9 March Break Activities in Nova Scotia
If you have school-aged kids to keep busy during March Break and need inspiration for activities, look no further. These fun outings will help keep...
Whether you’re visiting in January, April, August, or October, Nova Scotia is open for unforgettable experiences and activities all-year round. Discover every season’s unique personality and offerings.
With days getting longer and weather getting warmer, spring in Nova Scotia is the perfect time to lose a few layers and head outdoors. One of the best signs of spring is the re-opening of seasonal businesses like Provincial Parks, campgrounds, farmers’ markets and select wineries. Hiking trails, city parks, gardens and golf courses begin to green up, and local restaurants transition to menus inspired by locally-grown produce and in-season fare. Bon appetit!
Summer is Nova Scotia’s time to shine! Outdoor adventure is everywhere. You could spend the day at the beach, enjoy a coastal hike, set out on a whale watching tour, kayak along the coast, or hit the greens for a round of golf.
Summer is also the ideal time to explore Halifax’s waterfront boardwalk. Pull up a seat at a patio for a meal and a locally crafted beverage, then pop in to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, or the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to immerse yourself in local culture and history.
Be sure to spend a couple of nights in a seaside cottage or coastal campsite, take in a local festival or theatre production, and visit a community farmers’ market.
As sweater weather approaches, Nova Scotia comes awash in tones of golds, red, yellows and oranges. Fall leaf peeping is a must for visitors and a favourite pastime for locals from late September to late-October. Hiking or driving through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Wentworth Valley, or visiting the Valley Look-off, and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is one of the best ways to witness the spectacular colours every year, but there are pockets of beautiful fall colours all over the province; simply cruising down the highway can offer up a dazzling display.
Corn mazes and apple and pumpkin U-picks are also favourite fall activities, and we are home to some of the world’s largest pumpkins! Fall is grape harvest time, which means a tour of the Annapolis Valley wine country is a must. Hop on the Magic Winery Bus and make a day of it. If you love music and fall colours, Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours Festival is worth adding to your list of things to do in Nova Scotia in the fall.
With winter comes an entirely new list of activities. The holiday season brings twinkly lights to already charming seaside communities, providing a festive atmosphere for parades and for finding that perfect gift from a local shop. When the snow starts flying, hit the slopes at Wentworth, Martock, Ben Eoin or Cape Smokey – home to Atlantic Canada’s first and only gondola. The hundreds of kilometres of trails popular for summer hiking are perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during winter months, while serious surfers will enjoy riding the waves on the Atlantic Coast (watching from the shore is also fun!). Lace up and skate at Halifax’s Emera Oval, or catch a local hockey game.
February is Lobster Crawl, time on the South Shore, a month-long lobster festival, kicking off with Lucy the Lobster looking for her shadow. But of course, the great indoors is also wonderful in the winter. Book a getaway at a cozy cottage and warm up next to the fire – or maybe in a hot tub! After a day in the brisk salt air, you’ve worked up an appetite for a hearty meal at a local restaurant. Enjoy!