volunteers, some of whom were descendants of the original ship’s passengers. The 110-foot full-rigged black and white ship is splendid with three masts and a wide hull. Unfortunately, this wide hull made the trip from Scotland not so pleasant. The ship was originally built as a freighter and then was modified slightly to bring passengers across the Atlantic. Remarkably they survived the 11-week crossing and you can learn about the difficult conditions they endured on board the ship.

Also, at the site, there is a working blacksmith, rigger, carpentry shops and an outdoor walkway that overlooks the harbour – all of which combine to make for an educational and enjoyable day out in Pictou.

Reviews of Hector Heritage Quay |  33 Caladh Avenue, Pictou, Nova Scotia B0K 1H0

EAT FRESHLY CAUGHT LOBSTERS

Photo Credit: Barney Moss / CC BY 2.0

One of the greatest joys that the province of Nova Scotia (seriously cannot wait to go back as part of a road trip like the Newfoundland to Yukon road trip I took) offers is a laid back feel typical of far-away places and island locations.

Given that over-tourism is not an issue in most of the province, except for special occasions in the capital Halifax and in places like Peggy’s Cove, it is possible to be immersed in interesting situations that could not take place in many other places.

Back in 2009, I was based there for a month. A guy I met via CouchSurfing took me to a place by the sea in Yarmouth known for its great seafood to buy a couple of massive lobsters directly from the guy who had just caught them. They were in a bucket, cooked, and ready to be eaten. Each one of them was about $16 which in any restaurant in the area, it would have cost three times that.

If you want to try something like this, start talking to a local that you trust. Bon Appetit!

Contribution from Inma of A World to Travel

DISCOVER SHERBROOKE VILLAGE

Photo Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia

For a taste of Nova Scotian village life between 1860 to before WWI, head over to Sherbrooke Village. Over 80 buildings make up the village and visitors can go inside more than two dozen of them to explore further.
Amongst the many buildings to visit, you’ll find everything from a drug store and post office to a blacksmith and woodturning shop. A weaving cottage and schoolhouse to a telephone exchange and jail. And many more.

As well as the buildings on-site, visitors can explore a nearby water-powered sawmill, lumbar camp and a gold stamp mill. At the gold mill, you can try your hand at gold panning, and you get to keep anything you find.

Many of the open buildings contain costumed interpreters to answer questions, demonstrate activities and help visitors learn more about Nova Scotian life during the latter years of the 19th century. The village also hosts many events throughout the year, including a murder mystery weekend, an antique car show and an old-fashioned Christmas.

Reviews of Sherbrooke Village |  Main Street, Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia B0J 3C0

• Fodor’s Travel: Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada
• Frommer’s Easy Guide to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick
• Moon Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador
• Lonely Planet: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia Book of Everything
• Bradt: Nova Scotia – This book is the most comprehensive and what I consider to be the very best Nova Scotia guidebook.