Goats on the Road: 10 things not to miss in Nova Scotia

Don’t Miss

By Dariece Swift, co-founder of Goats on the Road

If you’re wondering what to do in Nova Scotia, this list has you covered. Whether you’re interested in experiencing nature, getting active, eating fresh seafood, sipping on tasty drinks, or wandering around cities, there are numerous things to keep you busy.

1. Experience Tidal Bore Rafting

If you’re an adventurous person, tidal bore rafting should be firmly placed on your list of things to do in Nova Scotia! Two times a day, the tides in the Bay of Fundy rise and fall (between 3.5 metres (11 feet) and 16 metres (53 feet), depending on the phase of the moon). When this massive influx of water pours into the Shubenacadie River, the two waters collide to create rapids, waves, and a whole lot of swells.

Add to the fun: go mud-sliding after your rafting trip!

2. Drive the Cabot Trail

Touted as one of the most scenic drives in North America, this 297-kilometre (185-mile) route offers a stunning journey. Located on Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nova Scotia. It’s a great place to drive, cycle, or experience the curvy road by motorbike.

3. Hike in National Parks

The Cabot Trail cuts through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which is home to 26 hiking trails. The most popular is the Skyline Trail, and it’s popular for good reason! At the end of the loop, you’re rewarded with vast views out to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and many people encounter moose on this trail (sadly, we didn’t).

Nova Scotia’s other national park is Kejimkujik, which is home to some great hikes as well. If you have the time and the ability, you can embark on one of the backcountry trails (4 days long), or if you’re looking for a day hike, there are plenty of those as well, ranging in length from 200 metres to 5 kilometres (3 miles).

4. Take in a Festival

Whether you’re into music, food, crafts, art, history, or sports, there will be a fun festival that interests you. While you’ll definitely find events happening year-round, the vast majority happen during the summer months when the weather is warmer and you can enjoy the outdoor venues.

5. Eat Seafood

Each part of the province has a different lobster season, so you can find lobster practically any time of year. Don’t miss having a lobster boil, dining on a whole lobster at a nice restaurant (Five Fishermen), sampling a lobster roll (Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack, or The Bicycle Thief), or simply enjoying bits of lobster in a chowder or a pasta dish.

Once you’ve had your fill of lobster, head to Digby, which is known for its world-class scallops. If lobster and scallops aren’t your thing, you can always find mussels, Atlantic salmon, halibut, haddock, and oysters readily available on most menus.

6. Follow one of the “Trails”

A really cool thing to do in Nova Scotia that I haven’t seen anywhere else is to follow one of the food and drink trails around the province.

There are 3 trails: the Lobster Trail, the Chowder Trail, and the Good Cheer Trail. With so many amazing places to enjoy, trying to narrow down where to eat and drink is the hard part!

7. Go Camping

Camp in one of the many campsites, or spend the night in a unique oTENTik in a national park. If you’re pulling a trailer or driving an RV, there are lots of spots you can stop that have the necessary amenities.

8. Tour Vineyards

Nova Scotia is home to Tidal Bay wine—the first wine appellation given in the province.

In order to get the stamp of approval as a Tidal Bay wine, a wine must be made from grapes grown in Nova Scotia, be no more than 11% alcohol, and have a certain flavour profile (minerals, acidity, and green fruit).

While grapes are grown in many areas of the province, the Annapolis Valley is known for being wine country and, with stunning views of the Bay of Fundy and 11 wineries to visit, it’s a place you’ll want to spend some time.

9. Do Some Kayaking

With Nova Scotia being surrounded almost completely by water, and home to numerous coves, bays, and islands, kayaking is one of the province’s top activities. There are lots of places you can go paddling, but I recommend Blue Rocks, which is a community just outside of Lunenburg.

10. Go Whale Watching

You’ll find excellent whale watching opportunities in the Bay of Fundy just outside of Digby on the Digby Neck (peninsula) and off Cape Breton Island. The whales start arriving in early spring and stay until fall, but typically, the humpbacks don’t show up until mid-June.

Both whale watching areas in Nova Scotia offer the chance to see humpback, fin, and minke whales. The Bay of Fundy also has Northern right whales, while Cape Breton offers pilot whales and the largest of them all, the blue whale.