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Nova Scotia Travel Guide

Last Updated: November 10, 2023

That welcoming atmosphere — combined with over 100 beaches, picturesque lighthouses, fresh seafood, and endless rugged coastline — makes visiting Nova Scotia an exciting (and underrated) destination in Eastern Canada.

Outside the capital city of Halifax, Nova Scotia is dotted with tiny fishing villages and coastal towns. Drive further north, and you’ll hit scenic Cape Breton Island which comes alive with vivid fall foliage each year along its Cabot Trail. In short, Nova Scotia is a province perfect for road trips.

Another bonus: Nova Scotia doesn’t see nearly as many tourists as the country’s larger cities, making it a somewhat off-the-beaten-trail destination that’s much more affordable than many of the more popular cities in Canada.

This travel guide to Nova Scotia can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this beautiful east coast province!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Nova Scotia

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Nova Scotia

1. Hike the Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail is easily the most popular hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It stretches 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) through thick forest and then along the coast to reach a viewing platform overlooking the ocean. It’s a breathtaking walk on which you might even encounter moose. The hike is suitable for all levels and takes between 1.5-3 hours. Make sure to bring your own water, good shoes, and clothing layers as the weather can change quickly. The most popular time to visit is July, August, and September but many people come to see the autumn leaves change in October. Park admission is 8.50 CAD.

2. Tour the Alexander Keith’s Brewery

Alexander Keith is a legend in Nova Scotia. He opened his brewery in 1820, became mayor of Halifax, and was so wildly popular that Halifax throws a massive birthday party for him on the waterfront every October. Today, the 200-year-old brewery is one of the oldest in North America. Take a tour of the Halifax brewery to learn more and sample some of the limited edition beers at “Stag’s Head” pub at the end of the tour. Tours are 29.95 CAD.

3. Hang out in Halifax

Halifax is Nova Scotia’s cool capital city. It’s home to half a dozen universities so it has a lively nightlife, a thriving music scene, and countless trendy restaurants and craft breweries. Stroll the waterfront boardwalk, grab a lobster roll, and spend the evening at a local pub. Take the ferry over to Dartmouth across the harbor, known as ‘Halifax’s Brooklyn’ and check out the live music at New Scotland Brewing Company. The city has a youthful, arty vibe and is worth visiting for a couple of days.

4. Visit Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse

There are some 170 lighthouses in Nova Scotia, but Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the most famous. Once you see it, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. It’s a quintessential red-topped lighthouse standing on a rocky shore overlooking the Atlantic. Walk around and enjoy the ocean views and snap some photos. Beware: rogue waves are common, even on calm days. It’s possible to reach the lighthouse via bus and taxi but it is much easier by car.

5. Drive the Cabot Trail

Other things to see and do in nova scotia, 1. go tidal bore rafting in shubenacadie.

The Shubenacadie River’s rapids in the Bay of Fundy are powered by the highest tides in the world. One minute you’re floating down a peaceful river keeping an eye out for bald eagles and other wildlife and the next minute the river turns into a raging, foaming mass of rapids. When the tide changes twice a day, the tidal bore temporarily reverses the flow of the river, resulting in this wild river ride. A four-hour tour includes the guided rafting excursion, safety flotation gear, extra mud sliding on request (yes!), and post-rafting showers for when you need to clean up. Make sure to bring an extra clean change of clothes as well as a towel. A four-hour rafting trip starts at 95 CAD.

2. Go whale watching

In the summer and fall, 12 species of whales visit the waters around Nova Scotia, including pilot whales, minke whales, giant humpbacks, and the endangered North Atlantic right whale. There are tons of whale-watching tours to choose from in the area, with most operating outside of Halifax. Mariner Cruises takes you out for a 2.5-hour boating tour for 50 CAD departing from Westport on Brier Island, while larger groups like Lunenburg Whale Watching Tours start at 70 CAD.

3. Enjoy summer on the water

Summer is short in Nova Scotia, so when the weather is nice and the sun comes out, Nova Scotians hit the water to go sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. Surfing is also big here, with Lawrencetown Beach being one of the more popular areas to find the biggest waves. Go swimming at Melmerby Beach or take a kayak around Kejimkujik National Park. Kayak rentals cost around 25 CAD for two hours or 32 CAD for the entire day.

4. Wander the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

Spanning 17 acres of greenery, these historical gardens overlook a tidal river valley and include an enormous rose collection (best seen in July) as well as an 18th-century Governor’s Garden and a 19th-century Victorian Garden. You can check out the reconstructed 1671 Acadian House or grab a coffee and light lunch at The Elm Tree Café (seasonal). It’s 16 CAD to visit except November to April when there is only a suggested donation of 5 CAD as the Gardens are not maintained during the winter months.

5. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site

This museum in Cape Breton is host to a rich collection of artifacts and documents chronicling the life and career of Bell, the inventor of the telephone. The collection was accumulated by his family during their time here in Baddeck, Cape Breton. In the parlor, you can see Bell’s personal effects, like his favorite jacket, notebook, and walking stick. You can also take a behind-the-scenes “White Glove Tour” of the artifact storage facilities. The site is open May-October and admission is 8.50 CAD (13 CAD for the white glove tour).

6. Explore the Highland Village Museum

Over the centuries, the Canadian Maritimes have been heavily influenced by Scottish and Irish immigration. This outdoor pioneer museum and Gaelic culture experience highlights that history. The 43-acre site overlooking Bras d’Or Lake includes historic buildings like three frame houses, a mill, and a forge. You can take part in a traditional céilidh dance, hear Gaelic singing, and even practice a little of the language yourself. It’s open from June to October and costs 11 CAD.

7. Tour the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

This museum depicts Nova Scotia’s maritime history with exhibits on boatbuilding, World War II convoys, the Titanic, and the Halifax Explosion (a huge disaster that happened in 1917, when two ships carrying ammunition ran into each other and destroyed much of the city). It’s a very comprehensive overview of the region’s history. Admission is 5.15 CAD from November-April and 9.55 CAD from May-October.

8. Visit nearby New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island

These two provinces are close to Nova Scotia and can be visited as day trips (or multi-day trips) if you have your own vehicle. Don’t miss New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park to see the world’s highest tides. In P.E.I., you can soak up some tranquility on the sea (and eat lots of seafood) and visit the Anne of Green Gables house.

9. Explore Lunenburg

Lunenburg is one of the most colorful towns you’ll ever come across. With its narrow streets and colonial 18th- and 19th-century buildings painted in bright hues of pinks, oranges, and greens, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into the past. There are still tall ships in the harbor and even an operational blacksmith hammering away on the waterfront. The harbor is home to the famous Bluenose II, a replica schooner of the original Bluenose boat that’s featured on the Canadian dime (ten-cent coin). The Bluenose was a famous fishing/racing schooner that went undefeated in her 18-year run and is an iconic part of Canadian history.

10. Tour the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

If there’s just one museum you visit in Halifax, make it this one . Pier 21 was the immigration point for one million newcomers to Canada between 1928 and 1971. You’ll learn about 400 years of Canadian immigration history through first-person stories, archival photos, artifacts (including trunks and personal treasures), and digital documentation. Exhibits are incredibly interactive and you can even research your family’s pre-1935 immigration records from all ports of entry in North America. Admission is 15.50 CAD.

11. Relax in Kejimkujik National Park

For a taste of Maritime nature, come to this national park to paddle, hike, camp, and relax. Here you’ll find ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs), canoe routes, and coastal wilderness punctuated with sandy beaches and wildlife. To learn more about the Mi’kmaq people who traditionally have called the region home, join a storytelling session, take a guided petroglyph tour, or participate in a canoe-building workshop. Admission to the park is 6.25 CAD.

For more information on other destinations in Canada, check out these guides:

• Calgary Travel Guide
• Montreal Travel Guide
• Ottawa Travel Guide
• Quebec City Travel Guide
• Toronto Travel Guide
• Vancouver Travel Guide
• Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Nova Scotia Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels are virtually non-existent in Nova Scotia. The only exception is Halifax. A bed in a 4-6-person dorm costs 30-35 CAD per night. A private room costs about 78-90 CAD per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available around the province starting at 27 CAD per night. This gets you a basic plot without electricity for two people.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels start around 105 CAD per night for a place outside of Halifax. Within Halifax, most budget hotels start at around 130 CAD per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, and a coffee/tea maker. Prices are lower during the off-season.

Airbnb is available all around Nova Scotia. Private rooms start around 50-75 CAD per night, though they average double (or even triple) that price. An entire home/apartment costs around 100 CAD per night, though they average closer to 160 CAD (200 CAD in Halifax). Book early to find the best deals.

Food -In Nova Scotia, seafood is king. Be sure to try scallops and oysters, wild blueberries, lobster, and donair (thinly sliced beef in a pita with a sauce that’s similar to kebab; it’s the official food of Halifax). Also, be sure to sample more general Canadian staples like poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), beaver tails (fried dough with maple syrup), Canadian bacon, and the oddly tasty ketchup chips.

You can find cheap street food eats like donair for around 7 CAD (go to Johnny K’s), or a small pizza on Halifax’s “Pizza Corner” (an intersection at Blowers Street and Grafton Street full of pizza places) for less than 10 CAD.

A fast food combo meal (think McDonald’s) costs around 12 CAD. A lobster roll at an inexpensive restaurant is about 20 CAD, while lobster poutine is closer to 18 CAD. A bowl of pasta (such as scallop carbonara) costs around 20 CAD. A beer to go with it is about 7 CAD while a glass of wine starts at 9 CAD.

A meal at a higher-end restaurant costs about 40 CAD for a steak or duck entree without a drink, while lobster is closer to 55 CAD.

If you cook for yourself, expect to spend 50-65 CAD on groceries per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Some recommended places to eat include No. 9 Coffee Bar (Lunenburg), The Barn Coffee & Social House (Mahone Bay), The Economy Shoe Shop (Halifax), McKelvie’s Restaurant (Halifax), and The Wooden Monkey (Halifax).

Backpacking Nova Scotia Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Nova Scotia, expect to spend about 70 CAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transit to get around, and doing mostly free activities like swimming and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add another 10-15 CAD to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 180 CAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out for a few meals, enjoy a couple of drinks, rent a car to get around, and do more paid activities like rent a kayak, visit museums, and day trips to a nearby province.

On a “luxury” budget of 280 CAD per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car, drink more, eat out for most meals, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CAD.

Nova Scotia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Nova Scotia can be an affordable destination if you budget properly. It gets more expensive during peak summer season and early fall (everyone comes to see the leaves change color). Here are some of my ways to save money in Nova Scotia during your visit:

• Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find a Couchsurfing host in Halifax. This way, you not only have a free place to stay, but you’ll have a local host that can share their insider tips and advice.
• Take a free walking tour – Walking tours are a great way to get familiar with a city and its culture. Halifax Free Walking Tours offers daily informative walking tours in the summer. In the off-season, tours are available by request. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Look for free events – Many of Nova Scotia’s events and festivals are free, including Halifax’s Busker Festival in July. Many towns (like Pictou) also have free summer concerts in public spaces. Check the Tourism Nova Scotia website for more info!
• Go camping – If you want to camp, use novascotia.goingtocamp.com to find available campsites around the province. A two-person site costs around 27-35 CAD.
• Look for the happy hours – The Ultimate Happy Hours website lists all the happy hour drink and food specials around Halifax. They update with new info frequently!
• Get the Museum Pass – If you plan on visiting lots of museums, the Nova Scotia Museum Pass lets you pay one price to access any of the province’s museum sites. It’s valid for 12 months and costs 47 CAD.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia doesn’t have many hostels and most of the existing ones are in Halifax. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• HI Halifax Heritage House Hostel
• Halifax Backpacker
• Bear on the Lake Guesthouse

How to Get Around Nova Scotia

Public transportation – Halifax is the only major urban center in Nova Scotia and locals depend on a public bus system to get around. Halifax’s public buses can take you all around the inner city and into the suburbs, but the downtown area is very walkable. Fares are 2.75 CAD.

You can take the MetroX bus from the airport to downtown St. John’s for 4.25 CAD (exact change required). There’s also a ferry connecting downtown Halifax to Dartmouth for 2.75 CAD.

Bus – Taking the bus is the best way to get around Nova Scotia if you don’t have a car. Maritime Bus connects most towns in the province. A two-hour trip from Halifax to Lunenburg is 26 CAD, while Halifax to Mahone Bay takes an hour and costs 20.25 CAD. Halifax to Sydney (Cape Breton) costs 72 CAD and takes 6 hours.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Taxi – Taxis are not cheap here. Their base rate is 3.75 CAD, and it’s an additional 1.70 CAD per kilometer afterward. Prices add up fast so I’d avoid them if you can.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Halifax, but the city is easily walkable so I’d skip the ridesharing if you can.

Car Rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 30 CAD per day for a multi-day rental. If you want to take advantage of all that Nova Scotia has to offer, this is your best option. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is at its busiest in the summer, with the best weather occurring between June and August. Temperatures often exceed 25°C (78°F). Keep in mind that accommodation prices are higher during this time, but tourist attractions are never overly crowded compared to elsewhere in Canada.

Both early fall and late spring are also excellent times to visit. The weather is warm, you can do all the outdoor exploration you want, and the tourist season isn’t in full swing. This is the best time to drive Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail. The fall colors are particularly pretty.

Winters in Nova Scotia are cold and wet, with temperatures ranging between from -17-0°C (0-32°F) from December to March. If you come during this time, be prepared for all weather types and dress in layers because it is cold. Keep in mind that many businesses shut down for the winter (mostly outside of Halifax). In short, I’d avoid a winter visit unless you’re here for winter sports and activities.

How to Stay Safe in Nova Scotia

You don’t have to worry much about crime in Nova Scotia — it’s incredibly safe to visit. Your greatest risk is petty crime like pickpocketing, but even that is super rare. Overall, I really wouldn’t worry about crime here. Getting hurt hiking is more likely to happen than any crime!

Like much of rural Canada, Nova Scotia has ticks that carry Lyme Disease. If you’re hiking, try to wear long sleeves or pants, or stick to well-trodden trails. Check yourself for ticks after spending time in nature.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For more information, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs in the city.

If you’re visiting in the winter, make sure you keep an eye on the weather — especially if you’re driving a car. Road conditions can change rapidly.

Hurricanes can occasionally make it up to the Maritimes, so keep an eye on them if you’re visiting during hurricane season (June-November).

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems shady, get out. If your hotel or accommodation is seedier than you thought, go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, in case of an emergency.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Nova Scotia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Nova Scotia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Canada and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in Quebec City: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Toronto: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Canada Road Trip: A One Month Suggested Itinerary

How to Road Trip the Yukon on a Budget

How to See Alberta: A 10-Day Suggested Driving Itinerary

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Nova Scotia

Facing the wild swells of the Atlantic, Nova Scotia is heavily influenced by the sea. With its candy-striped lighthouses, salty fishing towns and towering red cliffs, this Maritime province feels thrillingly rugged and wild, especially in winter, when storms thrash the coastline and the ocean freezes. But come summer it's a different picture: Nova Scotians emerge to hike the trails, lounge on the beaches, tuck into gigantic lobster suppers and celebrate their Celtic roots with lively ceilidhs (parties with music and dancing). Life here has always been tough, but the locals' warm-hearted humor can't fail to make you feel welcome.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Nova Scotia. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

Cape Breton Island

The fortunes of the province that became Nova Scotia are inextricably bound up with this mighty fortress, built by the French but battled over countless…

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Telecommunications pioneer and inventor Alexander Graham Bell fell in love with Bras d'Or during a family holiday – apparently the hilly scenery reminded…

Citadel Hill National Historic Site

Perched atop the grassy hillock looming over town, this star-shaped fort played a key role in Halifax's founding. Construction began in 1749; the current…

Cape Chignecto Provincial Park

This isolated wilderness on the Bay of Fundy offers some of the best coastal hiking in Nova Scotia. The 55km coastal loop usually takes three days to…

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

There's an argument that this dockside museum is Canada's most important institution. Between 1928 and 1971, Pier 21 was the Canadian version of the USA's…

Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Located on the site of the Old Joggins No 7 Coal Mine, this impressive visitor center relates the story of the World Heritage–listed Joggins Fossil Cliffs…

Fort Anne National Historic Site

Annapolis Valley

The strategic importance of Annapolis Royal, particularly its access to the Annapolis River, led to decades of conflict, mostly centered on this…

Grand Pré National Historic Site

This interpretive center explains the historical context for the deportation of the French-Acadian people from Acadian, Mi'kmaw and British perspectives,…

Top picks from our travel experts

The 10 best things to do in nova scotia.

Trout Point Lodge

Situated at the edge of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, this fabulously luxurious forest lodge offers a taste of the wild blended with old-fashioned country…

Peggy's Point Lighthouse

The highlight of the cove is this picture-perfect lighthouse, built in 1914. It's supposedly the most photographed lighthouse in Canada, and for many…

Cape George Point Lighthouse

This handsome, scarlet-topped 110m lighthouse atop Cape George Point overlooks the calm waters of St Georges Bay. The present light (the third) was built…

The top 15 free things to do in Nova Scotia

Église Ste-Marie

The town of Church Point, also commonly known as Pointe de l'Église, takes its name from Église Ste-Marie, which towers over the town. Built between 1903…

Halifax Public Gardens

Established in 1867 to mark Confederation, but formally opened to the public in 1875, Halifax's delightful 6.5-hectare public gardens are a fine example…

Fort Point Lighthouse

Built in 1885, this lighthouse at the end of the spit of land overlooking Liverpool harbor stands on the place where Frenchmen Pierre Dugua and Samuel de…

St Paul's Church

The oldest surviving building in Halifax is also the oldest Protestant place of worship in Canada. Established in 1749 with the founding of Halifax, St…

Africville Heritage Trust Museum

Learn the story of Africville, Halifax's predominantly African suburb, the residents of which were evicted and their homes razed in what became the local…

William E deGarthe Gallery & Monument

Finnish-born local artist William deGarthe (1907–83) carved the magnificent Lasting Monument to Nova Scotian Fishermen into a 30m granite outcrop behind…

Cape Forchu Lightstation

Instantly recognisable thanks to its strange 'apple core' shape (designed to deflect winds around the structure), the present-day lighthouse on the lonely…

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Sea dogs will love this briny museum on the waterfront, which houses a huge collection of maritime memorabilia relating to Atlantic Canada's many nautical…

Bluenose II

Launched in 1963, this handsome replica of the Bluenose racing schooner (arguably the most famous boat in Canadian history, and certainly the only one to…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Transportation

One of Canada’s three “Maritime Provinces”, Nova Scotia is easy to navigate by car, bus, plane or bicycle. Here's how to do it.

Free Things to Do

Put away your wallet, grab your sunscreen and relax: many of the best things to do in Nova Scotia are free. 

Best Road Trips

This guide to the best road trips in Nova Scotia lets you discover the best roads, hikes (and scallops) in the province.

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Latest stories from Nova Scotia

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Nova Scotia and beyond

The ultimate Nova Scotia road trip: A one week itinerary

Iconic lighthouses, impressive coastal scenery, colourful fishing villages and experiencing east coast hospitality are just a few highlights of a Nova Scotia road trip, which is why this corner of Canada is so beloved.

Thanks to the province’s compact size it’s possible to see most of the highlights in just one week, which includes a couple of days exploring one of the world’s best driving destinations, the Cabot Trail.

This 7 day Nova Scotia itinerary has it all, from easy-going experiences like visiting historical landmarks and wine tasting, to spellbinding hikes and extreme rafting in the Bay of Fundy.

NS route planner

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 1-2: Halifax

The main airport is in Halifax, which makes the capital city a natural place to grab your rental car and kick off a trip to Nova Scotia.

It’s worth spending a couple of days here to check out the main attractions in Halifax , go whale watching, grab a donair or lobster roll and enjoy some live music at one of the bars along Argyle Street.

Get a lay of the land by strolling along the four-kilometre Harbourwalk, which winds along the colourful waterfront overlooking the Bedford Basin which is fed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Wander past the Historic Properties where three blocks-worth of warehouses and Victorian-era buildings dating back to the 1700s have been beautifully restored, and continue along the wharf all the way down to the Farmers’ Market and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

Other fun things to do in Halifax include:

• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: This museum houses a collection of artifacts from the doomed Titanic, since Halifax was the closest major port to where the storied ship sank.
• Alexander Keith’s Brewery: This brewery was founded in 1820 by Alexander Keith, who served three terms as the mayor of Halifax. While production has since moved to a larger location away from Lower Street, actors in period costumes take guests around the historical property and outline the company’s history and brewing process. In true east coast fashion, there’s also musical entertainment, stories and lots of beer samples. Click here to book
• The Citadel: This star-shaped fort overlooking the harbour was built in 1749 to protect the city, and is essentially responsible for the founding of Halifax since the British military was drawn to the easily-defendable perch on what is now called Citadel Hill.
• Halifax Public Gardens: Located along Spring Garden Road, these Victorian gardens span 16 acres in the heart of the city and have fountains, 140 different species of trees, gardens overflowing with vibrant flowers, carpet beds and statues.

Where to stay in Halifax

• The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites: This grand property has an incredible location across from the public gardens, down the street from the Citadel, and a short walk to the waterfront. There’s underground parking on-site, a bar and restaurant, and the rooms are clean and elegant. Click here to book
• The Westin Nova Scotian: The location can’t be beat, as the Westin is right on the waterfront a quick walk from attractions like Pier 21 and the farmer’s market. The luxe rooms feature their signature Heavenly Beds, and amenities include a gym, indoor pool and hot tub. Click here to book

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 3: The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route

Halifax to lunenburg: 75 minutes/100 km.

Hit the road to discover one of the best places to visit in Nova Scotia: the Peggys Cove lighthouse, found along the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route.

The 339 kilometre route winds along the coast between Halifax and Yarmouth, passing quaint fishing villages, beaches and picturesque lighthouses. Instead of doing the full drive, many people opt to stop in historic Lunenburg instead, which is what’s recommended if you only have one week in Nova Scotia.

The Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is one of Canada’s most photographed landmarks, thanks to its dramatic perch on a bed of boulders framed by St. Margaret’s Bay. While most people make a beeline for Peggys Point Lighthouse, it’s also worth spending a bit of time wandering around the tiny fishing village. 

Head down to the waterfront to watch locals reel in the likes of mackerel, tuna and lobster, check out the boats, nets and traps lining the shallow waters of the cove, then duck into the local gift shops and art galleries to pick up some east coast handicrafts.

There’s also a spa with a hydrotherapy circuit including a steam room, outdoor plunge pools and a sauna, which opened at Oceanstone Resort near the waterfront. 

Other great stops once you continue along the Nova Scotia South Shore is beautiful Queensland Beach, the seaside resort village of Chester, and the cute town of Mahone Bay.

Aim to arrive in Lunenburg in the early afternoon, to allow plenty of time to explore the town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps best known as being home to the famous racing schooner The Bluenose which is featured on the Canadian dime, most of the action in this seafaring spot is found along the waterfront.

Fun things to do in Lunenburg include:

• Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic: Visitors can explore retired fishing schooners in the working wharf, learn how to shuck a scallop and take a selfie with the skull of a giant fin whale.
• Lunenburg historic district: The narrow Montague, Pelham and Lincoln streets in old town Lunenburg are lined with the bright facades of shops and restaurants, and have plaques designating heritage properties dating back over a century.
• Ironworks Distillery: Nova Scotia’s first micro-distillery produces more than a dozen spirits, including award-winning rum and fruit liqueurs using local ingredients like Nova Scotia apples, Saskatoon berries, raspberries and blueberries. Learn about the distilling process, and enjoy some free tastings on site.

Where to stay in Lunenburg

• Rum Runner Inn: Located in the heart of Old Town Lunenburg, rooms at the Rum Runner Inn have great water views (be sure to request a balcony room to make the most of your stay). Click here to book
• Lunenburg Arms Hotel: The harbour is just one block away from this top-rated property, which has huge, well-appointed rooms with great views. The main sites are within walking distance, and there’s also a spa. Click here to book

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 4: The Annapolis Valley vineyards

Lunenburg to wolfville: 75 minutes/106 km.

The next leg of this Nova Scotia trip heads north to the picturesque Annapolis Valley , a region renowned for its pretty towns and vineyards. Its acidic l’Acadie grape thrives in cold temperatures, producing Tidal Bay which is a local favourite named for the first Nova Scotia wine appellation.

The charming town of Wolfville is at the centre of it all, and home to Acadia University and the Grand Pré National Historic Site which has a UNESCO designation.

Cute B&Bs, ivy-coloured buildings and grand, historic homes make this a wonderful place to stay overnight, and use as a base for visiting the Nova Scotia wineries and spots like the Annapolis Cider Company.

Book an organized Wolfville winery tour, bike or drive to the local vineyards which include:

• Luckett Vineyards: As one of the most established Annapolis Valley wineries, this operation overlooking the Gaspereau Valley produces up to 13-thousand cases of wine per year. There’s a beautiful tasting room and outdoor restaurant, and visitors love the bright red phone booth that was shipped straight from England and nestled among the vines.
• Gaspereau Vineyards: This cute spot has a big red barn as its tasting room, towering walls of wine, and is surrounded by vibrant green vineyards. Gaspereau Winery is best known for its crisp Rieslings and fruit-forward wines, and has live music on the outdoor patio.
• Domaine de Grand Pré: Grand Pré Winery is often the first stop on a Wolfville wine tour since it’s closest to town, and is the oldest farm winery site in Atlantic Canada. There’s a tasting room, fine dining restaurant, and tours highlighting the grape hybrids that are unique to the wineries in Nova Scotia.

READ MORE: The best spots for fall foliage in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley

To book guided experiences of the Wolfville wineries, check out Grape Escapes and Go North Tours which offer packages that include a guide, tasting fees, transportation and food. Tours run from May through October.

Where to stay in Wolfville

• Blomidon Inn: This charming property was built as a private residence in 1881, and has been operating as an inn for the last century. A long, flower-lined winding driveway leads to the stately entrance, onto the wooden front porch outfitted with rocking chairs which are the perfect spot to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. Those wanting to splurge should book the inn’s so-called “Honeymoon Cottage” which has its own entrance separate from the main house. The cottage boasts a parlour, huge bedroom, private garden, and even a bathroom outfitted with a two person jacuzzi tub. Click here to book
• Old Orchard Inn & Spa: This large hotel has plenty of amenities including a pool, hot tub, outdoor patio and tennis courts. There are great views since it’s close to the Bay of Fundy, and surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Click here to book

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 5: Bay of Fundy tidal bore rafting

Wolfville to maitland: 75 minutes/98 km.

Wolfville is on the shores of the Minas Basin, which feeds into the Bay of Fundy. Twice a day, this natural tidal bore phenomenon sees the water literally pile up on itself, completely changing the flow. The collision of the tide and river creates the tidal bore, resulting in mammoth, churning waves in spots that were tranquil sandbars just moments before.

You can see it from above in Cape Split and Cape d’Or, or experience it first-hand during an exhilarating tidal bore rafting adventure which is one of the most fun things to do in Nova Scotia for those who aren’t afraid to get soaking wet.

Starting from the banks of the Shubenacadie River near Maitland, guests hop in a zodiac and are guided past the towering red rock formations lining the bay, and will have a chance to walk on the sandbars before they get swallowed up by the changing tide.

It isn’t long before the boat ride feels like being on a roller coaster, as you cling to the sides to avoid being toppled out by the waves!

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 6-7: Drive the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island

Maitland to sydney: 4 hours/340 km.

One of the best things to do in Nova Scotia is driving the Cabot Trail, a 300-kilometre loop that circles the coast of Cape Breton. The remarkable scenery shows off some of the east coast’s best landscapes, while highlighting the history of the area’s Scottish roots.

The Cabot Trail drive can technically be done in half a day, but that wouldn’t allow much time for stops. Instead, plan to spend two days of your Nova Scotia vacation here to properly enjoy the waterfalls, dramatic rocky coastlines, vibrant bays and beaches around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Globe Guide tip: Drive the Cabot Trail route counter-clockwise, so your view isn’t obstructed by oncoming traffic and it’s easier to pull off the highway.

Some of the top places to include on a Cabot Trail itinerary are:

• Ingonish: This is one of the most developed areas, and there are plenty of fun things to do including golfing at the scenic Highland Links Golf Course, relaxing on sandy Ingonish Beach, and hiking Franey loop or Middle Head trail.
• Skyline Trail: If you only do one hike along the Cabot Trail, make sure it’s the Skyline Trail. The 7.5 kilometre pathway hugs the coastline around the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and has breathtaking views looking down at the highway. Moose sightings are frequent, and other wildlife in the area include bears, whales and eagles.
• Chéticamp: Chéticamp is one of the larger towns along the trail, with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants and sightseeing cruises. The Acadian fishing village is also the gateway to the Chéticamp campground in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where visitors can pitch a tent or relax in an equipped campsite or oTENTik.

Cabot trail accommodations

• Keltic Lodge: The views of the Atlantic Ocean are fabulous at this hotel in Ingonish, which dates back to 1940. There are a variety of rooms and cottages, and amenities include a heated outdoor pool, restaurants and the golf course. Click here to book
• Silver Dart Lodge : Guests rave about this serene spot in Baddeck, which overlooks the Bras d’Or Lakes and has easy access to walking trails. Some of the bright, spacious rooms in MacNeil House and Silver Dart Lodge include options like multiple bedrooms, kitchenettes and chalet-style accommodation. Click here to book

Once you’ve completed the Cabot Trail loop, head back to Halifax which marks the end of the ultimate, one week Nova Scotia road trip.

This article was written in collaboration with Tourism Nova Scotia

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

• Happy harvest! Fun things to do in the Annapolis Valley during fall
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About The Author

Tamara Elliott

3 thoughts on “the ultimate nova scotia road trip: a one week itinerary”.

It’s a shame that the writer didn’t include the South West area of the province, beautiful beaches, lighthouses, history, and the best seafood in the province. It’s not really a completed tour of NS without that area.

Tell me more please

yes, you have to stop at Digby and try their scallops.

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10 Day Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (with Maps)

By: Author Susan Moore

Posted on Last updated: March 24, 2024

Nova Scotia is the ideal province in Canada for road trips and scenic drives because you’re never far from the ocean. You get to enjoy gorgeous coastal scenery all around this beautiful province.

There’s a reason Nova Scotia is known as Canada’s Ocean Playground! Fishing, beachcombing, and whale watching are popular attractions you’ll want to make time for during your maritime road trip. Or just eat a ton of seafood like I did!

Enjoy the long summer days exploring the beauty of Canada’s east coast with this Nova Scotia road trip guide.

You can adjust the trip itinerary to suit your needs and add extra days as you desire.

10 Day Itinerary Nova Scotia Road Trip

This ten day road trip itinerary around Nova Scotia is planned with the idea of exploring a region, spending the night, then moving on to the next location.

You can always add more days if you want to take it slower and immerse yourself in the culture. Alternatively, you can do a section of the road trip and stay in one place for the duration of your trip.

I traveled around Nova Scotia solo but you’ll find this guide is perfect for planning your family summer vacation too!

Most people fly into Halifax so that’s where we’ll start with this ten day itinerary for Nova Scotia.

This post contains compensated links and I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. See my disclosure about affiliate links

In This Article:

Day 1 – Halifax

Halifax – Capital of Nova Scotia

Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to downtown Halifax (30 minutes) to explore the waterfront region. If you arrive late at night spend the night and you’re ready to explore the next day.

I stayed at the Hollis Halifax Doubletree , overlooking the harbor, a great location.

Check the latest hotel deals and prices in Halifax Nova Scotia now

Waterfront along Halifax boardwalk – Tall Ship Silva

Popular Halifax Attractions

• Waterfront – Beautiful place to walk and if the Blue Nose II is in harbor book a trip – check the schedule here
• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site – Citadel Hill with its star shaped architecture once guarded Halifax
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – Explore Halifax maritime history at this waterfront museum
• Fairview Cemetery – Final resting place of over 100 victims of the Titanic
• Halifax Public Gardens – Beautiful Victorian era gardens opened in 1867, the year of Canadian Confederation

Overnight Halifax: Hollis Halifax or the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront are both good choices. View more Halifax hotels here .

Day 2 – Halifax to South Shore

Peggy’s cove – lunenburg – blue rocks – ovens natural park – hirtle’s beach.

Total driving time 3.5 hours

From Halifax you’ll drive 45 minutes to Peggy’s Cove to visit one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks .

The Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is one of the most photographed spots in Canada.

The iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse in Nova Scotia is a popular tourist attraction in Nova Scotia

From Peggy’s Cove drive 100 km (60 miles) to the historic town of Lunenburg Nova Scotia. The downtown area near the harbor is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lunenburg is an attractive town with Victorian era houses painted in bright colors. The view from across the water on Tannery Road is wonderful.

Lunenburg is a popular Nova Scotia road trip destination with its brightly painted historic buildings

Eat lunch at one of the seafood restaurants, I tried Grand Banker Bar and Grill and it is excellent. Walk off your lunch along the harbor.

There are two museums you should visit in Lunenburg:

• Knaut-Rhuland House at 125 Pelham Street will give you a glimpse into the early days in Lunenburg.
• Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic at 68 Bluenose Drive

If the Bluenose II tall ship is docked at Lunenburg, you can hop aboard and get a look at the ship for FREE! There are also paid boat tours available – check the listings for more info

Blue Nose II in Nova Scotia open for tourists to walk aboard

Next drive 10 minutes from Lunenburg to Blue Rocks and walk the shoreline or take a sea kayaking trip. There are bunches of islands nearby, so the water is usually calm.

Pleasant Paddling will rent you a kayak or you can sign up for one of their guided tours. Traveling by myself I opted for the guided tour and I enjoyed it a lot.

Beautiful Blue Rocks Nova Scotia – small fishing village near Lunenburg

Now take a drive from Blue Rocks to the Ovens Natural Park and enjoy a hike along the cliffs, plus you can try panning for gold on the beach. Read my full post about Ovens park here

From Ovens park drive to beautiful Hirtle’s Beach – only 12 km away – and enjoy a walk on the beach, watch for seals surfing in the water.

If you are into hiking, I highly recommend the Gaff Point hike – the trailhead is at Hirtle’s Beach! This was my favorite hike in Nova Scotia but it’s not for everyone.

Check out my Gaff Point hike video to see the variety of terrain on this hike.

Gaff Point trail view of Hirtle’s Beach from the hill

Take a scenic drive to Bridgewater and spend the night. Dine at the River Pub at 750 King Street.

In the morning grab some cookies at Weagles’ Bakery at 15 Victoria Road (they open at 6 am). Cookies are the perfect road trip snack. For a full breakfast I suggest Fancy Pants Café at 807 King Street.

Overnight in Bridgewater at Best Western or the Lighthouse Motel overlooking the LaHave River.

Check availability and the latest deals on hotels in Bridgewater .

Day 3 –  South Shore to Yarmouth

South shore –crescent beach – kejimkujik seaside – cape sable island – yarmouth.

Total of 3.25 hours driving time

From Bridgewater drive to Crescent Beach – 20 minutes or so. Crescent Beach is the place for windsurfing, kitesurfing, or regular board surfing. Enjoy walking the beach.

I found several sand dollars on this beach. As you may have guessed from all the surfing, it gets very windy at Crescent Beach!

From Crescent Beach to Kejimkujik National Park Seaside – 75 km (45 miles) takes about 45 minutes.

Hike out to the seashore and watch the waves crashing into shore.

Kejimkujik National Park Seaside Nova Scotia Canada features coastal hikes

Kejimkujik to Cape Sable Island is a scenic 1 hour 10 minutes drive. I enjoyed exploring Cape Sable Island and visiting a couple of the beaches.

The Hawk Beach at low tide exposes the petrified stumps from a former forest.

Walking this sandy beach, you can see the Cape Sable Lighthouse, the tallest in Nova Scotia at 31 m (101 ft).

Cape Sable Lighthouse is the tallest in Nova Scotia at 31 m (101 ft)

Fill your belly at the JB’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant – it’s located on the left side just before you cross the causeway over to Cape Sable Island.

They have great food and wonderful staff.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops at JB’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Barrington NS South Shore region

Cape Sable Island to Yarmouth – 75 km – around an hour. Yarmouth is another Nova Scotia coastal town and its located on the southwest tip of the Nova Scotia peninsula.

In Yarmouth visit the Cape Forchu Lighthouse and Museum – a wonderful place to watch the sunset.

Have dinner overlooking the harbor at Rudder’s Seafood at 96 Water Street.

In the morning The Shanty Café opens at 6 am to help you break the fast – Shanty Café is located at 6B Central Street in downtown Yarmouth near the waterfront.

Overnight Yarmouth – find the latest hotel rates and availability here .

Day 4 – Yarmouth to Annapolis Valley

Digby – annapolis royal – wolfville.

Total driving time 2 hrs 50 minutes

The drive from Yarmouth to Digby – 100 km (60 miles) should take you just over an hour.

Do you love lobster and scallops? If so, Digby is your happy place! Home to the famous Digby scallops and delicious Atlantic lobster too.

July 2 – 4, 2021 you can enjoy the Lobster Bash in Digby. If you are around in early August, you’ll want to attend the Digby Scallop Days Festival – August 5 – 8, 2021.

Digby to the historic town of Annapolis Royal – 30 minute drive. Annapolis Royal is a charming coastal town with a lot of history – the early European settlers arrived in the area in 1605. The Mi’kmaq First Nations peoples have lived in the area for over 10,000 years.

Popular Annapolis Royal Attractions

• Visit the only Tidal Power Plant in North America
• Fort Anne National Historic Site
• Port Royal National Historic Site
• Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
• Abundant historic buildings – 135 registered heritage buildings in a town with a population of around 500 people

Downtown Wolfville Nova Scotia mural of boat and pocket watch

Annapolis Royal to Wolfville – 1 hour 15 minutes driving time.

Wolfville was once home to some of the Acadians, later expelled by the British – many of them later settled in the land around Lafayette Louisiana .

2020.01.09 Editor’s Note/Correction. Thank you to Richard Riddell Comeau for the following:

Acadie was all of the Maritimes and much of the Gaspé Peninsula. Grand Pré, near what is today Wolfville, was one of our homes. The “Cajuns” of Louisiana are part of an Acadian diaspora which reaches across the globe. There were Acadians that either avoided expulsion or returned after expulsion to the Maritimes to live. Acadian people and culture are alive and well in Nova Scotia and throughout the Maritimes. Vive l’Acadie!!   ~ Richard Riddell Comeau

Nowadays around the Annapolis Valley there are several wineries within easy access from Wolfville.

Explore the wine region and enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in downtown Wolfville. Try The Naked Crepe – good eats!

Overnight Wolfville – Wolfville hotel options and latest deals

You can visit the Grand Pre Historic and UNESCO site just a few km from Wolfville.

Day 5 – Bay of Fundy to Northumberland Shore

Walton lighthouse – bay of fundy – truro – tatamagouche – pictou.

Total driving time: 3.5 hours

Wolfville to the Bay of Fundy – Burntcoat Head Park – 1 hour and 10 minutes – 90 km (56 miles)

Watch the biggest tides in the world! It’s amazing to walk on the ocean floor and where only 6 hours earlier the water reached up to the rocky coastline.

Bay of Fundy is a must visit in Nova Scotia.

Exploring the ocean floor near the flowerpot at Burntcoat Head Park on Bay of Fundy Nova Scotia

In between tides at Bay of Fundy drive to Walton Lighthouse and enjoy lunch at the Walton Pub – 20 minute drive.

Burntcoat Head Park to Truro – 50 minutes – 60 km (36 miles)

Truro to Tatamagouche – 45 minute drive (50ish km/30ish miles) Take a walk on the beach at Rushton’s Beach Provincial Park in Tatamagouche.

Truro to Pictou – birthplace of New Scotland – 45 minutes – 65 km. The first Scottish immigrants landed in 1773.

At Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou step aboard a replica of the Hector – the tall ship that arrived in Pictou with the first immigrants from Scotland – more info on Ship Hector .

Interested in tracing your family tree and Scottish heritage – visit the McCulloch House Museum and Genealogy Centre.

Overnight in Pictou – Find the latest deals and hotel reviews here .

Day 6 – Northumberland Shore to Cape Breton

Antigonish – port hood – mabou – cheticamp.

Total driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Pictou to Antigonish  will take about 45 minutes on the road.

In Antigonish if you are in the mood for a hike to stretch your legs check out Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trail for a 10 km (6 miles) out and back trail.

Next drive from Antigonish to Port Hood on Cape Breton Island. Grab some lunch at the Clove Hitch Bar and Bistro at 8790 NS Trunk Road 19.

Road sign for The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Nova Scotia

The drive from Port Hood to Mabou is only 10 minutes. Mabou is a good choice if you want to add on an extra night to the trip because it’s a hotbed for music.

The village of Mabou has a population of around 1,200, with a few options for accommodation so check the Mabou website for listings – and check out the music events in Mabou.

Mabou to Cheticamp takes about an hour to drive. Cheticamp is just outside of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. You’ll need to buy a pass to visit the park but it’s totally worth it!

In Cheticamp you’re only a 20-minute drive from Skyline Trail – hike it at sunset for beautiful coastal views.

Stay in Cheticamp overnight – check for Cheticamp hotels here .

Day 7 and Day 8 – Cape Breton Island

Pleasant bay – cabot’s landing – meat cove – white point – ingonish.

Total driving time: 3 hours

I know some people drive the Cabot Trail in one day, but you won’t have much time at all for the beaches, coastal hiking trails, or filling your face with seafood and local beer. Spend some time enjoying Cape Breton!

From Cheticamp drive to Pleasant Bay (40 minutes) and do some whale watching.

Grab a cup of coffee at the Pumpkin Patch. ..and some fudge. They also sell organic body care products…but coffee and fudge are important road trip products.

There’s also a cool looking art shop in Pleasant Bay – it wasn’t open when I visited town though. But take a look at Timmons Folk Art Studio at 22 Harbour Road if you visit Pleasant Bay – handmade souvenirs are the best!

Timmons Folk Art Studio Pleasant Bay Cape Breton NS

From Pleasant Bay you can stop at Cabots Landing Provincial Park and visit the beach where Cabot is thought to have landed.

Cabots Landing Provincial Park in Cape Breton Nova Scotia

After visiting Cabots Landing you may as well continue on to Meat Cove – the northernmost community in Cape Breton.

There’s some good hiking around Meat Cove and great food awaiting you at The Chowder Hut .

View of Meat Cove Beach from the deck of the Chowder Hut Restaurant

After you satisfy your hunger get back on the road and visit the town of Cape North then continue to White Point for a scenic drive along the Nova Scotia coastline.

From there you’ll pass Neil’s Harbour and continue on to Ingonish where you’ll spend a couple of nights so you can explore the area.

Ingonish Beach at dusk Cape Breton Nova Scotia

Enjoy the beaches, hiking, and scenic coastal drives around Ingonish. I hiked a few trails in Cape Breton and visited Ingonish Beach in the evenings.

There’s a golf course at the Celtic Lodge in Ingonish and the lodge features live music events at the Arduaine Restaurant and the Highland Sitting Room.

Three great hikes around Ingonish are Jack Pine Trail, Middle Head Trail, and Broad Cove Mountain – get info on these and more hikes in Cape Breton here .

Find hotel deals in Ingonish and check availability here – they book up fast! If you want to stay closer to the beach check these listings . I stayed in a cute little cabin in Ingonish .

Day 9 – Cape Breton Ingonish to Baddeck

Total driving time: 90 minutes

Baddeck is home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site so you’ll want to spend some time at the museum. The town of Baddeck is beautiful, enjoy exploring and tasting your way through town.

Hike the Uisge Ban Falls at 715 North Branch Rd Baddeck Forks.

Enjoy one last seafood dinner at the family owned Baddeck Lobster Suppers located at 17 Ross Street near the Baddeck Harbour.

Find the perfect hotel in Baddeck now!

Day 10 – Cape Breton to Halifax

Baddeck to halifax.

4.5 hours total driving time

On the road again for another scenic coastal drive from Baddeck to Halifax . It’s time to gather your wonderful memories of road tripping in Nova Scotia and fly home.

Split up the drive with stop in picturesque Guysborough and get some road trip snacks at Days Gone By Bakery at 143 Main Street – about 1 hour 40 minutes from Baddeck.

Readers have pointed out that this road trip is missing the eastern shore region. That is a great excuse for another trip to Nova Scotia for me!

For now you can check the Nova Scotia tourism info for a 3-day itinerary along the eastern shore here .

Alternate Route Baddeck to Halifax via Eastern Shore

5.5 hours total driving time

This route will take you to Guysborough and Sherbrooke and along the eastern shore. As folks have mentioned there is plenty to see in this region of Nova Scotia.

There are several beautiful beaches on the eastern shore .

Taylor Head Beach at Taylor Head Provincial Park is gorgeous! There are also hiking trails along the coast, Spry Bay Loop is an awesome hike.

Clam Harbour Beach at Clam Harbour Provincial Park is another excellent stop along the eastern shore.

Martinique Beach is the longest beach in Nova Scotia and popular with surfers. During summer months you can take a surf lesson and rent all the gear right at the beach parking lot.

Lawrencetown Beach at Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park is another popular surf spot. And you can hike the Atlantic View Trail here as well.

Enjoy your east coast road trip exploring beautiful Nova Scotia!

If you have any tips or suggestions for places to stop on the way please let me know in the comments section below.

Thank you for reading and happy travels!

Read these related posts to plan your Nova Scotia trip!

• 15 Cool Places to See in Nova Scotia This Summer
• 9 Cape Breton Hikes on the Famous Cabot Trail Nova Scotia
• Amazing Blue Rocks Nova Scotia Sea Kayaking Experience of a Lifetime
• Cape Breton Accommodations Cabot Trail Cottages Hotels Nova Scotia
• Hirtle’s Beach Gaff Point Trail Nova Scotia Best Coastal Hike
• Ovens Natural Park Sea Cave Trail and Campgrounds Nova Scotia
• Walton Lighthouse Nova Scotia – Last Original in Hants County

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Friday 3rd of February 2023

We are planning a trip summer 2023 -wonderful ideas - do you happen to have one full map with the route

Solo Trips and Tips

Friday 11th of August 2023

Sue, Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading the blog. Both PEI and NS are absolutely gorgeous in summer and I predict you will have a spectacular road trip! Please, eat some seafood for me :) Cheers, Susan

@SoloTripsAndTips,

Hi Susan we're coming to NS and PEI in 2 weeks time from the UK. Your blog has been fantastic to read and has given us loads of tips for our roadtrip. We are there for 2 weeks, and like you, don't expect to cover everything on offer in that time. Thank you again very helpful blog

SoloTripsAndTips

Saturday 4th of February 2023

Hi Kathi, I do not have a full map of the entire route. GoogleMaps only allows so many stops so it's difficult to map out a long route. I hope you have an amazing Nova Scotia road trip this summer! Cheers, Susan

William MacKay

Wednesday 6th of July 2022

I am a native Nova Scotian and there is so much more than you were able to cover that would be of interest to others. The section of the province from Truro along the Bay of Fundy to Parrsboro, and Amherst around to Tatamagouche. Includes the Fossil Cliffs at Joggins where dinosaurs are found, area around Parrsboro where gemstones and geodes are found and interesting rockhounding and the very highest tides in the world at the head of the Bay. Springhill with a miners museum, and museum to Canadian singer Anne Murray. Nearby is the Blueberry capital of Oxford where Nova Scotia's famous wild blueberries are processed and shipped around the world. Amherst the Town on the border before crossing into New Brunswick, Amherst is an historic Garrison town. From Amherst along the Northumberland Strait to Tatamagouche. World famous Fox Harbour Golf resort is in the area. On Cape Breton Island your tour did not include a visit to Fortress Louisburg a short drive from Sydney or a drive through the coal mining towns out to Glace Bay. Also to follow the picturesque Highway 4 from Sydney along the Bras d'Or Lake to St. Peters, a side trip to Isle Madame, and around to Port Hawkesbury. St. Peters was originally settled by the Portugese and then by the French and is one of the oldest continually settled communities in North America. There is an interesting Canal there and two small museums as well. History attributes settlement to 1626.

Susan Moore

William, Thank you for your comment. All of these are excellent suggestions to add to a Nova Scotia itinerary. And you're certainly correct that there is so much more than I was able to cover with a 10-day road trip itinerary, but it's a good starting point for people planning their travels to this amazing province!

I'm actually back in Nova Scotia now, visiting more places including Truro, Joggins, Parrsboro, Cheticamp, Baddeck, and a bunch more. I plan to add some more road trip itineraries to cover specific regions of Nova Scotia and also a longer itinerary for people who can spend 3 weeks or more exploring Nova Scotia.

Thanks again for your suggestions on places to visit. Cheers, Susan

Howard farmer

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

Hi im going to nova in may 2022.. my tour is very similar to yours but i take in briers island just west of digby and dundee east of port Hawkesby.. main area is im staying at knotty pines just above ingonish harbour.. then on to sydney via baddeck... from there i hug the coast to port dufferin and the wonderfully named Marmalade Studios.. overlooking the atlantic before heading to halifax... like you i booked all my stops before hand and used trailfinders to put it together.... i can't wait to see ol blue at lunenburg, whale watching and the rum factories wineries and of course lobster. Fantastic article by you that ive downloaded to refer to whilst im touring in my hire car... many thanks.. howard farmer england..

Howard, thanks for reading my blog from all the way across the pond! You've put together a great itinerary for your road trip around Nova Scotia, it's going to be an incredible adventure. I hope you have a most wonderful time in Nova Scotia. I'm glad you found this article a useful reference for your trip planning, enjoy your travels! Cheers, Susan

Denis Frenette

Saturday 15th of February 2020

Sounds like a nice trip.

Denis, Thanks for reading the blog. There's so much to see in Nova Scotia, looking forward to visiting again in the fall. Cheers, Susan

Lisa MacPherson

So I have read all the comments, you certain didn't have time to hit all the places you could have in our lovely province! There is one I would love for you to see, it is a coastal community between Barrington and Yarmouth on the South Shore, it is called Pubnico (it encompasses several communities), a jewel you will never forget and while you are there don't forget to visit the Red Cap Restaurant and motel have a piece of pie ;) you will meet some lovely people especially if you go around 7pm when the locals gather for coffee and a chat! The Acadien museum is also a good place to stop and visit to get a feel for the history of the area. Enjoy your month in NS lol you will need at least that much time next visit!!!

Lisa, Thanks for commenting. You had me at pie :) I will add your suggestions to the big list for next trip. I'm putting together my itinerary for a fall road trip and you're right a month or more is needed! I think I may split it up with a week or so in Nova Scotia before I go to Newfoundland and then 3 weeks when I get back. Looking forward to my next trip! Cheers, Susan

The perfect 10-day Nova Scotia road trip itinerary (+map)

If your image of Canada is one of candy-striped lighthouses , lobster rolls and spectacular sherbert coloured sunsets then it’s highly likely you’re thinking of Nova Scotia .

This corner of Canada is dominated by quaint fishing villages , rainbow-coloured clapboard houses and a wild and rugged coastline . It’s a beautiful and charming place where the locals are welcoming, the food is delicious and the living really is easy.

Nova Scotia, which is Latin for “New Scotland”, is one of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada . The province, along with New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, forms part of what is also called the Maritimes provinces , or simply the Maritimes for short.

It’s an easy destination to travel around and a great place to enjoy a road trip ; distances are not excessive, driving is easy and, if you avoid the peak of summer, you will often have the roads to yourself. Your only issue will be trying to do too much, leaving you frazzled at the end of your holiday rather than relaxed!

Here’s how to start planning a road trip around Nova Scotia .

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy for more details.

Where is Nova Scotia? 

Table of Contents

Nova Scotia is a province on Canada’s east coast . As well as the mainland territory, it includes over 3,800 coastal islands . It’s connected to the province of New Brunswick by a narrow strip of land and to Cape Breton Island by the Canso Causeway. To reach Prince Edward Island, one of the other Maritimes, you must travel by ferry.

It’s an easy to travel to; less than seven hours by plane from London into Halifax and two hours from Toronto . If travelling by car then most visitors arrive in Nova Scotia overland by car from New Brunswick, arriving into Canada from Maine.

The above map highlights the main towns and cities (in yellow) and the main sights not located in a town or city (in green).

Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary 

There are various ways that you can enjoy this road trip. You can complete the entire loop stopping at every destination listed or you can pick and choose the destinations that appeal most to you. 

If you don’t have enough time to visit everywhere, for example, then you may choose to just explore the south shore from Halifax stopping in at some of Nova Scotia’s most famous places including Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg . 

Or you may choose to spend more time in the Great Outdoors, exploring the incredible Bay of Fundy followed by some hiking in Kejimkujik National Park .

The idea with this itinerary is to allow you to customise your trip according to how much time you have and your own interests.

In terms of how long to spend in each place, I would recommend the following:

• Halifax: 2 nights
• Bay of Fundy area: 2 nights
• Annapolis Royal: 2 – 4 nights depending on how much time you want to spend exploring Kejimkujik National Park
• White Point: 2 – 3 nights depending on how much time you want at the beach. You may also choose to base yourself here for longer and take day trips along the south shore.
• Lunenburg / Mahone Bay: 1 – 2 nights

Depending on what time you arrive, you may want to pick up your car rental straight away and head off, saving your time in Halifax for the end of your trip. This is what I did and it worked very well.

This itinerary is for anyone travelling to Nova Scotia whether you are a solo traveller, holidaying as a couple or have the kids in tow. If you are travelling with children then I’ve made a note below of places and activities that are family-friendly.

Use this road itinerary as a guide and start planning your trip to Nova Scotia.

Halifax 

The friendly, colourful capital of Nova Scotia is the cultural hub of the region and home to some excellent museums, delicious restaurants and and picture-perfect coastlines. 

Start your visit at the Halifax Waterfront , popular with visitors and Haligonians (as the locals are called) alike. At 4km (2.5-miles) long, it’s one of the longest urban boardwalks in the world and home to snacks stalls, museums, artwork, shops and restaurants. 

It’s also where you’ll find two of the city’s best museums; the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic . 

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

If you only have time to visit one museum in Nova Scotia’s capital city make sure that it is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 .

Between the years of 1928 and 1971 almost one million people from around the world immigrated to Canada through Pier 21 . The museum details the history of immigration in Canada . 

The permanent exhibit is divided into two parts on the second floor and there is a third space on the ground floor used for temporary exhibits. 

The Canadian Immigration Hall tells the story of 400 years of immigration to Canada and includes objects and stories collected from immigrants through the ages. It’s quite text heavy in parts – so younger children might find it a little hard going – but if you have the time to read and listen to some of the perusal stories, it is very moving.

There are interactive points along the way where visitors can record their families’ cultural traditions and see if the would pass the Canadian citizenship test. 

The Pier 21 Story is more interactive and tells the story of immigration to Canada when Pier 21 was still active. You can dress up in historical costumes , read first-person accounts of immigrants, board a train car similar to the ones that newly landed immigrants would continue their journey in, see a replica dining room from a ship travelling to Canada, and step inside a recreation of the assembly hall where people would wait for immigration officials to clear them for entry. 

It’s an excellent museum that covers an emotive topic in a sensitive and thought-provoking way. 

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the oldest and largest Maritime Museum in Canada and tells the story of the people and events that have shaped the province as well as its relationship with the sea. 

Highlights include the exhibition dedicated to the tragic Halifax explosion that occurred on 6 December 1917. The steamship Mont-Blanc, inbound from the Atlantic carrying 2600 tons of high explosives bound for France, collided with the Norwegian ship Imo in The Narrows, a channel leading to Bedford Basin. The resulting explosion killed 1,782 people and injured an estimated 9,000 more. 

The museum exhibition explores the events leading up to the disaster and the aftermath. 

The other exhibition well worth seeing is the one dedicated to the Titanic . When the unsinkable ship did sink, the survivors went to New York and all those who perished were transported to Halifax. The exhibition explores how the cable ship crews braved challenging conditions to recover the bodies and invented an ingenious system for identifying many of the victims. 

Many of the crew kept pieces of ship wreckage and much of these are on display including pieces of wrecked woodwork that were carved into picture frames or paperweights. One of the most moving displays is that of a pair of leather children’s shoes. 

Other Halifax Highlights

• If you’re visiting Halifax with kids then the  Halifax Harbour Hopper tour  is a must. This fun tour in an amphibious vehicle takes in the main city sights by land and by water.
• Built on the large hill overlooking the harbour was the Citadel, a fortress constructed to protect the city from attack. Today the  Halifax Citadel National Historic Site  is a national site and museum. Join a tour with a guide dressed in historical costume and learn all about the history of the city from the first settlers to today.
• Take a ride on the  Halifax-Dartmouth ferry , the oldest saltwater ferry in North America, and the second oldest in the world. Visit Dartmouth on a weekend and you can explore the  Alderney Landing Market . The  Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail  is fun for a short cycle or longer walk.
• Learn about the tragic history of  Africville , one of the 52 separate historic black settlements in Nova Scotia. The  Africville Museum , housed in a replica of the church that was destroyed when the community residents were forced to leave their homes – is definitely worth a visit. 
• Give the kids some green space to run around in the  Halifax Public Gardens , a 16 acre Victoria city garden in the heart of downtown Halifax. 
• The  Halifax Seaport Market  is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, it takes place on Saturdays from 8am and Sunday from 2pm at Pavilion 23 along the boardwalk. Another fun weekend market is the Brewery Market held on a Saturday morning. 

Where to stay in Halifax

I stayed in Halifax the night before leaving Nova Scotia and had a very comfortable – and convenient – night’s stay at the ALT Hotel at the airport. This is a good choice if you are departing the city the next day and have an early start.

If you’re looking to stay in Halifax itself then take a look at these recommended properties.

The above map indicates both hotel and holiday rental options in Halifax.

Where to eat in Halifax 

One of the best meals I had in Nova Scotia was at the Bicycle Thief , along the boardwalk in Halifax. The Italian-inspired menu makes the most of the region’s abundance of fresh seafood – order the seafood stew when you go!

Other restaurants that come recommended by locals include:

• Drift  (although this might be better suited for dining without the kids)
• Blue Nose II
• Five Fishermen before becoming a restaurant in the 1970s, the building was a morgue and took in bodies from both the Titanic in 1912 and the Halifax Explosion in 1916 and ghostly sightings are not uncommon!

The Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy lies between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and is famous for its tidal variations , the largest in the world. At the Bay of Fundy you can see two high and two low tides every day ; the average time between a high and low tide is six hours and 13 minutes. There are myriad places to base yourself to explore this area and unique phenomenon.

Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre

There are various places you can stop as you drive north from Halifax. One of the best places to learn about the famous Fundy tides and tidal bore (the strong tide that pushes up against the river and current) is at the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre in South Maitland.

The displays explain how the “reversing river” works and, if you’re lucky, you can witness the tidal phenomenon yourself while there. There is a tidal observation deck where the tide bore passes by, changing direction and rise 10 feet in a short amount of time.

Tidal bores take place in just a few locations around the world so don’t miss the opportunity to see this while you are in Nova Scotia. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous then you can even try tidal bore rafting .

The centre is open from mid-May to mid-October  and has details on when high tide and low tide will take place.

Burntcoat Head Park 

It’s roughly a 30 minute drive from the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre to Burntcoat Head Park , home to the world’s highest recorded tides.

Before arriving at Burntcoat Head Park, you’ll pass through the small village of Maitland , home to Canada’s oldest general store, Frieze & Roy . Pop in if you can but don’t worry if you don’t have much time, it’s very much a general store with little to acknowledge it’s claim to fame.

Burntcoat Head , however, is much more impressive. The park is one of the best places to see the incredibly fast moving tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy in action.

Visit at low tide and you can walk along the ocean floor and around the sea stacks caused by tidal erosion. Nicknamed ‘flower pots’ for the trees growing out of the brown stacks, they’re highly popular with photographers – amateur and professional alike!

When the tide comes in, watch the ocean floor disappear as the waters rise by up to 16m (53ft). You can check for tide times on the park’s website .

A fun option for kids is to join an Ocean Floor Adventure and learn all about life under the bay when the tide is out. 

Burntcoat Head Park is closed during the winter, so the best time to visit Burntcoat Head is from mid-May to mid-October .

Walton Lighthouse

It’s a short drive from Burntcoat Head to Walton Lighthouse , which was built in 1873 and was once the brightest lighthouse on the upper Bay of Fundy, guiding ships to the port of Walton. Climb the two steep stairs to the top for uninterrupted views of the basin as well as a chance to see the original ‘methane’ lighthouse lamp, powered by a wind-up clock mechanism.

Where to stay to explore the Bay of Fundy

I stayed at the excellent Flying Apron Inn & Cookery , run by extraordinary convivial hosts Chris and Melissa. They have five double bedrooms and it’s a great place to stay if you are travelling with older children.

As well as being a B&B, they offer cooking lessons run by professional chef Chris (these are either hands-on or the type of lesson where you sit, watch and drink wine while Chris demonstrates how to prepare a three-course meal). Even if you don’t stay here, however, do stop in for a meal as their restaurant is excellent.

Other options for families looking to base themselves in this area include Shangri-La Cottages in Burntcoat have three cottages including one that sleeps 4 people and another that sleeps 6. 

Travel to Annapolis Royal via Grande-Pre, the Annapolis Valley and Hall’s Harbour

The Evangeline Trail runs along the Bay of Fundy coastline and is scenic drive that winds its way through the quaint villages, bountiful orchards and verdant vineyards of the Annapolis Valley. The trail is named after the fictional character Evangeline brought to life by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1847 poem Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie , which tells the plight of the Acadian people.

The Annapolis Valley is beautiful, a patchwork of fields in varying shades of green. This is the richest agricultural region in Atlantic Canada and was once known as the breadbasket of Colonial Canada . Still today the region grows an abundance of fruit and vegetables, much of which can be found in the local cafes, restaurants and farmers markets.

This region is also becoming known for its wine (grapes have been cultivated here for wine since the 1600s but the modern wine industry only started in 1978).

Tidal Bay is the region’s signature white wine as we’ll as its first and only appellation wine. Myriad regional winemakers each produce their own version; vineyards submit their wannabe wines for judging and, if they pass the test, are allowed to use the name Tidal Bay.

I stopped in at Planter’s Ridge , a lovely winery with a small tasting room overlooking their vineyards. I had tried their excellent L’Acadie  white wine (red wine lovers take note, the region is much more well known for its white wines than its reds) at the Flying Apron and loved it.

Their tasting room also has a small menu with small plates such as oysters, beef carpaccio and Newfoundland shrimp salad on the menu. More kid-friendly are the locally sourced chefs and charcuterie plates.

Tangled Garden 

These delightful gardens are the perfect place to explore with children. The fairtytale-like gardens were started by Beverly McClare some thirty years ago when the plot of land was little more than a rundown house with five trees.

Today the Tangled Garden is a whimsical destination packed full of trees, plants, ferns and herbs that is a joy to explore. Visitors are handed a map to help navigate the gardens, which include the Reflection Room (a small pond with a fountain), the Tossed Salad Garden (where herbs are grown) and the Labyrinth.

Award-winning jams and jellies made using herbs for the garden are for sale in the garden shop.

Next door to the Tangled Garden is the Just Us! Coffee Roasters , Canada’s first fair trade and organic coffee roaster, who also make very good pastries.

Grand-Pré National Historic Site

To truly understand the history of Nova Scotia you really need to visit the  Grand-Pré National Historic Site . This was one of the most moving and informative stops on my Nova Scotia itinerary.

Located north of the town of Wolfville , the Grand-Pré National Historic Site is a park dedicated to the Acadians who settled here from 1682 to 1755.

The Acadians originally came from France , primarily from the rural areas of the Vendee region of western France. They arrived in what is now known as Nova Scotia and settled, working the land, building dykes and living and working peacefully with the local Miꞌkmaq people . The site today is located at the former Acadian village of Grand-Pré and the area is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Between 1605 to 1713 , ownership of the land occupied by the Acadians changed hands seven times between the British and the French. Despite these tumultuous times, however, the Acadians maintained a position of neutrality.

In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht handed over the territory permanently to the British. However, fighting between the two sides resumed in 1744 at which point the British decided to expel anyone not loyal to the crown. The result was Le Grand Dérangement , the forcible explosion of the Acadians from their homeland.

Between 1755 and 1763 more than 10,000 Acadians were removed from their homes in present day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Grand-Pré is the area most closely associated with the deportations and the National Historic Site explores this historical event in detail.

There are three main parts to the site ; a museum that details the Acadians lives in the region, a very good film that explains Le Grand Dérangement, and a memorial church that represents the church of the Acadian village.

The church is where in 1755, 418 men and boys aged 10 and older were held summoned before being held hostage and then deported. Today, the church has a series of paintings showing Acadian life before, during and after deportation

Hall’s Harbour

It’s a small but worthwhile detour to stop in at Hall’s Harbour before you continue along the coast.

Hall’s Harbour is a petit, perfectly-formed fishing village positioned along the Bay of Fundy. The fishing village dates back to 1779 when it was used by Captain Hall and his privateers as a base. At one point the port was filled with clipper ships that would arrive with spices and other goods to trade with the locals who would arrive from the valley by horse and buggy ready to barter.

Today Halls’ Harbour is most famous for the Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound , a working lobster pound the buildings of which dates back to the 1820s; pop in for Lobster Poutine , Lobster Nachos or a Lobster Roll and watch the world famous tides roll in.

At low tide the wharf is dry with fishing boats resting on the seabed until the sea rises as much as an inch a minute.

My favourite stop in Hall’s Harbour was Parker’s General Store , which has been owned by the same family for 120 years and is one of the oldest stores in Canada . Today the shop stocks works by some 30 local artists and items range from jewellery and paintings to woolly gloves made from discarded jumpers and hand-carved wooden spoons. Each artist has a small bio featured alongside their work.

The highlight, however, was the shop’s manager , Madonna who is an absolute delight. Having lived in Hall’s Harbour for 40 odd years she is a wealth of local knowledge.

Parker’s General Store is open from early May until the week after Canadian Thanksgiving and again for a brief Christmas shopping period.

Annapolis Royal 

It’s well worth spending a couple of days exploring Annapolis Royal and its surrounds . Originally called Port Royal, this area was home to some of North America’s earliest European settlers . Today it’s a small but lively waterfront community where colourful clapboard buildings house excellent restaurants, cafes, independent stores and even a theatre.

Fort Anne National Historic Site

A short walk form the heart of town is the Fort Anne National Historic Site , once the most contested piece of land on the continent.

A settlement was first established here in 1629 by Scottish settlers but was abandoned to the French just a few. years later. Conflicts didn’t end there, however, Fort Anne was the site of thirteen attacks , seven changes of hands, and the ratification of the Treaty of Boston.

The remains of the fortification that you see today was designed by French military architect Vauban (he was responsible for many a French citadel including this one in Blaye and this in Arras ). Today you can walk along the bulwarks and battlements that are today mostly grassed over and visit the old officer’s quarters which now holds a museum.

It’s an interesting lesson in Canadian history but if you’re visiting with kids then the Port Royal National Historic Site is much more interesting.

Port Royal National Historic Site

On the other side of the Annapolis River , a 15 minute drive from Annapolis Royal, is the Port Royal National Historic Site .

Founded by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain in 1605, the settlement was the first permanent European settlement north of St. Augustine, Florida . Between 25 and 45 men lived here until 1613 when the British arrived and torched the settlement to the ground.

The 17th century French colony was rebuilt in 1939 using the techniques and tools that were originally used during the construction. It opened for visitors in 1941 and is today the best way to get a feel for what life was like for early European settlers .

Staff are on hand dressed in costumes and characters including the blacksmith, carpenter and governor who would have once lived here.

Visitors are welcome to wander around and, unlike many museums, you can touch and handle items, sit on chairs and even wear the governor’s hat for a photo. It’s one of the best things to do in Annapolis Royal and a wonderful way to really experience an important part of Canada’s history.

Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 

The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens have only been open since 1981 but they look as if they’ve been here much longer. The grounds showcase the methods, designs, materials and plants used to create local gardens tracing the history of the town.

The grounds are divided into various sections and include a Rose Garden , home to more than 1800 species, a Victorian Garden and a Butterfly Garden . There’s also an example of an Acadian dyke and a replica Acadian house designed using evidence from local archaeological excavations.

For kids there’s a fun scavenger hunt to follow.

Where to stay in Annapolis Royal

I stayed in A Seafaring Maiden , a charming bed and breakfast located in Granville Ferry , across the river from Annapolis Royal.

The heritage property dates back to 1881 was once home to Captain Joseph Hall . Today it’s run by Bill and Ann Marie Monk who are very welcoming hosts. The property has three double bedrooms so it’s a good option if you are travelling with older kids or teens.

If visiting during the summer months then the Raven Haven Beachside Family Park is a 4-acre campground and family park with swimming, outdoor activities, boat launch, washrooms and more. 

See more places to stay here .

Where to eat in Annapolis Royal

Several people recommended  The Whiskey Teller  before I even arrived in Annapolis Royal and I’m very glad they did, this is a really fun place to eat with very good food. Their speciality is roasted chicken , cooked over a custom-built wood fired rotisserie that is fed with apple and birch wood. Fried Brussel sprouts are another speciality and they are delicious! At weekends they have live music upstairs.

Sissiboo Coffee Roaster is a very good coffee shop and the Germany Bakery serves German baked goods as well as breakfasts, lunches and dinners. You can find more dining recommendations here .

Kejimkujik National Park

South of Annapolis Royal is Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site , or Keji for short. This striking wilderness area is the perfect place to explore some of Nova Scotia’s natural beauty .

The park is actually divided into two sections ; there is the main park, located 18km from the village of Caledonia, and then there’s Kejimkujik Seaside , which lies almost 100km southeast of the main park. Don’t get confused between the two! 

The main park offers lots of ways to get out and about in nature including 15 day-hiking trails ranging in length and difficulty. If you’re short on time then the Mills Falls Bridge is less than a 5km return walk across easy terrain. The trails are open throughout the year.

The area was used by the Mi’kmaq for thousands of years who travelled between the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Coast via the many waterways in the area. As they traversed the canoe routes , the Mi’kmaq left stone carvings, or petroglyphs , of their day to day lives on slate outcroppings. You can see these today on guided tours. 

Other ways to explore the park include by bike and by canoe or kayak . Check the official website for details. 

Kejimkujik National Park can be visited as a day trip from Annapolis Royal , en route to the South Shore or you may choose to spend a night or two in the park.

Accommodation in Kejimkujik National Park

There are campsites throughout the park as well if you want to stay overnight – or longer. Some are serviced and others are more rustic. Camping is not allowed from November to April.

Keji also offers a number of accommodation options if you’re up for adventure but not so keen unsleeping under canvas. 

The park is home to one yurt , that is perfect for a couple of a small family; a handful of rustic cabins that have bunk beds but no plumbing, running water or electricity; and oTENTik tents , a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin that comes with beds and furniture.

The newest accommodation type in the park are the five Ôasis pods ; tear drop-shaped pods that can sleep two adults and up to two children. 

All of these accommodations can be booked online. 

Budding astronomers will be pleased to hear that Keji was designated a Dark-sky Preserve in 2010, meaning its clear nights offer unobstructed, spellbinding views of the stars, planets and moon. 

The South Shore

Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore is known for its white sandy beaches, its picturesque fishing villages and its 40-plus lighthouses, It’s most famous for the colourful town of Lunenburg and the charming fishing village of Peggy’s Cove but really there are so many lovely places to stop along this route that you really are spoiled for choice.

White Point Beach Resort

If driving from Kejimkujik National Park then White Point Beach Resort is a good place to stop for a couple of days or more.

This beach resort has been welcoming guests since 1928 with many families returning year upon year. I loved this resort; it felt like an old school summer camp , the kind usually seen in movies. In fact, the small cottages and main lodge felt very Dirty Dancing at times, the movie made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray.

The resort has a wide variety of accommodation options , a host of activities on offer and is right on the coast making it a great spot for families looking for time by the beach.

It’s a popular spot for surfing , despite the chilly Atlantic waters, but you can also borrow kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards to use on the resort’s lake. The resort also has a golf course.

This is a great option for families looking for a beach holiday and you can easily base yourself here and then take day trips to explore places along the south shore.

Easy day trips from White Point Beach Resort include the town of Liverpool , a coastal town famous for privateering and the artistic community of LaHave by the water. There’s a great bakery here, LaHave Bakery , good for picking up a coffee and lunch. You’ll find a number of craft and art shops here too. Near Petit Riviere is Green Bay beach.

It takes about an hour via the main highway to reach the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Lunenburg . For a more scenic route, however, take the #103 road, which will take you via LaHave. A free car ferry runs every half hour (check during low season) across LaHave river.

The former rum running and ship building port town of Lunenburg is undoubtedly one of the province’s most picturesque and you can easily spend a full day here. Clapboard houses painted a rainbow of colours stand proudly along the hilly streets, facing towards the bay. There are some lovely shops, lots of delicious seafood restaurants and a distillery or two.

One word of warning, if you visit Lunenburg during the height of summer it will be  busy . Time your visit for early autumn, however, and the streets (and restaurants, and shops) will be much calmer.

Lunenburg Walking Tour

Lunenburg was first established in 1753 and remains today the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.

The best way to learn more about the Old Town is on a walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours . These hour-long tours (they can run a bit longer) are a great introduction to the town , filled with stories about how Lunenburg was settled.

Old Town Lunenburg has retained its original layout and there are even houses still inhabited by descendants of the first founding families. Along the way you’ll learn why the window on top of the pink ‘wedding cake’ house was called the ‘widow’s watch’ and what exactly the ‘Lunenburg bump’ is.

The group also offer other walking tours including a Haunted Lunenburg tour , including one that is family-friendly. 

Bluenose II

Lunenburg was home to the most famous ship in Canadian history , the Bluenose.

The fishing and racing ship was launched in March 21 and quickly became one of the fastest ships to have ever set sail. For 18 years she won every race she entered and came to symbolise Nova Scotia’s prominence in the fishing and shipbuilding industries. In 1937 her imaged was added to the Canadian dime and has stayed there ever since. 

In 1946, however, the Bluenose struck a reef off of Haiti and sank. In 1963 the Bluenose II was launched, built by many of the same people who had worked on the original ship at the shipyard in Lunenburg. You can see her today, proudly docked in the town, and even go out for a sail on her. Two hour cruises are available twice daily in season. See the website for details . 

Ironworks Distillery

Stop by the Ironworks while you are in Lunenburg, a micro-distillery located in an old marine blacksmith’s shop that made the ironwork for both the original Bluenose and Bluenose II.

Today the distillery produces a range of small batch spirits including vodka made from apples grown in the Annapolis Valley and various liqueurs made from local berries. They offer tastings as well as behind the scenes tours. 

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic 

The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is great way for kids – and their parents – to learn more about the life of fishermen . Housed within an old fish processing plant , the museum invites visitors to explore retired fishing schooners, including Theresa E. Conner, the last of its kind to be built in 1937 before after trawlers were introduced. 

Just a few minutes away from Lunenburg by car is the village of Blue Rocks , a perfectly formed fishing village with blue slate rocks on the edge of the ocean. Apparently the fish shack sitting in the middle of the water (you can’t miss it!) is one of the most photographed buildings in the county!

Where to stay in Lunenburg

River Ridge Lodge is a B&B just outside of Mahone Bay and a great option for exploring Lunenburg and beyond. They have rooms that sleep four people. 

The Lunenburg Inn is a beautiful home and the oldest inn in town – they’ve been welcoming guests for almost 100 years. Rooms are double so it’s a good option if you are travelling with an infant or have older children who can have their own room. 

Smuggler’s Cove Inn & Suites has a range of bedrooms including rooms with two double beds. The property is located in the heart of town, across from Lunenburg’s famous docks. 

The Salt Shaker Deli & Inn receives fantastic reviews and has a number of bedrooms that would work well for families including a Superior King Suite that sleeps up to four people. Downstairs is the Salt Shaker Deli that serves delicious fresh seafood overlooking the waterfront. 

Where to eat in Lunenburg

Many of the local Lunenburg restaurants form part of the province’s ‘Chowder Trail’ , a collection of restaurants around Nova Scotia that serve up rich, creamy homemade chowders packed full of fresh local seafood. Your can collect stamps in a booklet along the way and when you collect 10 stamps you win a free t-shirt and entry for the Chowder Enthusiast Draw . 

If chowder is not your thing, however, don’t worry as Lunenburg has plenty more to offer. I had a delicious lunch at the Salt Shaker Deli & Inn . I couldn’t resist the chowder but there are lots of other delicious things on the menu. Not surprisingly the menu is very seafood-heavy.

Other recommendations include The South Shore Fish Shack , home to reputedly the best fish and chips in town. Half Shell Oysters and Seafood is the place to go for raw oysters from both Nova Scotia and around the maritimes. They also offer other dishes such as tacos. For breakfast head to the Savvy Sailor Caf e and for a really, really good coffee No. 9 Coffee Bar , who also bake outstanding cinnamon rolls. 

It’s a quick 15-minute drive from Lunenburg to Mahone Bay , a pretty town originally settled by German and French farmers and today bursting with Nova Scotian charm . It’s named after a mahonne, a type of French barge once favoured by the privateers who navigated the local waters. 

It’s particularly famous for its three churches that stand shoulder to shoulder along the waterfront. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is the oldest, dating back to 1869. It was followed by St. James’ Anglican Church in 1887 and then Trinity United Church in 1923. 

Visit Mahone Bay in October and you may catch the town’s annual Scarecrow Festival when the streets come to life with over 250 hand-made life-size scarecrows. Sure, it may sound a little odd but it is also incredibly charming.

The Barn is a fantastic place for good strong coffee and deliciously indulgent homemade cakes. 

I stayed at the Kitch’Inn , which has three very comfortable double rooms and is next door to Betty’s , a friendly restaurant that does a mean trade in wood fired pizzas at the weekend. 

Peggy’s Cove

The tiny rural fishing village is one of the jewels in Nova Scotia’s crown, largely owing to its majestic lighthouse . There are over 160 historic lighthouses in Nova Scotia but this one is definitely the most photographed . 

Set on a headland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean , waves crashing against mighty granite boulders, this tall, lonely lighthouse is the Nova Scotia that you see on postcards. It’s not surprising, therefore, that during peak season coach loads of visitors arrive eager to snap a shot. 

Visit off season however and while you won’t have the town to yourself, there will certainly be far fewer people on the characterful streets (look out for the characterful names such as Lobster Lane).

Things to do in Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is undoubtedly the main attraction. Once you’ve captured that iconic shot on film (or, rather, smartphone) then take a closer look and you’ll discover the Post Office inside the lower level of the lighthouse. Remember to bring your letters or postcards to send home! 

Other sights include the sculpture carved by William Edward de Garthe , a Finnish-born Canadian painter who lived and worked in Peggy’s Cove, documenting the lives of the local fishermen as well as the wild and woolly landscape. 

Perhaps his most impressive work – and the one that you can see in Peggy’s Cove today – is the sculpture dedicated to the town’s fishermen . Carved on a 30-metre long granite rock it features 32 fishermen, their wives and children, and even his pet seagull. You’ll find it behind his house almost directly opposite the tourist office. 

From here walk along towards the lighthouse and you’ll pass The Buoy Shack housed within a building once used to salt fish. It’s run by an ex-fisherman is packed full of marine-related souvenirs and knick-knacks, many of them handmade from old fishing equipment . 

Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, however, it’s worth having a look inside to see the ancient whale jaw bone and ribs that are on display. 

Continue wandering and you’ll see that a handful of the traditional clapboard fishermen houses have been turned into shops but this is still very much an active fishing community (which is why you will also see signs asking visitors not to enter certain areas). 

If you want to get out on the water then you can organise a boat ride from near the small harbour. 

Where to eat in Peggy’s Cove

Opposite the lighthouse is the Sou’Wester , a large restaurant favoured with tour groups. If you prefer something a little more low-key then order a delicious lobster roll from Tom’s Lobster Shack . 

Peggy’s Cove to Halifax

From Peggy’s Cove it’s a speedy 16 minute drive back to the capital and the end of your Nova Scotia road trip (and possibly the start of your next adventure).

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About the author.

Katja Gaskell

8 Must Do Nova Scotia Road Trips: Itineraries, Tips + Maps

The destination of your next road trip? Nova Scotia, Canada. At least, it should be!

This East Coast province may look small( ish ) on the map, but it actually has over 13,000km of coastline as well as mountain plateaus, lush valleys, 3000+ lakes and more.

As well as the outstanding scenery, you’ll find friendly locals, authentic small town charm and plenty of fresh, locally produced food.

Oh, and the world’s highest tides, 12 species of whales, 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites, 2 UNESCO Biospheres, 2 National Parks, 13 National Historic Sites and 1 Dark Sky Preserve! I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

In this post, I’m going to be sharing seven of the very best Nova Scotia road trips, with detailed route information featuring things to do and places to visit. JR and I have visited every place mentioned, most recently on a two month long road trip across the entirety of the province.

Nova Scotia is located on Megumaagee, land of the Mi’kmaq. This post published February 2021, updated November 2022.

Nova Scotia Road Trips

To give you a taste of what’s to come, here are some highlights of each Nova Scotia road trip (you can also skip to each itinerary directly)

• The Annapolis Valley (2 to 3 days) – Wolfville, Grand-Pré, Cape Split, Fort Edward, Look-Off, Annapolis Royal
• Digby Neck and Beyond (3 to 4 days) – Brier Island, Long Island, Digby, Annapolis Royal, Port Royal, Bear River, Kejimkujik National Park
• Yarmouth and Acadian Shore (2 to 3 days) – Acadian Village, Cape Forchu Lighthouse, Mavillette Beach, Smugglers Cove, Port Maitland Beach, Église Sainte-Marie, Belliveaus Cove
• South Shore (3 to 4 days) – Peggy’s Cove, Lunenberg, Mahone Bay, Oak Island, LaHave Islands, Risser’s Beach, Liverpool, Kejimkujik Seaside, Shelburne, Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
• Eastern Shore (2 to 3 days) – Lawrencetown Beach, 100 Wild Islands, Memory Lane, Taylor Head Provincial Park, Sherbrooke Village, Canso Islands
• Antigonish and the Cape George Scenic Drive (1 to 2 days) – Downtown Antigonish, Mahoneys Beach, Ballantyne’s Cove, Cape George Lighthouse, Arisaig Lighthouse, Arisaig Provincial Park, Keppoch Mountain
• Cabot Trail (3 to 4 days) – Chéticamp, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Skyline Trail, Fishing Cove Trail, Pleasant Bay, Jack Pine Trail, Ingonish, Franey Trail, Baddeck
• Bay of Fundy (2 to 3 days) – Burntcoat Head Park, tidal bore rafting, Five Islands Provincial Park, Parrsboro, Cape D’or, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Joggins Fossil Cliffs

At the end of the post, you’ll find two more Nova Scotia road trips featuring complete circular routes of the province:

• Ultimate Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (2.5 weeks)
• North/South Spotlight (8 days)

Please note that I have not included Halifax in any of these Nova Scotia road trips – it deserves a post of its own! If you’re visiting from outside Nova Scotia, I’d suggest spending at least two days exploring the city. My recommendations for things to do in Halifax are here!

This post was written in partnership with Tourism Nova Scotia. It includes some affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of these links, I may receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you.

The Annapolis Valley – 2 to 3 days

The Annapolis Valley is a rich, agricultural region located on the west coast of Nova Scotia. Small towns and villages dot a patchwork landscape of farms, vineyards and fields, all backdropped by the extraordinary Bay of Fundy (home of the world’s highest tides).

The artsy yet regal town of Wolfville (C) , an hour’s drive from Halifax, is an ideal first stop. From here, you can easily explore some of Nova Scotia’s best wineries (try the Magic Winery Bus !), breweries, cideries and distilleries.

A short drive away is the foodie mecca of Port Williams (D) , where local produce is king (think honey, gin, freshly made pasta and more). Just up the road is the simply named Look-Off (E) , where you can take in panoramas of the fields and ocean beyond.

If you want to stretch your legs, consider the 16km round trip hike to Cape Split (F). This may sound long but the trail is almost flat all the way to the end, where the rugged tip of the Cape dramatically falls into the Bay of Fundy.

The Annapolis Valley is home to a number of National Historic Sites –  Fort Anne   (G) and Port Royal (H) in Annapolis Royal, Grand Pré (B) near Wolfville and Fort Edward (A) in Windsor. Annapolis Royal itself is also steeped in history, with over 120 heritage buildings and worth the detour from the Wolfville area on longer road trips.

Essential details

Total distance: 200km Where to stay: Micro Boutique Living in the heart of downtown Wolfville Where to eat: The Noodle Guy in Port Williams, Crush Pad Bistro at Lucketts Vineyards Detours and extensions: Take a trip to Burncoat Head Park to walk on the oven floor and see red ‘flowerpot rocks.’ Or for a bit of excitement, consider a tidal bore rafting adventure

Read More: A Weekend in Wolfville – Nova Scotia’s Coolest Small Town

Digby Neck and Beyond – 3 to 4 days

If you’re looking for a nature-focused off the beaten path adventure in Nova Scotia, this may be the one!

Digby Neck is a 30km long peninsula extending into the Bay of Fundy from the town of Digby (A) itself. Long Island (B) and tiny Brier Island (C) are found at the end, accessible by short vehicle ferries. Natural beauty is the main draw here, with the ocean never being far away.

Whale watching is a must do activity, with humpbacks commonly seen nearby (just one of twelve species visiting the Bay of Fundy!) If you prefer wildlife spotting on land, this area is a popular migration spot for birds.

As well as sharing a wonderfully laid back vibe, Long Island and Brier Island both have excellent hiking trails and coastlines featuring beautiful basalt columns (the best example being Balancing Rock ).

Back on the mainland, make a short detour up to Annapolis Royal (D) . In addition to a number of notable National Historic Sites , this distinguished town has over 120 heritage buildings (and a great brewery ). Be sure to also drop into Bear River (E) . This tidal village on stilts is as characterful as it is small.

Outdoor adventure awaits in Kejimkujik National Park (F) , where you can camp under Nova Scotia’s darkest skies, paddle an intricate lake system ( guided tours available) and hike to beautiful waterfalls. It’s also possible to connect with Mi’kmaw culture, with canoe building demonstrations.

Total distance: 250km Where to stay: Brier Island Lodge on beautiful Brier Island Where to eat: Kalen’s Takeout in Digby, Lighthouse Café on Brier Island Detours and extensions: Backtrack to the Bay of Fundy and then head to Wolfville (see above itinerary) or continue along Highway 8 from Kejimkujik to the South Shore

Read Next: Brier Island, Nova Scotia’s Hidden Gem

Acadian Shore – 2 to 3 days

In my mind, Nova Scotia’s southwestern coast is the most underrated area in the province. Imagine beautiful coastal scenery, an abundance of fresh seafood, pretty lighthouses and a vivacious blend of Acadian and English culture.

You first stop is the Historic Acadian Village of Nova Scotia (A) . This beautiful living museum by the sea offers the chance to immerse yourself into the life of local Acadians back in the early 1900’s.

A short drive from Yarmouth will bring you to the uniquely shaped Cape Forchu Lighthouse (B) . This red and white ‘apple core’ light sits on a headland, surrounded by hiking trails and epic views. Time your visit right and there’s the chance to see a sunset too!

As you travel north from Yarmouth, bilingual signs and the tricolour flag (with yellow star representing the Virgin Mary) welcome you into la Baie Sainte-Marie , home of Nova Scotia’s largest Acadian community. North America’s largest wooden church, Église Sainte-Marie (F), is here, plus other heritage sites.

There are fabulous beaches along this coast too, with Port Maitland beach (C) and Mavillette beach (D) being great examples. Belliveau Cove (G) is another ideal place to stop, featuring 5km of looping trails along salt marshes and shingle beach. Pretty Smuggler’s Cove (E) was used by rum runners during the prohibition era.

While exploring the Clare region, be sure to look out for informal seafood suppers, listen to the local dialect of Acadian French and have a taste of râpure (also known as rappie pie ), a classic Acadian comfort food dish made of meat and potatoes.

Total distance: 140km Where to stay: Argyler Lodge in Lower Argyle Where to eat: Keeper’s Kitchen at Cape Forchu, La Cuisine Robicheau in Saulnierville Detours and extensions: Consider starting at Cape Stable Island instead. This laid back place (accessible via causeway) hosts Nova Scotia’s tallest lighthouse as well as a 1,500 ‘drowned’ forest. On the way to the Acadian Village, you could also stop at the Shag Harbour Incident Interpretive Centre to learn about the 1967 UFO crash

South Shore – 3 to 4 days

This 250km stretch of coastline south of Halifax is absolutely packed with gorgeous scenery and things to do, which is why it’s my top road trip choice if you’re short on time. Some sections are busy in summer, but there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy solitude as well.

Leave Halifax early to arrive at Peggy’s Cove (A) before most visitors arrive. Once you’ve taken in those iconic granite rock and lighthouse views, head past infamous Oak Island (B) to the picture perfect churches of Mahone Bay (C) . The colourful port town of Lunenburg (D) is just a short drive away.

With the most popular sights ticked off, it’s time to explorer the quieter side of the South Shore. Stretch your legs at Ovens Natural Park , where a trail leads above and into rugged ocean caves. To continue along the coast, take the cable ferry (one the last remaining in Nova Scotia) across to LaHave (E) .

If you like beaches, you’ll love this next section. In fact, you may even be overwhelmed by the number of beautiful white and golden sand stretches of sand! Some of my favourites are Risser’s Beach (F) , Summerville (H) and Kejimkujik Seaside (I) .

For a deeper insight into Nova Scotia’s history, I’d recommend stopping in the towns of Liverpool (G) and Shelburne . Just outside the latter is Birchtown , once home to the largest settlement of Black Loyalists (former slaves offered freedom by the British) in North America. If you go to just one museum on the South Shore, let it be the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre (J) .

Total distance: 275km Where to stay: Smugglers Cove Inn in Lunenburg Where to eat: LaHave Bakery in LaHave, Quarterdeck Grill in Summerville Detours and extensions: Make a real road trip of it and complete a circuit by travelling the Acadian Shore towards Digby. Along the way, take the trip to Cape Sable Island at the very tip of southern Nova Scotia. Be sure to visit ‘the Hawk, ‘ a white sand beach featuring 1,500 year old petrified tree stumps and views of Nova Scotia’s tallest lighthouse.

Read Next: 13 of the Best Beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada

Eastern Shore – 2 to 3 days

The Eastern Shore starts just north of Halifax but feels like a world away. There are no busy tourist traps here, just plenty of authentic fishing villages and beautiful sandy beaches. The road stays close to the coast, which means great views and also a lot of twisty turns!

If you’d like to have a go at surfing, head to Lawrencetown Beach (A). There are a number of surf schools here with rentals and lessons.

For beauty, my top pick is Martinique Beach (B) . Living up to its exotic sounding name, Martinique features a sweeping, 5km long stretch of white-sand. Further north, Taylor Head (D) is also worth a stop.

More idyllic beaches can be found within the 100 Wild Islands  archipelago, which borders part of the Eastern Shore (between Clam Harbour and Taylor Head). If you don’t have your own boat, you can still reach these pristine paradise islands by joining a kayak tour.

For something a little more cultural, check out the Memory Lane Heritage Village (C) and Sherbrooke Village (E) . These community focused projects depict life on the Eastern Shore during the late 19th century (Sherbrooke) and 1940’s (Memory Lane).

At the upper end of the Eastern Shore is the Canso Islands National Historic Site (F) , preserving the remains of the oldest fishing port on mainland North America. As well as an interesting visitor centre, it’s usually possible (in non-Covid years) to take a free boat trip out to Grassy Island to walk amongst the ruins of a fort.

Total distance: 340km Where to stay: Liscombe Lodge in Liscomb Where to eat: The Cookhouse at Memory Lane, Henley House Pub & Restaurant in Sheet Harbour Detours and extensions: Continue on to the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island (info below) or head towards Pictou and the Northumberland Shore

Read More: Kayaking the 100 Wild Islands, Eastern Shore

Antigonish and the Cape George Scenic Drive – 1 to 2 days

This short Nova Scotia road trip is worthwhile as a weekend getaway trip or a side adventure on the way to the Cabot Trail.

Starting (and ending) in Antigonish, this picturesque driving route follows the edge of a triangular shaped piece of land jutting into the Northumberland Strait.

Antigonish may be small, but much more vibrant than you may imagine due its status as a regional centre and university town. Spend one full day here (we have several suggested itineraries ) before starting the Cape George Scenic Drive .

If you haven’t already, stop at Antigonish Landing (B) for a 4km walk along the river. Continue to Mahoneys Beach (C) , the first of many lovely sand beaches on this stretch of the drive.

The next stop is Ballantyne’s Cove (D) – take a break to explore the beach and enjoy some seafood (more details below). The Bluefin Tuna Interpretive Centre is also worth a look.

After Ballantyne’s Cove, the road starts to curve as it ascends up to Cape George Lighthouse (E) . Perched at the top of 100m high cliffs, Cape George Lighthouse hosts commanding views of the Northumberland Straight and Cape Breton Island.

Consider starting a hike at nearby Cape George Point Day Park . 37km of looped paths can be accessed from here. Otherwise, continue onto Livingstone’s Cove Wharf Park (F) to see far reaching vistas of the road ahead.

Another lighthouse awaits in Arisaig (G) as well as a provincial park (H) . The main attraction of the latter is the rare exposed section of Silurian rock, featuring 400 million year old fossils.

The final stops on this scenic drive are Big Island Beach (I) and Keppoch Mountain (J) , a four season recreational area featuring 40km of non-motorized paths.

Only have one day to spare? Start the Cape George Scenic Drive in the morning and return to Antigonish in the late afternoon for drinks at one of the local breweries and dinner at the Townhouse .

Total distance: 136km Where to stay: Fossil Farms Oceanside Resort in Merigomish Where to eat: The Townhouse in Antigonish, Fish and Ships take-out in Ballatyne’s Cove Detours and extensions: If you’re still craving beach time, head to beautiful Pomquet Beach Provincial Park (15 mins east of Antigonish). Consider combining this trip with the Cabot Trail, see below for details

Cabot Trail – 3 to 4 days

The Cabot Trail is a 298km driving loop on Cape Breton Island, where Nova Scotia’s highest mountains meet the sea. This scenic drive is an adventure in itself. Expect to be pulling over often for the views! This is the ideal road trip if you love the outdoors.

There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, whale watching, camping and kayaking along the way. The most popular hike is the Skyline Trail (C) . Ballpark two hours for the 6.5km return distance, which leads through meadows (watch for moose) to a headland with sweeping ocean views.

Other awesome day hikes include the Jack Pine Trail (F) and Franey Trail (H) , both near Ingonish. For an overnight hiking adventure, check out Fishing Cove (D) . The 12km return trail leads down to a pretty seaside campground, with ocean views from most tent pads.

Besides all of these outdoor activities, you can also experience local Acadian, Canadian and Scottish culture and cuisine in fishing villages like Baddeck (I) , Chéticamp (B) and Ingonish (G) . Pleasant Bay (E) is another of my favourite places to stop, as it features a gorgeous pebble beach.

One place that is certainly worth the detour (180km, about two hours) from the Cabot Trail is the Fortress of Louisbourg (J ).

This National Historic Site is a living museum portraying French colonial life in the 18th century featuring costumed actors and restored buildings (barracks, working bakery, blacksmith etc). If you have any interest in history, Louisbourg is a MUST!

Total distance: 365km Where to stay: True North Destinations in Pleasant Bay (or the Fortress of Louisbourg itself!) Where to eat: Aucoin Bakery in Petit Étang, Coastal Restaurant in Ingonish Detours and extensions: Consider attending a cèilidh in the Mabou area , southwest of the Cabot Trail. For a real off the beaten path adventure, head to Meat Cove, at the very tip of Cape Breton Island. The campground here has some of the best views anywhere in Nova Scotia

Bay of Fundy – 2 to 3 days

This Nova Scotia road trip showcases the Bay of Fundy’s world record breaking tides, from the power of the tidal bore created by them to the fossils revealed underneath the ocean floor.

Start your adventure at Burntcoat Head Park (A) . If you time it right (check tides here ), you’ll be able to walk on the ocean floor and marvel at the bright red ‘flowerpot rocks’ created by the receding ocean.

You can experience the power of the Bay of Fundy yourself on a tidal bore rafting adventure (B) in nearby South Maitland. When the tide comes in, the Shubenacadie River becomes a rollercoaster of standing waves and whirlpools. You’ll leave soaked, exhilarated and smiling ear to ear.

On the other side of the Bay of Fundy, stop at Five Islands Provincial Park (C) to admire the 90m red cliffs. Continue on to Parrsboro (D) , which is famous for fossils and minerals.

Admire the airy views and lighthouse from remote Cape D’or (E) before heading towards Cape Chignecto Provincial Park.

There are two hiking trailheads here, Red Rocks and Eatonville (F). The latter has a 2.6km loop that takes in the dramatic Three Sisters sea stacks .

The final stop on this route is Joggins Fossil Cliffs (G) , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out the museum or walk the beach. Keep your eyes peeled, there’s the chance to stumble across 310 million year fossils (like this visitor did in 2020!)

Total distance: 300km Where to stay: Cresthaven by the Sea in Maitland Where to eat: Harbour View Restaurant in Parrboro, Lightkeeper’s Kitchen  at Cape D’or Detours and extensions: Looking for an adventure? The Cape Chignecto Trail is a 51km circular route offering spectacular panoramas of the Bay of Fundy. It takes three to our days to hike, with four cabins and seven campgrounds along the way. Click to read a full guide

Ultimate Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary – 2.5 weeks

Of course, you can combine all of these Nova Scotia road trip into one ‘ultimate’ route. It would look a little bit like this, when starting and ending in Halifax:

This ‘ultimate’ Nova Scotia road trip would be about 2.5 weeks in length (18 days), with the total distance around 2500km.

I would break that down as follows –

• South Shore : 3 days
• Yarmouth and Acadian Shore : 2 days
• Digby Neck/Annapolis Royal/Kejimkujik National Park : 3 days
• Annapolis Valley : 2 days
• Bay of Fundy : 2 days
• Antigonish and the Cape George Scenic Drive : 1 day
• Cabot Trail : 3 days
• Eastern Shore : 2 days

This would involve a pretty busy itinerary; expect to be ‘on the go’ every day. Please note that this itinerary does not account for any time in Halifax.

If you have more time available to you to explore this road trip route, all the better.

Nova Scotia is a place to slow down and take as many side roads as possible! I would personally add another day to the South Shore, Digby area, Cabot Trail and Eastern Shore.

As mentioned, we’ve spent more than four months road tripping Nova Scotia over the years and I’d happily go back tomorrow. There’s still so much more to see!

If you’re looking for even more recommendations to add to this road trip, consider:

• Pictou – the “birthplace of New Scotland” with Hector Heritage Quay
• Tatamagouche – charming small town with many local food producers
• Melmerby Beach – stunning 2km long beach
• Inverness – famous scenic golf course, great beach
• Stellarton – Museum of Industry  with Canada’s oldest steam locomotives

North/South Spotlight – 8 days

If you are short on time, consider this condensed version I call the ‘North/South Spotlight.’

This Nova Scotia road trip route also starts and ends in Halifax and breaks down like so:

• South Shore – 2 days
• Acadian Coast – 1 day
• The Annapolis Valley / Bay of Fundy – 2 days
• Cabot Trail – 3 days

This is fast but features most of Nova Scotia’s must visit places on a circular route. The total trip distance is just under 2000km.

Of course, I recommend you to stay longer in Nova Scotia (because it is incredible!) but if you simply can’t, this road trip features all of the highlights you’ve probably heard about – Lunenberg, Peggy’s Cove, Cabot Trail – as well as some beyond the beaten path gems such as la Baie Sainte-Marie and Burntcoat Head.

Road Trips in Nova Scotia: Top Tips

• Drive carefully. While there are some high speed highways, many of Nova Scotia’s rural roads are twisty and narrow
• Take the side roads. Slow down your trip by turning off the highway – you’re sure to find some hidden gems!
• Look out for wildlife. Large animals (such as moose) may be on the road at any time, but more likely at dusk and dawn
• For the most part, Nova Scotians are really, really friendly. Prepare to be stopped by people while exploring. We even had people invite us home for dinner!
• Plan ahead. Make accommodation and camping reservations in advance to avoid disappointment
• Don’t overcrowd your schedule. Rushing around is never fun and, besides, you’ll want to have a bit of flexibility to investigate recommendations from locals!
• Here for the lobster? No problem! No matter what time of year you choose to road trip in Nova Scotia, there’s always lobster to be found. In a pinch, head to Sobey’s (local supermarket chain) and they will cook you a lobster while you shop!

Nova Scotia history and culture

The history of Nova Scotia is probably more varied than you may expect and that’s exactly why I want to give you a very quick overview before you dive into the nitty gritty of road trip planning!

The first residents of Nova Scotia were the Mi’kmaq , who called their home Mi’kma’ki. Some of the place names used today are Mi’kmaw (such as Shubenacadie).

A contingent of French explorers landed in 1605 and established Port Royal, one of the first European settlements in North America.

Soon, groups of French settlers arrived farm the land. They called it ‘Acadie’ ( idyllic place) and themselves ‘ Acadian ‘ ( read more about Acadians here ).

The French and British fought over Nova Scotia over a century. The Acadians wanted to stay neutral but the British wouldn’t allow that and consequently deported the Acadians in an act called the ‘Great Upheaval’ or ‘Expulsion’ (1755).

The revolution in America in the 18th century brought thousands of British Loyalists to the shores of Nova Scotia, including a large continent of former black slaves called Black Loyalists. They were promised freedom in exchange for fighting for the British. 

Scottish and Irish immigrants arrived in huge numbers in the 19th century, attempting to escape famine, overcrowding and discrimination.

Other posts you may find helpful with your trip planning:

East Coast Canada Road Trip | 2 and 4 Week Itineraries

13 of the Best Beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada

5 of the Best Day Trips from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Canoeing in Kejimkujik National Park: A Must Do in Nova Scotia

11 of the Best Nova Scotia Campgrounds

A Weekend in Wolfville – Nova Scotia’s Coolest Small Town

6 Fast and Fun Hikes in Nova Scotia, Canada

In Search of Different: 4 Unique Nova Scotia Wineries

Ultimate Two Week Coastal Quebec Road Trip Itinerary

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One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

Wondering what your “must sees” are in 2-3 days time visiting Nova Scotia. We have about a week to plan, but want to visit Acadia National Park as well. It will be early October.So trying to plan and split accordingly! Any advice is great appreciated. Thanks!

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Hi Rebecca,

With just a couple of days in Nova Scotia, I would visit Halifax, Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. You'll get a taste of the fishing history/culture as well as beautiful coastal views. If you're not a city person, I'd still go to Peggy's Cove (preferably early or late in the day, as it is a busy place) and Lunenberg and then keep heading south. Gorgeous beaches and lots of seafood.

Thursday 17th of August 2023

I just found your article and absolutely loved the information and your writing! My wife and I are headed to NS the 3rd week of September for 10 days and will be taking your advice on many of these locations! Quick question about whale watching. Are the tour companies still offering tours at this time of year? Any suggestions of where to take one out of?

Many thanks! Rich & Theresa Wood Virginia

Friday 18th of August 2023

Thanks so much for your kind comments! Yes, there are still tours running at that time of year so you may be able to fit it in! Did you see our whale watching in Nova Scotia post? Tours continue running on Brier Island until early October and on Cape Breton Island until mid October.

Marybeth Cantrell

Saturday 13th of May 2023

Hi Gemma- I am not seeing a lot of information in your blog on Cape Breton…am I missing something? I just finished my itinerary for Antigonish and the Cape George scenic drive and just started glancing at your information about Cape Breton. Can you direct me if I am missing it? Thank you, Marybeth

Sunday 21st of May 2023

Hi Marybeth,

Good spot! No, we don't much specific information on Cape Breton. Not for any particular reason, w3've just written about other places more :) Thanks for checking!

Tuesday 18th of April 2023

Hello- We will be driving from Houston to Nova Scotia arriving in Amherst. We would like to follow your Ultimate Nova Scotia itinerary but not sure where to start following your itinerary coming from that direction. Any help you could provide would be very helpful. Love your itinerary and the detail!

Wednesday 19th of April 2023

@Gemma, While researching Nova Scotia I read that we should drive counter clockwise so the ocean is always closer to us on the highway for better views. Any thoughts on that? And why do you suggest Cape Breton first? Of course it’s the place I’m most looking forward to seeing cause we are BIG on national parks. We have been to 62 of the 63 US National Parks so we only have one left. We have also been to several of Canada’s National Parks as well so we are looking forward to visiting Cape Breton. I love reading blogs when I get ready to travel and yours on Nova Scotia was by far the most informational and organized.

Thanks for the kind comments! That is a good question. Personally, I would head up to Cape Breton Island first. I would then go down to the Eastern Shore and/or Halifax and then to the South Shore. I hope that makes sense!

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

We're coming to Nova Scotia for 8 days in July with 2 small kids. We've also set aside a separate 5 days for Cape Breton, and 16 days for Newfoundland. I'm a bit overwhelmed with what we could see and do in NS and would like it to be a contrast to Newfoundland. Any suggestions on which of your short itineraries would be good to combine? And if we did the South Shore would it be worth basing ourselves in Lunenberg rather than Halifax? Thank you - your itineraries are really helpful!

Monday 6th of March 2023

Completely understand why you must be overwhelmed! Apologies for the late reply - we have been on holiday in a remote area with limited internet. My partner and I have discussed your question at length. JR was previously a Maritimes tour guide and has also visited Newfoundland, so he has a good base of experience to compare the two.

Together, we came to the conclusion that completing a full circuit of southern Nova Scotia would provide a good contrast. That would include a loop to/from Halifax, taking in the South Shore, Yarmouth area, a side trip to Kejimkujik National Park and the Annapolis Valley.

The Acadian culture around Yarmouth and Wolfville is distinctly different to Newfoundland. Kejimkujik National Park, with its lakes and Indigenous culture, also offers something a little different. Yes, some of the coastal landscapes will be similar but on the Bay of Fundy side (Yarmouth and further north), the tides are the largest in the world so that is certainly unique!

If you'd prefer not to tour around, Lunenberg does offer a decent alternative to Halifax. It is, however, a lot smaller and dining/accommodation choice will be more limited. A few nights in Yarmouth may work well for you - there's a good selection of hotels and services here.

I would highly recommend driving some of the smaller coastal road sections along the South Shore, such as the 331, as they offer wonderful views and insights into local fishing village culture.

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How to Plan the Ultimate Trip to Nova Scotia, in Canada

I’ve teamed up with Cailin O’Neil from Nova Scotia Explorer to take us through how to plan a trip to Nova Scotia for when we’re allowed to venture over. Read on for all of our tips and advice…

Canada isn’t open for travel yet, BUT this doesn’t mean we can’t plan. Planning my trips is genuinely one of my favourite parts of travel – looking up and researching what could be, what could I do, where do I NOT want to miss? 

Nova Scotia has been high on my list for a long time – in fact, I planned to get over there in 2020 – but y’know… 

One of the main reasons why I wanted to plan a trip to Nova Scotia was thanks to my friend Cailin who I travelled round Louisiana with, and went to Amsterdam with. Her Instagram feed highlights the best of the province, and her new site, NovaScotiaExplorer just makes me want to go even more. 

I’m enlisting the help of Cailin to steer me in the right direction. We went live on Facebook to discuss the places I HAVE to see, the food I NEED to eat, the places I CANNOT miss and any useful nuggets of information she can pass on.

I’m lucky enough to have been to Canada six times now, and Nova Scotia is definitely next on my list. I’d probably combine it with a trip to Newfoundland, another part of Atlantic Canada, and stay for two weeks doing a road trip. But, for today, let’s stick with just planning a trip to Nova Scotia. 

“In Nova Scotia you’re never more than 60km away from the ocean” – CAILIN, NOVASCOTIAEXPLORER.COM

Why is Nova Scotia so great?

Nova Scotia is only six hours from London, another reason why I’m kicking myself for not going sooner. It’s so close, yet such an undiscovered part of Canada.

With its wide open spaces, fresh air, chilled vibes and natural beauty, I think Nova Scotia makes for the perfect post lockdown trip, so join me in planning a trip to Nova Scotia to keep the dream alive until it’s time to actually go.

The population of Nova Scotia is less than 1 million, with an area of 55,284 square kilometres (21,345 sq mi) – this includes Cape Breton Island and 3,800 other coastal islands. There’s plenty of room for some social isolation!

What to do in Nova Scotia

Go on a road trip.

There’s a definite loop to seeing Nova Scotia, as Cailin explains in the video above. So once you’ve caught up with the jet lag and relaxed in Halifax for a few days, then you can hire a car and road trip around Nova Scotia taking in the key places. You could even drive from Nova Scotia to Toronto , if you want a mega adventure!

Thanks to the outdoors being so stunning in Nova Scotia, and the impressive coastline, you can go on some incredible coastal hikes. There are loads to choose from, from easy to days longs and hard.

Go whale watching

Through the summer and fall when the waters are warmer Nova Scotia becomes a great whale watching destination. Take a whale watching tour from the Bay of Fundy or Cape Breton in search of any of the 12 species of whales that visit Nova Scotia each year. 

Magic winery bus

Visit one of the many vineyards throughout the Annapolis Valley, which has become known as Nova Scotia’s wine country. Sample the Tidal Bay – Nova Scotia’s appellation wine. It pairs flawlessly with the local seafood Nova Scotia is known for.  

In Wolfville hop aboard the Magic Winery Bus as it takes you round the wineries. Always good fun as you get to make friends, visit multiple wineries and leave the car behind.

Food trails

There are a few food and drink trails to enjoy in Nova Scotia. Have a look at the Good Cheer Trail, the Lobster Trail and the Chowder Trail. You can get a little map and cruise around trying all the best of each theme. A great to way to get to know an area!

Where to go in Nova Scotia

– halifax.

Halifax is where you’ll fly into when you visit Nova Scotia. It’s a good idea to spend a few days here to get your bearings and settle into Canada. You can enjoy the city, and do a few days trips here too.

The Halifax Waterfront is a hot spot of the city. Enjoy the over 4km of waterfront boardwalk where you will find, local shops, waterfront restaurants and patios, city tours and a stunning view of the Halifax Harbour. It’s the second largest natural harbour in the world and has some beautiful viewing spots to enjoy the scenery.

– Cape Breton Island

Cape Breton has been named the #1 Island Destination in the Americas by Condé Nast Traveler – make sure to save some time to explore that. There’s also waterfalls and moose here, so keep an eye out.

Each Fall Cape Breton is home to the Celtic Colours International Festival. The island comes alive with music and culture against the gorgeous backdrop of the autumn colours. 

– Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove is a cute fishing village 45 minutes from Halifax, which you can do as a day trip. It has one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world!

Explore the village and enjoy the local shops and restaurants and take in the beautiful coastal views. 

– UNESCO Town of Lunenburg

Known for is colourful historic buildings and seafaring history, Lunenburg needs to be on any Nova Scotia itinerary. You’ll discover great photo ops as you wander the distinctive waterfront full of amazing restaurants, unique shops and colourful architecture. 

– Bay of Fundy

Explore the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. Each day, twice a day, 160 billion tonnes of seawater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy.  Experience these tides by going Tidal Bore Rafting, or walk on the Ocean Floor at Burntcoat Head Park.

– Yarmouth

Yarmouth is best experienced outdoors. This is where you can experience some of the darkest skies in North America. This area is so perfectly suited for viewing the night sky that is had been named a ‘Starlight Reserve’ by the International Starlight Foundation. 

The Cape Forchu Lighthouse is here and you can climb to the top for fantastic photo ops. It’s also the site of Robert Pattinson’s award-winning film, The Lighthouse. You know it’s got to be special, right?

Where to stay in Nova Scotia

The Geodesic domes at Valley Sky offer a unique place for a special night. You can sleep under the stars as the roof opens up, and there’s a hot tub in the dome bubble. Other Geodesic domes in Nova Scotia include True North Destinations and Archers Edge.

In Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (one of the largest national parks in Nova Scotia) you can stay in one of five Ôasis units ‘teardrop style’ units located at Jim Charles Point. There’s a hammock area up top, and beds too.

There are also airbnbs all over the province, tiny houses you can rent and accommodation to suit all price ranges.

What to eat in Nova Scotia

As you’ll learn from the Facebook Live above, lobster is a big deal in Nova Scotia – they even have an annual lobster festival. Fish and seafood are also super popular, with the freshest catch served as standard.

Best time of year to visit Nova Scotia

Cailin says the best time to visit Nova Scotia is spring, summer and fall as there’s a lot more to do. More of the activities will be open, and the nights will go on for longer so you can fit more in. It’s also the only time to get those direct flights.

Aim to spend 7-10 days in Nova Scotia, more if you prefer to spend a few days in each area and spend less time driving. 

Budget and prices in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is great value for people visiting from the UK, thanks to the strength of the pound, so if you’re coming from the UK then it may be an affordable destination. Remember those tips though!

Important prep for travel to Nova Scotia

Passport validity for Canada

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

Visa for Canada

You will need to sign up for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you travel, to get into Canada. You will need to prove that you’ve signed up to this and paid before you’ll be allowed to board your flight.

Travel insurance for Canada

I get my travel insurance with my Flex Plus bank account, but I’d recommend HeyMondo for yours. They offer 24/7 worldwide assistance with travel cancellation and interruption cover. They also have tailor made policies and cover medical expenses up to $10 million. Click here and you’ll get 5% off your travel insurance with HeyMondo.com too. Check out their App for more details.

Planning a trip to Nova Scotia

“We have what the other provinces have but just not the big mountains. We still have the nature and the beauty, you can go fishing, paddleboarding, skiing, sailing and hiking and do all the beautiful things you can do in the rest of Canada.” – CAILIN

I hope this article has got you excited to plan a trip to Nova Scotia. I know I’m even more desperate to go now. I want to be over there in the fresh air, looking up at some huge pines, with a lobster roll in my hand. I dream of travelling around and listening to the great accents, soaking up the charm of the Nova Scotia province, enjoying the colourful buildings on the coast, and doing as many fun activities as possible wearing my plaid shirt as I go.

Post in collaboration with Atlantic Canada “Atlantic Canada is made up of four distinct provinces, each with its own charms, attractions and coastal adventures. Find out more about each province on our  overview  page and let us help you plan your perfect holiday.” – ATLANTIC CANADA

PIN THIS GUIDE TO HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO NOVA SCOTIA FOR LATER

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Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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The Most Amazing Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary

Posted on Published: July 31, 2022  - Last updated: August 8, 2022

Categories Blog , Canada , City Guides , Nova Scotia , Road Trips , Small Town Guides , Transportation , Travel Guides

This is the ultimate Nova Scotia road trip itinerary that you’re welcome to steal for yourself! I embarked on an incredible road trip of Nova Scotia for a week and had a wonderful time. This Nova Scotia travel guide highlights a roundtrip adventure from Halifax visiting the South Shore, Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores, the Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy.

Naturally, there are so many more things to do in Nova Scotia and places to visit not mentioned in this travel guide. With only 7 days in Nova Scotia, you need to choose one area of the province and focus on it. If you find yourself with two weeks in Nova Scotia, head up to Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail or add stops in the Northumberland Shore and Eastern Shore.

Posts may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links. I may be compensated if you make a purchase using my link.

Here’s a brief rundown of this Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, driving roundtrip from Halifax. Most road trips in Atlantic Canada and Nova Scotia start in Halifax as that’s where you’ll be taking your flight. Spend your first day and night in Halifax, and then continue to make your way around the South Shore, Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, and the Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley.

• Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg
• LaHave Ferry, Kejimkujik National Park and Shelburne
• Acadian Shores and Digby
• Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley
• Bay of Fundy

Table of Contents

Nova Scotia Road Trip Map and Itinerary

This handy Nova Scotia road trip map will help you plan your journey. You can  access the map here . Feel free to save it to your Google account and reference it when you’re plotting out your trip. I’ve added every road side stop, hotel, restaurant, cafe, attraction and activity to this map. Read about each stop in more detail in this travel blog post.

Getting Around Nova Scotia

First, you’ll need to find your way to Halifax. While some people might make the road trip from Toronto to Nova Scotia or parts of the USA to Nova Scotia, the easiest and quickest way to get to Halifax is by flying. Fly to Halifax and then pick up your rental car at the Halifax airport. Here’s where you’ll find the cheapest flights to Halifax and be able to compare prices to find the best rates.

Then, you will need a rental car for this Nova Scotia road trip. For this trip, I rented my car with Authentik Canada, who I highly recommend for a car rental in Halifax . Picking up the rental car at the airport was a very easy and smooth process. You can return the rental car back to the airport at the end of your trip or even arrange an alternate location.

Authentik Canada has a wonderful website with lots of Canada road trip suggestions. They have custom built itineraries to go along with the car rental, so it’s really easy to plan and book your experience. With Authentik, you can plan 100% of your trip online, get advice from local specialists, and enjoy tailor-made personalized road trips. They also rent out RVs , too!

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 1: Halifax

You’ve arrived in Nova Scotia and it’s time to explore Halifax! I recommend spending at least one day in Halifax before embarking on any Nova Scotia road trip. In this itinerary, we’ll spend a full day in Halifax at the start of the trip, and then another half day in Halifax at the end of the trip. If you’re looking for vegan food in Halifax, check out my Halifax vegan guide .

If you love guided tours and don’t want to plan too much today, you can always book a half day guided tour of Halifax . It includes stops around town, a trip to Citadel Hill, and a scenic drive to Peggy’s Cove. You’ll receive free time to explore and admire Peggy’s Cove, too.

Hydrostone District and North End

Do you love visiting different neighbourhoods of cities when you travel? I love going for walks around various districts of town, so I headed over to the Hydrostone District and North End of Halifax. The Hydrostone District is a National Heritage Site as the homes were all constructed with a similar English garden style theme after the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

There are many rows of colourful homes that remind me a bit more of Europe than Canada. Also, the Hydrostone Market showcases a row of interesting boutiques and restaurants that are open seven days a week. You can walk from downtown Halifax to the North End. Meander through main and residential streets on your way there to visit a variety of shops. You will also see many beautiful houses on the way.

Halifax Public Gardens

Halifax Public Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in the city, and one of the best free things to do in Halifax. Don’t miss adding this one to your Nova Scotia road trip adventure. Once you walk through the ornate wrought iron gates at the entranceways to the gardens, you’ll immediately feel any stresses of the day melt away. Wander down the various pathways to admire carpet beds, flowers, fountains and statues.

There are two concrete bridges overlooking the gardens, a collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, a tropical and cactus garden, a rose garden, and a decorative wooden bandstand. The bandstand is one of the focal points of the garden, built in 1887 and restored in 2011. It was dedicated to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and has been a venue for concerts for over 125 years. In fact, there were several violinists performing when I wandered through the park.

Halifax Citadel Historic Site

For the history buffs in the crowd, a trip to Halifax isn’t complete without a stop at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site . The Halifax Citadel has a unique star-shaped structure, and you can walk around the fortified walls to see impressive views of the complex and the city.

The 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery demonstrate what life was like for the soldiers and their families hundreds of years ago. There are many demonstrations happening regularly throughout the day. Take a self-guided tour around the fort and through the buildings. Allow yourself at least an hour or two to fully experience the site’s exhibits and attractions.

Street Art Downtown

Downtown Halifax has so much amazing street art to discover. There are colourful walls and murals around every turn, some covering full walls of buildings. Public art is everywhere in Halifax in the form of murals, sculptures, and even interesting lighting at night.

It’s easy to take a self-guided tour of the street art downtown. There’s a full guide here , so you can view as many as possible during your day in Halifax. I walked around for a couple of hours and combined this with stops at coffee shops and a wander around the Halifax Waterfront (some murals are on buildings at the waterfront).

Halifax Waterfront

One of the most popular places to visit in Halifax is the Halifax Waterfront. It has one of the world’s longest urban boardwalks spanning 4km, from Pier 21 at the Halifax Seaport to Casino Nova Scotia. You can also tour Georges Island National Historic Site by taking a ferry from the waterfront, which I have listed as an attraction at the end of this Nova Scotia road trip itinerary.

At the Halifax Waterfront, there are tons of dining options, opportunities to go shopping, or simply walk around and admire the views. You can rent bikes or kayaks from the waterfront area, too. If you find yourself with more time, you can take a ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth for even more urban exploring.

Where to Stay in Halifax: The Westin Nova Scotian

The Westin Nova Scotian is one of the best places to stay in downtown Halifax. It’s located right on the waterfront with views of Georges Island from your hotel room window. It’s a bright and modern place to stay with many great amenities, like complimentary Wi-Fi and an in-room mini fridge.

This hotel also has an indoor heated pool and a spacious fitness centre. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar. The location is fantastic as you can leave your car behind for the day and walk all over the city. If you choose, you can take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and pick your rental car the following day. There’s a rental car stand right inside this hotel.

BOOK YOUR STAY | READ MORE REVIEWS

If you’d like to see even more places in Halifax, here is a handy map with many more accommodations and vacation rentals. Enter your desired travel dates for more accurate search details.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 2: Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg

If you didn’t end up visiting Peggy’s Cove yesterday on the half day guided tour that I recommended, here’s your chance. Start your road trip from Halifax by driving to the iconic Peggy’s Cove. Then, you’ll wander around beautiful Mahone Bay before venturing off to the colourful seaside town of Lunenburg.

Peggy’s Cove

Your first stop from Halifax is Peggy’s Cove. Peggy’s Cove is home to one of the most famous lighthouses in Canada and one of the top day trips from Halifax. We’re going to start our Nova Scotia road trip in a counterclockwise direction, venturing from Halifax down to Peggy’s Cove.

The Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is located in the tiny fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. There’s a large free parking lot for your car at the edge of the village. From there, it’s only a short walk through the village, past colourful homes and boats, to reach the lighthouse itself. You can walk on the rocks and admire the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse from several angles, even walking right up to it if you choose.

The next stop on this Nova Scotia road trip itinerary is Mahone Bay. If you love cute small towns, you need to visit Mahone Bay. Snap a few photos of this picturesque town from across the bay for views of its three churches and rows of houses. Then, venture into town for more colourful buildings, shops and restaurants.

The Barn Coffee & Social House is a cozy spot in town to grab a coffee. There’s a welcoming atmosphere with lots of seating, plus quirky decor all around. Some other places to check out in Mahone Bay: Saltbox Brewery, Tea Brewery (amazing tea shop), and Amos Pewter.

Lunenburg was on my Canadian travel bucket list for quite some time, and I’m so happy that I had the chance to finally visit. Old Town Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. 70% of the original colonial buildings are still standing today.

There are numerous streets to wander around with artisan shops, restaurants, breweries, cafes and more. I love seeing colourful buildings when I travel and you’ll see rows upon rows of them in Lunenburg. You can take a walking tour in Lunenburg for more details about its seafaring and rum-running history. Bluenose II may be in port when you visit Lunenburg. Of course, this is the famous vessel that you’ll see on the Canadian dime.

Where to Stay in Lunenburg: Salt Shaker Inn

The Salt Shaker Inn offers spacious yet cozy accommodations in the heart of Lunenburg. The rooms overlook Lunenburg Harbour with spectacular seaside views. There are four rooms in total. Two of the rooms are beautiful accommodations with private ensuite bathrooms that are perfect for couples. The other two rooms are multi-level suites with kitchenettes and sofa beds that can sleep up to four people.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 3: Kejimkujik and Shelburne

On day three of this Nova Scotia road trip, depart Lunenburg and head down to Shelburne. On the way, you’ll take one of the most unique ferries in the world. Stop at Kejimkujik National Park before ending the day in the historic village of Shelburne.

LaHave Ferry

Continuing this Nova Scotia road trip, take the LaHave ferry, one of the last remaining cable ferries in Nova Scotia. This short ferry ride connects East LaHave and LaHave in Lunenburg County. It saves you 35 minutes of driving, too! The ferry departs LaHave on the hour and ½ hour, and departs East LaHave on the ¼ hour and ¾ hour. You can walk or drive aboard the ferry and there is no cost.

Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is a brilliant place to connect with nature and Mi’kmaw culture. This is Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve. Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is a protected wilderness on the Atlantic Coast with turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and plenty of coastal wildlife.

At Keji, you can view thousand year old petroglyphs, paddle along interconnected waterways, and hike through an important ecosystem. Go camping or stay in roofed accomodations: oTENTik, Ôasis, rustic cabin, or yurt.

It is possible to spend days at Keji, but you can visit for the day if you’re looking to do a hike or a paddle. I recommend spending at least a day or two here to fully experience the park. If you love outdoor activities, a trip to Kejimkujik is ideal for any Nova Scotia road trip itinerary.

Shelburne is a little town in Nova Scotia with a rich history. In fact, many movies and miniseries have been filmed here, including The Scarlet Letter and The Book of Negroes . For history buffs, don’t miss checking out the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, Shelburne County Museum, the Dory Shop Museum, and the Ross-Thomson House & Store. You can plan your visit to the museums by visiting the official website .

Go for a stroll down the historic waterfront. Pop into The Beandock Coffee & Collectibles for a bevvie. Charlotte Lane Cafe is an amazing restaurant in town. Chef Nakul Khan is inspired by flavours from around the world and prepares creative and delicious dishes. The food I ate here was one of my favourite meals from my entire Nova Scotia road trip. Don’t miss it!

Sandy Point Lighthouse (Shelburne)

Plan out your day so you can see the Sandy Point Lighthouse at sunset. It’s located on a sandbar at the entrance of the Shelburne Harbour. At low tide, there’s a sandy beach to enjoy and you can walk out to the lighthouse. When we visited, the lighthouse was surrounded by water and the fog just started to roll in. While you can see the Sandy Point Lighthouse at any time of day, the sunsets here are astoundingly beautiful.

Where to Stay in Shelburne: Cooper’s Inn

You have to stay the night in Shelburne at Cooper’s Inn ! It’s a sweet, centuries-old B&B in the heart of the historic village by the waterfront. There are several rooms and each are uniquely decorated with antique furnishings. I spent the night in the Morrison room with views overlooking the peaceful garden below. My room also had an ensuite bathroom with an old fashioned claw foot tub. There are also modern touches like a Keurig coffee maker and a flatscreen TV.

At 5:00pm, guests are invited to join the innkeeper, Amanda, in the garden for a glass of wine. The garden is a beautiful place that guests of the inn can enjoy anytime. There are colourful flowers in bloom and lovely garden decorations throughout. It is a great meeting place where you can gather with Amanda and others staying at the B&B.

Breakfast in the morning was delicious. I requested a vegan breakfast and they truly went above and beyond to prepare a tasty dish. Oatmeal, hashbrowns, toast with peanut butter, baked beans, fresh fruit…it was a feast! When you stay at the Cooper’s Inn, you’ll be truly impressed by the attention to detail and you’ll also be made to feel right at home.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 4: Shelburne to Yarmouth

On day four of this Nova Scotia road trip, we drive between Shelburne and Yarmouth, making some interesting stops on the way. Islands, lighthouses, and historic homes are the focus of today. Yarmouth is such a cute town, so make sure that you try to spend at least half of your day there.

Baccaro Point Lighthouse

Did you know that there are approximately 170 lighthouses in Nova Scotia? There are so many to see beyond the one at Peggy’s Cove. While the lighthouses themselves are all so unique, I love that pretty much every lighthouse comes with a gorgeous view, too.

The Baccarro Point Lighthouse is an important seabird watching site. Baccaro is the oldest place name in Nova Scotia, coming from the Basque word, “Baccolaos” (meaning cod-fish). Baccaro Point is the southernmost point of mainland Nova Scotia, and you will find this stately lighthouse there.

Cape Sable Island

Next, continue your Nova Scotia road trip to Cape Sable Island where you will be able to witness the Cape Sable Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Nova Scotia. There are a couple of vantage points where you can see the lighthouse, including The Hawk (or The Hawk Beach).

The Hawk is located on the most southerly tip of Cape Sable Island and it’s intriguing for reasons far beyond catching glimpses of the lighthouse. This white sandy beach is home to the 1,500 year old drowned forest. During low tide, take a stroll along this beach to see petrified the exposed tree stumps from the drowned forest. A portion of the Cape Sable Important Bird Area, an excellent birding area of Nova Scotia, is found at The Hawk.

Seal Island Light Museum

The Seal Island Light Museum is a museum and lighthouse replica in Barrington. You can learn about the history of the lighthouses on Cape Sable Island, Bon Portage and Seal Island. The museum is full of interesting exhibits, old lighthouse equipment and memorabilia.

There are stairs going up to multiple levels with more displays, and you can also climb to the top of the lighthouse. The light is standing but does not operate; however, it is interesting to climb the iron stairs to the top of the lighthouse regardless. This is also the only installed Fresnel lens in Nova Scotia. For fans of history and lighthouses, this is a worthy stop on Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route.

Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse

Here’s another pretty lighthouse for you, the Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse. The original lighthouse dates back to 1853 and has suffered some natural disasters over the years. It was replaced in 1889, partially submerged by Hurricane Edna in 1954, and suffered flooding in 1971. The lighthouse became fully automated in 1987 and still operates today.

Downtown Yarmouth and its Historic Homes

Yarmouth is an adorable town in Nova Scotia and where we’ll spend the rest of the day and night. I suggest going for a walk around downtown Yarmouth by the waterfront and down the main street. You will see all sorts of cute shops, some street art and murals, and even a brewery. There are many historic homes on the neighbouring side streets that are very well kept. Here is where you’ll find a self-guided walking tour of the historic properties.

I spent a few days in Yarmouth while attending the TMAC Conference (Travel Media Association of Canada), so I got to know the town quite well. My favourite restaurants and cafes are Gaia Global Kitchen, Mr. Gonzalez Mexican Cuisine, and Sip Cafe. Heritage Brewing Co is a great place to meet with friends over a pint or a beer flight.

Cape Forchu Lighthouse

When you travel to Yarmouth, you must visit the Cape Forchu Lighthouse. It’s situated at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, and it is the light for Yarmouth and its harbour. It is a very unique and tall structure, and it’s possible to climb all of the stairs to the top.

The Cape Forchu Light has always been loved by tourists, although the locals took a while to take to the newer lighthouse (built in 1962). The new lighthouse looks drastically different from the old timber tower. The scenery surrounding the lighthouse is quite magnificent. Out of all of the lighthouses that I’ll mention in this article, go to the Cape Forchu Lighthouse if you can only visit one of them.

Where to Stay in Yarmouth: Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn in Yarmouth is a clean and convenient accommodation with friendly staff members and an excellent complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning. It’s a pet-friendly hotel if you’re travelling with your pup. There’s free parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, a spacious bathroom and a flatscreen TV with many channels.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 5: Acadian Shores and Digby

From Yarmouth, we explore the Acadian Shores on our way up to Digby. There are an amazing collection of lighthouses on this stretch. Naturally, they all come paired with incredible views, and every lighthouse is unique with its own story.

Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park

It was a very foggy day when we drove to the Cape St. Mary’s Lighthouse. The scenery from this spot really reminded me of Ireland. There are rugged cliffs and mossy rocks around the lighthouse.

This lighthouse became fully automated in 1988 and was built in 1965. It is a square concrete tower and it may be the third lighthouse on this station. The first lighthouse was constructed at this site in 1868.

Smugglers Cove Provincial Park

Smuggler’s Cove Provincial Park is a scenic and pretty place to visit. You can stop here for a picnic and enjoy the views of the cove itself. This place was where liquor was smuggled during prohibition in the 1920s. The cove becomes inaccessible during high tide, but it can be reached during low tide. It was the perfect place for hiding alcohol! You can view Smuggler’s Cove from up above or climb down the 80 steps to the ocean floor during low tide.

Belliveau Cove Lighthouse

The Belliveau Cove Lighthouse was one of the smallest and cutest lighthouses on this Nova Scotia road trip. The light is still standing and operational, though it became automated in 1993. This red square tower was built in 1889.

Belliveau Cove is the name of the village, and the park is called Parc Joseph-et-Marie-Dugas. There is a 5km coastal walking trail to explore that meanders past shingle beaches and salt marshes. If you visit on a Saturday, you can also check out the local farmers market.

Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse

Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse is another unique lighthouse and location on the coast of Nova Scotia’s Acadian Shores. This is a square lighthouse keeper’s house with the lighthouse lantern on the roof. Most lighthouse keepers lived in a building separate from the lighthouse itself, but this one had everything located in the same building. There are only three lighthouses left of this type in Nova Scotia.

You can go for a walk around this lighthouse, including down the rocks to the water below. It’s a beautiful location for a picnic or a walk. The lighthouse was declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 1990.

Point Prim Lighthouse

The Point Prim Lighthouse sits on Prim Point, a rocky headland and the west entrance point for Digby Gut (a deep water passage between steep shores, leading to the Annapolis Basin). The Point Prim Light is a white tower with red vertical stripes. It was built in 1964, replacing The Fundy Light, which was destroyed by fire in 1873. The new light was moved farther back from the cliff than the original towers, and it is operational to this day.

If you find yourself with some extra time after following Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Trail, go for a wander around Digby. It’s a cute small town in Nova Scotia with shops and restaurants. The Digby Pier Lighthouse is right in the middle of town, should you wish to see another little lighthouse. You can also go for a walk on the Digby County Rail Trail.

Where to Stay in Digby: Admiral Digby Inn

The Admiral Digby Inn is a charming place to stay with picturesque views of the Annapolis Basin. Some rooms at the inn have balconies facing the sea. You can also book a private one or two bedroom cottage. The Admiral Digby Inn is close to all local attractions and activities and it’s only a short drive into downtown Digby.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 6: Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley

We depart Digby and the Acadian Shores on this Nova Scotia road trip on the way to Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley. Wolfville is an adorable town that’s a great home base for exploring the region. Spend your day in Wolfville and be sure to visit the nearby wineries of the Annapolis Valley.

It’s easy to fall in love with Wolfville. It’s a really cute little town in Nova Scotia that I’m certain that you’ll adore. There is a quaint downtown shopping street with cafes and restaurants. For craft beer fans, plan to stop at The Church Brewing Co for lunch and a pint. It’s a brewery and restaurant inside an old repurposed church.

The Wolfville Farmers Market is a popular attraction in town, especially if you visit on a Saturday for the weekly Saturday Farmers Market. There’s also a farm and art market store that’s open six days a week with farm fresh food, handmade gifts by local artisans, and health and beauty vendors.

Don’t miss a trip to the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. There’s an outdoor garden with forest walking trails and an indoor conservatory inside the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre building. The botanical gardens is part of Acadia University and it is free to visit.

Annapolis Valley Wineries

Have you ever tried Nova Scotia wine? There are five regions of wine producers in Nova Scotia, but the Annapolis Valley is Nova Scotia’s wine country. You’ll find half of the wineries in Nova Scotia within this small region. There are 12 wineries in total, including Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Grand Pré Winery, and Luckett Vineyards.

If you are interested in a guided wine tour, this small group Annapolis Valley wine tour takes you to three award-winning wineries and provides roundtrip transportation from Wolfville, Halifax, Windsor, Dartmouth and other locations. Even if you don’t manage to have the time for a wine tour in Nova Scotia, be sure to enjoy a wine tasting at some point during your trip. The wine here is very underrated.

Where to Stay in Wolfville: Micro Boutique Living

Would you like to stay in your own apartment in Wolfville? Micro Boutique Living Wolfville features studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments in the heart of downtown. These are self-catering apartments where you quickly check-in using your mobile device. They have fully equipped kitchens, queen beds, ample storage, private balconies, underground parking, and they’re also pet-friendly.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Day 7: Bay of Fundy and Halifax

The Bay of Fundy is one of Nova Scotia’s most amazing natural attractions. These are the most drastic tide changes in the world and home to the world’s highest tides. You can witness the spectacular Bay of Fundy from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, so I’ll show you where you need to go in Nova Scotia. Then, head back to Halifax for one final attraction on this Nova Scotia road trip guide.

Burntcoat Head Park

Burntcoat Head Park is one of the best places to experience the changing tides of the Bay of Fundy, much like Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. This is where you’ll find the highest tides in the world and have the opportunity to walk the ocean floor.

You can visit Burntcoat Head Park at low tide and again at high tide. While it’s generally always six hours between the changing tides, the tide schedule changes on a daily basis. I recommend visiting the official website to check the tide schedule before you plan your visit, so you can plan accordingly.

There’s a walking trail around Burntcoat Head Park and a number of local attractions in the area. The Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre is a fantastic way to learn about the geology and history of the area. Walton Lighthouse is the only original lighthouse remaining in East Hants. There are also a number of galleries and shops featuring the works of local artisans.

There are a number of tour operators offering tidal bore rafting in Nova Scotia. While I haven’t had the chance to go tidal bore rafting yet, it’s really high on my bucket list. It’s a great way to experience the tidal bore and the rushing tides up close! No matter how you plan your visit, you must visit the Bay of Fundy on your Nova Scotia road trip.

Georges Island

After experiencing the Bay of Fundy, drive back to Halifax. It’s time to take a tour of Georges Island National Historic Site . Take a walking tour of the island and discover its defensive fortifications. You can even take a guided tour to the underground maze of tunnels beneath the island. These contain massive cannons and once stored the fort’s ammunition in a bomb-proof setting.

To get to the island, take the Ambassatours Gray Line ferry with numerous departures throughout the day. Plan to spend one to two hours on the island. Tour the tunnels, go for a self-guided walking tour of the island, and check out amazing views from the Georges Island Trail. Once you’re back in Halifax, spend the night at the Westin Nova Scotian once again before departing the next morning.

Want to see more photos of Nova Scotia?

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More Fun Things to Do in Canada

Looking for more of the best things to do in Canada and more Canadian road trips? Here are a few of our favourite trips around Canada:

• Gaspe Road Trip: 7 Days in the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec
• Rocky Mountaineer Train Trip: From Vancouver to Banff
• 25 Best Road Trips in Ontario
• Beautiful Canadian Islands You Need to Visit

Need Travel Insurance? You should never leave home without travel insurance! Check out the best rates to make sure you’re covered in case of an emergency or accident.

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

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The Perfect Nova Scotia Road Trip In 5 days

I did this five-day Nova Scotia road trip as a guest of Tourism Nova Scotia. I was not paid for this post and the tourism board has had no say in what I wrote here. All opinions are my own and I don’t accept freebies or payment in exchange for positive reviews.

All prices are correct at time of writing. I wrote this piece myself based on my own first-hand experiences. It was not written by AI, so any errors you find are, I’m afraid, my own.

Contents (click to view)

For a small province, Nova Scotia packs one hell of a punch. Dramatic coastal landscapes, historic towns and colourful fishing harbours, six UNESCO sites, sensational food, beautiful places to stay, welcoming people… they even have beaches and, in the summer, perfect weather! Travel in Nova Scotia really does give you pretty much everything.

Since it’s relatively small compared with other provinces in Canada , the best way to get around Nova Scotia is on a road trip. The roads are good, there’s very little traffic, and distances are short, meaning you can see and do a lot without spending all your time driving.

That said, there are masses of places to visit in Nova Scotia, and if you only have five days or a week, you definitely won’t be able to fit everything in. That’s why I’m here to help!

I did a 5-day Nova Scotia road trip, taking in most of the main highlights. It was pretty packed and of course there was a lot we left out, but I felt like this was a really great introduction to the province, and if you’re looking for a Nova Scotia itinerary, you could do a lot worse than following this guide.

About this Nova Scotia road trip itinerary

This itinerary was crafted by a fabulous lady named Pam Wamback. Pam grew up in Nova Scotia and now works for the tourism board – so there’s basically no one in the province who knows more about things to do in Nova Scotia than her.

Pam calls this her Golden Circle Nova Scotia tour , basically meaning that this is a circular route taking in all the highlights of Nova Scotia, from lighthouses and lobsters to landscapes and legends. If you’re looking to explore Nova Scotia and get a taste for this amazing province, its food, history and people, this is as good as it gets. Genuinely.

Search for more Nova Scotia tours here .

Introducing Nova Scotia

The second smallest province in Canada after Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia is about three-quarters of the size of Scotland, or twice the size of New Hampshire, with a population of about 1 million.

Located on Canada’s eastern coast with dramatic landscapes shaped by the powerful Atlantic, the province is made up of the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island and 3,800 other islands, and enjoys a stunning 8,000 miles (13,000 km) of coastline.

Thanks to its position on Canada’s Atlantic coast, Nova Scotia built its culture and heritage around the sea, with fishing and shipping the two major influences in the region’s development. In the 17 th and 18 th centuries it was also a crucial strategic location for French and British colonial expansion. In fact, the name actually means ‘New Scotland’, and you can still see many traces of this dramatic history as you travel in Nova Scotia.

Did you know: Nowhere in Nova Scotia is more than 42 miles (67 km) from the ocean!

Where did we go on our Nova Scotia Road Trip?

Here’s a summary of where we went on our five-day trip round Nova Scotia.

• Day 1: Arrive Halifax . Depending on what time you arrive, explore Halifax Waterfront.
• Day 2: See Halifax on a Harbour Hopper tour and visit the Maritime Museum. After lunch, drive to Oak Island with a stop en route at Peggy’s Cove.
• Day 3: Take a boat tour to learn about the mystery of Oak Island . Lunch in Lunenburg followed by a walking tour. Then drive to Summerville Beach with time for a walk on the beach before dinner.
• Day 4: Free time to relax or go for a swim at Summerville Beach . Then head to Kejimkuik National Park to see historic petroglyphs and go kayaking or cycling. Later, drive to Annapolis Royal .
• Day 5: Walk around Annapolis Royal and then drive to Halls Harbour for a tour of the lobster pound and fresh lobster for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Grand Pré National Historic Site . Wine tasting and stay overnight at the Grand Pre Winery .
• Day 6: Drive back to Halifax and fly home, or continue your journey to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Cape Breton Island.

Nova Scotia 5 day itinerary: the details

And now it’s time to dive in! Here is, step-by-step, everywhere I went and everything I saw, did and ate during my five days in Nova Scotia.

Day 1/ Halifax

Most visitors to Nova Scotia will arrive by air to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Halifax. Pick up your rental car from the airport and drive to your hotel.

I flew from the UK and landed at about 6 pm, but if you arrive early in the day you’ll have plenty of time to explore some of the city on your first day.

Things to see and do in Halifax

As the provincial capital, Halifax boasts a rich heritage dating back to its founding in 1749 as a strategic British military outpost. Over the centuries, it evolved into a bustling seaport and a key player in maritime trade. The city played a crucial role during the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and both World Wars, serving as a major naval base, and traces of its rich and sometimes violent history are easy to find as you explore.

Today, Halifax is a welcoming and walkable seaside city that’s a charming blend of maritime history and modern style. Elegant 18th- and 19th-century architecture sits alongside modern towers of glass and steel, and the city has a generous helping of treelined streets, acclaimed restaurants, charming hotels, pavement cafes, galleries and museums.

Top places you could visit on your first day include:

• Halifax Citadel National Historic Site : Discover Halifax’s military history and check out the epic views at this iconic fortress, perched 70 metres (230 feet) above the waterfront.
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: This fascinating museum covers Nova Scotia’s seafaring history, including a moving Titanic exhibit (more about this below).
• Halifax Waterfront: Wander along the waterfront promenade and explore the shops, street food stalls, historic boats and beautiful seaside views.
• Art Gallery of Nova Scotia: Discover Canadian and contemporary art in this cultural institution.
• Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market: North America’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market.

Or why not try a small group walking tour of Halifax to help you get your bearings?

Where to stay in Halifax: Muir Autograph Hotel

Enjoying what may well be the best location in Halifax, right on the waterfront promenade, the brand-new and very fancy Muir Autograph hotel has 109 gorgeous rooms with sea views and bespoke, made-in-Canada furniture, as well as a high-end wellness centre, spa pool and art gallery. I loved this hotel because my room was huge, everything was immaculate, and I could walk out the front door and be at the sea in about 30 seconds!

Where to eat in Halifax: Drift at the Muir

I know it might be considered a bit lame to eat in the hotel restaurant, but Drift  is not your average hotel restaurant. Serving classic Atlantic Canadian dishes, but done really, really well, this is where to come for your first taste of Nova Scotia’s epic cuisine. The freshly-baked brown bread with onion butter was just the start, and my caught-that-morning halibut, baked in butter and served on a bed of bubble and squeak, definitely set the bar high for the rest of the trip (don’t worry, I wasn’t disappointed later!).

Day 2/ Halifax to Oak Island via Peggy’s Cove

Morning: halifax harbour hopper tour.

The Halifax Harbour Hopper is a fantastic way to see all of the city’s main sights in 60 minutes. The iconic amphibious vehicles were once used to transport troops and weapons during the Vietnam War, but have now found a new home taking tourists from city streets to ocean waves and back again.

The tour starts by driving around the downtown area, passing landmarks such as Citadel Hill, the Victorian Public Gardens and St. Paul’s Church, while the hilarious host gives you engaging commentary and fascinating facts about Halifax’s maritime history.

Then you drive down to the waterfront and keep going – the splash as you plough straight into the harbour is a hairy moment, especially if, like me, you’re holding an expensive camera! The car-now-boat then cruises around the harbour so you can enjoy the sea and cityscape views and learn more about key moments in the city’s history, before bringing you safely back to dry land.

Most interesting thing I learned: One of the most famous events in Halifax’s history is the Halifax Explosion. On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax harbour. One of them was carrying a cargo of ammunition which caught fire and catastrophically exploded, killing more than 1,900 people and devastating the city. It’s said to be the largest man-made explosion before the atom bomb was invented.

Top tips for the Harbour Hopper Tour: sit on the right for the best views, avoid the front four rows if you don’t want to get splashed and bring a jacket. It typically feels 5 to 10 degrees colder on the water.

Late morning: Downtown Halifax

The Harbour Hopper Tour only takes 90 minutes, so you should still have time before lunch to do a bit more exploring. Here’s what I did:

Wander Halifax Waterfront. With 2.5 miles (4 km) of boardwalk, the waterfront is a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll. With sparkling sea views, historic ships, street food stalls, restaurants and bars, masses of public art, cute shops and places to sit and relax, you can easily spend several hours here.

Visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic . I was really keen to see their world-famous Titanic exhibition. When the doomed liner hit an iceberg in 1912, Halifax was the closest major port and many of the recovered bodies and pieces of wreckage were brought here. There’s a moving display of artefacts including a perfectly-preserved deck chair, pieces of carved woodwork, and even clothes and shoes of some of the ill-fated passengers.

Alongside all this, there’s also a fascinating exhibit about the Halifax Explosion and masses more on Halifax’s seafaring history.

Where to eat in Halifax: Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant

Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Maritime Museum is the Waterfront Warehouse , which was once used to repair ocean-going tugboats. Today it’s been converted into a legendary restaurant offering the chance to feast on Nova Scotia’s world-famous seafood, plucked fresh from the water. No food miles here!

I’m not a big seafood eater but I love to try all the local food when I travel, so I was delighted when we were served a massive seafood platter with fresh scallops, mussels, clams and a whole lobster, meaning I got to taste all of it! For my main I had poutine – a classic Canadian icon featuring chips usually topped with gravy and cheese curds – but here given a Nova Scotia twist of cheesy sauce and – yes! – lobster. Don’t worry if you don’t like seafood though, there are meat and pasta options too.

After lunch: drive to Peggy’s Cove

About an hour by car from Halifax, Peggy’s Cove and lighthouse is one of the most photographed places in Canada. And when you see it, you’ll understand why. Huge granite rocks, weathered smooth by the ocean’s battering, are topped by a graceful red-and-white lighthouse, balanced alone like a figurehead on the prow of a ship.

Nearby, the village itself is a picture-perfect array of rainbow-coloured clapboard houses, craggy coves piled with lobster pots, weather-beaten fishing boats and charming artisan shops.

It’s very beautiful, but I did get a bit annoyed with all the tour groups crowding around the base of the lighthouse. Guys! Everyone wants to photograph the damn thing! Step back!

You only need an hour to wander the village and take some photos – but if you do have more time and the forecast’s looking good, I highly recommend sticking around for sunset, when most of the tour groups will have left and the setting sun behind the lighthouse will be sensational.

Stay: Oak Island Resort, Western Shore

Drive for another hour along the coast from Peggy’s Cove and you’ll reach the Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre , in the Western Shore area, overlooking Mahone Bay. The three-storey hotel has 102 recently renovated guestrooms and 10 chalets for families, plus a marina, golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, tennis court, and loads of activities on offer.

It’s not as fancy as the Muir Hotel in Halifax, but it’s welcoming and comfortable and, perhaps most importantly, it’s the perfect base for tomorrow’s adventure…

Where to eat: Oak & Oar Eatery

There aren’t loads of places to eat around Western Shore, but the hotel’s Oak & Oar restaurant has lovely bay views and serves an excellent selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes paired with local Nova Scotia wines. The special of the day was halibut, but since I ate that yesterday and was craving vegetables, I went for a delicious chickpea curry.

Day 3/ Oak Island to Summerville via Lunenburg

Morning: boat tour of oak island.

Oak Island is a small, private island just across the water from the Oak Island Resort. It’s not much to look at, but it’s home to the world’s longest-running and most expensive treasure hunt, still going after more than 200 years!

Legend says that in 1795, three men saw a light coming from the island and rowed over to investigate. There they found clues that suggested someone – possibly pirates or the Knights Templar – had buried a vast fortune in treasure there, though what or how much no one knows for sure.

Excavations have only served to increase the mystery – uncovering artefacts, cryptic symbols and unexplained objects that have no reason to be here. Six people have died trying to find the treasure – but it remains elusive.

Today the story is so famous that there’s a long-running TV show about the quest: The Curse of Oak Island, now filming its 11th series. Some people say the real treasure is actually all the money that’s been made from tourism as a result of the mystery and TV show!

Since the island is private you can’t land there, but Salty Dog Sea Tours run fascinating boat cruises so you can learn about the mystery and this region’s dramatic pirate history.

Tony, our lively boat captain and guide, is an archaeology diver on the series. He showed us some amazing historic coins and other artefacts he’s found from other shipwrecks. This whole area is a shipwreck graveyard, which is why many people believe the stories of the treasure are true.

Lunchtime: Drive to Lunenburg

It only takes half an hour to drive from Oak Island to Lunenburg , one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can have lunch before taking a walking tour.

If you have time, make a quick stop in Mahone Bay , another very pretty waterfront town with brightly-painted houses and, in September, a hilarious and creative scarecrow festival. It’s a lovely place to wander around, admire the views, and maybe grab a snack or a souvenir in one of the quirky shops.

Where to eat in Lunenburg: Grand Banker Bar and Grill

Conveniently located right on Lunenburg’s waterfront, the Grand Banker has a huge menu with masses of fresh seafood and fish options. But if, like me, you fancy meat for a change, you might want to try the cleverly-named Lunenburger: 6 ounces of local beef, smoked mozzarella, bacon, lobster and tarragon butter sauce, all crammed into an artisan bun and topped with a bacon wrapped scallop!

Afternoon: Lunenburg Walking Tour

After lunch, it’s time to explore the famous town. You can easily wander around by yourself, but if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything and get all the best stories, I recommend booking a walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours.

Founded in 1753, the UNESCO town of Lunenburg is a living museum of 18th-century architecture, featuring well-preserved historic buildings painted in vibrant hues.

First established as a British settlement, the town thrived on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade – the source of its wealth as well as many of its woes. A sobering monument on the waterfront bears the names of the many citizens, whole families and even entire ships, lost at sea. The iconic Bluenose racing ship, symbolizing Canadian maritime prowess, was built here in 1921.

The hour-long tour will show you the most important sites including St. John’s Anglican Church , a wooden church recently restored after a devastating fire, and the stunning Lunenburg Academy, known as ‘the castle on the hill’. The town’s history was brilliantly brought to life by our energetic guide June, and I really enjoyed hearing her stories.

Late afternoon: drive to Summerville Beach

On the way out of Lunenburg, take Tannery Road to the iconic Lunenburg photo spot, where you can admire the magnificent view of the town’s colourful skyline across Lunenburg Harbour. If you haven’t dawdled for too long, you should still arrive at your next stop in time to stretch your legs with a walk along the beach before dinner.

Summerville Beach

Did you know that Nova Scotia has beautiful beaches? I certainly didn’t, but I discovered that Summerville Beach is up there with the best – a mile-long stretch of white sand, fringed by dunes and evergreen forests and looking out over a shallow, protected bay that’s perfect for swimming.

In summer, temperatures here can hit 30 degrees, but it’s a huge beach so it’s never crowded, making Summerville a surprisingly brilliant beach destination . And if you visit in autumn as I did, you can still enjoy calm weather and clear skies, perfect for soaking up some of that Vitamin Sea. I even went for a swim!

Where to stay in Summerville Beach: The Quarterdeck

The idea of Canada as a beach destination may have been new to me, but people have been coming to the Quarterdeck for more than 85 years. Today the place has been modernised, with a selection of 58 rooms, villas and apartments, many of which are newly-built or recently-refurbished in a rustic, beachy style. The room I stayed in also had a sea view balcony, and there’s a recreation hub with indoor and outdoor pools, fitness equipment and a lounge. The beach is just a short walk away.

Where to eat: The Quarterdeck Grill

The Quarterdeck Grill is just along the road from the accommodation, and is something of a local icon serving classic Nova Scotian food. I was craving something healthy, so I ordered the vegan harvest bowl with kale, beans and sweet potato – obviously balanced out with a ‘Trapped Lobster’ cocktail! The jalapeno and cheddar biscuits (more like small cheesy scones) with honey butter are something of a signature starter – don’t miss them!

Day 4/ Summerville Beach to Annapolis Royal via Kejimkujik

Morning: drive to kejimkujik.

You might want to enjoy a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast back at the Quarterdeck, or if the weather’s nice, I recommend nipping down the beach for a bracing morning swim. Then it’s time to pack up and resume your Nova Scotia road trip by heading an hour inland across the peninsula to Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site .

I doubt you’ll be bored of stunning coastal views, but Kejimkujik makes a nice change anyway: a scenic inland wilderness with dense woodland crisscrossed by hiking trails and waterways once used by the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people. They carved their presence into the rocks here, and the historic petroglyphs they left behind, which date back between 300-1000 years, are one of the reasons why this is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can spend the whole afternoon here doing whatever takes your fancy – exploring some of the 40 hiking trails (keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!), going mountain biking, or renting a canoe or kayak from Whynot Adventure and taking it out on one of the many waterways used for thousands of years by the Mi’kmaq people.

If you want to see the petroglyphs, you’ll need to take a guided tour as non-native people are not allowed to wander the protected areas alone – and to be honest you’d need help spotting them! We were shown around by Mi’kmaq guide Nick from Parks Canada who pointed out many of the different designs included faces, stars, a whale and even a boat.

Where to eat in Kejimkujik National Park

You could stop en route and pick up a picnic, but we swung by the park’s new Lakeview Café & Eatery and ordered from their menu of pizza, burgers and sandwiches. Our host Pam pronounced the lobster roll ‘very good’ – high praise indeed!

Afternoon: Drive to Annapolis Royal

It’s only about 40 minutes from Kejimkujik to your next destination – the historic town of Annapolis Royal . Yay for all those short Nova Scotia distances!

Established in 1605, Annapolis Royal is a colourful town set on the south bank of the Annapolis River, that claims the title of the oldest permanent European settlement in North America. Originally founded as Port Royal by the French, the area changed hands between the British and French many times, before eventually being handed back to the British in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht. The town was then renamed Annapolis Royal and was the capital of Nova Scotia until it was moved to Halifax in 1749. 

As you drive into town, you’ll quickly get a sense of its historic feel, with grand colourful clapboard houses lining the roads, as well as the 17-acre historic gardens and the former British military base at Fort Anne National Historic Site .

Where to stay in Annapolis Royal: Hillsdale House Inn

The quintessential Annapolis Royal historic house, Hillsdale House Inn  was built in 1859 as a travellers’ inn, and it still welcomes visitors today. Each of the 13 individually-decorated rooms is a charming and quirky mix of historic charm and modern comforts, each with its own style and fascinating features like four-poster beds, antique furniture and some fabulous wallpaper!

We drew keys at random and I was very happy with the room I got, but if you get the chance, make sure you take a tour and check out some of the other gorgeously decorated rooms as well!

Where to eat in Annapolis Royal: Restaurant Compose

Taking a break from all that seafood, Restaurant Compose is run by a lovely Austrian chef and serves an innovative menu of Austrian dishes with a Nova Scotia twist. Yes of course you can still order the lobster risotto (and it was delicious), but I recommend the schnitzel! With a waterfront setting, it’s also a gorgeous place to enjoy a glass of local wine as you watch the sun set on the fourth day of your Nova Scotia road trip.

Day 5/ Annapolis Royal to Grand Pré via Halls Harbour

If you didn’t have time the previous day, make sure you take a wander around the beautiful town of Annapolis Royal. Head to the Historic Gardens, learn about Mi’kmaq, French and British history at Fort Anne, or simply do what I did and walk around the waterfront and main streets taking photos of all the stunning houses.

Morning: Drive to Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound

Since it must have been at least 24 hours since you had lobster, it’s time for some more! Hall’s Harbour , about 75 minutes’ drive along the coast of the Bay of Fundy from Annapolis Royal, is a working lobster pound, where fishermen bring their catch to be weighed, sorted and shipped.

Here, as well as buying all the lobster-themed souvenirs you can carry from the gift shop, you can take a tour to learn everything you ever wanted to know about lobsters (plus a whole lot more).

My favourite lobster fact? I learned that lobsters can be right or left handed, depending on which of the two front claws is bigger. The larger of the two is the strong ‘crusher’ claw, used for – yes – crushing, and the smaller claw is the ‘pincher’ claw, for holding stuff.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can choose your lunch out of the tank and it’ll be taken away to be cooked for you. But if you don’t fancy wrestling a lobster, don’t worry – there are plenty of wraps, burgers and fish baskets to choose from. Though as you might expect the vegetarian options are decidedly limited!

Afternoon: Grand Pre National Historic Site

It’s only 40 minutes’ drive from Hall’s Harbour to Grand Pre, the final stop on your epic Nova Scotia Road trip.

During the 17 th century, this area was home to the Acadians. Descended from the first French immigrants, they settled here and established homes and farms, using clever engineering to reclaim land from the sea and create fertile, irrigated soil for farming. They were peaceful and non-partisan, trading equally with the French, British and local Mi’kmaq.

But by the mid-18 th century the British controlled this area and were at war with France, and they didn’t trust the Acadians because of their French roots. Even though they had done nothing wrong and had been living there for over 100 years, in 1755 the British rounded them all up and forcibly deported them in a tragic event known as Le Grand Dérangement or the Great Expulsion. Over 11,000 were evicted and around 5,000 died of starvation, disease or in shipwrecks.

You can learn more about Acadian history at Grand Pré National Historic Site , named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012. Watch a short film that tells the stories of some of the families, discover their impressive agricultural skills, and visit the Memorial Church. If you want to spend the night here, you can sleep in the park in one of the new oTENTik rustic cabins.

For many descendants of those first Acadians, Grand Pré represents their ancestral homeland and the symbol of the ties that unite them.

Where to stay and eat: Grand Pré Winery

This fertile land wasn’t only good for the Acadians. The Annapolis Valley, where Grand Pré sits, enjoys a microclimate with mild temperatures that are great for growing grapes. So where better to spend your last night in Nova Scotia than at The Inn at Grand Pré Winery , where you’ll be able to taste some of the best local wines alongside some pretty spectacular food. My tuna tartare and fillet steak were sensational!

The inn itself was extensively renovated in 2021, with gorgeous modern rooms and a communal kitchen and lounge area.

Day 6/ Drive back to Halifax 

It’s only an hour from Grand Pré back to Halifax, and just like that, your Golden Circle Nova Scotia Road Trip is over! Depending on where you’re headed next, you could spend some more time in Halifax, head east up to Cape Breton Island or north to Prince Edward Island, or explore beautiful New Brunswick.

One thing I know for sure, there’s a whole lot more to see in Atlantic Canada than can possibly be managed on a 5-day road trip, so I’m just going to have to go back!

Inspired? Check out some similar Nova Scotia tours here.

Some Nova Scotia FAQs

Is nova scotia a country.

Apparently this is a frequently-asked-question on Google, so I’m putting it here, even though I’m pretty sure by now you know the answer! Sing it with me… Nova Scotia is not a country, it’s the second-smallest province of Canada.

Is Nova Scotia worth visiting?

If you’re asking this question, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to this post! There really is something for almost everyone – whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, a nature lover or a city fan. So yes Nova Scotia is definitely worth visiting at least once!

How long do you need for a Nova Scotia Road trip?

How long is a piece of string? Nova Scotia has masses to see and do and I reckon you could easily fill two weeks, especially if you wanted to head up to Cape Breton Island as well, and maybe take it at a slightly slower pace. That said, I felt that I really saw and did a lot on this five-day tour, and although I didn’t see everything, I got a really great taste of the place. And now I have a good reason to come back and see more!

When is the best time to visit Nova Scotia?

For the best weather, you’ll want to visit between May and October. Winters can be harsh and snowy with rough weather along the coasts. Summers are hot but also can get more crowded, so if you want cheaper prices and fewer people, try visiting in May or October. When we visited in October we still had bright sunshine and very pleasant temperatures.

Where to next?

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out some of my others?

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• A Turkey Road Trip On The Gorgeous Aegean Coast

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Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

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Perfect 7 Day Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (Halifax & The South Shore)

Planning a Nova Scotia road trip anytime soon and looking for the perfect itinerary? We’ve got you covered for your Nova Scotia travels picking out some of the finest destinations to explore on our 7-day Nova Scotia road trip itinerary starting and ending in Halifax. 

Covering charming seaside villages, unique experiences, and some of the most famous Nova Scotia destinations including the Bay of Fundy, Peggy’s Cove, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and more as we take you on a journey through Nova Scotia’s mainland along the south and Acadian shores up through the west and the Bay of Fundy before returning in a perfect loop back to Halifax where you’ll have a day to explore the capital maritime city.

We loved the stops we made on this Nova Scotia itinerary so much that we even came back a few months after our first trip and again! (One of these days we will make it to the Cabot Trail, I promise!).

Disclaimer: This post contains commisionable links!

Nova Scotia Travel Tips

Our Nova Scotia road trip itinerary focuses on the mainland heading through the South Shore and the west. We recommend taking your time and adjusting our suggested Nova Scotia destinations mentioned on this itinerary to your specific interests if needed.

Renting a Car & Driving Tips

The best way to explore the different Nova Scotia destinations on this Nova Scotia itinerary road trip we recommend renting a car in advance. We personally recommend renting your car with Expedia, you can check rates here.

One thing that’s really nice about Nova Scotia is that gas prices are generally the same at every gas station, no one is really surging prices not even near the airport which makes filling the car back up before returning it as easy and convenient as ever.

There are a few tolls in Nova Scotia including the Halifax Harbour Bridges. Unlike the US where you can pay some steep fees to use a toll, they are only $1 CAD here! You will need to have cash though, so be sure to have some change on you.

The $1 coins are also known as ‘loonies’ because they have a loon on them. The $2 coin is a ‘toonie’. You will want to keep a few loonies or toonies on you for tolls at all times. 

When going through tolls be sure to go into the lane that accepts cash! If you don’t have the perfect amount, the teller can break change for you.

For the route we have you on for this Nova Scotia road trip we recommend driving along the Lighthouse Route . This route is from Halifax to Yarmouth. After that, you are no longer on the Lighthouse Route. We recommend following the routes that stay on the Lighthouse Route because these routes are more scenic. 

When is the Best Time To Visit Nova Scotia?

The best time to enjoy your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary is arguably between the months of May through October . This is when the weather is considered the most pleasant and mild. That being said, this is also the peak season to enjoy Nova Scotia destinations.

However, Nova Scotia travel can be enjoyed any season. If you plan on coming on shoulder or off-season in the winter be sure to check the weather and come with appropriate layers and outdoor apparel. You’ll enjoy having many of the Nova Scotia destinations to yourself as a tourist without the crowds.

Also, keep in mind some of the Nova Scotia destinations we mention on this itinerary do offer certain activities seasonally and if you come in the winter you may find some of the businesses close for the winter. It’s best to check ahead to ensure that you don’t run into any issues on your Nova Scotia road trip if you’re planning to come off season.

Also, not that Nova Scotia is mostly made up of coastline and you can have weather patterns that change rapidly and don’t always follow the weather forecast. You will want to come mentally prepared that it could be raining or foggy one minute and 15 minutes later the sun is out with big puffy white clouds.

Nova Scotia is known for its microclimates so there’s also a chance somewhere 5 minutes away is experiencing different weather than you! This was actually very interesting to witness in person and you’ll surely experience this on your Nova Scotia itinerary.

What to Bring to Nova Scotia

Some essentials to pack on your Nova Scotia road trip, no matter what season, are the following. However, no matter when you plan to visit be sure to check the weather and dress accordingly.

As mentioned before, the weather can change within 15 minutes, the forecast could be wrong, and you could also just drive 5 minutes away and experience a different climate altogether. 

It’s best to have these Nova Scotia travel essentials with you and available most times.

Rain jacket or poncho –  One of the best items you can bring on your Nova Scotia road trip is a small packable rain poncho or raincoat. I personally love my rain jacket because it also works well as a windbreaker on those windy days along the seashore. 

Umbrella – Another fail-proof item to carry around at all times on your Nova Scotia travels is an umbrella for the same reasons above. You never know when you might get some spots of rain so this can come in really handy along your road trip.

Extra layers – Even though we visited in the summer we were really happy we had some extra layers ready for when the weather took a change or for when the weather was cooler in the mornings and evenings. We recommend bringing a nice thick sweater or sweatshirt to have in addition to your rain gear even if you’re visiting in the summer. For all other seasons, packing and wearing layers is also very smart.

Alternatively, thermals are super easy to pack and can help you out if it’s extra chilly one day too! Especially if you’re visiting on a shoulder season.

Waterproof shoes –  We highly recommend bringing waterproof shoes with you on your Nova Scotia road trip because our itinerary has you going to places where you’ll need them including the Bay of Fundy. When the tides are low you can walk on the ocean floor and you’ll want waterproof shoes or water shoes so that you don’t get your regular footwear wet. These are also ideal for the wet and rainy weather conditions you’ll likely encounter at some point during your Nova Scotia travels, we prefer a nice rainboot .

Bug spray in summer –  The biggest mistake we made during our Nova Scotia itinerary was not bringing bug spray. The mosquitos get particularly active in the mornings and evenings along the coastline. 

Sunscreen –  It’s always a good idea to have sunscreen handy when you’re spending time outside. Especially if you’re planning any water activities. Even on an overcast day you can get a sunburn. Come prepared!

Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 of 7 days nova scotia itinerary: peggy’s cove.

Halifax to Peggy’s Cove along route 333: 41 km or 26 miles driving time ~1 hour

Start your itinerary with one of the most famous of Nova Scotia destinations at Peggy’s Cove. This small fishing community is one of the most popular photographed locations in all of Canada. 

The lighthouse here draws thousands of visitors a day and once you see it for yourself its no wonder why. Nestled on top of granite rocks along the sea, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is one of the most scenic and beautiful along the Lighthouse Route. 

The fishing village in Peggy’s Cove also makes this a worthwhile and must-see Nova Scotia destination. Dotted with colorful shops, restaurants, homes, and even cottage rentals there’s no shortage of charm here.

We recommend having dinner at Rhubarb Restaurant just a few miles away or enjoy the Lobster Feast Experience with Oceanstone Seaside Resort where you get to spend time learning about the local lobster at Ryer’s Pound, have a glass of local wine or beer at a locals-only spot in Peggy’s Cove, enjoy a fresh oyster and craft beer pairing, and ending with a private sunset lobster dinner along the ocean.

(The Lobster Feast is a summer program running from July to September, reservations in advance are necessary)

Important Safety Tip: Peggy’s Cove claims victims every year to those that don’t follow the warning signs to stay off the black rocks. Even if the sea looks innocent during your visit there’s a chance a rogue wave could come even on the calmest of days. Stay off the wet/black rocks and do not swim here. The undertow and current are very dangerous as well as the random rogue waves.

Overnight in Peggy’s Cove

On the first night of your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, we highly recommend staying at Oceanstone Seaside Resort . Located just a 7-minute drive from Peggy’s Cove, this resort offers amazing oceanside rooms and private cottages with incredible views and a private beach and lighthouse view.

We had the most romantic cottage with an amazing view right from our bed. We loved the private beach where we could have a campfire and watch the stars. 

Right on the property is also Rhubarb Restaurant, an incredible local spot offering up great seafood and dishes.

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Day 2 of 7 Days Nova Scotia Itinerary: Coastal Town Hopping & Lunenburg

Peggy’s Cove to Lunenburg along route 333: 128 km or 80 miles driving time ~1.5 hours

On your way to the next stop on our Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, you have some great options to stop along coastal seaside villages along the South Shore before getting to our final destination for the day in Lunenburg.

On your way from Peggy’s Cove to Lunenburg, there are some great Nova Scotia destinations to consider stopping at. Hubbards and Chester are both great quick stops for photos and witnessing quiet seaside towns and finally Mahone Bay is a great stop for a meal, shopping, and enjoying the picturesque scene here.

We recommend leaving in the morning and having lunch in Mahone Bay before heading to Lunenburg for the rest of the afternoon! You’ll want the time here, trust us!

Stop in Hubbards

We recommend spending the least amount of time here if you’re trying to stop at all three Nova Scotia destinations we recommend on your way to Lunenburg. This is more of a residential seaside town that doesn’t have many places for you to actually stop at other than pulling over and enjoying the quiet morning view of boats floating and reflecting off the shores.

There is a picturesque church and park here which has a small parking area which is a great place to park while you check out this tranquil scene. There’s also a chance you won’t see another tourist here as this is a bit off the radar for most visitors and you’ll likely encounter locals who are getting their morning walk or jog in around the water.

Tip: Drive down Shore Club Road to get to the spots mentioned above.

Make a Visit to Chester

Chester is an interesting stop during your Nova Scotia travels, a bit like Hubbards in the sense that you probably won’t encounter too many tourists here but worth stopping to see the charming downtown area where you can find cafes and shops to explore.

There’s a memorial park with a statue of a soldier and even a public saltwater pool that fills at high tide located right on the shores of the harbor that’s free to jump in for a swim.

Again, you don’t need much time here but this beautiful town is worth making a stop at even to recharge and get a coffee.

Tip: Drive down Queen Street to the waterfront and drive along South Street.

Visit Mahone Bay

Next, on our Nova Scotia itinerary on your way to Lunenburg if you’re only going to stop at one seaside village on the way this is it. The most famous views and photo spots here is across from the bay looking into town at the three churches lined up next to each other right along the water.

The New York Times even described this town and scene as “pretty as a picture” which makes sense because it is often photographed and you can easily see why.

Besides a few adorable churches, Mahone Bay also boasts great shopping along its independently owned stores, cafes, restaurants, and walk along the water. This is a great stop for lunch or a snack if you’re holding out until Lunenburg for a full meal.

Enjoy the Beauty of Lunenburg

One of our favorite Nova Scotia destinations we enjoyed on our entire trip was in Lunenburg. This UNESCO World Heritage Site town is a famous fishing village and one of the most picturesque and colorful towns we went to during our Nova Scotia travels.

You’ll want to make sure you have an ample amount of time here to enjoy weaving your way up and down the streets stopping in the different shops and even cafes. There are plenty of great options for where to eat here as well if you’ve built up an appetite hopping from one seaside village to another to get here.

We ate at the South Shore Fish Shack which has an incredible selection of seafood dishes and if the weather is nice you’ll enjoy the view from their outdoor deck and patio to eat.

Some other noteworthy spots not to miss and best things to do in Lunenburg include:

• St. Johns Anglican Church – This church is unmissable and one of the more interesting architectural buildings in the city. This is also considered the 2nd oldest remaining Protestant church in Canada.
• Bluenose II – This racing schooner is one of the most famous in Canada, you might even recognize it yourself because it’s actually featured on the 10 cent piece. The Bluenose II is a replica of the original Bluenose racing schooner. Sadly, the Bluenose wasn’t in Lunenburg during our visit but it is usually docked right at the waterfront most of the year.
• Bluenose Golf Club – Rather than golf here this is where you can find the best view of Lunenburg from across the water. Be sure to stop by so you can see the whole seaside town from across the way.
• Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic – A great museum and exhibition with a collection that commemorates the fishing heritage and culture for Atlantic Canada.
• Ironworks Distillery – One of the unmissable Nova Scotia destinations to enjoy in Lunenburg is this distillery, also a stop on the Good Cheer Trail for those who are trying to fill up their passports. This distillery is run by a local couple who have specialty rums including the Rum Boat Rum where the barrels of rum age on a boat with the rocking of the ocean and currently they have some barrels of rum aging on a boat that’s making a trip around the world which will be bottled and sold as Around the World Rum when it returns. The distillery is gorgeous and worth a stop in itself for a tasting and this is a great option for a souvenir.
• Lunenburg Walking Tours – Check out this company for some of their great tour options from daily walking tours to spooky ghost tours in the evenings. Be sure to see if they are running their new special tour called Lunenburg Distilled (see below).

Lunenburg Distilled

One of the most unforgettable experiences we enjoyed during our Nova Scotia travels and road trip was the Lunenburg Distilled experience. Learn about the rum-running history of Lunenburg during the prohibition period in this immersive culinary experience. Visit the floating rum distillery on the water, sample local delicacies, enjoy a private tasting at Ironworks Distillery and relax while dining a multi-course meal on the Theresa E. Connor schooner. 

All of this takes place while learning the history, understanding the local culture, and eating an extraordinary meal. 

The Lunenburg Distilled Culinary Adventure is a must add item to your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary if you’re visiting from July – October. Be sure to check their program dates, if it doesn’t line up with your itinerary be sure to try another one of Lunenburg Walking Tours experiences.

Note: As of 2023, it seems as though this tour has been modified! It could change again, regardless the company that runs it is an excellent tour operator and it still is a similar tour that we’d do ourselves given the opportunity again!

Overnight in Lunenburg

We recommend staying the night in Lunenburg as there are so many things to do and see here on your Nova Scotia itinerary that you’ll have an action-packed day. A great option is the Lunenburg Arms Hotel which is where we stayed.

This vintage hotel has a great location right in the center of town and is easy to access wherever you need to go by foot plus many rooms have a harbor front view!

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Day 3 of 7 Days Nova Scotia Itinerary: Blue Rocks & Along the South Shore to Summerville Centre

Blue Rocks to LaHave: 20 km or 13 miles driving time ~20 minutes |  LaHave to Summerville Centre: 73 km or 45 miles driving time ~50 min

On day 3 of our Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, we have you leaving Lunenburg for nearby Blue Rocks, a quaint and picturesque fishing village. After, continue on to LaHave Ferry Terminal where you can ride one of the oldest cable river ferries in Canada!

This is a leisurely day and since you’re along the south shore, if you’re visiting during comfortable weather, we recommend enjoying a kayak excursion on this day either from Blue Rocks or LaHave to experience the views of the Nova Scotia coastline from the water. Both suggestions will be below.

Just a few miles away from Lunenburg is another charming, small fishing community worth visiting. Blue Rocks is a Nova Scotia destination to miss on your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary. 

This is another one of those photogenic fishing communities that you’ll be thankful you have a camera on hand for. Blue Rocks is actually a very popular photography location and has inspired artists and photographers dating back to the 1940s and feels like it’s kept away modernization in the best way possible.

Spend some time checking out the tide pools at low tide and admiring the beautiful seaside fishing homes and facilities along the water.

This is a great place to do a kayaking excursion from and is considered one of the most desirable places to kayak. You can kayak to the islands off of Blue Rocks with Pleasant Paddling. Be sure to book in advance.

Enjoy LaHave

After checking out Blue Rocks on your day 3 of Nova Scotia travels head to the LaHave Ferry Terminal. Just a warning, this is easy to miss, the only indication of this ferry terminal is a sign along the road. We actually passed it and had to turn around, look for other cars who are pulled off to the side of the road waiting for the ferry. 

This ferry is one of the oldest cable river ferries in Canada and you can take your car on it to get you across the water to the otherside where LaHave is. There are ferries every 15-30 minutes and you’ll need $7 in cash to pay your way.

Once you’re in LaHave be sure to stop at LaHave Bakery where you’ll find an old fashioned bakery located in this historic LaHave Outfitting company building. This is a great stop for lunch and a coffee.

While you’re here be sure to check out the bookstore, local artisan shop, and skate shop in the same building. We showed up on a gorgeous day so sitting on the dock in one of the Adirondack chairs was a great way to enjoy our cup of coffee. There are also a few other shops dotted along the road selling local art and trinkets.

LaHave is also another excellent choice for kayaking as there are several islands and channels to explore. We did a half-day kayaking adventure with Cape LaHave Adventures who set us up with a knowledgable local guide with snacks and water for a four-hour journey hopping islands and paddling along seals. (They also have multi-day kayak tours available too)

Be sure to book your tour in advance.

Drive on Crescent Beach

Be sure to also check out Crescent Beach on your Nova Scotia itinerary, a crescent-shaped beach that stretches 2 kilometers that you can drive your car on!

This is one of the only beaches in Canada where you can drive on the shores of the beach. Even if you don’t have alot of time, this is worth doing even if you only make it halfway and need to turn around. 

Visit Liverpool, the Port of Privateers

Before making your way to Summerville Centre for the night you may want to break up your drive and stop at the historic town of Liverpool on your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary. 

Liverpool is most famous for its role in rum-running during the prohibition and is also known as the “Port of Privateers,” because of their role in history as one of  British North America’s leading privateer ports. This was pretty much legal piracy at the time since it was authorized by the government.

Besides having a fascinating history, this is a great place to take a nice waterfront walk and visit another lighthouse along the Lighthouse Route at the Fort Point Lighthouse.

You may also notice that the fire hydrants in town are also painted like privateers! 

Overnight in Summerville Centre

Continue to your next Nova Scotia destination for dinner and your overnight stay at Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill . Located on a gorgeous white sandy beach you can enjoy a sunset on one of the prettiest beaches in Nova Scotia. 

We recommend staying and dining at Quarterdeck. Their restaurant serves up delicious local seafood and other dishes as well as great cocktails and local wines with views of the white sand beach.

There are different room types at Quarterdeck from the beachside villas to the apartment like style accommodation across the street. We stayed in one of the apartment like rooms and loved how spacious they were, it felt more like a home than a hotel.

This is a very comfortable option for where to stay along your Nova Scotia road trip.

Day 4 of 7 Days Nova Scotia Itinerary: Shelburne, The Lobster Capital, & Argyle

 Summerville Centre to Argyle: 120 km or 75 miles driving time ~1 hour 15 min

Next up on your Nova Scotia road trip itinerary are more historic fishing villages including the lobster capital of Canada and an area rich with Acadian history . 

We recommend planning lunch in Barrington, the lobster capital of Canada, then making your way down Cape Sable Island if the weather is clear and you have an ample amount of time before heading to the historic Acadian village and eventually to Argyle where you will spend the evening.

Stop by Shelburne, a Loyalist Colony

Shelburne is one of the more unique Nova Scotia destinations on our road trip itinerary. This town is famous for being a loyalist colony to the British crown during the American Revolution.

This seemingly small fishing village had up to 10,000 British loyalists during the American Revolution and then after the war within 20 years the population here decreased dramatically as many of the loyalists moved away. However, the town still has descendants of the first generation loyalists who reside here today.

You’ll see traces of that history while you explore the waterfront along Dock Street including the British flag painted on the crosswalks. 

Be sure to explore the different museums and shops along Dock Street including the Dory Shop Museum where the famous Shelburne Dory boats are made.

Eat Lobster at the Lobster Capital of Canada in Barrington

The next stop on our Nova Scotia road trip itinerary is the town of Barrington, or also known as the lobster capital of Canada! You’ll want to take full advantage of being in the lobster capital by enjoying a lobster feast here! We recommend trying Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack.

After you’ve had your fill on a delicious local lobster you can take a scenic drive on Cape Sable Island. If you are doing great on time be sure to go all the way to the Cape Sable Lighthouse. There are also some great beaches to stop along the way including Hawk Beach.

On your drive towards our next stop on our Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, there’s another mysterious Nova Scotia destination to check out, the Shag Harbour UFO sighting location  that took place on October 4, 1967. 

As you’re driving you can’t miss the giant sign indicating where the UFO sighting took place that shook everyone and even people to this day. We were told there are still surviving witnesses by the woman at the Barrington visitors center who still share their story about the sighting.

This is a fun or curious spot to add to your Nova Scotia travel stories from your trip!

Historical Acadian Village of Nova Scotia

Our next suggestion for where to go on your Nova Scotia road trip is the Historical Acadian Village of Nova Scotia or Le Village Historique acadein dela Nouvelle Ecosse on Pubnico Harbour. 

This is where you can go back in history to the early 20th century and see what an Acadian village and daily life looked like.  

Acadians are descendants of the French colonists in Atlantic Canada and the Northeast US who colonized this area between the 17th and 18th centuries. Between 1755–1764, the British colonists forcibly deported over 11,000 Acadians, one-third of which died from disease or drowning while others were deported to American colonies, France, and the Caribbean.

Many the Acadians were invited by the Spanish to migrate into Louisiana and the Acadians that are there to present day are originally from the Atlantic coast of Canada and Maine.

This town depicts life in the early 1900s and offers hands on exhibits you can participate in or watch actors in period costumes perform daily tasks from boat building to the blacksmith shop.

Overnight in Argyle

After getting a dose of what Acadian life was like we recommend heading to Argyle for your overnight stay and dinner at the Argyler Lodge & Restaurant.

Situated on the coastline with a gorgeous waterfront view of the nearby islands is where you can find a cozy, feel at home kind of accommodation.

Spend the evening listening to live Acadian inspired music with specialty local dishes and cajun-inspired seafood. We recommend doing the 4-course meal set that comes with a bottle of perfectly paired local wine.

Enjoy a slow, romantic evening near the waterfront with a bonfire and B&B style room that makes you feel right at home. In the morning, don’t miss out on the lobster omelet either, it’s fantastic.

Day 5 of 7 Days Nova Scotia Itinerary: Yarmouth, Digby, & Wolfville

 Argyle to Cape Forchu: 44 km or 27 miles driving time ~40 min | Cape Forchu to Wolfville: 246 km or 153 miles driving time total ~2.5 hours

Congratulations, you’ve just finished the Lighthouse Route on your Nova Scotia road trip! Once you’ve made it to Yarmouth, you’re no longer on the famous Lighthouse Route.

During this day on your Nova Scotia itinerary, you’ll covering alot of ground and be passing through the scallop capital of the world , visit Canadian National Historic Sites, drive along the famous Bay of Fundy where the world’s highest tides are, and end in the Annapolis Valley, home to the province’s wine region .

We recommend getting an early start and if you plan on whale watching in Digby you may have to cut out some stops. Keep in mind that most wineries in the Annapolis Valley close between 5-6 pm and only one stays open until 7 pm. If wine tasting is a part of your Nova Scotia travel plan then you’ll want to skip some of the earlier stops so you have enough time for wine tasting on your Nova Scotia road trip.

See Cape Forchu Lightstaiton in Yarmouth

Enjoy your morning at the last of the Nova Scotia destinations on the Lighthouse Route with a lighthouse! We recommend driving down to Cape Forchu Lightstation where you can visit what is considered an applecore lighthouse because of its shape.

You can visit the Lightkeeper’s house here, take a guided tour, visit the fog alarm building, and even eat at the restaurant here called the Keeper’s Kitchen.

If your Nova Scotia travel day doesn’t allow for much time, like ours, then we recommend just walking along the Leif Ericson trail for pretty views of the light station along the rocky coastal path.

We learned that the movie “The Lighthouse” was filmed here starring William Defoe and Robert Pattinson, which is a cinematic masterpiece. In the movie, however, they didn’t use the Cape Forchu Lightstation you’ll see on your visit. They built a prop lighthouse and removed it after the movie was finished filming, but you can recognize the landscape as it was filmed right here in Cape Forchu next to the light station.

Dig into Scallops in Digby

Next up on your Nova Scotia itinerary is the scallop capital of the world in Digby ! This is also home to some of the best whale watching tours in Nova Scotia. 

We recommend trying the world-famous Digby scallops in one of the restaurants on Water Street in downtown Digby. We tried the whiskey maple bacon-wrapped scallops from Shoreline Restaurant and they were heavenly. Nova Scotia successfully turned Scott from thinking he hated scallops to loving scallops on this trip. 

After eating a feast, be sure to walk along the Admirals Walk along the waterfront where you can see the scallop fishing fleet.

If you’re a fan of folk art, you can drive to see the Maud Lewis replica home just outside of Digby. The replica house was built as a shrine to honor the local folk artist’s legacy within 6-8km of the original home she painted and what was considered her greatest work of art. 

The actual home however is on display inside the Nova Scotia Art Gallery in Halifax.

Visit the Historic Annapolis Royal

Before making your way all the way to Wolfville on your Nova Scotia road trip where you can explore the wineries of the Annapolis Valley you’ll want to make a stop in Annapolis Royal where you can find Canada’s oldest National Historic Site at Fort Anne and visit the Annapolis Royal historic gardens.

When arriving to Annapolis Royal be sure to take a walk down St. George Street . This street is considered one of the oldest streets in North America, as a matter of fact, Annapolis Royal is the oldest permanent European settlement north of Florida in North America.

Be sure to visit the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens if you’re visiting in the warmer months where you can find an impressive rose collection and other gardens.

Afterward, you can visit one of the most fought over lands in North America at Fort Anne National Historic Site . This military fortress has been fought for and taken control over back and forth by the French and British for centuries. Fort Anne is also considered the oldest National Historic Site in Canada!

Check out the Cool Town of Wolfville

Our next featured Nova Scotia destination is in the Annapolis Valley, home to the province’s wine country and where you can check out different wineries.

There are around a dozen different wineries in the Annapolis Valley. Because we were trying to squeeze in just about everything on this long haul day of our Nova Scotia itinerary we only managed to visit two, Luckett Vineyards and Domaine de Grand Pre Winery. Both wineries mentioned also have restaurants if you’re ready for dinner after you do a tasting as well.

There are also wine tasting tours in the area, or you can do some self-guided tastings, many of the wineries are just a short drive from one another.

Did you know that Nova Scotia has its own appellation wine?  Be sure to try the Tidal Bay wine which is made only in Nova Scotia strictly from local grapes and has to pair perfectly with seafood to be considered a Tidal Bay wine. Just like champagne can only come from Champagne, France, Tidal Bay can only come from Nova Scotia.

Some are sweeter than others, most were pretty dry and amazing. During our Nova Scotia road trip we were told there were 12 different Tidal Bay wines, we tried around 5-6 and didn’t taste one we didn’t love! 

Don’t fancy wine tasting? Don’t worry, this Nova Scotia destination has way more to offer than wine.

• Grand Pre National Historic Site – Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beautiful place to visit in the Annapolis Valley. This site and center are dedicated to the Acadian history as it was an Acadian settlement in the late 1600s to mid-1700s. This is also the location of the Deportation of the Acadians. Walk around the interpretive center or enjoy the incredible view from the lookout point.
• Tangled Garden – Located at the Grand Pre National Historic Site are the therapeutic gardens and shop where you can buy herbs, jams, jellies, and other products sourced from the gardens.
• Downtown Wolfville – Downtown Wolfville also has a fun scene going on with different places to grab a drink or eat dinner. 
• Farmer’s Markets – Be sure to stop and pop in one of the farmer’s markets en route to Wolfville coming from Digby on Trunk 1. There are several back to back where you can check out the local produce, we were impressed by the size of some of the zucchini here or buy local baked goods, these are a fun stop along your Nova Scotia road trip. 

Get more ideas of what to do and things to do in Annapolis Valley in our guide!

Overnight in Wolfville

We recommend picking one of the beautiful Inns or B&Bs available in Wolfville during your Nova Scotia itinerary. There are several along the main road in Wolfville that are huge historic homes with rooms for guests.

We didn’t get to stay in one during our visit but we would be choosing to do this on our next Nova Scotia road trip. We recommend trying the Blomidon Inn , a beautiful and huge Victorian-style home.

Day 6 of 7 Days Nova Scotia Itinerary: Wine Tasting in the Annapolis Valley & Bay of Fundy

Wolfville to Burntcoat Head Park: 89 km or 55 miles driving time total ~1.2 hours | Burntcoat Head Park to Halifax: 95 km or 59 miles driving time total ~1.25 hours

On one of your final days of your Nova Scotia travels we recommend spending the morning slowly enjoying what you missed the day before near Wolfville around the Annapolis Valley. The previous day was a huge driving day compared to the others on your Nova Scotia road trip and trying to pack alot in.

This day gives you a chance to enjoy the Annapolis Valley before heading over to where the world’s highest tides were recorded at the Bay of Fundy in Burntcoat Head Park and finally ending your Nova Scotia itinerary day in Halifax for the evening.

Morning in Annapolis Valley

Start your morning in Annapolis Valley or Wolfville checking off or visiting any of the things you may have missed the previous day. 

Some of the wineries even open their doors for tastings as early as 10 am. This is a great chance to taste around more at some of the local wineries you may have missed the previous day.

This is also a great chance to visit the Farmer’s Markets if you missed out those on the day earlier too.

On the way to your next Nova Scotia road trip stop be sure to check out the Old Walton Lighthouse . It’s located in the town of Walton just 15 minutes before Burntcoat Head Park where you’ll be visiting the Bay of Fundy.

See the Dramatic Tides at the Bay of Fundy

Your next Nova Scotia destination on your itinerary is one of the most famous. The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides located between both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The highest tides ever recorded here at Burntcoat Head Park at 56.7 feet!

While you’ll need to stay a half of a day to actually see the full swing of the tides you can visit during low tide and walk on the ocean floor. Every 13 hours 160 billion tons of water flow daily in and out of the bay. During low tide, you can carefully walk on the ocean floor and witness different marine life in the tidepools.

Note that you won’t be permitted to walk on the ocean floor anytime outside the summer months as its too dangerous. However, even if you do visit in the off-season months you can enjoy the old lighthouse on the property and view the Bay of Fundy from above.

You can easily enjoy some time here, just be aware that in order to see a dramatic change in the tides you’ll have to stay for hours.

Dining on the Ocean Floor at the Bay of Fundy

If you’re planning your Nova Scotia itinerary well in advance for the summer months we consider trying to reserve a spot on the Dining on the Ocean Floor Experience put on by the Flying Apron Inn & Cookery.

This once in a lifetime experience is in popular demand and there are very limited spots every summer to score one of the few spots in this culinary experience at one of the seven natural wonders of North America.

The experience is 6 hours long and has 4 courses including a lunch. You’ll be introduced to the area and learn about edible plants from a local before foraging around the property where you’ll spot some edible plants from the knowledge you just learned.

After you’ll enjoy a seafood boil lunch paired with local wine before wandering around the low tide and tide pools with local guides.

After, you’ll enjoy a once in a lifetime experience 3-course dinner prepared on the ocean floor where you’ll eat and watch the tide slowly roll in before having tea and coffee around a fire on the ocean floor.

This is one of those bucket list items and a really unique experience! They try to make the ticket process as fair as possible so anyone can enjoy this experience. That requires planning as far in advance as February. You can  subscribe to the Flying Apron Inn & Cookery’s newsletter  to get updates about the next season’s ticket reservation.

I’ll warn you, it’s highly competitive so when they give you the date that reservations are open you will want to be prepared and ready to call the number the moment it opens, leave a short message on their answering machine, and hope that you were one of the lucky ones who got to leave a message first and score a seat! Good luck to all of those who try!

Overnight in Halifax

After witnessing one of the seven natural wonders of North America you’ll want to head back to Halifax where you’ll be spending your last day on your Nova Scotia road trip exploring this incredible maritime capital city of the province.

We have two hotels we recommend as we stayed in both. They both have great locations that are walkable to most of the things you’d want to do in Halifax. 

Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites  is a great option for exploring Halifax.  The historic hotel is in a landmark building from 1928 with a gorgeous vintage lobby and reception area. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. You’re located directly across the Halifax Public Gardens and just a 10 minute walk to the waterfront.

Book Now on Booking.com  |  Compare Prices for Later on Hotels.com  |  View Rates on Expedia.com

Westin Nova Scotian  is another fantastic option for where to stay in Halifax. Located right along the waterfront and close walking distance to everything downtown in Halifax. The rooms are spacious and refined. There’s also a restaurant on-site and you’re right across from the Halifax Farmer’s Market.

Day 7 on Nova Scotia Itinerary: Explore Halifax

On the final day of your Nova Scotia itinerary, we recommend getting to know the amazing city of Halifax. There are so many opportunities for things to do and see here. We have highlighted some of our favorites. Be sure to check out our full guide to  things to do in Halifax  to plan your sightseeing day in the city more extensively.

Harbour Hopper Tour – Hop aboard an amphibious retired US Navy vehicle where you’ll cover all of Halifax by land and sea with a cheeky guide and captain who will tell you the history and overview of the city on this hour-long tour. This is fun for anyone and they even have wheelchair friendly spots on their tours.

Halifax Waterfront – Walk along North America’s longest wooden waterfront boardwalk right here in Halifax! There’s 4 km of boardwalk total and tons to do along it from shopping, eating, drinking, and museums! 

Sip Your Way Along the Good Cheer Trail – This is technically something you can do along your entire Nova Scotia road trip itinerary but you can find alot of the stops here in Halifax! The Good Cheer Trail is a passport with partnering distilleries, wineries, breweries, and cider spots that a participating in this fun, engaging way to explore the drinking scene of Nova Scotia. Grab a passport at any of the participating stops and collect stamps as you sip your way through the province! There are 19 in Halifax alone!

Halifax Harbour Ferry – This is the cheapest way to see Halifax by water! Take the Halifax Harbour transit ferry from the waterfront to Dartmouth where you can explore by foot and try some of the different beers and ciders at the different stops on the Good Cheer Trail all for $2.50 CAD for a round trip ticket!

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site – A National Historic Site in Canada and old fortification is a great place to visit during your time in Halifax. Plan your visit around 12 noon to see the daily canon go off!

We also recommend checking out some more great road trip ideas including these  Canada road trips in the fall  including the scenic Cabot Trail here in Nova Scotia!

Liked this post or found our 7 day Nova Scotia road trip itinerary helpful? We aim to make your Nova Scotia travels as easy as possible including some of the best Nova Scotia destinations from our visit! If you liked the post we encourage you to share on Pinterest below! Happy Travels!

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The Ultimate Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary

Written By: The Planet D

Canada , Popular , Road Trips

Updated On: March 18, 2023

Looking for the very best things to do on a  Nova Scotia road trip? Nova Scotia is our favorite place to visit on the East Coast of Canada. After extensively traveling the entire province by car from North to South, we’ve had many grand adventures.

This road tirp itinerary will help you make the most of your time in Nova Scotia and offer unique ideas of what to see and do.

Table of Contents

Road Trip to Nova Scotia

We’ve broken it down this Nova Scotia itinerary into sections with maps so you can plan which part of the province you want to see during your visit.

The main airport for Nova Scotia is Halifax and it is a 2 1/2 hour flight from Toronto. You can rent your car directly at the airport. To rent a car for your road trip around Nova Scotia, check out this car rental comparison site for prices and availability.

Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary Map

We’ve had the pleasure of exploring most of the province and feel it is time to share our picks for the very best things to do in Nova Scotia on a road trip.

For more on Nova Scotia travel , Check out our complete list of Best Things to do in Nova Scotia – The Ultimate Travel Guide

Day 1 – Halifax

Most trips to Nova Scotia will begin in Nova Scotia’s Capital city, Halifax. Halifax. And it is worth staying in the city for at least a couple of day.

Halifax has a bustling waterfront filled with attractions, restaurants, and scenic views. The Canadian Museum of Immigration is the star attraction at Pier 21 located along the beautiful Halifax Harbourfront.. Here you’ll learn of the fascinating history of immigration to Canada.

One day in Halifax is definitely not enough but if you only have one day, these are the not to miss sights.

• Alexander Keiths Brewery Tour – this is a fantastic and fun brewery tour in the heart of downtown Halifax.
• Halifax Waterfront – You can see a lot of the best things to do in Halifax along the waterfront. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is Canada’s answer to Ellis Island in New York . This is where the majority of immigrants came through. You can trace your ancestry at this interactive museum.
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – A superb interactive museum detailing the history of shipping and the East Coast Maritime heritage. Plus, there’s a great display on the Titanic.

When you are finished at the water, head up to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site . A fort founded in 1749, it’s an excellent place to watch the sunset or if you are a history buff, take atour here during the day. .

There are plenty of things to do in Halifax and we recommend spending another day here. Check out the Best Things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Where to Stay in Halifax: The Haliburton  and Delta Halifax

Day 2 – Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse

Heading Southwest from Halifax, your first is  Peggy’s Cove  located just 45 minutes from the Halifax. Peggy’s Cove is one of Nova Scotia’s most visited attractions and crowds can be huge here!

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is a beautiful setting. The lighthouse stands on 400 million-year-old rock stretching out to the sea, was created by molten lava bubbling up from the surface of the earth. The fishing village of Peggy’s Cove is a picturesque community dating back to 1811 and there are plenty of things to do here besides visiting the lighthouse.

• Read our full post about all the things to do in Peggy’s Cove here.

Where to stay in Peggy’s Cove

We recommend staying overnight in the area and visiting at sunrise. Tour buses don’t arrive until late morning, so if you stay over and get to the lighthouse early, you’ll have it all to yourself before moving on to your next stop.

We really enjoyed our time at   Oceanstone Resort which just outside of Peggy’s Cove and makes for a great home base.

Click here  for your google map of our complete South Shore road trip route

Day 3 – Mahone Bay to Lunenburg

After leaving Peggy’s Cove your next stop will be Mahone Bay is a must-stop on any Nova Scotia Road Trip. It has been named one of the prettiest small-town downtowns in Canada. It’s easy to understand why.

The most famous landmark of Mahone Bay would definitely be the famous Three Churches. The three spires along the waterfront are a popular stop for photographers.

Here you can stop for lunch and browse the downtown shops of Mahone. Make sure to stop by the Haskapa Berry Store to learn about this superfood. Try the Haskapa gin, it’s delicious!

After driving from Peggy’s Cove, you’ll have the afternoon and evening in Lunenburg. Lunenburg is one of only two urban centres in North America to have the honour of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunenburg is famous for its painted houses creating a rainbow of colours along the waterfront. The pastel buildings all must adhere to a strict code to keep the town beautiful.

If you arrive early enough, join an afternoon Walking Tours  to learn of the mariner history of Lunenburg and to discover its Victorian architecture . It ends at the waterfront memorial dedicated to the fishermen and mariners that lost their lives through the years.

From here, walk over to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic while keeping an eye out for the Bluenose II. It makes its home in Lunenburg when it is not touring around the country. And after you are done, it is easy to find a spot for dinner to try some Nova Scotia fresh lobster or seafood.

• Where to Stay in Lunenburg – Lunenburg Arms Hotel is located downtown Lunenburg. This boutique hotel overlooks Lunenburg Harbour and is walking distance to all of the Top Attractiosn in Lunenburg.

Lighthouse Route in Nova Scotia – Map

Click here to get the map route from Lunenburg to Yarmouth

Day 4 – Blue Rocks to Liverpool

There is a lot to cover today, so you will want to wake up early before sunrise. On your way out of Lunenburg, take a detour to the picturesque fishing village of Blue Rocks. Nothing says “East Coast” more than a fishing village lining the bay with fishing lodges and lobster traps reflecting in the waters and shimmering rocks in the bay.

It is only 10 minutes from Lunenburg, so if you want to go back to town for breakfast or to pick up a coffee, that is a good option. When you are finished, you will still have a full day to explore the Lighthouse Route of Nova Scotia that runs from Lunenberg to Yarmouth.

LaHave Ferry

After leaving Lunenberg or the Blue Rocks it is a thirty-minute drive time to the LaHave River where you will make your way south. When doing this portion of your road trip through Nova Scotia, be sure to use the LaHave Ferry rather than driving around, it will save you a lot of time.

The La Have Ferry is one of the last remaining cable ferries in the country and it operates 24 hours a day. ( note between 11:30 pm and 05:30 am it is on call.) It’s just a quick 5-minute journey, but it is wild to see a cable pulling a ferry across the river.

La Have Bakery

While in LaHave, stop in at the LaHave Bakery for some sweets. The Victorian-era building sits on the waterfront serving fresh baked goods and coffee. It’s the perfect place to stock up on road trip goodies.

Crescent Beach

The water may be cold on the Nova Scotia coast, but Crescent Beach is a beautiful setting. Plus it’s the only beach in Nova Scotia that you can drive on. At 2.5 km long, you can easily find a spot all to yourself to enjoy a picnic or do some sunbathing before moving on.

Tonight you get to relax in the historic town of Liverpool. Liverpool is home of the  Privateers. Privateers were private citizens who were commissioned to “ carry on all forms of hostility permissible at sea .” They patrolled the waters of Nova Scotia during the war of 1812.

Liverpool houses The Four Point Lighthouse which is free to visit and is the 3rd Oldest Lighthouse in Nova Scotia. There’s kayaking along the Mercy River and plenty of hiking along the shore. Located along the lighthouse route, it is a popular stop any Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary.

• Where to Stay in Liverpool : Lanes Privateer Inn
• Where to Eat in Liverpool: La Vista Restaurant in Lanes Privateer Inn

Day 5 – Liverpool to Yarmouth

As you continue along the Lighthouse Route, the next stop is Shelburne. You may not have heard of Shelburne, but it is the third-largest natural harbour in the world!

During the American Revolution, 3000 Loyalists settled in Shelburne from New York City making it (at one time) the fourth-largest community in North America! Visit the Shelburne Waterfront Heritage District and the Shelburne County Museum that highlights the Loyalist history of the area.

Yarmouth is the major urban centre of Southern Novaa Scotia. It is a popular Halifax destination as ferries operating from Portland Maine land here at Yarmouth.

The Cape Forchu lighthouse is the star attraction of Yarmouth and is Nova’s Scotia’s second most visited lighthouse after Peggy’s Cove. What makes this special is that it is free from crowds compared to Peggy’s Cove. It may be popular, but when we were there, we saw only two other people!

We didn’t find a lot of other things to do in Yarmouth and instead preferred our stay outside of town at Ye Olde Argyle Lodge where we could do some hiking and kayaking.

Where to Stay in Yarmouth

• Where to Stay near Shelburne and Yarmouth : Ye Olde Argyler
• Ye Olde Argyler was a full-service lodge in a beautiful setting. They offer kayaking trips from there too!

See our complete south shore road trip of Nova Scotia.

Day 6 – Annapolis Valley

Working your way up the Bay of Funday Shore takes you to the Annapolis Valley. It is fast becoming a major wine-producing route in Nova Scotia. Take your time to explore the coast discovering the Acadian history here at Port Royal and Grand Pré. Here you can explore several National Historic Sites – Fort Anne, Port-Royal, and Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

On your way stop in Digby for lunch to enjoy some scallops.

It is then time to move on to Wolfville where you’ll spend the night. Wolfville is a great place for exploring the up-and-coming wine region of Nova Scotia. It is an easy drive to explore the Wine Region of the Annapolis Valley from Wolfville and then make your way back to the charming town to relax at your historic accommodation.

Where to Stay in Wolfville :  Blomidon Inn – The Blomidon Inn is a beautiful grand historic BnB with ornate luxury accommodation. We loved our dinner complete with Nova Scotia wine pairings in the grand old dining room.

Day 7 – The Bay of Fundy

It is now time to drive directly to the Bay of Fundy for a walk on the ocean floor. The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides. It moves 100 billion tons of water every 6 hours! 

That is more than all of the freshwater rivers in the world combined! The tides can reach 16 metres (52 feet) with an average range of 35 to 55 feet.  And the horizontal range can be as much as 5 kilometres in places.

You Have plenty of options to explore the Bay of Fundy and it can add either one to four days to your Nova Scotia Itinerary depending on what you choose. Either way you are going to love this coastal drive.

Burntcoat Head Park

From Wolfville, you can drive directly to Burntcoat Head Park to see the world’s highest tides. Burntcoat Head is Nova Scotia’s answer to New Brunswick’s Hopewell Rocks. For three hours on either end of low tide, there is a window where visitors can explore rock formations and sea beds that are normally covered in water. This 3-acre park has hiking trails, a lighthouse, and an interpretive center making it a great way to spend an afternoon.

If you time it right you might be able to enjoy two iconic Bay of Fundy attractions in one day. After exploring Burnthead Coat Park, head to the Shubenacadie River for some tidal bore rafting.

Tidal Bore Rafting

If you are looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure, Tidal Bore Rafting at the Shubenacadie River is an action-packed way to experience the high tides of the Bay of Fundy.

We went with  River Runner’s  rafting adventures and had an amazing time riding the waves as the 100 billion tons of water flowed with force into the river creating rapids and whirlpools.

One minute you are walking on the riverbed floor and the next you are rushing into the rafts to grab the waves as they come in. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have on the Bay of Fundy.

• Read all about it a t  Rafting the World’s Highest Tides
• Watch our video:  Tidal Bore Rafting
• Where to Stay: We also stayed in a cottage owned by  River Runners , making for a full day of adventure ending with a barbecue and relaxation nearby.

If you feel that you have experienced enough of the Bay of Fundy, it’s now time to move on and you can spend more time on the Cabot Trail or the Eastern Shore. If not, we have a couple more adventures.

Day 8 – Three Sisters

The Three Sisters on the Bay of Fundy cannot be missed. The Three Sisters are huge sea stacks jutting out from the sea. When the sea is low, they are massive, but when the tide comes in, you can kayak through them.

Kayaking Three Sisters

You have two options here at the Three Sisters. One you can book a kayaking trip to paddle out to the sea stacks or you can simply hike the trail at Chignecto Provincial Park to See the Three Sisters and the high sea cliffs from above.

• Watch our video of the two-day adventure
• Book this tour with   Nova Shores Adventures  out of Advocate Harbour .

It was one of the best kayaking trips we’ve ever taken in our lives. We camped on a secluded beach on the Bay of Fundy and spent two days exploring its sea caves, sea stacks and sea cones.

Cape Chignecto Provincial Park

If kayaking and camping isn’t your thing and you don’t have two nights to go camping, you can still view the Three Sisters from above. The 5.5 km trail system (3.4 miles) follows an easy trail to state of the art wooden viewing platforms offering views of the Three Sisters.

But you will also see amazing views of sea cliffs, Eatonville Harbour and beaches. The scenery from this trail is awe-inspiring and when we visited, there was nobody else there!

Where to Stay in Advocate Harbour near Three Sisters :  Driftwood Park Retreat

Day 9 – Day Ceilidh Trail

Ceilidh Trail is the cultural centre of Nova Scotia and a perfect addition to your Nova Scotia itinerary. Here you will learn about fishing traditions and Celtic heritage.

Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

Before you travel Cape Breton Island, check out the Celtic Music Centre to learn of the history, culture, and music of the Island. It will give you a better understanding of Nova Scotia’s heritage and you can chat up the locals when you pop into a pub for a pint. There are daily performances, interactive exhibits, and demonstrations.

Lobster Tour in Port Hood

Gillis Lobster Tours and Charters  will take you out on an actual lobster boat to check traps and see what its like to run an operation in Nova Scotia’s main fishing industry.

This fascinating Lobster Tour in Port Hood teaches how lobsters are caught. There are many rules for catching and keeping lobsters. You’ll learn about conservation, what size is legal to catch, how they are stored, and how small lobsters can simply swim right out of the traps.

Watch our full video of the Lobster Tour.

Not only is it interesting, it’s a beautiful boat trip to explore the shores of Nova Scotia. When it’s all done, try your hand at mackerel fishing (you can catch and release or take a few home for dinner) and make a stop at Port Hood Island.

Glenora Distillery Tour

The Glenora Distillery is the first single malt whiskey distillery in North America.

Take a tour of the distillery to learn how the whiskey is made and have a taste to see what you want to buy. The locals claim that the Glenora Stream is so clean and fresh it is said to be the water of life. The pure water makes for perfect spirits!

Lobster Boil

When in Nova Scotia, you must try lobster. They have perfected serving lobster every way imaginable. From lobster poutine, to lobster bisque, and lobster soup. But the best way to enjoy fresh Nova Scotia Lobster is with nothing at all.

If you get the chance, set up shop at a local eatery and enjoy a fresh lobster boil with lobsters straight out of the ocean. No butter, no salt just pure clean meat.

Where to Stay on the Cleidhe Trail

Tonight’s accommodation is at the Micro Boutique Living Resort downtown Antigonish.

Cape Breton

There is no doubt that Cape Breton is the top attraction in Nova Scotia because of the Cabot Trail coastal drive. Rated as one of the best road trips in the world, Your Nova Scotia road trip could consist only of Cape Breton Island. Visitors flock to the trail to witness its breathtaking views, enjoy its world-class hikes and take in the scenic lookouts along the drive.

Tip : Drive counterclockwise along the trail for the best views and to be on the outside lane for views. From the Cleidh Trail you may be tempted to drive straight and do the Cabot Trail clockwise, but instead make your way to Baddeck to start your Cabot Trail Journey.

We wrote an in-depth guide to the Cabot Trail , but here are some of the highlights below that you can see. Be sure to check out the full guide.

Day 10 – Cabot Trail in Baddeck

You’ll spend the night here in Baddeck and you have a choice of a few excursions nearby.

Baddeck is an important stop on the Cabot Trail because it was home to Alexander Graham Bell’s summer house. Built on the site of his cottage named “Beinn Bhreagh”, Gaelic for “Beautiful Mountain.” Learn about his famous inventions like the telephone and his work with Hellen Keller .

North River Kayaking

Whenever we visit Nova Scotia, we always try to put a kayaking trip on our itinerary. A good stop on the Cabot Trail for kayaking is the North River. North River Kayaking offers half-day, full-day, and overnight tours and we had so much fun with them.

If you are travelling along the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, this is a must stop.

Uisge Ban Hike

Another hike we enjoyed was heading out to the Uisge Ban Waterfall. Located just outside of Baddeck Uisge Ban (pronounced Ishkaban)  is an easy 1 1/2 km stroll to a beautiful waterfall.

It goes through a mossy forest meandering along a running stream. If you are in the area visiting Alexander Graham Bell’s House, be sure to stop here.

Where to Stay in Baddeck: The Inverary Resort is an excellent place to start the Cape Breton portion of your Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary. Enjoy a cocktail ceilidh with live music and drinks overlooking the lake, indulge in rich Nova Scotia Seafood at the Lakeside Restaurant or enjoy a fun pub setting at the Stonehearth Publ

Day 11 – Ingonish Beach

After you’ve explored everything you want in Baddeck, it’s time to head north to Ingonish Beach where you’ll spend the night.

The Keltic Inn  looked like an amazing place to stay, but being on a road trip , we stayed at an oTENTNIK on Ingonish Beach.

oTENTNIKs are run by and can be  booked through Park’s Canada.  They are the perfect accommodation for families on a Nova Scotia Road Trip, or for couples (sleeps up to four adults or 2 adults four children) looking to spend some time outside, but not ready to rough it too much.

Everything you need for camping is supplied, so if you want a night or two of camping, but don’t have the gear, this is the way to go.

Here you can relax on the beach taking in the views, or you can head out for a hike.

Middlehead Trail

The Middlehead Trail is a popular hike on the Cabot Trail. It is located just beyond the historic Keltic Lodge at Ingonish Beach. The 3.8 km (2.4 miles) loop follows a long peninsula stretching to the Atlantic Ocean. The peninsula separates to bays of Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island.

• Time: 1 – 2 hours

At night enjoy a Lantern walk put on by Park’s Canada where you’ll walk through the settlement of Ingonish learning about the early settlers in this stylized tour with a haunting theme.

Day 12 – Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Today is your day to explore the Cabot Trail and take in all of the scenic views and lookouts along the coast. The 300 km loop of the Cabot Trail, weaves around the coast of Cape Breton. With incredible views overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence, hiking trails, waterfalls, campgrounds, and scenic lookouts it is a must for anyone traveling to Nova Scotia.

It’s one of the premier places to go whale watching in Nova Scotia and you’ll see bald eagles along the route too! Keep an eye out for the amazing scenic lookouts as you drive along the coast. See our full breakdown of the best things to see on the Cabot Trail

Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail is the most popular hike on the Cabot Trail so crowds can be a problem, but we suggest getting around this inconvenience by hiking it at sunset like we did. It is a great way to end your day of exploring the Cabot Trail. The hike is a 7.5 km loop and we suggest giving yourself at least 2-hours to take n the view and make stops. The trail itself is well marked with an excellent boardwalk leading down to different viewing points.

• See our  full hike along the Skyline Trail  to plan your visit.
• Where to Stay  – Island Sunset Inn at Margaree Harbour

Tonight stay at Margaree harbour where you’ll enjoy a delicious lobster dinner with Nova Scotia Wine.

Day 13 – Guysborough to Tangier

This under-appreciated destination is not on a lot of Nova Scotia Itineraries, but something tells me it will soon be very busy.

Authentic Seacoast Distillery

We started our trip at the  Authentic Seacoast  Distillery where we hopped on golf carts to explore the golf course located on the water.

It was then time to tour the state-of-the-art distilling and brewing facility where we learned how they make their award-winning spirits and craft beer. You can rent a bicycle and take a spin on the TransCanada Trail . A perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Coastal Adventures Eastern Shore Kayaking

A Nova Scotia road trip is never complete without a great adventure and our tour ends with a kayaking tour with Coastal Adventures along the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore offers impressive kayaking along the rugged shore.

Taking you through sea stacks and sea caves, exploring islands, and hiking along beaches. Owner Dr. Scott Cunningham is the author of Sea Kayaking Nova Scotia and runs Atlantic Canada’s foremost sea kayaking operation.

Where to stay: Tonight you can stay directly at Coastal Adventures log cabin. It’s a wonderful places to make a base.

From here you can do some mussel picking just before sunset at Murpheys Campground or you can go for a hike on a local favourite, the Liscomb River Trail. The 9.6km trail has a suspension bridge that overlooks a fish ladder and waterfall.

• Book your  kayaking tour now. 

Day 14 – Back to Halifax

It is your final day of your two week Nova Scotia Road trip and time to head back to Halifax where you can spend the evening walking along the waterfront, enjoying a night on Argyle Street at one of the pubs. Check out all the things to do in Halifax here.

Nova Scotia is a province filled with adventure, culture and impressive scenery. It is one of our favourite places to visit in Canada and we hope that you add it to your Canadian travel itinerary too!

It is an amazing place for a road trip. No leg of the drive takes more than 3 hours giving you plenty of time to see the sights without having to spend too much time in the car. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Nova Scotia Road Trip today!

You won’t be disappointed!

Are you taking an east coast road trip? Have you been to Nova Scotia? What is your favourite road trip that you’ve taken?

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Have you been to the East Coast of Canada ? What are your favourite things to do in Nova Scotia?

Read About Nova Scotia:

• Explore the Nova Scotia South Shore – Halifax to Yarmouth
• Tidal Bore Rafting in Nova Scotia – The World Highest Tides
• Nova Scotia Pictures that Will Make You Want to Visit Right Now
• Best Things to do in Nova Scotia – The Ultimate Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in Nova Scotia – Our Favourite Accommodation
• 11 Not To Be Missed Stops on the Cabot Trail
• Tips for Hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton

See more Great Canadian Road Trips

• 13 of the Best Canadian Road Trips – That We’ve Done
• Sea to Sky Highway – Best Stops from Vancouver to Whistler
• Dempster Highway Road Trip – Yes You Can Drive to the Arctic
• The Cowboy Trail – A Southern Alberta Road Trip
• Niagara Falls Road Trip – The Best of the Niagara Parkway
• Lake Superior Circle Tour – Ultimate Two Week Itinerary

Our trips to Nova Scotia have been sponsored by Tourism Nova Scotia. For more information on things to do in Nova Scotia visit the  Nova Scotia Tourism Website. 

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

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24 thoughts on “The Ultimate Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary”

I am planning a trip with my travel trailer to Nova Scotia 2023. Would the roads you drove be suitable for an RV? Are there RV campgrounds near the places you list in your travels there?

I would highly recommend stopping into Amos Pewter while in Mahone Bay. The artisans create jewelry, tableware, home decor but are probably best known for their Christmas ornaments. They have a variety of series (from Santa’s reindeer to and beach treasure and Autumn treasures). Every year they add a new design to their annual collector ornaments.

wow such an amazing article thanks for sharing.

wow!! Scotia is the perfect place to get rid of the boredom of the mind after the pandemic over. I’m obsessed with the church on mahoney bay. I hope one day I can visit there.

Love this! Your blog is so clean and organized! I’ve not yet had the opportunity to travel so I really appreciate your blog! I feel connected to places I’ve never been. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post!

These pictures are so nice. Looking forward to your post on halifax

Very surprised you didn’t cover the Fortress of louisbourg or the Miners museum in Glace Bay. You also missed Bell museum in Baddeck and the Highland village.

My daughter and I did almost your exact tour 12 years ago – it was amazing – but you have missed out telling people about the North Shore Last year both myself and my daughter and her family moved to New Glasgow We can’t understand why no one pegs this area along with all the other beautiful north shore towns as a tourist attraction – it has so much to offer!

I personally believe a trip to Nova Scotia would absolutely include a tour of the Sydney Harbourfront , with the Big Fiddle, the Cruise Ships, Harbor tours and Restaurants, the Miners Museum and Restaurant in Glace Bay and absolutely without question The Fortress of Louisbourg , a National Historic Site of Canada and the location of a one-quarter partial reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortress at Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island.

Where’s Digby , the scallop capitol of the world? Plus the islands below Digby for whale watching and so much more!

You missed the entire Northen Shore of our province.. it is just as historic (Pictou) Amherst. Antigonish ), beautiful (as the rest of the province and less crowded than Peggy’s Cove, or Lunenburg,) and friendly as the rest of Nova Scotia. We are chock full of great places to eat, stay, swim, sunbathe, explore, photograph, enjoy, relax.

INGONISH BEACH – OTENTNIK , very nice

Great source of information man. Now it’s very easy for me to find out what would be my next step trip for this year. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article.

H D&D, thanks for coming up with a detailed guide on this relatively quieter but nevertheless beautiful part of Canada. Look forward to hearing more about other parts of Canada as well.

Stopping over at Peggy’s Cove is an amazing road trip experience. I’ve never been a lighthouse. These are all amazing things to do. Thanks for sharing this amazing guide.

The Dave And Deb have gone through so much thinking and research for writing this article. Thank you for sharing this great article with us. This blog is worth to read. Keep sharing this kind of post in the future. I’m also an author. So if you have time, I invite you to have a look at my site. Have a nice day!

This is amazing blog. Great photographs and organized blog. This destination seems like amazing place to go for road trip.

I spent every summer growing up at Black Brook. I loved your descriptions and all of your pictures, and you have a beautiful smile. Thank you for the info. I think it’s time to go back and bring my new husband!

This is amazing thank you. I think we are going to follow it next month how long was this done over ? Just want to get an idea of time 😉

Nova Scotia is now in my list of must visit places! Great post and videos are making it more interesting!

Such a peaceful place, this Nova Scotia! Thanks for the share.. This was a lovely read!

Nice tourism object in Scotia ! Have a nice trip !

We are planning a camping trip to Maine summer 2019, but after reading this post, we might have to add Nova Scotia! The trail recommendations, highlights, and maps are great starting places for our planning. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your Nova Scotia trip.

Nova Scotia Bucket List: 18 Best Things to Do

Planning a trip to Nova Scotia? Keep reading for a list of the top things to do in Nova Scotia for your Nova Scotia bucket list!

Nova Scotia, a gem in Eastern Canada, offers a mix of scenic landscapes and cultural richness.

This Maritime province is home to historic sites, wine and nature tours, and some of the most stunning coastlines in Canada.

I spent nearly a week in Nova Scotia. If I hadn't been visiting locals who knew the area well, I would have been overwhelmed with choices while deciding how to spend my time.

After my trip to Nova Scotia, I worked with a few Nova Scotia experts to put together this ultimate Nova Scotia bucket list .

This list includes some of the top things to do in Nova Scotia, including insider tips to make the most of your experience!

On this list, you’ll find some of  Nova Scotia’s must-see attractions  along with some of the province’s  top hidden gems .

Ready to check things off your Nova Scotia bucket list? Keep reading for a guide to the best things to do in Nova Scotia!

1. Spend a Day in Peggy's Cove

Peggy's Cove , located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret's Bay, is a quintessential stop for those exploring Nova Scotia's maritime heritage.

The ideal time to visit Peggy's Cove is from late spring to early fall when the weather is mild and the Atlantic views are at their most picturesque.

A visit to Peggy's Cove isn't complete without seeing its iconic lighthouse.

Standing on granite rocks, the Peggy's Point Lighthouse, built in 1915, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and is a perfect backdrop for photos. In fact, it's one of the most photographed spots in Canada!

The village of Peggy's Cove itself looks like a postcard, with its historic houses and buildings painted in bright, coastal colors.

Throughout the village, you'll find local artisans and quaint shops selling unique Nova Scotian crafts and souvenirs, as well as the typical kitschy souvenirs found at popular tourist destinations.

For a deeper dive into the area's history, the deGarthe Museum showcases the works of artist William E. deGarthe, famous for his paintings of Peggy's Cove.

Peggy's Cove is one of the most popular day trips from Halifax, and it's very easy to get there. You can book a day tour of Peggy's Cove from Halifax or make the scenic drive yourself, offering a chance to experience more of Nova Scotia's stunning coastline.

This is the best day tour of Peggy's Cove from Halifax !

2. Go Wine Tasting in the Annapolis Valley

The Annapolis Valley, a lush agricultural region in Nova Scotia, is a haven for wine enthusiasts that's sometimes known as the Napa Valley of the Northeast.

You can easily spend a day winery-hopping while also admiring the Valley's picturesque landscapes.

A must-visit destination in the Annapolis Valley is Luckett Vineyards. Known for its panoramic views and the unique phone booth in its vineyard, Luckett offers some of the best wines in the Valley.

Their tastings often include a selection of their best reds, whites, and the much-loved phone box wine.

You can also enjoy a meal at their on-site restaurant, which offers dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Don't miss their fries with the truffle aioli!

Another must-visit is Benjamin Bridge Vineyard, renowned for its exceptional sparkling wines that have gained international acclaim.

The vineyard uses traditional methods and has a unique microclimate that contributes to the distinct character of its wines.

Don't miss trying the Nova 7, a refreshing wine that has become a signature of Nova Scotia's wine scene.

For those planning a visit, the Annapolis Valley is easily accessible from Halifax either by car or through organized tours.

One of the most fun ways to experience wine tasting in Annapolis Valley is the Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour .

The small-group tour, which picks up in Wolfville, takes you around in a vintage 1940s car to some of the best wineries in the Valley.

BOOK NOW: The Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour

3. Walk on the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park

Burntcoat Head Park, located along the shores of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, is a unique destination for those intrigued by natural wonders and maritime history.

The park is famous for having some of the highest tides in the world. Visitors can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and witness the dramatic rise and fall of the tides.

The highlight of the Burntcoat Head Park experience is exploring the ocean floor, where you can see the patterns etched into the seabed by the powerful tides.

The park offers guided tours that explain the unique geology of the area and the diverse marine life that inhabits the tidal zone.

Another highlight is the Burntcoat Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse and adjacent interpretive center provide insights into the local history and the significance of the Bay of Fundy's tides.

When planning your visit to Burntcoat Head Park, make sure to watch the tides and plan for visiting at low tide so that you can walk on the ocean floor.

While the park is still beautiful at high tide, being able to walk on the ocean floor at low tide is one of the most unique experiences that you can have on your Nova Scotia bucket list.

As you can probably guess, the ocean floor is a bit slippery and uneven. Wear sturdy, comfortable soles with good traction to keep from falling!

4. Explore the Halifax Waterfront

Exploring the Halifax Waterfront is one of the top experiences to add to your Nova Scotian bucket list.

The waterfront, stretching along the city's downtown area, combines historical charm with modern attractions, making it a must-visit destination.

The best time to explore the Halifax Waterfront is during the summer months, when the boardwalk is bustling with activity, and the harbour views are at their most stunning.

The area is a hub of entertainment, with street performers, local artisans, and waterfront festivals adding to the atmosphere.

For the perfect lunch on the waterfront, head to The Bicycle Thief , a renowned restaurant known for its "North American food with an Italian soul".

The Bicycle Thief is one of the top Halifax restaurants. It's perfectly located overlooking the harbour. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!

For a sweet treat, trying Moonmist ice cream is a must.

This uniquely Nova Scotian flavor, a combo of banana, grape, and bubblegum, is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It can be found at Sugah!, an ice cream shop along the waterfront.

Another iconic Canadian treat to try is a BeaverTail. These delicious pastries are hand-stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail and topped with a variety of sweet toppings. There is a BeaverTail stall located on the waterfront.

If you want to try all of the best foods along the waterfront, consider taking a Halifax Harbourfront food tour .

Aside from dining, the waterfront offers a range of activities.

You can explore maritime history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, enjoy a harbour cruise , or simply relax by the water's edge, watching the boats go by.

5. Get spooked on the Halifax Ghost Walk

If you're interested in learning more about the haunted history of Halifax, consider adding the Halifax Ghost Walk to your Nova Scotia bucket list.

There are a couple of different guides who lead the ghost walk, with many of them being led by Dusty, a master storyteller and expert on Halifax's haunted past.

The tour starts at the Old Town Clock, a landmark steeped in history, then winds through the shadowy lanes and byways of Halifax.

Participants are taken to various locations known for their paranormal activity and historical significance, such as the Old Burying Ground and Saint Paul's Church.

My favorite stop on the tour was the one at Saint Paul's Church.

After the Halifax Explosion in 1917, a silhouette resembling a human face mysteriously appeared in one of the church's windows.

Despite attempts to clean or replace the glass, the image persisted, leading to various legends about its origin.

The tour eventually ends at the waterfront, with a couple of the spookiest stories being saved for last.

The Halifax Ghost Walk is a fun experience for anyone who enjoys hearing spooky stories and visiting historic sites.

Pro tip: The walk begins at the very top of Citadel Hill (you'll walk to the top after meeting at the clock) and ends all the way down at the waterfront.

If you want to avoid too much of an uphill journey at the end of the tour, I recommend parking somewhere halfway between the Citadel and the Waterfront.

Tours run from June to October. To book your spot on the Halifax Ghost Walk, send a message on Facebook or follow these instructions .

6. Stroll through the Halifax Public Gardens

Visiting the Halifax Public Gardens is one of the top things to do in the city.

These historic gardens, established in the 19th century, are a perfect spot for a peaceful stroll or a relaxing break.

The gardens are open yearly from May 1 through November 1. Visiting during the summer is best as there are blooms everywhere!

One of the standout features is the Victorian bandstand, which often hosts live music. Guided tours are available for those interested in learning more about the garden's history and the plants it houses.

7. Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

by Riana from Teas poon of Adventure

One of the best things to do in Halifax is visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to learn about how Canada has become one of the most multicultural countries in the world.

From 1928 to 1971, one million immigrants arrived at the port in Halifax to begin their new lives in Canada.

Start your journey at the Canadian Museum of Immigration by following in the footsteps of an immigrant arriving at Pier 21.

Walk along the side of a ship, enter the processing office, and look into recreated suitcases of what immigrants brought with them to Canada.

On the other side of the museum, the scope broadens to look at immigration to Canada outside of just Pier 21 in Halifax.

In addition to recreated rooms, there are interactive games, videos, and lots of artifacts to discover. You can even meet with an archivist to trace your own family’s immigration history through Canada.

As a Canadian, visiting the museum at Pier 21 was extremely impactful. I was filled with so much pride hearing from immigrants who made the move to Canada.

I also really appreciated that the museum didn’t shy away from Canada’s uglier history when immigration wasn’t open to everyone. 

My favorite part of the museum was a section where visitors could write about their own immigration experiences.

It was incredibly moving to read notes about how someone's grandparents arrived in Canada through Pier 21 or how happy they were that their families chose to move to Canada.

Give yourself lots of time to enjoy this incredibly well-put-together and emotional museum!

BOOK NOW: Canadian Museum of Immigration Tickets

8. Visit the Historic Town of Lunenburg

by Audrey from That Backpacker

The historic port town of Lunenburg is one of the jewels of Nova Scotia's South Shore, and it's a must-visit destination for travelers wanting to learn more about the province's fishing heritage.

The best time of year to visit Lunenburg is during the summer months when most tours and attractions are up and running for the public.

First on your list should be a visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic which is housed in a former fish processing plant.

Here you can learn about Lunenburg's fishing heritage and the best part is that there are volunteers and retired fishermen on site who are more than happy to answer questions and share stories.

Boat tours are aplenty in Lunenburg. The 1-hour harbour tour offers postcard-perfect panoramic views of the town, but there are also fishing tours, whale-watching tours, or sailing tours depending on your preference.

The Lunenburg Chandlery is another must-visit spot for a dose of fishing and shipbuilding history.

Just head east on Bluenose Drive until you see the red building with hundreds of colorful buoys out front.

This warehouse deals in supplies and equipment for ships and boats, plus you can also pick up some unique souvenirs.

And if you time your visit to Lunenburg right, you might just be able to set foot aboard the Bluenose II or even go for a sail!

This is a replica of an iconic fishing and sailing schooner that won many races and became known as the "Queen of the North Atlantic". The Bluenose can be seen on the Canadian dime and is the pride and joy of Nova Scotians.

You can book a day tour of Lunenburg from Halifax , or visit independently by taking a Maritime Bus from Halifax or driving yourself.

This is the best day tour of Lunenburg from Halifax !

9. Check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

by Kim from Explore Your Bucket List

The location of Nova Scotia on the Atlantic Ocean has meant that many significant events have happened along these shores.

The Maritime Museum explores many of the incidents that have happened within its proximity, and it happens to be the oldest maritime museum in all of Canada.

The museum is located on the Halifax waterfront and the permanent exhibitions cover several interesting facts related to Nova Scotia’s maritime roots. 

They explore the history of shipbuilding in the Maritimes and describe the naval involvement during World War II. But the most significant and best-known exhibit is the devastating story of the Titanic and the important role that Halifax played.

Being the closest major port to the wreck site, many of those who perished in the sinking were brought to Halifax along with important personal artifacts including letters and photographs as well as pieces of the ship.

It is an impressive display that has been carefully curated to tell the story of that fateful day.

While it is a sobering exhibit, it does an excellent job of giving a full description of the ship's creation, life onboard, and the sinking and its aftermath.

The museum is open every day except Mondays in the winter season.

When planning a visit, be sure to check out the different admission rates depending on the season as well as the available discounts – see the museum website for eligibility requirements.

10. Go Whale Watching off Digby Neck

by Joanna from The World in My Pocket

Going whale watching is one of the bucket list experiences that you must do when you visit Nova Scotia.

One of the most popular places to go to see whales is the Digby Neck, located 40 minutes away from the town of Digby.

The best time to see whales in Nova Scotia is between July and September. After September, most of the companies stop running tours. In September you will also notice a reduced schedule, so make sure to book ahead of time.

The whale-watching companies are located in East Ferry, Tiverton, Freeport, and Westport. To reach them you will need a car, as there is no public transport available.

Also, bear in mind that you will need to cross by ferry, either once or twice, depending on where you are going, so keep in mind the crossing timings. The passage is free.

The whale watching experience is incredible. You will board a small fishing boat and go search for them in the Bay of Fundy.

The crew includes two marine biologists who can spot where the whales are, as well as answer any questions you may have about them.

The most common whales in the Bay of Fundy are the Humpback and the Minky. Besides whales, you can also see seals and different types of birds.

The tours last between 2 and 3 hours, depending on how close the whales are to the shore.

When you return to Digby in the evening, don’t miss having the famous seafood platter from The Crow’s Nest restaurant. They are serving some of the staples of the food in Nova Scotia , such as fried clams, lobster, and, of course, the Digby scallops.

11. Drive the incredible Cabot Trail

by Erin from Wanderlust with Kids

The Cabot Trail is an incredible drive in Cape Breton that is among the most scenic road trips in the world.

With breathtaking scenery and plenty of outdoor opportunities, this famous drive is one of the highlights of visiting Nova Scotia.

The Cabot Trail winds its way along rugged coastlines, through lush Acadian forests, and into charming coastal communities.

It passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where you can stop at one of the many scenic viewpoints for stunning views of the coastline.

In addition to the stunning scenery, there are scenic trails to hike and campgrounds where you can stay overnight. There is an entrance fee of $8.50 for an adult (youth are free) to enter the park, even if you’re not staying overnight.

The Cabot Trail then continues through small fishing villages and coastal communities, where you can stop for a bite to eat or an overnight stay.

Keep an eye out for moose, eagles, and whales along the way, especially as you pass through Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Cape Breton has a strong Acadian and Scottish heritage, and you’ll see road signs in both English and Gaelic, as well as Acadian French.

The Cabot Trail is a 298-kilometer (185-mile) loop and while it can be completed in a day, it’s recommended to take your time and make the drive a 2-day, or even longer if you have the time.

You can also purchase an audio tour of the Cabot Trail , which will guide you along the trail's points of interest and best views.

As the Cabot Trail is a loop, there’s no start and end point, but many start the journey in Baddeck, Cheticamp, or Ingonish.

Wherever you choose to begin the Cabot Trail, you’re in for an amazing journey. 

BOOK NOW: Cabot Trail Audio Tour

12. Visit the Halifax Citadel

by Chelsea from Adventures of Chels

A site to see on your Nova Scotia bucket list should be the Halifax Citadel.

Located right in the heart of Halifax is the historical citadel. The city was founded in 1749 and four fortifications have been built on this site to protect the city from enemies.

In 1935, the Citadel was declared a National Historic Site in Canada and is open year-round for visitors. It’s maintained by Parks Canada and was restored to the way it looked during the Victorian era.

While visiting the Citadel you’ll learn about the city and military history of Halifax and have a chance to visit the Army Museum.

During peak season (June 1 to September 15) admission to enter the fort is $12.50 for adults (18-64 years), $10.75 for seniors (65 years or older), and for youth (under 17 years) it’s free.

During shoulder season (May 1st-31st and September 16th-October 31st) prices are $8.50 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, and still free for youth.

While there’s an admission to go inside the Citadel, the space outdoors is free to walk around. Enjoy a stroll around the fort and take in the scenic views of the surrounding city and harbour.

Enjoy your visit to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site!

13. See adorable puffins on a Puffin Tour

by Erin from Nova Scotia Bucket List

Nova Scotia is home to some incredible scenery and unique experiences, among those, the chance to see puffins in their natural habitat.

While other areas of the North Atlantic are more well-known for their puffins, Nova Scotia is also home to these cute seabirds.

Puffins spend most of their lives at sea but come ashore each year to nest.

The rugged coastline and rocky shores of Nova Scotia’s offshore islands provide a perfect place for puffins to nest.

However, since they don’t live on the mainland, a boat tour is necessary to view these incredible birds.

The best place to see  puffins in Nova Scotia  is the Bird Islands, just off the coast of Cape Breton.

Several companies offer puffin boat tours , which last a few hours and welcome adults and kids of all ages.

During the tour, you’re sure to see other seabirds, including terns, cormorants, eagles, and razorbills.

It’s also possible to take a puffin tour from Peggy’s Cove to Pearl Island, which is just off the shore of Mahone Bay, and one of the most southern nesting places of puffins in Nova Scotia.

Brier Island, which is known for whale-watching, also offers boat tours where you’ll have the chance to see dolphins, whales, seals, as well as puffins and other seabirds.

These puffin tours are an incredible experience and a memory that you won’t forget. 

14. Hike the Skyline Trail on Cape Breton Island

by Marianne from The Journeying Giordanos

The Skyline Trail in Cape Breton is a must-visit for anyone considering a trip to Nova Scotia.

This iconic trail is known for its jaw-dropping views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the incredible Cape Breton Highlands.

The Skyline Trail is located on the western side of Cape Breton Island, midway between Chéticamp and Pleasant Bay.

Just a heads up, the trail is situated inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park . This means that you will need to purchase a Day Pass from the Parks Canada Visitor's Centre in Chéticamp before you hike.

With a distance of around 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles), the Skyline Trail is rated as easy to moderate, making the hike perfect for all skill levels. The loop trail takes about 2-3 hours to complete, going at an easy pace.

The majority of the trail is made up of crushed gravel, making it very accessible for families with young children, as well as people with varied mobility. The last section of the hike is comprised of a wooden boardwalk.

Just be aware, that the section of the boardwalk going down to the headlands is made up of a series of stairs. This is the most challenging part of the hike.

While the Skyline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Nova Scotia, you will find plenty of parking at the trailhead. There is even parking for RVs and campers.

When planning your visit, consider going early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and have the best chance for wildlife sightings. In fact, a sunset hike is one of the most epic ways to experience the Skyline Trail.

15. Check out the town of Wolfville

by Kamila from Expat in Canada

Wolfville might be a small town but it definitely doesn’t lack in charm. It sits in the lushest part of Annapolis Valley, dotted with orchards and vineyards.

The city is home to historic Acadia University and the beautiful Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens .

The gardens are open to the public and free to visit, so you won’t want to miss it.

It’s a tranquil area with multiple trails and perfectly groomed plants to walk around. There is also an aesthetically pleasing historic greenhouse.

For a small town, Wolfville has a surprising number of cafes and restaurants. I recommend Troy , which serves Mediterranean cuisine, or Naked Crepe Bistro for delicious crepes.

Church Brewing is a cool spot to sample local craft beer. The brewery is in a former church and has stunning stained-glass windows. Their outdoor patio is a perfect place to enjoy a drink or two on a summer day.  

For cider lovers, Annapolis Cider Company is a must-visit. You can do a cider tasting to sample the top-notch ciders made from Annapolis Valley apples, and perhaps buy a bottle of cider to take home with you as a souvenir.

Their ciders are amazing, and they have interesting varieties like a combination of Earl Grey and blueberry. 

Timing is everything, and Wolfville is at its best in the summer or autumn seasons when the harvesting at local farm markets is in full swing. 

One of my favorite things to do in Wolfville is fruit picking at local U-pick farms - Elderkin’s, Hennigar’s, or Stirling’s. 

16. Explore Annapolis Royal

by Cate from Intentional Traveling

A great place to include on your Nova Scotia bucket list is the historic town of Annapolis Royal.

Annapolis Royal is a small town that can be fully explored in a day, but it is worth staying overnight in the summer,

During the day, be sure to visit the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. These exquisite gardens are considered to be one of the top five most beautiful gardens in North America.

With eleven acres to wander, you can easily spend an hour or two here. The rose gardens were my personal favorite!

You can also spend some time perusing the little shops and cafes on St. George Street.

For dinner, make a reservation at Restaurant Compose , where you can enjoy a stunning sea view during sunset. Make sure to take a stroll on the boardwalk along the water before or after dinner.

After dark, don’t miss the award-winning Candlelight Graveyard Tour at Fort Anne National Historic Site.

This tour only takes place in the summer months, but it is a fun and engaging way to learn about the history of the town!

If you want to stay overnight, I suggest staying at the historic Queen Anne Inn . This Victorian bed and breakfast will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. 

Make sure to add this small historic town to your Nova Scotia itinerary! 

17. Visit Meat Cove

by Stefanie from Open Road Odysseys

If you’re looking for a place in Nova Scotia that’s a little off the beaten path, you should take a drive to Meat Cove.

Meat Cove is the northernmost settlement in Nova Scotia. The village itself is quite small but holds a lot of charm. It’s located about 28 kilometers (17.3 miles) from Cape North and the Cabot Trail, and the drive to get there takes approximately 35 minutes.

While Meat Cove may be tiny, there are quite a few things to see here to make the detour worth the drive.

One of the most popular things to do is camp at the local campground and get delicious seafood from Lawless Lobster , the food truck on site.

If camping isn’t your thing, they also offer cabins and a chalet guesthouse for those wanting to spend more time in the area in comfort.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding activities in the area is hiking. There are two popular trails here.

The first is the Meat Cove Overlook Trail . While it may be short, it offers gorgeous seaside views, a stunning vantage point of Meat Cove Beach, and is a short, fairly easy hike.

If you want more of a challenge, Meat Cove Mountain Trail fits the bill.

Other things to do in Meat Cove include checking out the community center, walking the boardwalk to the beach, kayaking around the coast, and eating at the Chowder Hut, which is also located at the campground.

One thing to note: the last 6 kilometers of road to Meat Cove is not paved, but is in decent shape, so any vehicle should be able to make the drive to the village with no problems.

18. Check out Ovens Natural Park

by Jenny from Traveling In Focus

Ovens Natural Park is an exquisite oasis tucked inside a private campground along the Atlantic coastline.

For a small day fee (unless you are staying at the park), you can enjoy this area steeped in history and natural beauty.

The park's roots date back to 1861 when there was a short but impressive gold rush. Today, you can indulge in the prospecting experience by sifting through beach sand at Cunard's Beach for specks of gold – a fun homage to the park's past.

But the main attraction of the park is its majestic sea caves, affectionately known as "ovens."

To see the sea caves, you will take the rugged coastal trail high on the cliffs. It's an easy trail with breathtaking panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the trail, there are several locations where you can descend into the caves, if you dare, and get an up-close view of the caves from within.

One, in particular, has an excellent view of the ocean as it pours into the mouth of the cave just below the platform you stand on. But watch out for the blow-hole, or you might be drenched for the remainder of your walk!

If the trail wasn't enough and you want more time exploring the caves, the park also offers kayaking tours to see them from a different perspective.

With its unique "ovens" and gold rush history, Ovens Natural Park shouldn't be missed on a visit to Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Bucket List: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are so many amazing things to do all around Nova Scotia to include on your Nova Scotia bucket list.

Even if you can’t knock everything out in one visit, you’ll be ready to go back to the province for more exploring!

Have you been to Nova Scotia? What’s on your Nova Scotia bucket list?

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What apps or tools do folks use to figure out their itinerary / routes?

Google maps?

Trip advisor?

Are there pre done itineraries that can be downloaded and modified?

5 replies to this topic

Look at amount of time available to travel and approximate budget as well as who you are travelling with (kids, etc).

Look at previous forum posts with what other ls have proposed and done (trip reports). That would be a good place to start

You can also use the very excellent Nova Scotia tourism site for research, ideas, and itinerary guides. Check under the Trip Ideas tab on their site.

https://www.novascotia.com/

Here are the links to our Top Questions. There is one on planning and one with Trip Reports. Then look at the information about our various regions.

Then come here and tell us how many nights you have, a bit about yourselves and what things are of interest to you and we can suggest a possible plan.

As well as the suggestions above, we also like to use some of the popular commercial Travel Guides, e.g. Frommers, Fodors and others Travel Guides to Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. These often have itinerary suggestions as well as details on interesting and popular sites. They're available to order online and also often in the travel section of libraries.

We also like The Nova Scotia Atlas for its detailed maps showing all the smaller side roads and interesting sights including parks, trails, beaches etc. Sometimes we like to look for scenic, more off the beaten track routes rather than the shortest route given by Google maps. This too can be ordered online.

Here is the link to our Top Questions:

You will likely need to copy and paste these links into your browser to get them to open:

http://bit.ly/2ltXQbm Planning your trip

http://bit.ly/2mfOrsd Trip Reports

http://bit.ly/2lGS07p Bay of Fundy

http://bit.ly/2Ehz7Al South Shore

http://bit.ly/2mfMDiD Annapolis Valley

http://bit.ly/2libRZF Northumberland Shore

http://bit.ly/2qorRyf Eastern Shore

https://bit.ly/2IXU9d0 Halifax

https://discoverhalifaxns.com/

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Two nights, three provinces, and 1,600 miles. A sleeper train through Maritime Canada is slow travel at its best.

Via rail’s sleepy eastern route brings travelers through rural villages and towns in quebec, new brunswick, and nova scotia..

C HARLO, New Brunswick — I woke up with the sun peeking through the curtains of my sleeper car, and I couldn’t wait to see what was happening on the other side. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, a kid with noticeable flecks of gray hair in his bedhead, but a kid just the same. I sat up, wrapped myself in the bed’s comforter like a burrito, and yanked back the drapes.

I was suddenly looking at a sunny snowscape in northern New Brunswick. This was a thrill because when I boarded the Via Rail train at Montreal Central Station the day before, there was no snow, and the sky was the color of dishwater. Having experienced little to no winter in Boston, seeing this Bing Crosby landscape was a refreshing change of pace.

While I slowly woke up, the train rumbled along the tracks, and I watched the broad blue expanse of Chaleur Bay slowly pass by. Across the water, the hills and cliffs of the Gaspé and Acadian peninsulas were visible. It was as if the entire scene had been timed perfectly for the morning entertainment of the train’s passengers.

I was traveling Via Rail Canada’s Ocean route from Montreal to Halifax. The train wasn’t as glamorous as the Rocky Mountaineer, nor was the scenery as grand as the Winnipeg to Churchill trip. But Via Rail’s 22-hour route is a lovely travel throwback with gorgeous scenery. Thanks to the strength of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar, I was able to score a sleeper car with a private bathroom (complete with a shower) for $400 a night. It also helped that I was traveling during mud season. Rates go up during the summer and into foliage season.

The fare included all meals, which were served in the dining car on actual plates with actual flatware. I reasoned that I was getting a room, all meals, and the constant entertainment of the ever-changing landscape for $400 a night. That seemed like a decent deal. I decided to book my return to Montreal on the train as well. That would give me a solid 44 hours on board.

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The train departed Montreal at 7 p.m. on Friday and was scheduled to arrive in Halifax at 5:51 p.m on Saturday. I was curious to see how Via Rail, Canada’s national rail company, compared with Amtrak, particularly its sleeper cars. As I cased out my room, I watched the Farine Five Roses sign and the rest of the Montreal skyline disappear behind us. My cabin was designed for two people, but I wanted a room with an en suite bath and shower. The cabin was about 30 square feet (not including the bathroom). It had a sofa that folded down to a bed, with a bunk bed that folded down above it. There was a narrow closet, and in the bathroom, there were towels, a bottle of shampoo, and a bar of soap.

It wasn’t the Ritz, but it was clean and cozy. These cars were built for the canceled European Nightstar train service in the late 1990s. The trains would have used the Chunnel to take passengers from London to cities in mainland Europe. When the project failed to materialize, Via Rail bought the cars and shipped them to Canada in 2000. Despite being in service for nearly 25 years, the train was in good shape.

After inspecting and unpacking, it was dinner time. We were well on our way to Quebec City by the time I sat down and perused the menu. I opted for leek-crusted chicken with wild rice pilaf and roasted butternut squash. This was better than any meal I had ever consumed on an Amtrak train . I was seated with a retired sports editor (pure coincidence) from New York. He had taken most of the Amtrak overnight trains in the United States and now wanted to sample Canada’s offerings.

He agreed with me that the food was better than Amtrak, and the train cars were generally in better condition, but he pointed out something I hadn’t noticed: The staff was much friendlier than the staff on Amtrak, and it made a huge difference. One of my chief complaints, particularly on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor, is that the staff often seemed surly.

By the time I finished dinner and returned to my room, the attendant had made up the bed. I decided I would try sleeping in the bunk, but I quickly soured on the idea when I realized the only way in and out was a narrow ladder. The bunk seemed a bit high for my liking. I folded it back and slept on the lower bed. The bed is 6 feet long and about 2½ feet wide, so it may not be ideal for taller passengers. The mattress was comfortable, and the comforter was wonderfully thick. Each cabin has individual temperature controls, so even though the temperature was in the single digits outside, I was tucked away comfortably for the night. I’m a light sleeper, but I dozed off quickly.

The next morning, it was time to test the shower. To my shock and delight, the water was hot enough, and the pressure wasn’t bad. I went to the dining car and tried the breakfast poutine. I concluded that poutine is a perfect all-day meal. I wrote “open 24-hour poutine restaurant” in my notebook and watched as the train gradually made its way inland. My breakfast companion was a retired teacher from Montreal who was going to visit her grandchildren in Halifax.

“Don’t you dare write anything bad about this train,” she sternly warned me as only a teacher could. “It’s my favorite way to get to Nova Scotia. If it shuts down I’ll blame you.”

The scenery out the window was always changing. When I left Montreal, it was gray. Coastal New Brunswick was snowy and bright, and as the train descended south, the snow disappeared, and the sky darkened. By the time we neared the Bay of Fundy, it was snowing, and then it was raining, and then the sun started peaking out.

The biggest frustration was that the train was running two hours behind schedule. I had made dinner reservations in Halifax for Saturday night but missed them because of the delay. I had one night in the city before getting back on the train the next day and lost precious time.

Another frustration I faced was that the train’s observation car was no longer used. One of the best parts of taking a scenic train is, well, watching the scenery. I could still see the countryside from my room, the lounge, or the restaurant, but the glass-domed observation car on the Ocean route was removed two years ago because of a track change in Halifax. Having that car would have made the experience even more special.

I got back on the train Sunday afternoon, settled into my new room, which was identical to the previous one, and headed back to the cafe car for lunch. All of this investigative reporting was really adding inches to my waistline. I tried the gnocchi pomodoro and decided to treat myself to a glass of local wine. Unlike Amtrak, alcohol is not free in Via Rail’s sleeper class. Again, I was impressed with the menu options, service, and food.

I watched the small towns blur past from the lounge car, one of the few places on the train where the internet was available. Even so, it was usually empty. The pace of train travel, devoid of the internet, is a rare treat. Eventually, a pair of sisters came into the lounge car and asked me if I wanted to play cards with them. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I played cards, so I put down my camera and began a game of rummy. I can imagine that this was what travel was like before planes or even cars. Without screens, I was actually looking up, talking to people, and playing a game that wasn’t on my phone.

That night, before I went to bed, I opened my laptop and started scrolling through the photos I’d taken throughout the trip. I frantically scrolled up and down, looking for a big “wow” photo. I needed a picture with pizazz. Then I stopped scrolling and looked at the pictures together. This trip wasn’t about flashy sites or Instagrammable moments. It was a long weekend of fluffy waffles, snow banks, blue rivers, and expansive brown fields.

Mostly, however, it was about taking a moment to slow down and breathe.

Christopher Muther can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.

Gaming Column: First-ever museum exhibit on Nova Scotia's video game industry Information Morning Nova Scotia

The Museum of Industry is known for sharing the history of classic Nova Scotia trades, but its newest exhibit explores a more recent industry here – one that's planted firmly in the virtual realm! Our gaming columnist Erin MacInnis took a trip to Stellarton to learn all about it.

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5 of the best spas in and around halifax, nova scotia.

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Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada, Maritime provinces.

There’s perhaps nothing more relaxing than checking your worries at the door and spending some time getting pampered at the spa—and Halifax has a handful of really good options not far from the city’s biggest attractions and hotels.

Looking to carve out space for a little rest and relaxation on your next trip to the Nova Scotian capital? The following wellness-focused addresses range from day spas in the city center to outdoor Nordic spas just outside of the city—but each spot guarantees a day plenty with bliss and positive energy.

Nature Folk

Nature Folk Wellness Collective is going to be your best bet if you’re looking for a Scandinavian-inspired spa within walking distance of downtown. The first indoor Nordic spa in the province is located right by the ferry terminal on the Dartmouth side and features a water circuit, private infrared sauna rooms, and additional services like retreats and workshops.

Sensea Nordic Spa

Looking for an outdoor Nordic spa circuit? You’ll want to head outside the city to Sensea Nordic Spa . Sensea is located in Chester—about a 45-minute drive from Halifax—and features a stunning indoor/outdoor water circuit as well as bookable treatments like massages and facials and even a hammam experience.

Spirit Spa in the Hydrostone is a day spa rather than a Nordic spa—so you’ll want to book services before arriving—but that doesn’t mean you won’t wind up feeling just as blissed out and relaxed. This high-end spot offers unique treatments like light-infused mask sessions and fire and ice facials as well as classic treatments like manicures and pedicures.

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Tupac shakur s estate challenges drake over ai vocals in kendrick lamar diss song, apple iphone 16 unique all new design promised in new report, interlude spa.

There are two Interlude Spa locations—if you want a great massage or manicure you’ll want to head to the Dartmouth address. Looking for a cold plunge and salt room? Head to the Halifax location within the Muir Hotel. Both addresses are cozy and well-maintained with expert staff to guide you through your wellness journey.

Oceanstone Spa

If you have plans to visit Peggy’s Cove while in town, you might want to pencil in a stop at the Oceanstone Spa . The recently opened spa and resort is just a few minutes down the road from the famous lighthouse and features a stunning indoor/outdoor hydrothermal circuit that even includes a North Atlantic plunge pool. There are also unique Nova Scotian-inspired treatments like the organic seaweed body buff and the ocean moonstone treatment.

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