10 days
- Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton Island, Eastern Shore, Halifax Metro, South Shore, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Looking for top attractions, popular places to visit, scenic coastal drives, and great food to keep you fueled for your adventure? Then this is the itinerary for you!
From Halifax to Yarmouth and on to Cape Breton Island, this 10 day itinerary is jam-packed with ideas and top recommendations to fill your epic Nova Scotia road trip.
1 Day 1 : Halifax
Downtown Halifax
Downtown Halifax has something for everyone, and the best place to start is the Halifax Waterfront, is one of the most popular attractions in the province. From here you can hop on a tour to show you around the city, rent a bike or segway to explore on, or book a boat tour to see the city from the water!
Take a stroll along Spring Garden Road. This is one of the most popular streets for shopping, dining, and exploring! While you’re there, tour the Halifax Public Gardens, a rare example of a formal Victorian garden encompassing a 16 acre section in the heart of the city.
For rainy day activities and beautiful views over the city any time of the year, visit the Halifax Central Library or view incredible art exhibits including Maud Lewis’s house at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Children of all ages will love to spend a day at the Discovery Centre too!
For those wanting to learn a bit about the history of Halifax, you’ll want to visit one of our museums and historic sites. Located on the Halifax Waterfront, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 welcomed approximately 1 million newcomers to Canada between 1928 and 1971 and today you can learn about the experiences of immigrants as they arrived in Canada through interactive exhibits.
For those interested in Nova Scotia’s seafaring history, tour the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to see the world’s largest collection of wooden artifacts from the Titanic and to learn about the devastating Halifax Explosion. To discover the natural wonders of Nova Scotia’s land and sea, visit the Museum of Natural History and be sure to say hello to Gus the tortoise, the museum’s resident ambassador.
At the very top of the city you will find the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site where the sounds of a modern, bustling port city are exchanged for the crack of rifle-fire and the skirl of bagpipes once inside the walls of the star-shaped fortification.
Get a taste for Halifax at one of the local restaurants or food vendors. Visit one of the delicious local vendors located on the Halifax waterfront, or find a pizza shop and grab a donair, the official food of the city of Halifax.
If you’re looking for place to sit and enjoy a full meal, visit one of Halifax’s wonderful restaurants. For some favourite local flavours try Five Fishermen Restaurant & Grill, Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Lot Six Bar & Restaurant, or 2 Doors Down.
2 Day 2 : Peggy's Cove
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse
Depart for the South Shore and be sure to stop at the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Wander throughout the working fishing village of Peggy’s Cove where you can visit one (or several) gift and artisan shops, get a taste for the local seafood and snap a photo of one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses.
Mahone Bay
Continue along the South Shore and be sure to stop in Mahone Bay. Find a spot along the historic harbourfront to capture one of the most photographed views in Nova Scotia, the Three Churches of Mahone Bay.
Browse the selection of art galleries and specialty shops such as Amos Pewter, Seamist Studio, Birdsall-Worthington Pottery, etc. are all within an easy stroll.
Local must-tastes stops include Mateus Bistro, The Barn Coffee & Social House, Betty’s at the Kitch, Saltbox Brewing and many more.
Lunenburg
Visit the seafaring town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its colourful waterfront, narrow streets and captivating architecture. Old Town Lunenburg is home to Nova Scotia’s famous racing schooner, Bluenose II. While in Lunenburg be sure to visit Ironworks Distillery, Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Laurie Swim Gallery and take a tour of the town with Lunenburg Walking Tours.
Fresh seafood that can be found at many of the restaurants in Lunenburg: Salt Shaker Deli, The Old Fish Factory Restaurant & Ice House Bar, Grand Banker Seafood Bar & Grill, and many more.
If this is all you can fit into a day, Lunenburg is also home to many inns and B&Bs.
3 Day 3 : Yarmouth
Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Explore the rugged landscape and take in the breathtaking views and sunsets at Cape Forchu Lighthouse before returning to Yarmouth for a stroll through the bustling town. Take part in the Climb the Light experience where you’ll climb 77 steps into the lantern room of this narrow tower while your guide shares some history and stories about the area while you take in the sights from the top of the lighthouse, 123 feet above sea level.
Pick up a free map for the self-guided Historic District Sea Captain’s Homes and Mercantile Heritage Walk that will take you past sea captains’ homes and into the heart of the historical district of Yarmouth which was one of the largest ports on the Eastern Seaboard in the 1800s.
Argyle
Make your way to Argyler Lodge in Lower Argyle for the night. While you’re there be sure to kayak on Lobster Bay or take part a hands-on cooking class in the dining room or a lobster boil on the beach. The Argyler is a cozy oceanfront lodge located in a working fishing village on Lobster Bay.
4 Day 4 : Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Make your way to Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, offering visitors the opportunity to hike one of the 14 trails through woodlands and along waterways or to canoe one of the waterways used by the native Mi’kmaq.
Discover rock engravings known as petroglyphs, evidence of the presence of the Mi’kmaw people for thousands of years.
Explore these traditional waterways by canoe. Canoe rentals and tours are available within the park from Whynot Adventure Outfitters.
Hike or bike one (or more!) of Kejimkujik’s 14 trails. The trails are open year-round, giving lots of opportunities to spot the park’s wild inhabitants, such as deer, foxes and the endangered Blanding’s Turtle.
After a day in the woods or on the water, visitors can set up camp at one of the many campsites throughout the park. Whether you prefer to camp in a tent or trailer, travel to a wilderness site, or a rustic cabin, in a teardrop shaped Oasis or oTENTik accommodations, there is a camping experience for you!
When the sun sets, visit the Sky Circle and gaze at brilliant celestial bodies through an on-site telescope, binoculars, or with the naked eye.
Digby & area
If whale watching is the adventure you’re seeking, a day trip to the Digby area is sure to please.
You’ll leave from Digby to drive along Digby Neck to reach whale watching tours on the Bay of Fundy. Long Island and Brier Island lie just beyond this narrow strip of land that casts out into the rich waters of the world famous Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy is an important feeding areas for many species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and a wide variety of seabirds.
If you’re looking for a hike with a rewarding view, you’ll find the 2.5 km long Balancing Rock Trail a short drive from the ferry on Long Island. The balancing rock is a vertical basalt column that is perched above the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy.
Digby has a variety of accommodations to suit every traveler’s style. Cheerful inns and bed & breakfasts, a campground and even a beautiful resort, Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa, are nestled within the town and surrounding area, all within walking distance to hiking trails, shops, golf, restaurants and a vibrant waterfront.
5 Day 5 : Hall's Harbour
Visit Hall’s Harbour to experience a fresh lobster dinner at the Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound & Restaurant. Locals and visitors alike flock to this tiny fishing village to select and have prepared a Bay of Fundy lobster meal. The experience is heightened by devouring this delicacy while seated in the waterfront dining room or on the patio with a prime view for observing the highest tides in the world.
Wolfville & area
Begin your Annapolis Valley adventure in Grand Pré, home of Grand-Pré National Historic Site that sits within the Landscape of Grand Pré UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of three UNESCO Heritage Sites in Nova Scotia.
Grand Pré was once the epicentre of Acadian culture and today remains the most significant memorial to their tragic upheaval. Visit the statue of Evangeline from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie”, within the national historic site.
Take in the amazing smells of unique herbs and fruits at Tangled Garden. The unique property features the owner’s private home along with an extensive herb garden, a labyrinth, art gallery and shop.
Explore Nova Scotia’s Wine Country
Wolfville is perfectly nestled amongst the majority of Nova Scotia wineries in the Annapolis Valley. The Magic Winery Bus is the perfect hop-on, hop-off option to travel between wineries!
Whether you’re on an exclusive guided winery tour or travelling on your own and creating your own wine tour, you won’t want to miss any of the 11 wineries that lie within a 20km radius of the town of Wolfville.
Stop for a bite to eat at one of the cafés, bistros and pubs while browsing the many shops and boutiques along Wolfville’s Main Street and be sure to visit Annapolis Cider Company to sample a flight of local ciders. Many of the restaurants in Wolfville are dedicated to creating fresh, seasonal dishes from local produce and seafood.
Spend the night in one of Wolfville‘s historic Victorian houses which have been converted into historic inns and bed & breakfasts. Each has their own unique charm and maritime hospitality while manicured lawns, gardens and cozy interiors create an inviting atmosphere for guests.
6 Day 6 : Noel Shore & Shubenacadie
When visiting the Noel Shore area, walk, play and explore on the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park, home of the world’s highest recorded tides.
160 billion tonnes of water flow daily into the basin every 13 hours which is more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers!
Experience the one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure, tidal bore rafting! As the tidal water rushes back into the Bay of Fundy, there is only so much space for it to travel and therefore the force of the tides actually reverse the flow of rivers that typically flow into the bay. Nowhere else in the world can you find this kind of experience… and you can do it in Nova Scotia twice a day – everyday!
Spend the night at the Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Resort in a cottage or log chalet. Make your experience extra special with the resort’s Fundy Tides & Fireside Adventure where you dine on a sandbar in the river after rafting and finishing the night off with a rum or wine tasting, live music and bonfire.
7 Day 7 : Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Head towards Cape Breton Island and follow the Ceilidh Trail along the coast or drive the Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive to hop on the Cabot Trail and then drive through the picturesque town of Chéticamp before you enter the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. A park pass is required for hiking or use of other services within the park; park entry fee applies. Check in at the Parks Canada Visitor Centres located in Chéticamp and Ingonish to make the most of your park visit.
The park offers 26 hiking trails (from easy strolls to strenuous climbs), camping, geocaching, golf, cycling, wildlife, beaches, look-offs, and more.
Hike one of the park’s most popular trails, Skyline Trail. The trail will lead you out to the top of a mountain headland to one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the province, overlooking the Cabot Trail and the ocean.
Along the Cabot Trail you’ll encounter 26 pull-offs, perfect for stopping to stretch your legs as you take in the views.
Whale Watching in Cape Breton
Hop aboard one of the whale watching tours along the Cabot Trail that depart from Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay, Bay St. Lawrence, or Ingonish Beach. Summer and fall are the best times to see whales in Nova Scotia.
If you’ve filled your day exploring the first leg of the Cabot Trail, these smaller communities are also home to welcoming accommodations to spend the night at or your can continue along the Cabot Trail towards Ingonish where you’ll find chalets, inns, cottages, and the renowned Keltic Lodge at the Highlands.
8 Day 8 : Ingonish
Popular spots and hikes close to Ingonish include:
Stop by one of the small cafés or bakeries to enjoy freshly baked pastries and coffee as you take in the fresh salt air. Enjoy nearby beautiful beaches Broad Cove Beach, North Bay Beach, or Ingonish Beach and go for a dip in the Atlantic Ocean in the summertime.
Play a round of golf and enjoy the spectacular views from the top of Highlands Links, one of the world’s top 100 golf courses… one of three, top 100 golf courses located in Nova Scotia.
Baddeck
Depart Ingonish for the charming village of Baddeck where you’ll discover the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, home to the world’s largest collection of Bell’s inventions and artifacts, including replicas of the first telephone and a full-scale model of the HD-4 hydrofoil watercraft.
Explore the Bras d’Or Lake by water on a sailing tour with Sailing CBI or Amoeba Tours on the WinStar. Stop in Nyanza to visit Big Spruce Brewing, Atlantic Canada’s first organic, on-farm craft brewery and hopyard, and sample their various beers.
There are a wide range of accommodations in Baddeck, from quaint bed and breakfasts to full-sized inns and motels. You’ll even find campgrounds that offer great views of the surrounding hills and Bras d’Or Lake. Spend a night in Baddeck or make your way to Sydney.
9 Day 9 : Louisbourg
Rub shoulders with history at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Step through Louisbourg’s fortress walls and step back in time to the 1700s. French soldiers march down the streets of the town as ladies dance in formal parlours. Cannon fire shakes the ground as harpsichord tunes mingle with baking bread aromas drifting from the stone bakery.
Learn to fire a cannon as they did 300 years ago, try on military regalia, or fire an exact replica of an 18th century musket.
Enjoy a traditional 18th century lunch on site where costumed staff in period-style restaurants prepare and serve delicious food and beverages based on 18th century tradition and recipes.
Your experience doesn’t have to end when the gates close at 5:00pm. Camp under the stars, safe inside the fortress walls, or sleep in a period house just as they did 300 years ago. You can also find charming bed & breakfasts, cottages and even North Star*, a oceanfront hotel that was completely renovated in 2022 by Scottish designers, Colin and Justin, in the modern day community of Louisbourg.
Liscomb
Make your way to Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore to the community of Liscomb River, near Sherbrooke, to spend the night at Liscombe Lodge Resort.
Hike along a portion of the 9 km of hiking trails or simply relax and enjoy the solitude of the area, overlooking the Liscomb River running alongside the resort.
Venture out a boat tour on the Liscomb River aboard a pontoon boat that takes you along the river channel to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Dine in the resort’s Riverside Dining Room restaurant for a true Maritime meal featuring local fare and ingredients as you look over the river and the rugged Eastern Shore landscape.
10 Day 10 : Beaches
As you make your way back toward Halifax, be sure to check out many of the beautiful beaches along the Eastern Shore.
Head to Taylor Head Provincial Park to walk the beach and hike the trails then visit Martinique Beach Provincial Park to watch the surfers as you walk the longest sandy beach in the province or plan your day at Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park and book a surf lesson with East Coast Surf School to learn to ride the waves for yourself.
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