Editor’s Word: This information used to be initially printed in 2021 and has been totally up to date for 2025 to verify all knowledge is correct and present.
After greater than twenty years of travelling the sector, you get lovely excellent at recognizing the adaptation between tourism hype and an original revel in. Nova Scotia is the true factor.
We’ve road-tripped throughout Canada from coast to coast, exploring one of the best possible and most pretty towns in Canada, and there’s a reason why we stay coming again right here. It’s a spot that doesn’t desire a filter out. From the rugged, windswept sea coast of the Cabot Path to the vigorous pubs in Halifax pouring native beer. It feels lived-in, welcoming, and without end fascinating.
We created this information as a result of we understand how irritating it may be to turn up someplace and really feel such as you’re lacking the most productive 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 truthful, no-fluff information to the most productive issues to do in Nova Scotia that can assist you plan your individual journey.
Fast Record: Most sensible 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 reviews we propose prioritizing on your travel. We’ve completed all of them, and so they constitute the most productive of what the province has to supply.
- Pressure the Cabot Path: One of the crucial scenic drives on the planet, this can be a must-do for its coastal perspectives and rugged highlands.
- Discover Halifax’s Waterfront: The guts of the town is its bustling waterfront, full of historical past, nice meals, and harbour perspectives.
- Consult with Peggy’s Cove: House to probably the most iconic lighthouses in Canada, this picturesque fishing village is well worth the go to.
- Wander the Lunenburg Waterfront: A UNESCO International Heritage Website, its vibrant colonial constructions make it some of the prettiest cities within the nation.
- Cross Tidal Bore Rafting: For an actual journey, journey the incoming tide of the Bay of Fundy on a zodiac. It’s a singular thrill you gained’t in finding anyplace else.
Easiest Issues to Do in Halifax
Halifax is the colourful center of Nova Scotia, a town the place maritime historical past meets a full of life, trendy power. We all the time make it our first or closing forestall on any travel to the province as it units the easiest tone. Listed here are a couple of of our favorite issues to do within the town.
Stroll the Halifax Waterfront
You’ll’t actually say you’ve been to Halifax till you’ve frolicked on its waterfront. It stretches for a number of kilometres and is the real pulse of the town.
We like grabbing a espresso and simply looking at the tall ships and harbour ferries pass by way of. You’ll in finding the entirety from museums and playgrounds to breweries and meals stalls serving up brand new seafood. It’s the easiest position to get a really feel for the town.
Consult with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
This can be a actually transferring revel in. Pier 21 used to be the gateway to Canada for over one million immigrants, and this museum tells their tales with unbelievable care and element.
It will give you a profound sense of the hope and hardship that formed such a lot of Canadian households. We expect it’s a must-visit to grasp a very important piece of our nationwide tale.
Discover the Halifax Public Gardens
When the power of the town will get to be just a little a lot, the Public Gardens are our go-to spot to unwind. Those are one of the greatest surviving Victorian gardens in North The united states.
It’s a wonderful and non violent position for a quiet walk a number of the fountains, flower beds, and outdated, shady timber. It’s a really perfect, low-key afternoon job.
Excursion Alexander Keith’s Brewery
This is without doubt one of the maximum entertaining brewery excursions we’ve ever taken. Omit a dry, technical rationalization of brewing. Right here, actors in Nineteenth-century costumes information you during the ancient brewery with songs and tales. It’s a full of life and a laugh strategy to spend an hour, and sure, you get to pattern the well-known beer.
Benefit from the View from Castle Hill Nationwide Ancient Website
For the most productive panoramic view of Halifax, you must make the stroll as much as Castle Hill. This large, star-shaped castle has been looking at over the harbour for hundreds of years.
We advise timing your go to to listen to the firing of the midday gun, a convention that occurs on a daily basis. The view of the downtown core and the harbour from the ramparts is well worth the climb on my own.
Issues to Do at 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 upper, and the Celtic song will get louder. This a part of Nova Scotia is an journey in itself, and it’s a bucket-list vacation spot for a reason why.
Pressure the well-known Cabot Path
Other folks name this some of the global’s best possible 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 unbelievable perspectives of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Our best possible recommendation is to provide it time. The most important mistake you’ll make is making an attempt to hurry it in one day. Take two or 3 days, pull over at each lookout, and discover the small villages alongside the way in which.
Hike the Skyline Path
In the event you handiest 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 sea coast.
It’s an iconic Canadian view for a reason why, and it’s an extremely in style spot for sundown. Stay your eyes peeled for moose; we’ve ceaselessly noticed them grazing within the meadows close to the beginning of the path.
Consult with the Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Ancient Website
We weren’t positive what to anticipate right here, however this museum within the the city of Baddeck is in fact interesting. Alexander Graham Bell used to be so a lot more than the fellow who invented the phone; he labored on the entirety from airplanes and hydrofoils to large kites.
The website online is stuffed with his actual artifacts, innovations, and private results. It’s a super glance into the lifetime of a real genius and a really perfect rainy-day job.
Discover the Citadel of Louisbourg Nationwide Ancient Website
This isn’t your reasonable ancient website online. Louisbourg is a large, dwelling reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortified the city. The size of it’s exhausting to realize till you might be strolling its streets. It’s in reality North The united states’s greatest ancient reconstruction mission.
You’ll simply spend a complete day right here interacting with costumed interpreters, looking at blacksmiths at paintings, or even consuming fresh-baked bread from the length bakery. It’s probably the most immersive ancient reviews we’ve had in Canada.
Cross Whale Looking at
The waters off the coast of Cape Breton are a wealthy feeding flooring for a number of species of whales. Taking a zodiac excursion from a the city like Chéticamp or Delightful Bay will give you an out of this world probability of seeing them up shut.
There’s not anything slightly like the instant a pod of pilot whales surfaces close to your boat. It’s an impressive reminder of simply how wild this nook of the rustic actually is.
Issues to Do at the South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore is picture-postcard territory. That is the place you’ll in finding the old fashioned fishing villages, ancient lighthouses, and vibrant seashore properties the province is known for. It’s an out of this world space for a scenic, stress-free pressure.
Discover Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is without doubt one of the maximum photographed puts in Canada, and it lives as much as the hype. The vintage lighthouse perched on a mountain of big granite boulders is a scene you gained’t omit.
Our best possible recommendation is to move early within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from the height excursion bus crowds. And please, appreciate the caution indicators and keep off the rainy, black rocks. The waves listed here are unpredictable and perilous.
Wander the Streets of Lunenburg
Lunenburg is a private favorite of ours. As a UNESCO International Heritage website online, all of the outdated the city is a secure ancient space, and its distinctive colonial structure is amazingly well-preserved.
We like simply wandering the hilly streets and admiring the vibrant constructions. It’s additionally the house port of the well-known Bluenose II schooner, so you should definitely test if it’s within the harbour while you go to.
Consult with Mahone Bay and the 3 Church buildings
Simply down the street from Lunenburg is the stunning the city of Mahone Bay. It’s well-known for one iconic view: the 3 ancient church buildings that line up completely alongside the waterfront.
Whilst it makes for a wonderful picture, the city itself is value exploring. It’s stuffed with nice little artisan retail outlets and cafes and has a extra at ease really feel than a few of its extra well-known neighbours.
Cross Kayaking in Blue Rocks
If you wish to see what an actual, running fishing village looks as if, head to Blue Rocks. Situated only some mins out of doors Lunenburg, this tiny group of fishing shacks, fishing boats, and stacked lobster traps feels a global clear of the vacationer observe.
The waters across the scattered islands are slightly sheltered, making it one in every of our favorite spots for a guided sea kayaking excursion.
Hike at Kejimkujik Nationwide Park Beach
Whilst the primary a part of Kejimkujik Nationwide Park is inland, the Beach adjunct is an out of this world forestall at the South Shore. The Harbour Rocks Path is a simple 5.2 km hike that takes you to a wonderful sea coast of turquoise water and white sand. We all the time see seals sunning themselves at the rocks right here.
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley Studies
This a part of Nova Scotia is all about dramatic herbal forces. The Bay of Fundy is house to the best tides on Earth, making a panorama that adjustments totally two times an afternoon. Simply inland, the fertile Annapolis Valley gives a miles gentler, however similarly fascinating, revel in.
Revel in the International’s Easiest Tides
It’s exhausting to wrap your head across the scale of the tides right here till you spot the proof. Two times an afternoon, 160 billion tonnes of water float out and in of the bay, inflicting the water degree to upward push up to 16 metres (52 toes).
The secret is to go to a place like Corridor’s Harbour at low tide after which go back six hours later for top tide. Seeing the fishing boats pass from sitting at the muddy ocean ground to floating top above is one of the simplest ways to understand this herbal surprise.
Cross Tidal Bore Rafting
This is without doubt one of the most original adventures we’ve had in Canada. You head out on a zodiac at the Shubenacadie River whilst the water is low, and you then journey the incoming tidal bore, a wave created by way of the huge tide, because it rushes up the river.
You are going to be crashing thru large, muddy waves and getting totally soaked. It’s an absolute thrill and one thing you gained’t omit.
Stroll at the Ocean Flooring at Burntcoat Head Park
That is the very spot the place the sector’s best tides had been formally recorded. At low tide, the water recedes, permitting you to stroll at the ocean ground for kilometres. You’ll discover the tide swimming pools and spot the “flowerpot” sea stacks up shut.
You completely should test the tide time table ahead of you pass. The water is available in a lot quicker than you’d suppose. You’ll actually have a distinctive eating revel in by way of consuming at the ocean ground at Burntcoat Head Park. How a laugh is that?
Cross Wine Tasting within the Annapolis Valley
After the wild adventures at the bay, the Annapolis Valley gives a really perfect exchange of tempo. That is Nova Scotia’s wine nation, generating very good cool-climate wines.
We advise 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 at ease afternoon.
Consult with Grand-Pré Nationwide Ancient Website
This tough UNESCO International Heritage Website tells the tale 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 website online itself is lovely and non violent, with a memorial church and gardens overlooking the unique dykelands that the Acadians created.
Distinctive Nova Scotia Meals Studies
You’ll’t speak about Nova Scotia with out speaking concerning the meals. The seafood here’s a few of the hottest on the planet, however there are a couple of different native specialties you want to check out to get an actual style of where. Those are a couple of of our non-negotiable meals reviews.
Devour a Lobster Roll
You are going to see lobster rolls on near to each menu, and for excellent reason why. A correct Nova Scotia lobster roll isn’t difficult or fussy, it’s only a beneficiant pile of unpolluted lobster meat, calmly dressed with mayo or melted butter, and served in a toasted, top-split bun.
The most efficient ones we’ve had ceaselessly come from small, unassuming seafood shacks by way of the aspect of the street. Don’t overthink it; simply order one each time you get the danger.
Take a look at Digby Scallops
The city of Digby is house to some of the global’s greatest scallop fishing fleets, and the scallops from those waters are well-known for being extremely brand new, candy, and comfortable.
Whether or not you might have them completely pan-seared or calmly fried, they’re a real style of the area. We all the time make some extent to reserve them after we see them on a menu.
Bask in a Donair
This one may marvel you, however the donair is the reliable meals of Halifax. It’s a singular take at the Turkish doner kebab, made with spiced flooring red meat 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 will sound somewhat unusual, nevertheless it’s a neighborhood obsession and without equal late-night snack. You’ve gotten to check out it at least one time.
Sensible Data for Making plans Your Shuttle to Nova Scotia
Ok, now that you’ve got an concept of what you wish to have to do, let’s duvet the logistics. Right here’s our easy recommendation on plan your go to to Nova Scotia.
Easiest Time to Consult with Nova Scotia
The most well liked time to go to is right through the summer season months of July and August. The elements is heat and sunny, and the entirety is open and in complete swing. Then again, this may be the busiest and most costly time.
Our favorite time to go to is in September. The elements remains to be stunning, the summer season crowds have thinned out, and the autumn colors start to seem within the Cape Breton Highlands. Spring will also be unpredictable and wet, whilst wintry weather is reserved for the in point of fact hardy.
Attending to Nova Scotia
You’ve gotten a couple of choices for buying to the province, relying on the place you’re coming from.
- Via Air: The Halifax Stanfield World Airport (YHZ) is the primary gateway to the province, with connections throughout Canada and the world over.
- Via Automotive: In the event you’re using, the primary access level is by means of the Trans-Canada Freeway from neighbouring New Brunswick.
- Via Ferry: Automobile ferries perform from Prince Edward Island, Saint John, New Brunswick, or even Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), providing a scenic choice.
Getting Round
We will be able to’t pressure this sufficient: it is important to hire a automobile to correctly discover Nova Scotia. Out of doors of Halifax, public transportation could be very restricted. This province is made for road-tripping, and having your individual car will give you the liberty to discover by yourself time table.
The place to Keep in Nova Scotia
Lodging can ebook up months upfront, particularly for the height summer time, so we propose reserving forward. We now have an entire information devoted to The place to Keep in Nova Scotia this is in response to all our journeys out East.
In Halifax, you’ll in finding a lot of primary motels to choose between. Within the smaller cities alongside the South Shore and the Cabot Path, we like staying within the native accommodations, B&Bs, and apartment cottages for a extra non-public revel in.
Nova Scotia FAQ
We get a large number of questions on making plans a travel to Nova Scotia. Listed here are the solutions to some of the maximum commonplace ones.
It’s tricky to pick out only one, however the two most famed points of interest are the Cabot Path and Peggy’s Cove. The Cabot Path in Cape Breton is thought of as some of the global’s maximum scenic drives, whilst the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is the long-lasting symbol of a maritime fishing village.
We advise a minimum of 7 to ten days to get a excellent really feel for the province. This will give you sufficient time to discover Halifax, pressure the Cabot Path with out dashing, and spot one of the South Shore. You probably have two weeks, that’s even higher.
July and August have the warmest, maximum dependable climate, however they’re additionally the busiest months. We expect September is the most productive time to go to. The elements remains to be delightful, the huge summer season crowds are long past, and the autumn colors begin to seem within the highlands.
No, and we wouldn’t suggest looking to. Whilst it would glance manageable on a map, Nova Scotia is a big province full of issues to look. Riding the Cabot Path loop on my own can take a complete day. To correctly revel in it, you want to plot for a multi-day avenue travel.
Nova Scotia is a kind of locations that in point of fact delivers. It’s greater than only a number of lovely attractions; it’s a province with an actual sense of position and a heat, welcoming spirit. We’ve cherished each travel 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 avenue travel or a soothing getaway in a ancient the city, you’ll in finding it right here. We are hoping this information has given you the arrogance and concepts you want to begin making plans your individual journey.
Editor’s Word: This information used to be initially printed in 2021 and has been totally up to date for 2025 to verify all knowledge is correct and present.
After greater than twenty years of travelling the sector, you get lovely excellent at recognizing the adaptation between tourism hype and an original revel in. Nova Scotia is the true factor.
We’ve road-tripped throughout Canada from coast to coast, exploring one of the best possible and most pretty towns in Canada, and there’s a reason why we stay coming again right here. It’s a spot that doesn’t desire a filter out. From the rugged, windswept sea coast of the Cabot Path to the vigorous pubs in Halifax pouring native beer. It feels lived-in, welcoming, and without end fascinating.
We created this information as a result of we understand how irritating it may be to turn up someplace and really feel such as you’re lacking the most productive 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 truthful, no-fluff information to the most productive issues to do in Nova Scotia that can assist you plan your individual journey.
Fast Record: Most sensible 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 reviews we propose prioritizing on your travel. We’ve completed all of them, and so they constitute the most productive of what the province has to supply.
- Pressure the Cabot Path: One of the crucial scenic drives on the planet, this can be a must-do for its coastal perspectives and rugged highlands.
- Discover Halifax’s Waterfront: The guts of the town is its bustling waterfront, full of historical past, nice meals, and harbour perspectives.
- Consult with Peggy’s Cove: House to probably the most iconic lighthouses in Canada, this picturesque fishing village is well worth the go to.
- Wander the Lunenburg Waterfront: A UNESCO International Heritage Website, its vibrant colonial constructions make it some of the prettiest cities within the nation.
- Cross Tidal Bore Rafting: For an actual journey, journey the incoming tide of the Bay of Fundy on a zodiac. It’s a singular thrill you gained’t in finding anyplace else.
Easiest Issues to Do in Halifax
Halifax is the colourful center of Nova Scotia, a town the place maritime historical past meets a full of life, trendy power. We all the time make it our first or closing forestall on any travel to the province as it units the easiest tone. Listed here are a couple of of our favorite issues to do within the town.
Stroll the Halifax Waterfront
You’ll’t actually say you’ve been to Halifax till you’ve frolicked on its waterfront. It stretches for a number of kilometres and is the real pulse of the town.
We like grabbing a espresso and simply looking at the tall ships and harbour ferries pass by way of. You’ll in finding the entirety from museums and playgrounds to breweries and meals stalls serving up brand new seafood. It’s the easiest position to get a really feel for the town.
Consult with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
This can be a actually transferring revel in. Pier 21 used to be the gateway to Canada for over one million immigrants, and this museum tells their tales with unbelievable care and element.
It will give you a profound sense of the hope and hardship that formed such a lot of Canadian households. We expect it’s a must-visit to grasp a very important piece of our nationwide tale.
Discover the Halifax Public Gardens
When the power of the town will get to be just a little a lot, the Public Gardens are our go-to spot to unwind. Those are one of the greatest surviving Victorian gardens in North The united states.
It’s a wonderful and non violent position for a quiet walk a number of the fountains, flower beds, and outdated, shady timber. It’s a really perfect, low-key afternoon job.
Excursion Alexander Keith’s Brewery
This is without doubt one of the maximum entertaining brewery excursions we’ve ever taken. Omit a dry, technical rationalization of brewing. Right here, actors in Nineteenth-century costumes information you during the ancient brewery with songs and tales. It’s a full of life and a laugh strategy to spend an hour, and sure, you get to pattern the well-known beer.
Benefit from the View from Castle Hill Nationwide Ancient Website
For the most productive panoramic view of Halifax, you must make the stroll as much as Castle Hill. This large, star-shaped castle has been looking at over the harbour for hundreds of years.
We advise timing your go to to listen to the firing of the midday gun, a convention that occurs on a daily basis. The view of the downtown core and the harbour from the ramparts is well worth the climb on my own.
Issues to Do at 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 upper, and the Celtic song will get louder. This a part of Nova Scotia is an journey in itself, and it’s a bucket-list vacation spot for a reason why.
Pressure the well-known Cabot Path
Other folks name this some of the global’s best possible 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 unbelievable perspectives of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Our best possible recommendation is to provide it time. The most important mistake you’ll make is making an attempt to hurry it in one day. Take two or 3 days, pull over at each lookout, and discover the small villages alongside the way in which.
Hike the Skyline Path
In the event you handiest 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 sea coast.
It’s an iconic Canadian view for a reason why, and it’s an extremely in style spot for sundown. Stay your eyes peeled for moose; we’ve ceaselessly noticed them grazing within the meadows close to the beginning of the path.
Consult with the Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Ancient Website
We weren’t positive what to anticipate right here, however this museum within the the city of Baddeck is in fact interesting. Alexander Graham Bell used to be so a lot more than the fellow who invented the phone; he labored on the entirety from airplanes and hydrofoils to large kites.
The website online is stuffed with his actual artifacts, innovations, and private results. It’s a super glance into the lifetime of a real genius and a really perfect rainy-day job.
Discover the Citadel of Louisbourg Nationwide Ancient Website
This isn’t your reasonable ancient website online. Louisbourg is a large, dwelling reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortified the city. The size of it’s exhausting to realize till you might be strolling its streets. It’s in reality North The united states’s greatest ancient reconstruction mission.
You’ll simply spend a complete day right here interacting with costumed interpreters, looking at blacksmiths at paintings, or even consuming fresh-baked bread from the length bakery. It’s probably the most immersive ancient reviews we’ve had in Canada.
Cross Whale Looking at
The waters off the coast of Cape Breton are a wealthy feeding flooring for a number of species of whales. Taking a zodiac excursion from a the city like Chéticamp or Delightful Bay will give you an out of this world probability of seeing them up shut.
There’s not anything slightly like the instant a pod of pilot whales surfaces close to your boat. It’s an impressive reminder of simply how wild this nook of the rustic actually is.
Issues to Do at the South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore is picture-postcard territory. That is the place you’ll in finding the old fashioned fishing villages, ancient lighthouses, and vibrant seashore properties the province is known for. It’s an out of this world space for a scenic, stress-free pressure.
Discover Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is without doubt one of the maximum photographed puts in Canada, and it lives as much as the hype. The vintage lighthouse perched on a mountain of big granite boulders is a scene you gained’t omit.
Our best possible recommendation is to move early within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from the height excursion bus crowds. And please, appreciate the caution indicators and keep off the rainy, black rocks. The waves listed here are unpredictable and perilous.
Wander the Streets of Lunenburg
Lunenburg is a private favorite of ours. As a UNESCO International Heritage website online, all of the outdated the city is a secure ancient space, and its distinctive colonial structure is amazingly well-preserved.
We like simply wandering the hilly streets and admiring the vibrant constructions. It’s additionally the house port of the well-known Bluenose II schooner, so you should definitely test if it’s within the harbour while you go to.
Consult with Mahone Bay and the 3 Church buildings
Simply down the street from Lunenburg is the stunning the city of Mahone Bay. It’s well-known for one iconic view: the 3 ancient church buildings that line up completely alongside the waterfront.
Whilst it makes for a wonderful picture, the city itself is value exploring. It’s stuffed with nice little artisan retail outlets and cafes and has a extra at ease really feel than a few of its extra well-known neighbours.
Cross Kayaking in Blue Rocks
If you wish to see what an actual, running fishing village looks as if, head to Blue Rocks. Situated only some mins out of doors Lunenburg, this tiny group of fishing shacks, fishing boats, and stacked lobster traps feels a global clear of the vacationer observe.
The waters across the scattered islands are slightly sheltered, making it one in every of our favorite spots for a guided sea kayaking excursion.
Hike at Kejimkujik Nationwide Park Beach
Whilst the primary a part of Kejimkujik Nationwide Park is inland, the Beach adjunct is an out of this world forestall at the South Shore. The Harbour Rocks Path is a simple 5.2 km hike that takes you to a wonderful sea coast of turquoise water and white sand. We all the time see seals sunning themselves at the rocks right here.
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley Studies
This a part of Nova Scotia is all about dramatic herbal forces. The Bay of Fundy is house to the best tides on Earth, making a panorama that adjustments totally two times an afternoon. Simply inland, the fertile Annapolis Valley gives a miles gentler, however similarly fascinating, revel in.
Revel in the International’s Easiest Tides
It’s exhausting to wrap your head across the scale of the tides right here till you spot the proof. Two times an afternoon, 160 billion tonnes of water float out and in of the bay, inflicting the water degree to upward push up to 16 metres (52 toes).
The secret is to go to a place like Corridor’s Harbour at low tide after which go back six hours later for top tide. Seeing the fishing boats pass from sitting at the muddy ocean ground to floating top above is one of the simplest ways to understand this herbal surprise.
Cross Tidal Bore Rafting
This is without doubt one of the most original adventures we’ve had in Canada. You head out on a zodiac at the Shubenacadie River whilst the water is low, and you then journey the incoming tidal bore, a wave created by way of the huge tide, because it rushes up the river.
You are going to be crashing thru large, muddy waves and getting totally soaked. It’s an absolute thrill and one thing you gained’t omit.
Stroll at the Ocean Flooring at Burntcoat Head Park
That is the very spot the place the sector’s best tides had been formally recorded. At low tide, the water recedes, permitting you to stroll at the ocean ground for kilometres. You’ll discover the tide swimming pools and spot the “flowerpot” sea stacks up shut.
You completely should test the tide time table ahead of you pass. The water is available in a lot quicker than you’d suppose. You’ll actually have a distinctive eating revel in by way of consuming at the ocean ground at Burntcoat Head Park. How a laugh is that?
Cross Wine Tasting within the Annapolis Valley
After the wild adventures at the bay, the Annapolis Valley gives a really perfect exchange of tempo. That is Nova Scotia’s wine nation, generating very good cool-climate wines.
We advise 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 at ease afternoon.
Consult with Grand-Pré Nationwide Ancient Website
This tough UNESCO International Heritage Website tells the tale 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 website online itself is lovely and non violent, with a memorial church and gardens overlooking the unique dykelands that the Acadians created.
Distinctive Nova Scotia Meals Studies
You’ll’t speak about Nova Scotia with out speaking concerning the meals. The seafood here’s a few of the hottest on the planet, however there are a couple of different native specialties you want to check out to get an actual style of where. Those are a couple of of our non-negotiable meals reviews.
Devour a Lobster Roll
You are going to see lobster rolls on near to each menu, and for excellent reason why. A correct Nova Scotia lobster roll isn’t difficult or fussy, it’s only a beneficiant pile of unpolluted lobster meat, calmly dressed with mayo or melted butter, and served in a toasted, top-split bun.
The most efficient ones we’ve had ceaselessly come from small, unassuming seafood shacks by way of the aspect of the street. Don’t overthink it; simply order one each time you get the danger.
Take a look at Digby Scallops
The city of Digby is house to some of the global’s greatest scallop fishing fleets, and the scallops from those waters are well-known for being extremely brand new, candy, and comfortable.
Whether or not you might have them completely pan-seared or calmly fried, they’re a real style of the area. We all the time make some extent to reserve them after we see them on a menu.
Bask in a Donair
This one may marvel you, however the donair is the reliable meals of Halifax. It’s a singular take at the Turkish doner kebab, made with spiced flooring red meat 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 will sound somewhat unusual, nevertheless it’s a neighborhood obsession and without equal late-night snack. You’ve gotten to check out it at least one time.
Sensible Data for Making plans Your Shuttle to Nova Scotia
Ok, now that you’ve got an concept of what you wish to have to do, let’s duvet the logistics. Right here’s our easy recommendation on plan your go to to Nova Scotia.
Easiest Time to Consult with Nova Scotia
The most well liked time to go to is right through the summer season months of July and August. The elements is heat and sunny, and the entirety is open and in complete swing. Then again, this may be the busiest and most costly time.
Our favorite time to go to is in September. The elements remains to be stunning, the summer season crowds have thinned out, and the autumn colors start to seem within the Cape Breton Highlands. Spring will also be unpredictable and wet, whilst wintry weather is reserved for the in point of fact hardy.
Attending to Nova Scotia
You’ve gotten a couple of choices for buying to the province, relying on the place you’re coming from.
- Via Air: The Halifax Stanfield World Airport (YHZ) is the primary gateway to the province, with connections throughout Canada and the world over.
- Via Automotive: In the event you’re using, the primary access level is by means of the Trans-Canada Freeway from neighbouring New Brunswick.
- Via Ferry: Automobile ferries perform from Prince Edward Island, Saint John, New Brunswick, or even Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), providing a scenic choice.
Getting Round
We will be able to’t pressure this sufficient: it is important to hire a automobile to correctly discover Nova Scotia. Out of doors of Halifax, public transportation could be very restricted. This province is made for road-tripping, and having your individual car will give you the liberty to discover by yourself time table.
The place to Keep in Nova Scotia
Lodging can ebook up months upfront, particularly for the height summer time, so we propose reserving forward. We now have an entire information devoted to The place to Keep in Nova Scotia this is in response to all our journeys out East.
In Halifax, you’ll in finding a lot of primary motels to choose between. Within the smaller cities alongside the South Shore and the Cabot Path, we like staying within the native accommodations, B&Bs, and apartment cottages for a extra non-public revel in.
Nova Scotia FAQ
We get a large number of questions on making plans a travel to Nova Scotia. Listed here are the solutions to some of the maximum commonplace ones.
It’s tricky to pick out only one, however the two most famed points of interest are the Cabot Path and Peggy’s Cove. The Cabot Path in Cape Breton is thought of as some of the global’s maximum scenic drives, whilst the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is the long-lasting symbol of a maritime fishing village.
We advise a minimum of 7 to ten days to get a excellent really feel for the province. This will give you sufficient time to discover Halifax, pressure the Cabot Path with out dashing, and spot one of the South Shore. You probably have two weeks, that’s even higher.
July and August have the warmest, maximum dependable climate, however they’re additionally the busiest months. We expect September is the most productive time to go to. The elements remains to be delightful, the huge summer season crowds are long past, and the autumn colors begin to seem within the highlands.
No, and we wouldn’t suggest looking to. Whilst it would glance manageable on a map, Nova Scotia is a big province full of issues to look. Riding the Cabot Path loop on my own can take a complete day. To correctly revel in it, you want to plot for a multi-day avenue travel.
Nova Scotia is a kind of locations that in point of fact delivers. It’s greater than only a number of lovely attractions; it’s a province with an actual sense of position and a heat, welcoming spirit. We’ve cherished each travel 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 avenue travel or a soothing getaway in a ancient the city, you’ll in finding it right here. We are hoping this information has given you the arrogance and concepts you want to begin making plans your individual journey.
