7 days
- Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton Island, Eastern Shore, Halifax Metro, Northumberland Shore, South Shore, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Are you planning your first trip to Nova Scotia? Maybe you need a refresher on the essentials. From Yarmouth to Meat Cove, we have you covered to ensure that you make the most of your road trip and experience our icons, all with a little adventure and history blended in!
1 Day 1 : Halifax
- Explore the 4-kilometre Halifax Waterfront boardwalk, home to Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, restaurants, shops, and museums.
- Visit Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and take part in the Soldier for a Day experience.
- Stroll through the tranquil Halifax Public Gardens and enjoy boutique shopping along nearby Spring Garden Road.
- Dine on fresh, local meals from incredible restaurants
- Finish your day with a pint of local beer and live music in a pub.
BONUS DAY – Surfing at Lawrencetown Beach
- Take a surf lesson with East Coast Surf School, including wetsuit and board.
- Have lunch at the Rose & Rooster Café in Grand Desert.
- Visit Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth then Fisherman’s Cove in Eastern Passage.
- Back in Halifax, enjoy a live performance at Neptune Theatre or at Shakespeare by the Sea in Point Pleasant Park.
2 Day 2 : Halifax to Lunenburg
- Meander along the granite boulders and snap a photo of the iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove.
- Drive the coastal Route 3 to Mahone Bay, take a photo of the Three Churches, browse quaint shops, and dine on a sunny patio.
- Explore Old Town Lunenuburg UNESCO World Heritage site with a walking tour, visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, or take a sail on Bluenose II.
- Taste barrel-aged rum at Ironworks Distillery
- Feast on a fresh seafood dinner overlooking Lunenburg harbour and spend the night in an historic inn, bed & breakfast or chalet.
3 Day 3 : Lunenburg to Yarmouth
- Continue southwest towards Yarmouth and stop at Summerville Beach Provincial Park for a walk along the white sandy beach.
- Visit the Black Loyalist Heritage Site in Birchtown.
- Savour a lobster lunch at Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack in Barrington, the Lobster Capital of Canada.
- Learn about the area’s Acadian heritage at Le Village historique acadien de Nouvelle-Écosse in Pubnico.
BONUS DAY – Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site
- Venture inland to Keji, as it is affectionately known by locals.
- Paddle the historic waterways in a canoe, bike or hike the wooded trails, swim in the lake.
- Pick up a Perfect Picnic and eat at a picturesque lunch spot.
- Learn about Mi’kmaw heritage and camp overnight in an oTENTik or Ôasis
4 Day 4 : Yarmouth to Annapolis Valley
- Stop at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park to soak in the incredible vistas looking out over breathtaking sunsets over Saint Mary’s Bay and the Gulf of Maine.
- Discover more about Acadians at the Rendez-vous de la Baie Visitor Centre in Church Point and explore the trails onsite.
- Grab a seafood lunch of scallops in Digby, the Scallop Capital of the World.
- Visit boutique wineries, taste Tidal Bay white wine, Nova Scotia’s appellation wine, and savour locally inspired food pairings in Wolfville.
- Head to Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound for an authentic lobster dinner.
- Check out the view at The Look Off in Canning, or hike Cape Blomidon.
BONUS DAY – Whale watching in the Bay of Fundy
- The waters of the Bay of Fundy off Digby Neck and Islands are prime whale watching territory from June to September.
- Venture out on a tour to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
- Hike the Balancing Rock Trail to see an incredible balancing act of Mother Nature.
5 Day 5 : Annapolis Valley to Northumberland Shore
- Ride the tidal bore with your experienced tidal bore rafting guide aboard a Zodiac raft as the incoming tide collides with the Shubenacadie River, creating rolling swells.
- Indulge in pancake brunch at Sugar Moon Farm, complete with maple syrup that’s produced on site.
- Venture to Pictou to stroll the waterfront and learn of the area’s Scottish heritage when you visit the Hector Heritage Quay.
6 Day 6 : Pictou to Meat Cove or Ingonish
- Cross the causeway onto Cape Breton Island, and visit the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre on Route 19.
- Visit Glenora Distillery for a taste of North America’s first single-malt whisky.
- Stop by Inverness and visit Inverness Beach for a quick swim or some beachcombing or take in a round of golf at Cabot Links or Cabot Cliffs.
- Stop for lunch in Chéticamp and hike the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
- Detour to Meat Cove, the most northerly point in Nova Scotia, via Cape North. Adventurers will want to stay overnight at the Meat Cove Campground.
- Continue on the Cabot Trail to Ingonish, stopping at artisan shops and scenic look-offs along the way.
- End the day at the cliffside Keltic Lodge at the Highlands in Ingonish Beach.
7 Day 7 : Ingonish to Baddeck
- Kayak St. Ann’s Bay with North River Kayak Tours before finishing your Nova Scotia adventure in Baddeck.
- Take a relaxing sailboat cruise in the waters of Bras d’Or Lake.
- Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site or hike to nearby Uisge Bàn Falls.
BONUS DAY – Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
- Make a pit stop in Sydney for a photo op with the Giant Fiddle on the waterfront.
- Explore the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America.
- Travel back in time with costumed interpreters, cannon firing, and rum tasting, or become Prisoner for the Day.
- Spend the night within the Fortress walls, either camping or staying in Lartigue House, a period-style home.
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