The List Of 20 Best Things To Do In Nova Scotia, Canada

The greatest approach to learning about the rich history and capital city of Nova Scotia is to take a walk down the boardwalk along the harbor in Halifax. Start at Pier 21, where waves of immigrants arrived in Canada, then see the Canadian Museum of Immigration. Next, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to discover Halifax's sordid involvement in the Titanic catastrophe.

With upscale lodging, the greatest dining options in the area, and a stairway leading out to the sea, Queen's Marque is the city's ostentatious new waterfront development. Bar hop up the hill in the evening to see live music at places like the Split Crow and The Carlton.

When it comes to Halifax, the evidence is clear: life is just better near the sea.

If you did not know, Canada is actually the second-largest producer of blueberries in the world. You can harvest your own wild blueberries when you're not eating them, and Nova Scotia has some of the best.

The greatest agricultural export sector in Nova Scotia is the wild blueberry business. With more than 630 producers, over 40,000 acres under production, and an annual harvest of over 50 million pounds, the wild blueberry business is vital to the Nova Scotia economy.

Until you look like Violet Beauregarde, it's tempting to just roll around and eat wild blueberries. The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is a good place to collect these delicious superfruits.

If you want to live like the locals, you should make time for this family-run, nationally recognized company on your East Coast road trip.

Are you searching for entertaining mementos to commemorate your journey to the East, or are you wanting some baked goods, fish, or fresh fruit? They've got everything covered. Masstown is a one-stop store for all your requirements, offering a garden center, Canadian artisan items from the Maritime region, and more.

Their well-known fish and chip boat, where you can have some of the freshest fish in town, is located next door to the main building. Their batter is dairy-free and gluten-free, which is good news for anyone with dietary concerns.

You would be insane to travel to Nova Scotia and not eat some lobster, even if you're not a big fan of seafood. For good reason, Nova Scotia is one of the world's most well-known lobster hotspots. Although lobster boils and rolls are popular choices, there is a lot more to sample.

Sample lobster risotto, lobster mac n' cheese, lobster tacos, and lobster poutine. You can likely find almost anything else that contains lobster.

Any time of year is a good time to order lobster, but if you're serious about your meal, November through May is the best time of year to fish for it because of the Atlantic's cool, clear water.

The coastal cities of Nova Scotia are ideal places for whale watching, and several cruises are available to get a closer look. Twelve stunning whale species are known to visit the seas off the east coast of Nova Scotia, which is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean.

On an Atlantic Canada cruise, you may sometimes even see a blue whale or humpback from Halifax's coastline.

The greatest times of year to see these amazing animals are in the summer and fall, however, the Cabot Trail and the Bay of Fundy are often visited locations.

How frequently can you claim to have played at one of the top 100 golf courses in the world, even if you're not a big golf fan? Although it may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Nova Scotia, there are around 38 golf courses in this little province.

One of the most well-liked courses is Cabot Links and Cliffs, with Northumberland Links ranking as well.

Not yet prepared to tee off? Fortunately for you, the town of Ingonish is situated at the northeastern extremity of Cape Breton Island, so you're never far from breathtaking beaches, hiking trails, and an abundance of seafood.

Visitors go to the Bay of Fundy to walk on the ocean bottom, but there's a way to get even closer to the action. The seiche effect, which is essentially enormous waves that resemble water splattering back and forth in your bathtub, is caused by the high tides that rush in and out twice a day.

Fortunately for all thrill-seekers, a motorized raft allows you to get up close and personal with these waves.

The river's waves can be anywhere from 4 to 8 meters high, and only a few locations worldwide provide the unique sensation of a tidal bore. If you're lucky, you may even get to go mud sliding and satisfy your inner child.

You should be aware of Nova Scotia even if it might not be the first location that comes to mind when you think about Canadian wine regions. The province was among the first in Canada to begin cultivating grapes for winemaking in the 1600s.

With more than 20 vineyards to choose from, Nova Scotian wines are a singular discovery. Although they are dispersed around the province, half of the wineries are located in the Annapolis Valley, making it the hot point.

They also claim that all of the wines made here have a hint of salty from the ocean because you're never more than 20 kilometers from it.

Make sure to spend some time in Cheticamp in particular when you're on Cape Breton Island. In the old Acadian fishing community of Cheticamp, you may explore the trails, go whale watching, fish for lobster, and enjoy some delicious Acadian cuisine.

In case the name is unfamiliar, the Acadians are a mostly Eastern Canadian ethnic community that descended from French settlers in the Maritimes in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cheticamp's enduring French influences make it one of the most distinctive locations in all of Nova Scotia, and Acadians are extremely proud of their language, history, and customs.

Canada's Museum of Immigration, located on Pier 21 in Halifax, is a fascinating destination for both locals and tourists. The museum is situated at the Halifax seaport, where around a million individuals would have first set foot in Canada.

You may take a guided tour or explore the exhibit, which explores Canada's immigrant history across time and is loaded with compelling first-person accounts, old photographs, and artifacts.

The archives even offer a free way to look into the immigration history of your own family, which is one of the best parts of the museum. When traveling throughout Atlantic Canada with Contiki, be sure to include it on your list of things to do while in Halifax.

Kejimkujik National Park is only one of Nova Scotia's many breathtaking natural settings. The Mi'kmaq people traditionally relied on this protected park as a location for transit, fishing, and hunting.

In addition to being one of the best locations in Nova Scotia for canoeing and camping, the park still has Mi'kmaq petroglyphs, which are prehistoric rock engravings.

Explore groves of 330-year-old hemlock trees, enjoy the sun at some of the province's top beaches, and end the day by dozing off in a yurt or beneath the stars at one of their year-round campgrounds.

The Maritimes are inextricably linked to East Coast music, and it would be regrettable to depart without taking in the heart-pounding melodies. It encompasses a range of genres, including alternative, folk, and Celtic.

You can't travel to Atlantic Canada and not take in some live music, from pub bands to kitchen parties to ceilidhs (a social gathering including Celtic music, dancing, and singing).

This charming seaside village offers everything. One of the two only urban villages in North America to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lunenberg offers several photo opportunities and dining options.

Lunenberg is well-known for its vibrant colonial architecture and for housing the Bluenose II ship, but it also has fantastic restaurants, history, breweries, and shopping.

The original Bluenose, a fishing and racing schooner that won over both Nova Scotians and Canadians, is replicated in the Bluenose II. Its picture is proudly featured on Canadian dimes today. If fortune favors you, it may dock in town so you may explore this Canadian gem.

As a National Historic Site and the site of a 25% partial recreation of a French fortification from the 18th century at Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, it attracts tourists.

Life in Nova Scotia during the 1700s, when French colonialists were settling the area, might be difficult to imagine.

With its beautiful homes, culinary gardens, fortifications, 18th-century ruins, and costumed animators, the Louisbourg National Historic Site is the biggest historical replica in North America and will transport you back in time. While taking in stunning views of the shore, learn more about Nova Scotia's complicated past.

A trip to Nova Scotia would not be complete without seeing this famous lighthouse. The province is home to Peggy's Cove, which is possibly the most photographed lighthouse in the world. The beauty of Peggy's Cove and the charm of the little fishing community make it so well-liked that you fall in love right away.

Constructed in 1915 and still in service today, Peggy's Cove Lighthouse served as a post office until 2009. Situated atop wave-sculpted granite boulders, this stunning red-and-white structure is one of Canada's most well-known landmarks.

Although entry is free, it is best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the throng.

The only thing that rivals Nova Scotia's love of lobster is their fondness for donair. Donairs, Halifax's unofficial national dish, is a great midday meal and a far better late-night snack after a night out.

With beef shawarma and a special donair sauce, the donair is a reimagined take on a Greek gyros wrap. When you visit Canada with Contiki, make sure to try one, or a dozen, for yourself in Halifax during your free time.

The meeting point of the mountains and the sea is one of Nova Scotia's most charming locations. Explore the renowned Cabot Trail, traverse 950 square Km of untamed nature, and be in awe of the verdant, wooded river canyons cut into an old plateau.

This area of the province is breathtaking, and the National Park has some of the greatest views of the water and mountains in the area. It has even been named the top island in North America.

Some of the Maritimes' most varied and untamed scenery may be seen at Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It's the ideal location for swimming, cycling, fishing, and hiking.

Bar hopping is a must in Halifax, which has more bars per capita than any other Canadian city. You won't have any problem finding a spot to unwind and catch up with friends, and perhaps a few locals along the way, because the city has about 200 pubs and eateries.

Since receiving its liquor license in 1749, the Split Crowbar, Nova Scotia's first tavern, has been open and has live music every night.

Durty Nelly's provides all you need if you want a genuine Irish pub since East Coast Canada is also noted for its connections to the UK. The tavern was originally created and constructed in Ireland before being brought here, which makes it quite authentically Irish.

You really must have your fair amount of beer before departing Nova Scotia. In the province, the pub culture and Scottish/Irish influences are well recognized and embraced.

You can take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of North America's oldest breweries while you're in Halifax on an Atlantic Canada excursion. In addition to being the pride of Nova Scotia, Alexander Keith's has been a popular beer across the country for 200 years.

You may then descend to the Stags Head, a historic bar that was formerly an aging cavern, where you can have your own private Ceilidh and sip some of the best beer on tap.

Do you want to stroll dry on the ocean floor? The Bay of Fundy is often at the top of the list of things to do in Nova Scotia because of this exceptional experience. The tides in Fundy are the highest in the world, rising and falling 16 meters twice a day.

You may stroll over the enormous rock formations known as Hopewell Rocks on the ocean floor when the tide is low. While you wait for the tides to turn, stop by the on-site restaurant for lunch and browse the gift shop.

Seeing the same location fully buried in water a few hours later is an exciting experience. To be on the water when the tide turns, you may even schedule a kayaking excursion if you're feeling very adventurous.