7 days
- Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton Island, Eastern Shore, Halifax Metro, Northumberland Shore, South Shore, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Think of this itinerary as inspiration, not a to-do list. Mix and match the stops and experiences that work best for your schedule, interests, and pace.
This itinerary is best suited for travellers looking to maximize their trip to Nova Scotia and ensure they visit the must-see destinations in one week. This trip spans 1,800 – 2,000 km, with a busy daily pace, and the time spent in the car could be tiring, depending on the destinations you choose to visit. Best when followed in summer or early fall, this itinerary can be modified to different fitness levels or accessibility needs.
1 Day 1: Halifax
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and if flying into the province, likely your first stop. Plan your day with a couple of the following activities in the downtown core or explore further outside the city.
- If you enjoy waterfront views and lots to see and do, explore the 4-kilometre Halifax Waterfront boardwalk.
- History enthusiasts can visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and take part in the Soldier for a Day experience.
- If culinary and nightlife are what you’re after, head downtown in the evening to dine on fresh seafood and hear live music.
- For those who want adventure, visit Lawrencetown Beach and take a surfing lesson. Note, this is a 40-minute drive from downtown and best accessed by car.
2 Day 2: Halifax to Lunenburg
The drive from Halifax to Lunenburg is about 1 hour and 20 minutes along Highway 103, or a bit longer if you follow the scenic Lighthouse Route 3.
- On your way out of Halifax, drive along the coast to Peggy’s Cove where you can walk on the granite boulders and snap a photo of the lighthouse or take in the sights from the accessible viewing deck. If travelling to Peggy’s Cove, allow an additional half hour of driving both ways.
- Along the Lighthouse Route, dine on Nova Scotia lobster and seafood at local restaurants, visit Good Cheer Trail stops, and browse local shops in the seaside towns of Chester and Mahone Bay.
- Allow sufficient time in Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage site for a walking tour, a visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, or a deck tour or sail on the Bluenose II.
3 Day 3: Lunenburg to Yarmouth
Head out on a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Lunenburg to Yarmouth and choose a couple of stops to fill your day.
- If a relaxing day on a white sand beach is what you’re after, plan to stop at Summerville Beach Provincial Park.
- History and culture buffs may be interested in the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown or Le Village historique acadien de Nouvelle-Écosse in Pubnico.
- Visit Barrington, the Lobster Capital of Canada, for a traditional lobster dinner, roll, fondue, or alfredo.
- Adventurers can take a one-hour drive inland, to canoe, kayak, hike or swim at Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site.
- Climb 77 spiral steps to the top of Cape Forchu Lighthouse, just outside of Yarmouth, and take in panoramic views of the surrounding area.
4 Yarmouth through the Annapolis Valley
The drive through the Annapolis Valley spans a significant distance, taking approximately two-and-a-half-hours to travel from Yarmouth to Wolfville.
- Stop in Digby, the Scallop Capital of the World, and dine on a variety of scallop dishes.
- For a thrilling adventure, take a one-and-a-half-hour trip from Digby to Westport on Brier Island for a whale watching tour.
- Taste Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia’s appellation wine, at numerous wineries throughout the Annapolis Valley and collect stamps on the Good Cheer Trail.
- Head to Hall’s Harbour to dine on lobster dishes at Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound and watch fishing boats rise and fall with the Bay of Fundy tide.
5 Day 5: Annapolis Valley to the Northumberland Shore
It’s just under two-and-a-half-hours from Wolfville to Pictou via Highways 101, 102 and 104. Allow 3 to 6 hours more if you add a side trip to explore Burntcoat Head, go tidal bore rafting, or spend time at a beach.
- Walk along the ocean floor during low tide at Burntcoat Head Park.
- Experience the highest tides in the world up-close, rafting along the waters of the Shubenacadie River when you go tidal bore rafting.
- Visit one of Nova Scotia’s warm water beaches along the Northumberland Shore. Melmerby, Heather, and Caribou-Munroes Island Provincal Parks are favourites.
- Learn about some of Nova Scotia’s earliest Scottish settlers and their journey to Nova Scotia at the Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou.
6 Day 6: Pictou to Ingonish
The drive from Pictou to Ingonish will be the longest driving day of the itinerary at just under five hours. If seeing the Cabot Trail is an important trip highlight, prioritizing trail lookoffs and sights would easily fill this day.
- Learn about Gaelic music and culture at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique.
- Golf enthusiasts can book tee times at Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links in Inverness, ranked #1 and #3, respectively, in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Best Golf Courses in Canada for 2026.
- The drive around the Cabot Trail from Chéticamp to Ingonish takes about 2 hours, without stops. Plan time to stop at designated look offs to take in the coastal views, visit artisan shops, or hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
- Ingonish is a good place to stop for the night, with accommodations, including camping, food, and activities, like Ingonish Beach, the gondola at Cape Smokey, and hiking trails available.
7 Day 7: Baddeck, Sydney, Louisbourg or Guysborough
From Ingonish, travellers can choose from four different final stops or extend the trip by a day or two to include more.
- Drive an hour-and-a-half down the Cabot Trail to Baddeck where you can kayak, go on a sailboat cruise on the Bras d’Or Lake, visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, or hike to Uisge Bàn Falls.
- Choose to end your trip in Sydney, just over a two hour drive from Ingonish. Walk the waterfront, visit the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, enjoy a local craft brew at Breton Brewing, dine overlooking the water, and learn about Mi’kmaw culture at Membertou Heritage Park.
- Travellers looking for immersive history can drive two-and a-half-hours across the Island to spend the day exploring the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.
- A three hour and fifteen minute drive from Ingonish will bring you to Guysborough on the Eastern Shore. Relax in nature at Authentic Seacoast Yurts, grab a coffee and a bite at Cast Away Café, walk the Guysborough Waterfront Trail and pick up a local souvenir from ArtWorks East.
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