A crown jewel of the Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia provides a coastal dreamscape for travelers hoping to find a world apart. Though Canada’s second smallest province, Nova Scotia offers a world of culture, history, outdoor fun, seafood and local fare, and unmatched scenery. Let the salty sea air waft through your hair and explore the rich history of this seaside region when you check out these 10 must-see attractions in Nova Scotia!
See the hill that started it all for Halifax! (Hint: it’s far more than just a hill!) The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site gives visitors the unique chance to explore – and even touch – a central piece of the military history of Halifax. This is a living history museum, complete with reenactors. The army museum showcases Canada’s military history, starting at WWI. Fun events include the sentry change every hour, ghost tours, and the opportunity to be a soldier for a day! This three hour program gives visitors the chance to step back in time and become a mid-19th century Highlander for the day. Adults and kids alike will not want to miss this site that is an entertaining as it is educational.
Whether you’ve been on the high seas or admired from the shore, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is an ideal Halifax destination. Located along the waterfront, this museum showcases a collection of tens of thousands of artifacts. Schedule plenty of time to explore the variety of exhibits, including a special, permanent exhibit on the Titanic! Be sure to walk aboard the CSS Acadia, the only ship left today to serve in World War I and World War II, for the Royal Canadian Navy. The museum also hosts special monthly programs, tours and events.
Just south of Halifax, in central Nova Scotia, is a wonderful fishing community worth visiting. The name of the community is Peggy’s Cove, after the cove of the same name. Peggy’s Cove, situated along the east shore of St. Margarets Bay, was established as Peggs Harbour in 1766. By the early 1900s, German settlers continued fishing for a living and built a lobster cannery, schoolhouse, general store and church. Each year, many tourists visit this quaint village, which includes Peggys Point Lighthouse. This red and white lighthouse, built in 1914, sits on the granite outcrop at the eastern entrance to St. Margarets Bay. It’s a must-visit on any stay in Halifax. While visiting Peggy’s Cove, stop by Lunenburg, about an hour away. This historic town, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, is the best example of a planned British colonial settlement in Canada. Its unique architecture, art galleries, vast array of dining experiences and carriage rides will make you feel like you are walking through a storybook!
The very first national park to open in the Atlantic provinces of Canada was Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This park is a true beauty to behold, with gorgeous ocean and mountain views, alike. Explorers of the park will weave their way through mountains, forests, waterfalls, valleys, coastline and the park’s namesake, the Cape Breton Highlands, a tundra-like plateau. Though numerous kinds of wildlife can be spotted in the park, whales can often be seen from the park’s coastal hiking trails, like the Skyline Trail. Viewing these mighty mammals in the park is a unique experience for any traveler.
Operated by the Canadian National Parks system, Kejimkujik National Park is located in Queens County and Annapolis County in Nova Scotia. Encompassing 404 square kilometers of Atlantic Canada, Keji is also known as the Kejimkujik National Historic Site. Established in 1974, Keji features waterways like Kejimikujik Lake, Mersey River, and Still Brook – along with the 25-kilometer Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct. Kejimkujik National Park also offers over 15 hiking trails, wildlife and dark sky viewing, biking, water sports, and fishing.
Peggy’s Cove may have the one of the most heavily photographed lighthouses, but there’s plenty of others in Nova Scotia for any lighthouse lover to explore! The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society has a list of lighthouses on its website, including those open to the public. Some popular ones include Fort Point Lighthouse Park, the Cape Forchu Lightstation, the Brier Island Lighthouse, and the Masstown Market Lighthouse. These beautiful structures have spent centuries protecting the provinces seafarers and citizens, standing tall against time and the elements. No visit to Nova Scotia would be complete without viewing a few! While completing the trail, be sure to book a visit at a nearby Best Western hotel to give yourself ample time to view and explore these timeless focal points of maritime history.
Visiting Nova Scotia over Columbus Day weekend? Be sure to visit the Yarmouth Seaside Festival! This volunteer-run event fosters Yarmouth’s sense of community spirit and pride. The whole family will find something to do, with a craft fair, kayak and canoe race, 5k road race, pie-eating contests, children’s events, a parade, a firework display and more! This is a truly authentic, community event that shouldn’t be missed! Book a stay at a nearby Best Western hotel, and experience all the Yarmouth Seaside Festival has to offer!
Want to tour coastal Nova Scotia and see the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning Bay of Fundy in one day by motorcycle? It can be done! Start off in Halifax, the largest city within the Maritime Provinces, and cruise your way through great locations like Bridgewater, Liverpool, and Yarmouth. This is where you really explore the coast of Nova Scotia’s southern shores. Try to see Boston from the Cape Forchu Lightstation, then begin north on Highway 101 along St. Mary’s Bay. Next, you’ll reach Digby – yet another scenic city set on the Bay of Fundy. Find your inner child at Upper Clements Amusement Park, or continue the loop on the 101 passed Kingston, straight back to Halifax! Whether you make the round in one day, or spend a little time in each of these beautiful cities, you’ll want to book a stay at one o of the nearby rider-friendly Best Western hotels to rest up and truly enjoy the ride!
Canada isn’t the only thing celebrating an important birthday in 2017. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fort Anne becoming Canada’s first National Historic site. This military fort, erected in 1629, is located on 15 beautiful hectares in Annapolis Royal. Visitors can explore the remnants of various 18th and 19th century buildings and even take pictures in costume (great fun for kids!). For a more interactive experience, kids 6-11 can take part in the Xplorers program to become an official Fort Anne Xplorer and earn a certificate and special limited edition souvenir! The fort also offers a GPS system, Explora, to have a virtual tour guide tailor your visit to your specific interests.
History is alive in downtown Halifax. In 1867, two older parks combined to create the beautiful, 16-acre Halifax Public Gardens. These beautiful Victorian gardens, a National Historic Site, have kept their original character through the years, from the efforts of many horticulturists and gardeners. The gardens feature ornate fountains, urns, statues, more than one hundred species of trees and a beautiful array of flower beds. Enjoy strolling through the gardens admiring the green lawns, shrubs and carpet bedding displays. During the summer, enjoy listening to the live concerts held on the garden’s bandstand!