Experience Arts & Culture in Nova Scotia this Winter
Create unforgettable memories with friends and family this winter through vibrant arts and crafts, UNESCO World Heritage sites and more!
‘Tis the season for gift giving and showing others how much you care. This year, give the gift that keeps on giving, an incredible Nova Scotia experience for someone special to enjoy. Maybe they will even bring you along with them!
Here is a selection of amazing experiences that would make memorable gifts.
For the Wine Lover
Wine Tours
Gift the wine lover in your life with a Nova Scotia wine tour. Climb aboard The Magic Winery Bus, double-decker bus for a hop-on hop-off wine tour to up to five wineries in the heart of Nova Scotia’s wine country or book a private, guided winery tour with Vintage Vino Tours, Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours, Valley Wine Tours by Ambassatours, Wildgrape Tours, or Wine & Beer Tours of Nova Scotia.
Wine Clubs
Does your loved one have a favourite Nova Scotia wine? Sign them up to be part of a wine club, where they can receive exclusive bottles, discounts, tastings, access to pre-releases and/or event invitations. Check out the wine clubs of: Benjamin Bridge, Grand Pré Winery, L’Acadie Vineyards, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Avondale Sky Winery, Planters Ridge Winery, or Eileanan Brèagha Vineyards.
Winery Stays
Book a room at the Inn at Grand Pré Winery and spend the night at this charming renovated historic home. Experience what it’s like to be at a working winery and enjoy a dining experience at the on-site restaurant.
Spend the night at The Stay at Planters Ridge Winery. This recently renovated 1864 farmhouse maintains its original charm with updated modern amenities and a gourmet breakfast included.
Gift certificates
Not sure which wine to select? Not to worry, most Nova Scotia wineries offer gift cards to their wine shops available for purchase online.
For the Outdoor Enthusiast
Cape Breton Sailing Charters
Spend your days sailing and relaxing on the picturesque Bras d’Or Lake. Choose between a full-day or half-day private sailing charter or aboard a relaxing sunset charter with Cape Breton Sailing Charters.
Helicopter Tours
That special someone will be on cloud 9, literally, when they open this gift! Experience the beauty of Nova Scotia – from the Cape Breton Highlands to the Bay of Fundy and even offshore to Sambro Island, site of the oldest operating lighthouse in North America and Sable Island National Park Reserve – from the air with an unforgettable helicopter tour.
NovaShores Sea Kayaking
Give the gift of the world’s highest tides! Explore the Three Sisters Sea stacks by kayak in the Bay of Fundy with your experienced guides and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. Suitable for beginners and leisure paddlers, alike.
World-class Golf
Score a hole in one with the golfer in your life when you gift them a round at Cabot Cliffs, ranked #1 golf course in Canada by SCOREGolf and #11 on Golf Digest’s list of the World’s Greatest Golf Courses in 2020. Gift certificates are also available for other seaside golf courses like Cabot Links, Fox Harb’r, Northumberland Links, and Highlands Links.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
Explore Nova Scotia’s two national parks, Kejimkujik and Cape Breton Highlands, with a Discovery Pass. From hiking trails to beaches, paddling to picnics, the outdoor adventurer on your gift list will be counting down the days until the Parks open for the season.
Halifax Harbour Tours with Ambassatours
Choose from Wines on the Water, Dinner Cruise, Harbour Hopper Tour, Craft Beer Cruise, or a Tall Ship Silva sailing tour, all departing and sailing from the Halifax Waterfront.
Surf Lesson with East Coast Surf School
Struggling with what to give to a person who has everything? How about a surfing lesson. Experienced instructors guide students through a lesson, which includes use of wetsuit, board plus all instruction at the picturesque Lawrencetown Beach.
J. Farwell Sailing Tours
Enjoy a sail aboard a stunning vessel with the Halifax skyline as your backdrop. Choose from a family-friendly sailing adventure, the Signature Sail where guests can get actively involved, Sunset Wine and Cheese Cruise, romantic Moonlit Cruise or a private charter.
Ski Passes
Hit the slopes at one of Nova Scotia’s ski hills with passes to Cape Smokey, Ski Wentworth, Ski Martock or Ben Eoin.
For Those Who Need a Break
Sensea Nordic Spa
Treat a loved one with a day spent at Nova Scotia’s first Nordic Spa. Thermal and hydrotherapy spas will leave visitors feeling relaxed. The best part – they’re open year-round. Gift cards are available for purchase; book ahead to reserve your date and time.
Nature Folk
Discover Nova Scotia’s first indoor nordic spa when you visit Nature Folk on the Dartmouth Waterfront. Here you’ll find a space that’s all about escaping the stresses of everyday life, slowing down and reconnecting with your intuitive self with private infrared sauna rooms, body work, and a movement studio.
The Hydrothermal Spa at Oceanstone Resort
Carved into the breathtaking natural landscape at Oceanstone Resort is a one-of-a-kind hydrothermal spa designed to help you find wellness from within. In addition to the extensive Spa menu, the journey includes access to treatment huts, a meditation den, an experience shower, and much more.
For more spas and wellness activities, packages and events, please visit our Spas & Wellness page.
A Resort Getaway
Surprise a loved one with a Nova Scotia getaway! Whether it’s a seaside or wilderness resort, they will be sure to have a trip to remember at:
For the Foodie
Sugar Moon Farm
Talk about a sweet gift! Recipients will work up an appetite hiking the onsite trails, then enjoy indulging in a delicious pancake brunch, complete with maple syrup made on-site.
Chocolate-y Sweet
For a super sweet gift check out one of the many specialty chocolate shops in Nova Scotia, each creating delicious and unique offerings available for shipping or to gift in person: Cabotto Chocolates, Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop, Peace by Chocolate, Rousseau Chocolatier, or Gourmandises Avenue.
Cheese please!
For the Cheese lover, visit That Dutchman’s Cheese Farm, Fox Hill Cheese House, Knoydart Farm or the Creamery at Masstown Market.
Masstown Market
Give your loved one a gift card to this favourite pit stop for their next road trip in Nova Scotia. From fresh baked goods, produce, coffee and ice cream to picnic perfect sandwiches, snacks, meats and treats, this is the ideal place to re-fuel and stretch your legs while travelling in Nova Scotia.
Farmers’ Markets across the province also provide plenty of local produce and products that can serve as a one-stop-shop.
Local Restaurants
Many restaurants in Nova Scotia have gift cards available for purchase. Pick up a gift card from your favourite local restaurant to share with your loved ones or try a new place out together.
For the Family
Nova Scotia Museum Pass
Challenge your family to visit all of the Nova Scotia Museum sites next year. A family pass grants entry to all NS Museum sites for 12 months.
Discovery Centre
Enjoy an outing and hands-on learning on the Halifax Waterfront at the Discovery Centre, a favourite for kids of all ages!
Hotel Stays
Treat the kids to an overnight stay at one of these family-friendly hotels complete with a waterslide!
Entertainment & Sports
Theatre
Share a live theatre experience with a loved one by purchasing tickets to one of the many incredible performances available throughout the province.
Live Sports
Get out and cheer on your favourite local sports team at an exciting, family-friendly hockey, lacrosse, or soccer game!
Learn from the locals
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