3 days
- South Shore
Exploring Nova Scotia’s South Shore is a unique and savoury experience. Sip your way along the Good Cheer Trail, sample Taste of Nova Scotia dishes, step back in time at our historical interpretive centres and UNESCO Historic Sites and National Parks, stroll the beaches and trails–and don’t forget to visit our world-famous lighthouses!
1 Day 1: Peggy's Cove, Chester & Oak Island
Peggy’s Cove
Visit one of Canada’s greatest treasures, the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Wander the working and picturesque fishing village of Peggy’s Cove, stop into the unique shops featuring artisanal work, get a taste for the local seafood and snap a photo of one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses.
Chester
Stop in at Chester, a charming village with tasty restaurants, cute shops, and art galleries featuring local artists and more. Art fairs, live music, and professional theatre make this a great place to drop anchor for a while.
Oak Island
Visit the famous Oak Island, suspected home of the mysterious Oak Island Treasure.
For over 200 years, Oak Island has enthralled, delighted and frustrated those who have dug in its famous Money Pit looking for the rumored Oak Island Treasure resulting in the hit show The Curse of Oak Island. Access to the island is only available by booking a tour on land or by water.
Spend a night at Oak Island Resort. A stay here will be filled with fresh regional cuisine, live music, water sports, crackling bonfires, ocean panoramas and more. You can also book a boat tour with Salty Dog Sea Tours to see Oak Island from the water. The tour departs from the marina at Oak Island Resort.
2 Day 2: Mahone Bay, Beach & Lunenburg
Mahone Bay
Continue along the South Shore and be sure to make a 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, Birdsall-Worthington Pottery, The Quilt Shop, and more all within an easy stroll.
Local must-taste stops include Mateus Bistro, Saltbox Brewery, The Barn Coffee & Social House, and many more.
Hit the Beach
Continue along the Lighthouse Trail and wind your way through some of the of the provinces most beautiful beaches such as Hirtles Beach, Crescent Beach, Rissers Beach Provincial Park, Summerville Beach Provincial Park, and Kejimkujik National Park Seaside, a wild and isolated 22 km² stretch of coastline.
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, the Bluenose II.
While in Lunenburg be sure to visit Ironworks Distillery, the Fisherman’s Museum of the Atlantic, or take part in the Lunenburg Walking Tours. You can experience the daily life of an artisan bladesmith through a workshop at Wildertools.
Lunenburg is filled with fresh seafood that can be found at some of the best restaurants in the province: Salt Shaker Deli, The Old Fish Factory, The Grand Banker Bar & Grill, The Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar, Half Shell Oysters & Seafood, just to name a few!
Extend your stay in Lunenburg and book a night at one of the many quaint inns or bed and breakfasts in the area.
3 Day 3: Liverpool, Shelburne & White Point to Hunt's Point
Liverpool
Make your way to Liverpool, known as the “Port of the Privateers.” Today, Liverpool is renowned for its cultural and natural landscape and is the home to several international festivals, artisan galleries and cultural centres. Take a stroll along the waterfront or visit Fort Point Lighthouse where you can pre-order a picnic lunch to enjoy while you’re there.
Shelburne
Shelburne‘s Waterfront Heritage District retains an aura of the 18th century. Make your way to the Shelburne County Museum that highlights the Loyalist connections in the area.
Grab a locally made beer and a bite to eat at Boxing Rock Brewing Company.
Visit Birchtown, the first free black settlement in Canada with the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists, to experience the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, to learn more about the history of the Black Loyalists and their ancestry.
White Point to Hunt’s Point
Check into White Point Beach Resort, an iconic oceanfront property perched along a 1 km white sand beach. Open since 1928, they have plenty of experience hosting guests from around the world and are sure to make your stay memorable. Enjoy delicious meals in their dining room overlooking the ocean or unwind with a beach-side bonfire.
Just a little further, you will find the Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill. Modern accommodations and a mile of white sand, lapping waves, and fresh ocean air greet you when you arrive at the Quarterdeck.
Tempt your taste buds in the restaurant at the Quarterdeck, which has gained a reputation as the South Shore’s foremost destination for inspired beachside dining. The tastefully designed dining room provides a 180-degree view of Summerville Beach.
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