Nova Scotia's Sights & Attractions
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada.
Gorgeous lighthouses, a mighty racing schooner, fresh lobster dinners and foot-thumping fiddle music are just a few of the reasons to visit the Maritime province of Nova Scotia. Whether exploring all of Nova Scotia's regions or just focusing on one, visitors will have no problem finding memorable sights and attractions to fill their days.
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Halifax, the largest centre in Nova Scotia and the province's capital city, is a must-see destination in the Maritimes. Intriguing art galleries, museums, historic sites and interpretive centres as well as beautiful parks, gardens, beaches and other natural attractions are among the Halifax Regional Municipality’s draws. A couple of highlights include the Citadel National Historic Site—a 19th century fort—and Pier 21—Canada's immigration museum. The diverse art at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the colourful Halifax Public Gardens and the Alexander Keith's Brewery are also great places to visit in Halifax.
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
Connected to mainland Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway, Cape Breton is a scenic wonderland filled with rocky shores, beaches, mountains, highlands and dense forests. The world-famous Cabot Trail, which circles the northern tip of Cape Breton Island and runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, gives visitors a spectacular taste of the island's photogenic postcard terrain.
Although the island features miles of breathtaking scenery to discover, Cape Bretoners also know how to party. Ceilidhs (Gaelic for “party”) with lively fiddle music and dancing occur on a regular basis at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique and at community halls around the island. Visitors who want to learn more about the island's Celtic roots can visit the Highland Village in Iona, which features costumed staff, period buildings and Celtic artifacts, while Sydney, the largest centre in Cape Breton, has an assortment of museums, parks and gardens, art galleries and markets, as well as quirky attractions such as the World's Largest Fiddle.
EASTERN SHORE REGION
The Eastern Shore, which is sparsely populated in comparison to some of Nova Scotia's other regions, offers beautiful countryside, quaint fishing villages and alluring sandy beaches. One of the region's most popular beaches is the sand and cobblestone Lawrencetown Beach, which sports fabulous waves for surfing. The community of Sherbrooke boasts a selection of parks, historic sites and museums, including Sherbrooke Village, which depicts rural life in Nova Scotia from 1860 to WWI. As guests step back in time at Sherbrooke Village, they can visit traditional shops such as a woodturner shop, blacksmith, pottery shop and a general store in the village’s 25 period buildings.
SOUTH SHORE REGION
South of the Halifax area, the South Shore region boasts classic Maritime scenery and some of the most popular tourist attractions in Nova Scotia. The postcard staple and small fishing community of Peggy's Cove is located in the South Shore region. The vintage red and white Peggy's Cove Lighthouse—perched on a large granite outcrop facing turbulent waves—is a highly photographed scene in Nova Scotia. A post office is located right inside the lighthouse, so visitors don't have to venture far to send their postcards.
Another photo favourite of the South Shore is the colourfully painted town of Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg is such a prime example of planned British colonial infrastructure that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunenburg features a bundle of historic sites, art galleries and museums, including the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which is home to the Bluenose II—a replica of the iconic fishing and racing schooner Bluenose. Further south, the town of Shelburne has an array of attractions and fun events like the annual Lobster Festival and Founders Days, a celebration of local Loyalist heritage.
YARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES REGION
Situated near the southernmost tip of Nova Scotia, the town of Yarmouth offers something for everyone. Art lovers can tour the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Western Branch, history buffs can marvel at over 20,000 artifacts documenting the county's heritage at the Yarmouth County Museum and architecture enthusiasts can admire the town's collection of grand Victorian homes and buildings. About 11 km (7 mi) from Yarmouth is the photo favourite Cape Forchu Lighthouse, a 23-m (75-ft) red and white applecore-style lighthouse. This region is known for its deep Acadian roots, which visitors can learn more about in attractions like Le Village Historique Acadien in Pubnico, where Acadian culture, traditions and language are showcased.
FUNDY SHORE & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY REGION
Home to the highest tides in the world, the Fundy Shore area offers the mesmerizing sight of watching 15 m (53 ft) tides gush into the Bay of Fundy. A couple of places to experience this natural phenomenon is from Cape Chignecto Provincial Park and Five Islands Provincial Park. Although the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy has spectacular views into the vast beyond, these rocky cliffs also share insight into the earth's past. The exposed rock layers at Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the bay contain fossils of terrestrial life that date back to the Carboniferous period (354 to 290 million years ago) and visitors can learn more about these scientific finds in the Joggins Fossil Centre located by the cliffs.
Aside from its natural wonders, the area's communities are home to interesting man-made attractions such as the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal, the Anne Murray Centre in Springhill, the Little White School House Museum in Truro and the Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford. The region also buzzes with fun festivals throughout the year, like the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival and Digby Scallop Days.
NORTHUMBLAND SHORE REGION
The Northumberland Shore Region presents fabulous coast views, picturesque farmlands and its own share of attractions. The vibrant communities of Pictou, Oxford, Trenton and Antigonish welcome guests to learn more about the Northumberland Shore region through their museums, galleries and parks. Fun family attractions to try in the region include the Magic Valley Fun Park in Greenhill for thrilling rides, Bayfield Beach in Antigonish for refreshing swims and Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown to learn about and sample maple syrup creations. A couple of fun festivals to mark on the calendar when planning a visit to this area are the Antigonish Highland Games and the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee.
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Halifax, the largest centre in Nova Scotia and the province's capital city, is a must-see destination in the Maritimes. Intriguing art galleries, museums, historic sites and interpretive centres as well as beautiful parks, gardens, beaches and other natural attractions are among the Halifax Regional Municipality’s draws. A couple of highlights include the Citadel National Historic Site—a 19th century fort—and Pier 21—Canada's immigration museum. The diverse art at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the colourful Halifax Public Gardens and the Alexander Keith's Brewery are also great places to visit in Halifax.
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
Connected to mainland Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway, Cape Breton is a scenic wonderland filled with rocky shores, beaches, mountains, highlands and dense forests. The world-famous Cabot Trail, which circles the northern tip of Cape Breton Island and runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, gives visitors a spectacular taste of the island's photogenic postcard terrain.
Although the island features miles of breathtaking scenery to discover, Cape Bretoners also know how to party. Ceilidhs (Gaelic for “party”) with lively fiddle music and dancing occur on a regular basis at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique and at community halls around the island. Visitors who want to learn more about the island's Celtic roots can visit the Highland Village in Iona, which features costumed staff, period buildings and Celtic artifacts, while Sydney, the largest centre in Cape Breton, has an assortment of museums, parks and gardens, art galleries and markets, as well as quirky attractions such as the World's Largest Fiddle.
EASTERN SHORE REGION
The Eastern Shore, which is sparsely populated in comparison to some of Nova Scotia's other regions, offers beautiful countryside, quaint fishing villages and alluring sandy beaches. One of the region's most popular beaches is the sand and cobblestone Lawrencetown Beach, which sports fabulous waves for surfing. The community of Sherbrooke boasts a selection of parks, historic sites and museums, including Sherbrooke Village, which depicts rural life in Nova Scotia from 1860 to WWI. As guests step back in time at Sherbrooke Village, they can visit traditional shops such as a woodturner shop, blacksmith, pottery shop and a general store in the village’s 25 period buildings.
SOUTH SHORE REGION
South of the Halifax area, the South Shore region boasts classic Maritime scenery and some of the most popular tourist attractions in Nova Scotia. The postcard staple and small fishing community of Peggy's Cove is located in the South Shore region. The vintage red and white Peggy's Cove Lighthouse—perched on a large granite outcrop facing turbulent waves—is a highly photographed scene in Nova Scotia. A post office is located right inside the lighthouse, so visitors don't have to venture far to send their postcards.
Another photo favourite of the South Shore is the colourfully painted town of Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg is such a prime example of planned British colonial infrastructure that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunenburg features a bundle of historic sites, art galleries and museums, including the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which is home to the Bluenose II—a replica of the iconic fishing and racing schooner Bluenose. Further south, the town of Shelburne has an array of attractions and fun events like the annual Lobster Festival and Founders Days, a celebration of local Loyalist heritage.
YARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES REGION
Situated near the southernmost tip of Nova Scotia, the town of Yarmouth offers something for everyone. Art lovers can tour the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Western Branch, history buffs can marvel at over 20,000 artifacts documenting the county's heritage at the Yarmouth County Museum and architecture enthusiasts can admire the town's collection of grand Victorian homes and buildings. About 11 km (7 mi) from Yarmouth is the photo favourite Cape Forchu Lighthouse, a 23-m (75-ft) red and white applecore-style lighthouse. This region is known for its deep Acadian roots, which visitors can learn more about in attractions like Le Village Historique Acadien in Pubnico, where Acadian culture, traditions and language are showcased.
FUNDY SHORE & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY REGION
Home to the highest tides in the world, the Fundy Shore area offers the mesmerizing sight of watching 15 m (53 ft) tides gush into the Bay of Fundy. A couple of places to experience this natural phenomenon is from Cape Chignecto Provincial Park and Five Islands Provincial Park. Although the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy has spectacular views into the vast beyond, these rocky cliffs also share insight into the earth's past. The exposed rock layers at Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the bay contain fossils of terrestrial life that date back to the Carboniferous period (354 to 290 million years ago) and visitors can learn more about these scientific finds in the Joggins Fossil Centre located by the cliffs.
Aside from its natural wonders, the area's communities are home to interesting man-made attractions such as the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal, the Anne Murray Centre in Springhill, the Little White School House Museum in Truro and the Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford. The region also buzzes with fun festivals throughout the year, like the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival and Digby Scallop Days.
NORTHUMBLAND SHORE REGION
The Northumberland Shore Region presents fabulous coast views, picturesque farmlands and its own share of attractions. The vibrant communities of Pictou, Oxford, Trenton and Antigonish welcome guests to learn more about the Northumberland Shore region through their museums, galleries and parks. Fun family attractions to try in the region include the Magic Valley Fun Park in Greenhill for thrilling rides, Bayfield Beach in Antigonish for refreshing swims and Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown to learn about and sample maple syrup creations. A couple of fun festivals to mark on the calendar when planning a visit to this area are the Antigonish Highland Games and the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee.
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