For a full list of campgrounds in Nova Scotia, click here. I grew up on Cape Breton Island and attended university in Halifax. Recommended option Bus to Boston, fly to Halifax Take the bus from Salem, NH-exit 2 to Logan Airport The fall is wonderful but for it being hurricane season. Some hotels and restaurants may close after October, but there are many fall festivals which offer music, food celebrations.The Nova Scotia operators have a narrow tourist season is small so that might translate to higher prices. Looking for something different? The phrase comment is within a header, which receives special formatting within themes. The best time to visit Halifax is May through October. Its a great place to drive, cycle, or experience the curvy road by motorbike. Near Lunenburg, explore exciting sea caves at The Ovens, or spend the day kayaking in the shallow waters of Blue Rocks. Each day, twice a day, 160 billion+ tons of seawater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy! If youre looking for unique things to do in Nova Scotia during the summer and fall, add whale watching to your Nova Scotia itinerary. Nova Scotia was one of the original four provinces that became part of Canada in 1867, and as of 2011 had a population of 922,000 people, of whom 44% live in the capital city, Halifax. Board your helicopter at the Halifax Stanfield airport and take in a birds-eye view of the city of Halifax before soaring over turquoise waters towards secluded Sambro Island. One First Nation band member told us that they were placed into reservations. There are some great trails in the province and after driving, its always nice to get out and stretch your legs. Stop into the town of Digby, Nova Scotia, famous for its delicious scallops, or hike the trail to Balancing rock on Long Island. Your best bet would be to get there early and enjoy the quieter trail you may even spot a moose. Similarly, the Mikmaq has created their own schools to educate members of the nation with their own curriculum. Dartmouth, for example, is just a 5-minute ferry ride ($2.50 CAD) across the bay. *Insider tip, try the Marquette red at Luckett, it was my favourite Nova Scotian wine. Lover of tennis. Remember to pack your bathing suits if youre visiting during the warmer months of July and August because there are many beaches on the Cabot Trail. You'll find helpful information on this page. The lone white and red lighthouse is one of the most photographed spots in the country. Zakynthos Greece (also known as Zante Island) is a small, stunning island that bobs in the Ionian Sea of western Greece. This route meanders along the coastline of Cape Breton Island, and high up into the plateaus of the aptly named Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Travel by air, by sea on a ferry or cruise, or by land. Forecast Eye Path updated 2 hours ago. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and well send you our 101 Ways To Earn Money For Travel eBook for Free, plus well send you a series of emails to show you how to travel in a financially sustainable way. Once youve visited one of the stops, you get a stamp in your passport and once you have 3 stamps, you can enter to win prizes. And those two timeframes late spring and early fall are the easiest times to book a tee time and accommodations. The highest tides on earth, the rarest whales in the world, semi-precious minerals and dinosaur fossils are all there to discover at thisNatural Wonder of North America. The island is known for its unique landscape and geology, but it's perhaps most famous for its whales, who come annually to feed in the rich waters of the worlds highest tides. An old school map still works well! Theres also lobster beer and lobster fries to add to your list. Inverness and the surrounding area is one of the best places to visit in Nova Scotia for golfers, fishermen, and those who want to do some camping. There are 10 ways to get from United States to Nova Scotia by plane, bus, train, ferry or car. Of the four (Malagash Point, Annapolis Valley, Gaspereau Valley and the South Shore), Annapolis Valley offers a variety of easily navigable options. Nova Scotia is not to be missed! I attended ceilidhs at the St. Michaels Parish House at Baddeck. Unless youre content to explore Halifax (one of the best cities in Nova Scotia) for a weekend, then I suggest at least a week. Simply, take the opportunity to learn more about the Mikmaq Nation, who is happy to share their culture and history with those interested in learning about it. The Annapolis Valley (the best place to visit for wine lovers) 10. They have sky cabins and sky bubbles here for those who want a complete overnight experience. Highlights in and around the Cabot Trail include the town of Baddeck, the ski hill and gondola at Cape Smokey, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and for longboarding enthusiasts the worlds only museum dedicated to downhill skateboarding at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North. The boat was large enough that it was comfortable, not cramped, and the staff members were knowledgable about the ocean and the marine life. When coal mining stopped, tourism took its place. Blomidon Provincial Park has a 7.8 mile/12.5 km moderately challenging loop trail with expansive Bay of Fundy views. Enjoy views of the wild, rocky coastline, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the beautiful forest. I now live in the US and miss my homeland. The Shelburne Museum complex has several hands-on museums, perfect for children, including Ross Thompson House and the Dory Shop, which honors boatbuilding history. A visit to Nova Scotia is not complete without witnessing the incredible tides of the Bay of Fundy. The Savvy Sailor Cafe has tasty breakfasts and huge portions. The capital city of Halifax is one of the best places to see in Nova Scotia its also likely the first place youll see when you arrive. They offer discounts before June and you can save up to $150 by buying early. The whole town of Lunenburg is a top Nova Scotia attraction! We opted for the 9.2 km (5.6 mile) loop walk through the forest. At Margaree Forks, the route splits and you start the Cabot Trail. Many have cultural centers that offer opportunities to meet Mikmaq in different locations. Continuing along the stunning Lighthouse Route, youll arrive at Mahone Bay (if you have a chance, check out Chester on the way), which is known for its iconic 3 churches, relaxed atmosphere, and small-town hospitality. Happily married to Jacob. This national park is a beautiful place to do some hiking in Nova Scotia, geocaching, canoeing, mountain biking and camping. Since the province is known for its seafood, ties with the ocean, and cool weather, the winemakers wanted to create a wine that reflects that something cool and crisp. Known for being the scallop capital of the world, Digby is a place seafood lovers wont want to miss. Taking a winery bus tour with a designated driver is the best way to explore the vineyards. Its an easy, 1.5-hour loop that takes you out to the end of the point for a fantastic view. Making up 20 percent of Nova Scotia, the island is covered in highlands, Acadian forests, glacial valleys, and freshwater wetlands, all of which travelers can see on a road trip along the Cabot Trail. However, these months also attract . Here's a handy guide to visiting Nova Scotia. We stayed at Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, a lovely old building with sweeping views across the Bay of Fundy. The earliest hockey stick was carved by the Mikmaq in Nova Scotia. There are so many nearby bays and coves that you could visit, either before or after Peggys Cove. In 1863, a manufacturing company started to sell hockey sticks, which made hockey into a major Canadian spot. Enjoy your stay in Nova Scotia and check out our videos here: Want to know what to do in Halifax? Theres something magical about seeing wildlife in its natural habitat. The fortress Louisbourg is one of the best places to visit in Nova Scotia - a recreation of a French fort. We paid around $10 CAD for admission, which was very worthwhile. One stunning hotel with an excellent location in Wolfville is the Locust & Starr Inn. Surrounding Wolfville is where youll find the 11 established vineyards which make some crisp white wines and some reds as well. In this passport, youll find a list of tasty restaurants, bars and distilleries to sample the best food and drinks in Nova Scotia. Planning tip: If youd rather leave the driving to someone else, the Magic Winery Bus will take you on an official tour through one of the best places to visit in Nova Scotia, the Gaspereau Valley region. Nova Scotia translates to New Scotland in Latin, and Pictou was the first place the Scottish settlers landed when they arrived in Nova Scotia. This peninsula is actually composed of the mainland, and two islands Long Island and Brier Island. Here you can golf 18 holes, spend a day at the spa, swim in the outdoor heated pool, or simply relax on the patio with a beer in hand. Theres something magical about seeing wildlife in its natural environment. This aptly named place is another photographers dream destination. Despite what you might expect, lobster is not expensive and we typically paid around $38-58 CAD for a great dinner for two with delicious fresh-caught lobster! A classroom taproom awaits you at Schoolhouse Brewery! Located along a harbor and bordered by dramatic hills, the town is dotted with beguiling pastel-colored buildings, most of which were constructed between the 18th and 19th . Adventure seekers, get ready to immerse yourself in the Bay of Fundy tides withTidal Bore Rafting. Youll find excellent whale watching opportunities in the Bay of Fundy just outside of Digby on the Digby Neck (peninsula) and off of Cape Breton Island. Dont miss Church Brewing built in a converted church, this is a very unique place to grab a craft beer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_of_the_Acadians. This 10-kilometer pathway is called the Bay To Bay Trail, and you can join it at various points, or just hike a portion of it, rather than the whole trail. Top 10 beaches in Canada, from coast to lake to coast, The best things to do in Canada: be inspired by these 21 epic experiences, The 11 best places to eat poutine in Canada, The best road trips to explore Nova Scotia, Canada's newest hiking trail is a slow-travel adventure on Prince Edward Island, Places that rock: coastal formations that will knock your socks off, Coves, cliffs and lighthouses of Canada's epic east coast, 12 things locals want you to know before you go to Canada, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Weather-wise May to mid-June is not the time to tour NS, Quite cool and lots of rain. Ingonish (one of the best places in Nova Scotia for golfing, hiking and camping), 2. We chose to hike the Hemlocks and Hardwoods trail which was an enjoyable 5 km loop through the forest. You can choose to drive clockwise or counterclockwise (we did the former). Thank you for clarifying the origin of the word Cajun, it comes up often in conversation and Ive relied solely on childhood memories. If you are travelling without kids September is perfect. Oh, and dont forget to make a call from the red phone box . Nova Scotia's roads are, for the most part, well-maintained. If youre driving the Cabot Trail, youll cut through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Also dont miss out on great Nova Scotia activities like kayaking, hiking, and eating seafood. Stopping along the way gave us more flexibility in terms of adapting our plans to include recommendations from locals that we met as well as minimizing driving to sightsee. I have traveled fairly extensively but the wild coastline with the picturesque towns, the warm and friendly people, the changeable weather and the company of my daughters created a magical trip! So Acadie is the French name of these early European settlers is Acadien or Acadienne, depending on male or female, and the pronunciation of their name became Cajun when they were forcefully deported from Nova Scotia by the British in1764. Driving from the Western shore to the Eastern shore is a ten hour drive. The Official Halifax Visitor Guide highlights the best things to see and do in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Currently: Very Strong Typhoon, approximately 322 mi from manila, philippines. When is the best time to visit Nova Scotia? Here are the best things to do in Nova Scotia. Although the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario produce the most amount of wine in the country, little Nova Scotia has some vineyards worth visiting and unique grape varietals worth sampling especially if you like white and sparkling wines. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. Blue Rocks (one of the best places to visit in Nova Scotia for kayaking) 6. And when is the best time for whale watching? So, its the luck of the draw! There's a reason the cove is consistently named one of the best things to do here. We were able to find some coupons as the companies are competitive with rates. She has over 10 years of experience helping others to realize their travel dreams and has worked in numerous jobs all over the world to help pay for travel. God Bless. The Cliffs of Fundy Global Geopark is a group of geological sites in northwest Nova Scotia awarded Unesco designation in 2020 as a place of significant geological value.