Outdoor Winter Adventures in Nova Scotia
Winter in Nova Scotia offers endless outdoor opportunities. Whether it's a scenic hike or a journey byJeep, you can find your next winter adventure.
Looking to have a fantastic vacation in Nova Scotia without breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered with plenty of affordable and free activities to keep you busy this summer. Check out our list of 11 budget-friendly and enjoyable activities to experience the province with friends, family, or solo.
Visit the Beach
Head to a Nova Scotia beach on a hot and sunny day. Whether you swim in the ocean or soak up the sun, there are so many fun and affordable activities to enjoy! If the kids are in tow, build sandcastles with the kids or fly a kite along the shore. For a relaxing afternoon, walk the beach in search of sea glass or simply bring a book and read under the sun.
Hiking & Biking
There’s no shortage of opportunities for an epic hike in Nova Scotia. From trails that wind through old growth forests, to stunning seaside trails with extraordinary ocean views, highland mountaintops, rolling fields, to rugged biking terrain. Whether you prefer a challenging hike or a leisurely walk, there’s a trail for everyone.
Visit Peggy’s Cove
Only a short drive from Halifax, Peggy’s Cove and its iconic Peggy’s Point Lighthouse provides a picturesque afternoon and spot to watch a stunning sunset. Take in the view from the new accessible viewing deck, wander through the quaint seaside village, and make sure to stop for a few photos of one of Canada’s most photographed lighthouses.
Go for a Picnic
Pack a picnic featuring local, Nova Scotia goodies (check out Taste of Nova Scotia for inspiration!) and head to your local picnic park or lookoff to enjoy lunch with a view. A few faves include the Baddeck Waterfront, Kejimkujik National Park Seaside, Grand-Pré National Historic Site, Inverness Beach, and the Cape George Lighthouse.
Experience the Highest Tides in the World
Take a walk along the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park to visit the exact site of the world’s highest tides. Fill the hours between changing tides by walking the ocean floor, viewing the tide pools, taking in the historic lighthouse, exploring trails, enjoying picnic areas, and learning from interpretive displays. More spots to view the Bay of Fundy tides include Five Islands Provincial Park, the Fundy Discovery Site in Truro, the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre in Maitland, and Hall’s Harbour.
Explore the Halifax Waterfront
The nearly 4-kilometre waterfront is one of the most-visited destinations in Nova Scotia for good reason. Check out art installations like The Wave or The Drunken Lampposts art installations, enjoy the playground, browse the shops, watch boats in the harbour, listen to buskers, or take the ferry to Dartmouth and explore the city from a different perspective.
Enjoy a Nova Scotia Provincial or National Park
With more than 15 national parks and national historic sites, and a plethora of provincial parks offering camping and day use, it’s easy to find the perfect park for you this summer! Whether you want to explore a piece of history, go for a hike, camp under the stars, experience an oTENTik, or relax on the beach, our parks have you covered.
Paddle by kayak or canoe
Pack up your kayak or canoe and explore the waters of Nova Scotia. From the majestic cliffs of Cape Breton and Cape Chignecto to the sheltered waterways of Prospect and Tangier, some of our province’s most unique views are seen from the water. If calm waters are more your speed, plan a paddle at one of Nova Scotia’s many lakes, like Kejimukujik Lake at Kejimkujik National Park or Lake Charles and the Shubenacadie Canal.
Take a Self Guided Tour
Set your own pace on a self-guided tour. Yarmouth’s Heritage in Your Hand tour lets you stroll through 3.5 kilometres of history. Halifax’s Self-guided Downtown Art Tour features an abundance of art as you stroll the city’s downtown core. And Bridgetown’s self-guided 90-minute tour showcases some of the most significant parts of the town’s heritage.
Take in an Event, Festival, or Parade
We’re hosting many large scale and community events across our province this summer. Join the fun at Halifax’s Pride parade, the Antigonish Highland Games, or the Festival Acadien de Clare. Get serenaded at Halifax’s Busker Festival or flex your sandcastle-building skills at the Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition.
Go Fishing
Nova Scotia boasts an abundance of fishing adventures thanks to our salt and freshwater coastlines. From trout to bass, perch and Atlantic salmon, there’s plenty of fish in the sea for you, literally.
Learn from the locals
Unique Accommodations for a Cozy Winter Escape
Unique accommodations—including intimate cabins, luxurious glomes, hotels, and historic B&Bs—create the perfect backdrop for a cozy Nova Scotia stay.
Nova Scotia’s Top Travel Moments of 2024
We're reflecting on some of the most memorable travel moments captured across Nova Scotia in 2024 as the year draws to a close. From sunny beach da...
8 Ocean Adventures on the Eastern Shore
Nova Scotia is known for cold water surfing, but we also encourage you to try it in the summer when waters are a bit warmer! Don't worry if you've ...
Outdoor winter activities in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is full of activities for the adventurous and outdoorsy winter lovers. Whether you dream about fresh powder awaiting you on the ski hil...
Tag your travel photos to be featured.
