15 Best Things to Do in Nova Scotia: A Bucket List Guide
Looking for the best things to do in Nova Scotia to add to your bucket list? Here are 15 of the top things to do in this amazing province!
Nova Scotia is an incredible province with so much to offer, from its stunning coastlines and scenic trails, to its beautiful beaches and charming small towns. There are plenty of things to do in Nova Scotia, whether you’re looking for an adventure or simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
One of the Maritime Provinces on the East Coast of Canada, Nova Scotia is almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, its nickname is Canada’s Ocean Playground. With thousands of kilometers of coastline to explore, you’re never too far from the water. Experience the tides at the world famous Bay of Fundy, visit the iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, drive the scenic Cabot Trail or visit one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites – whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to have an amazing time in Nova Scotia.
Whether you’re planning to visit Nova Scotia for the first time or you’re looking to explore more of this great province, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Nova Scotia.
15 of the Best Things to Do in Nova Scotia
Head to the Beach
Nova Scotia is known as Canada’s Ocean Playground – and for good reason!
With thousands of kilometers of coastline, there are plenty of beaches in the province.
And the beaches here are some of the nicest in Canada.
Relax on the gorgeous sandy beaches of the Eastern Shore, dip your toes in the warm waters of the beaches on the Northumberland Strait or explore the beaches of Cape Breton Island.
Wherever you visit in Nova Scotia, you’re sure to find some fantastic beaches. Here are some of our top recommendations in the Halifax Region.
Sample the Seafood
The East Coast is known for their seafood and Nova Scotia is no exception!
Lobster is the specialty here and each area of the province has a different lobster season. Along the South Shore, you’ll find Lobsterfest for the whole month of February.
Lobster rolls can be found everywhere in the province or pick up a fresh lobster to cook on your own at home. For those, like me, who don’t love lobster, there is plenty of other seafood to try!
Digby is known for their scallops – and they are fantastic! You can find scallops throughout the province, but if you’re in Digby, you NEED to try them.
Atlantic salmon, haddock, mussels, and clams are also available in most restaurants – or better yet, buy fresh from local fishermen selling seafood from trailers.
See the Highest Tides in the World
The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world.
Twice a day, 100 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy! The tides here can be as high as 16 meters (52 feet)!
And while the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy isn’t as well-known as some spots on the New Brunswick coast, it’s just as beautiful.
Walk on the ocean floor at low tide, search for fossils at Joggins Fossil Cliffs or head to Burntcoat Head Park, home to the highest recorded tides in the world.
Experience the Tidal Bore
When the tides rise and push water into the river, the two currents meet and create the phenomenon called the tidal bore. It’s one of the most unique things to see in Nova Scotia and the best spot to experience this is in Truro.
View the tidal bore from the viewing area or for the adventurous, try some tidal bore rafting! It’s one of the only places in the world where you can go tidal bore rafting!
Go Whale Watching
Nova Scotia is a fantastic place to go whale watching, especially in the summer months from June to August.
Humpback whales and minke are the most common, although you may also spot pilot whales and possibly blue whales.
The best spots for whale watching are found along the coast in Cape Breton, especially around Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, but also in the Bay of Fundy and the South Shore around Lunenburg.
Take a Scenic Drive
Nova Scotia is the perfect place to explore by car. The scenic routes here are incredible and there are plenty of places to stop along the way.
There are 6 scenic trails in the province, each with their own highlights. The Evangeline Trail will take you through the French-Acadian history of Nova Scotia, the Lighthouse Route follows the South Shore with its many lighthouses and of course, there’s the famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.
Or for the foodies, choose a trail designed to showcase the food and drink of the province – there’s the Good Cheer trail, the Lobster Trail and Chowder Trail.
Check out these trails in the Doers and Dreamers travel guide, which is available from the Welcome Centre at the New Brunswick/Nova Scotia border, the Tourist Info centre on the Halifax Boardwalk or download a copy online here.
Go Hiking
Nova Scotia boasts some gorgeous scenery and there are plenty of hiking opportunities to take in the views.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park has 26 trails to choose from, including the popular Skyline Trail, where you might just spot a moose, and the epic Franey Trail, where you’ll have views to the coast.
There are plenty of other hiking trails throughout the province too, from short, easy trails to longer, more challenging hikes.
Some of our recommendations are Cape Spilt on the Bay of Fundy, the BLT near Halifax or, my personal favourite, the Salt Marsh Trail in Cole Harbour.
Get Out on the Water
There are plenty of opportunities in Nova Scotia to get out on the water.
Sea kayaking is popular, especially along the Eastern Shore or the Bay of Fundy.
Head to Blue Rocks near Lunenburg for calm ocean kayaking or Kejimkujik National Park, where there are plenty of lakes and rivers to canoe, kayak or paddleboard on.
If you prefer to stay closer to the Halifax region, head out on the water at the Dingle Peninsula in Halifax or one of Dartmouth’s many lakes.
Visit a Winery
While Nova Scotia’s wines aren’t as well known as others in Canada, they are just as good!
The Annapolis Valley is the main wine region in the province where you’ll find plenty of fruit wines and NS’s own appellation, Tidal Bay wine. A bright, crisp white wine, it’s only made in Nova Scotia.
You’ll also find some fantastic red wines too! There are plenty of wineries in the Annapolis Valley region to try, including Grand Pre, Sainte-Famille and Avondale Sky Winery.
You can drive to the wineries yourself and stop in for a taste and tour, or take a winery tour from Halifax.
There’s also the popular Magic Wine Bus, which is a hop-on hop-off bus that begins in Wolfville and takes you to four wineries in one day; the oldest, the newest, the largest and the smallest.
Go Camping
Nova Scotia has some incredible camping spots, whether you’re looking for somewhere to pitch a tent or rent a cabin.
There are over 100 campgrounds in the province, from remote wilderness campsites to those with all the amenities.
Some of our favourites include Rissers Beach Provincial Park on the South Shore, Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Cape Breton and Kejimkujik National Park.
Bring your tent or trailer and camp out under the stars, or rent an otentik or yurt in either of the two National Parks.
Be sure to make a reservation, especially during peak season.
Get Lost in a Garden
Did you know – 2022 is Canada’s Year of the Garden?
Nova Scotia is home to some stunning gardens, perfect to stroll through on a summer day.
Halifax Public Gardens is the oldest and most well-known garden in the province (and it’s open year-round), but don’t miss out on the other beautiful gardens throughout the province.
There’s also the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, with 17 acres of gardens to explore and over 250 varieties of roses. Or visit the Victorian garden at Grand Pre, which is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
Visit a Farmers Market
Nova Scotia has some great farmers markets where you can buy local produce, meats, baked goods and more.
There are markets all over the province, including Halifax’s Seaport Farmer’s Market, which is open year-round.
In the summer months, there are also weekly farmers markets in almost every town and city. Check out this list of farmers markets in Nova Scotia to find one near you.
Find a Lighthouse
Nova Scotia has a long and rich fishing and shipping history, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of lighthouses to be found along the coast. In fact, there are over 150 lighthouses, which is more than any other Canadian province.
These iconic structures dot the coastline and no two lighthouses are the same, each with their own history and charm.
You can visit many of them, including the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, near Halifax, the Cape Forchu Lighthouse in Yarmouth and the lighthouse at McNabs Island.
Some of the lighthouses are even open to the public and you can climb to the top for a stunning view.
Soak up the History
There’s plenty of history in Nova Scotia. Some of the oldest settlements in North America can be found in the province.
Explore the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, a star-shaped fort that was built to protect Halifax from a possible attack by the Americans.
Head to the Annapolis Valley and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Grand Pre to learn about the Acadian settlements or visit Annapolis Royal, the oldest town in Nova Scotia.
For a taste of military history, check out the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a replica of an 18th century French fortress.
Explore Halifax
The capital city of Nova Scotia, Halifax, is the largest city in the Maritime Provinces and it definitely deserves a visit!
Situated on the world’s second largest natural harbour, Halifax is a beautiful and historic city with some of the top Nova Scotia attractions.
Stroll through the Historic Properties and visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.
Walk along the waterfront boardwalk and then take a harbour tour on the Harbour Hopper, one of the most interesting Nova Scotia sightseeing tours.
Or spend an afternoon at one of Halifax’s many museums, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic or Pier 21, Canada’s immigration museum.
How to Get to Nova Scotia
Located in Eastern Canada, Nova Scotia is easy to get to from Quebec and New Brunswick or from the United States.
By car: Halifax is about a ten-hour drive from Quebec City and just over four hours from Fredericton.
By Ferry: From the U.S., there’s a ferry from Maine to Yarmouth, or within Canada, there’s a ferry from Prince Edward Island that arrives in Pictou or a ferry from Newfoundland to Sydney on Cape Breton Island.
By Plane: Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the main airport in Nova Scotia, with both domestic and international flights landing daily.
Getting Around Nova Scotia
Once you’re in Nova Scotia, there are several ways to get around depending on where you’re going and how much time you have.
Halifax has an extensive public transit system, including buses and ferries, that can get you around the city and surrounding areas. For visitors, there’s also a Hop On Hop Off bus tour that stops at all the major attractions and day tours are available to nearby attractions, such as Peggy’s Cove and the Annapolis Valley.
However, we recommend renting a car so that you can explore more of Nova Scotia at your own pace. The 100-series highways will take you from one end of the province to the other and there’s plenty of scenic routes, such as the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island or the Glooscap Trail along the Bay of Fundy.
When is the Best Time to Visit Nova Scotia?
While we’re a fan of Nova Scotia all year round, summer is the most popular time to visit the province.
You’ll find the best weather from June to September, although the warmest months will be in July and August.
October is a fantastic time to visit Cape Breton and see the fall colours, while May and June is a great time to see everything is bloom – especially the apple blossoms in the Annapolis Valley.
Being on the ocean means that the temperatures in the winter won’t get as cold as in some other parts of Canada, but temperatures will dip below freezing and there will be plenty of snow and ice. There are still plenty of fun things to do in Nova Scotia in the winter though, so bundle up and enjoy!
Nova Scotia is a beautiful province with plenty to see and do.
We hope this bucket list guide has inspired you to start planning your next Nova Scotia adventure.
And if you have any questions on what to do in Nova Scotia, be sure to ask in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Happy travels!
Looking for more ideas on what to see in Nova Scotia? Check out these other posts:
- 7 Fun Things to Do in Nova Scotia in July
- 9 Great Beaches Near Halifax
- 9 Best Things to Do in Lunenburg
- Prettiest Small Towns in Nova Scotia
- Places to Eat & Drink in Dartmouth
