Visitors to Canada’s eastern region can explore old Atlantic ports and get out into nature. Nova Scotia offers attractions for people of all generations and interests. Whether you are hoping to hike scenic trails or stroll through museums, Nova Scotia has what you are looking for in your next adventure. Consider these spots for your itinerary and plan to have an awesome time up north.
1. Halifax Harbor
Halifax Harbor is an excellent boardwalk spot to watch working tugboats and navy ships. Visitors can look out and observe another way of life. Sailboats move through on New England cruises and become part of the enthralling active harbor life. Look for Georges Island in the harbor and hop on a ferry boat or guided boat tour of the surrounding maritime zone.
2. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
As an 1856 fortress that never weathered battle, the Halifax Citadel remains in beautiful condition. Explore tunnels on tours and look at how soldiers would have lived in barracks. Historical interpreters provide information and add color to real-life tales. Enjoy harbor views from the strategic hilltop location.
3. Halifax Public Gardens
This free attraction consists of North America’s first public Victorian-style gardens. Created in the late 1860s, the gardens are seasonally resplendent with many flowers like azaleas and tulips. Follow the walking paths and refresh yourself at the café.
4. Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
Modern botanical science and art are on display within the ten acres of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. The show garden is split into sections like the Rose Garden and a riverside path. Horticultural innovations are highlighted and the setting is a popular celebration venue.
5. Port-Royal National Historic Site
The Annapolis Valley is also home to this 1600s settlement. Port Royal has been rebuilt to illustrate how early North American settlements looked and functioned. This particular area would have been part of the fur trade and included a Governor’s Residence. Immerse yourself in another time with actors and tour guides that also tell the stories of indigenous people.
6. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
This Halifax museum houses over 200 model ships and includes a comprehensive Titanic exhibition. Halifax locals helped in rescue and recovery efforts after the Titanic sank. The exhibits feature real artifacts from the fateful voyage. Other parts of the museum tell of naval and fishing industry life on the sea. Tour the CSS Acadia and view Queen Victoria’s Royal Barge.
7. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
Head to Peggy’s Cove for a popular seaside view. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is one of Canada’s most popular lighthouses. It is still part of a functioning fishing community and sits on precarious stone bluffs. The boathouses, wharves, and vibrantly hued fisherman cottages feel plucked from an earlier century.
8. Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Another well-known Canadian lighthouse is located in Yarmouth at Cape Forchu. The gorgeous setting seems more remote and marked by rocky grasslands. It is suited to dramatic sunset views when the stories of ancient Vikings feel close at hand. Leif Erikson Park marks the settling of Yarmouth by the eponymous man.
9. Lunenburg
The colorful buildings of Lunenburg are a beloved fixture of Canadian coastal heritage. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site where vacationers can stay in quaint inns. Over half of the original structures have survived since the 1700s and 1800s. Learn about the history of local fisheries and shipbuilding.
10. Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cape Breton Island is home to artisanal shops and popular hiking trails. The National Park is especially known for Cabot Trail and having the tallest mountains in Nova Scotia. Follow nature trails and boardwalks to stunning cliffside beauty spots where you can gaze out to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Target an autumn vacation date for a chance to experience red and golden-hued foliage.
Explore the unexpected in Nova Scotia and savor breathtaking views alongside fascinating history. Book your tickets today and anticipate the trip of a lifetime.
