5 days
- Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Halifax Metro, South Shore
Halifax blends the past with the present to produce a skyline dotted with elegant 18th- and 19th-century architecture alongside ultra-modern towers of glass and steel. The heart of Halifax is perfect to exlore on foot, with tree-lined streets, restaurants featuring locally-inspired menus, galleries, shops, and museums.
Make Halifax your hub as you daytrip to other areas of Nova Scotia.
1 Days 1 & 2: Downtown Halifax
The Halifax Waterfront is the best place to start your downtown Halifax experience. With something for everyone, it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the most visited attractions in the province.
Walk the length of the boardwalk to discover shops, restaurants, museums, a beer garden, and food village. See the city from a double-decker bus, aboard a Halifax Harbour boat tour, or on the popular Harbour Hopper, (an amphibious open top vehicle that tours the city!)
Don’t miss the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market found at the south end of the waterfront at Pavilion 23 (open on weekends). It’s the oldest farmers’ market in North America. Visit the Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market that takes over the historic Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery on Saturdays and hop on the Halifax Ferry and visit the Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market, also open on Saturdays.
Take a stroll along one of the most popular streets in Halifax, Spring Garden Road. While you’re there, tour the Halifax Public Gardens, a rare example of a formal Victorian garden spread out over 16 acres in the heart of the city, or stop into the architecturally stunning Halifax Central Library.
For those wanting to learn a bit about Halifax’s history, plan to visit one of our museums or historic sites.
Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to learn about the experiences of nearly 1 million immigrants as they arrived in Canada. Then tour the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to see the world’s largest collection of wooden artifacts plucked from the North Atlantic ocean following the sinking of the Titanic.
Atop the city, you’ll find the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. The modern soundscape of today’s port city are exchanged for the crack of rifle fire and the skirl of bagpipes. if you’re visiting downtown Halifax or the Citadel around noon you’ll be treated to the sound of the noon gun, a daily tradition since 1850.
Grab a bite to eat! Visit one of the delicious local vendors located on the Halifax waterfront or find a pizza shop and try Halifax’s official food: the donair.
If you’re in the mood for more local flavours try The Five Fishermen, 2 Doors Down, or hop aboard the Halifax Ferry to cross over to Dartmouth where you can dine at The Canteen, Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery or Evan’s Fresh Seafood & Restaurant. You won’t want to miss the variety of restaurants at Queen’s Marque on the Halifax waterfront.
Not far from Dartmouth you’ll find Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park where you can walk the beach or better yet, grab a surf board and wetsuit and head out into the waves on your very own surf lesson with East Coast Surf School or Kannon Beach Wind and Surf.
3 Day 3: Peggy’s Cove
Visit the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and wander the working fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Visit several gift shops, get a taste for local seafood, and snap a photo of one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses.
Mahone Bay
Continue along the South Shore and 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.
Stroll into art galleries and specialty shops like Amos Pewter and Birdsall-Worthington Pottery.
Local must-taste stops include: Mateus Bistro, Saltbox Brewing Company, Betty’s at the kitch, The Barn Coffee & Social House, and many more.
Lunenburg
Visit the seafaring town of Lunenburg. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its captivatingly colourful architecture, bustling waterfront, and narrow streets. Old Town Lunenburg is also home to Nova Scotia’s famous racing schooner, Bluenose II.
While in Lunenburg be sure to visit Ironworks Distillery, Fisheries’ Museum of the Atlantic, and head out on a guided walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours.
Lunenburg is home to some of the best restaurants in the province! Discover local dishes that showcase the abundance of fresh local seafood. Check out Salt Shaker Deli, The Old Fish Factory, Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar, The Grand Banker Bar & Grill, and more.
4 Day 4: Grand Pré
Begin your Annapolis Valley adventure in Grand Pré which was once the epicentre of Acadian culture. It is now home to Grand-Pré National Historic Site, one of three UNESCO Heritage Sites in Nova Scotia.
Take in the amazing aromas of herbs and fruits at Tangled Garden. The property features the owner’s private home along with an extensive herb garden, a labyrinth, art gallery, and shop.
Pay a visit to Grand Pré Winery to sample wines and dine at their restaurant, Le Caveau. You can also stay in their onsite Inn.
Wolfville
Explore Nova Scotia ‘wine country’. Wolfville is perfectly nestled amongst most of Nova Scotia wineries here in the Annapolis Valley. The hop-on, hop-off Magic Winery Bus is a perfect option to travel between wineries! If you’d like to tailor your winery tour without driving, there are guided winery tour companies who pick you up in Halifax or Dartmouth and bring you around wine country before returning you home.
While in Wolfville, stop for a bite at one of Wolfville’s cafés, bistros, and pubs along the main street. Then browse boutique shops and visit the Wolfville Farmers’ Market on the weekend for produce, crafts, and food vendors.
Hall’s Harbour
Visit the charming little village of Hall’s Harbour, home to the “Lobster in the Rough” dining experience at Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound and Restaurant. Select your lobster and have it prepared for you to enjoy in the waterfront dining room, the prime stage for observing the highest tides in the world.
5 Day 5: Bay of Fundy: Shubenacadie to Summerville
Start your day off with tidal bore rafting! As 100 billion tonnes of water pushes into the Bay of Fundy at high tide, the science-of-it-all forces the tide to reverse, causing whitewater rapid-like waves for a short period of time. Ride the tidal bore waves for a uniquely East coast experience!
Next, walk, play, and explore low tide when you visit Burntcoat Head Park, home of the world’s highest recorded tides. Arrive during low tide to get out and explore the ocean floor. Pro tip: bring footwear and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Stop in Summerville to enjoy a bite to eat at the The Flying Apron Inn & Cookery. The menu is heavily focused on using local, seasonal ingredients found within 15 mins of the restaurant.
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