Canada As You Like It Blog
10 things to do in Nova Scotia
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 30 Mar, 2020
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Nova Scotia, one of the four provinces that make up Atlantic Canada, is a place of remarkable natural beauty and thriving culture. Here's 10 ideas for your trip:
1. Drive the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island
This 185-mile loop has natural beauty through the miles of hiking trails, mouth-watering eateries, picturesque lookout points, incredible forests and unique artisanal shops. On the trail visit Enragee Point Lighthouse. The winding gravel road will provide you with panoramic views of the town of Chéticamp, the harbour and the iconic red-capped lighthouse. Stop at the Cape Breton Highlands Lookout on the Skyline Trail Hike, the most famous on the Cabot Trail, and see if you could spot some moose on the way! In Pleasant Bay, stop off at The Rusty Anchor for a bite to eat, then continue on to St. Ann’s Bay Artisanal Shop for some souvenir inspiration.
2. Eat Digby Scallops in Digby
This famous little town harvests the Digby Scallops that are served throughout the whole of Nova Scotia. The fishing community love company but most importantly, it most certainly gives you bragging rights to say you have eaten the Digby Scallop in Digby!
3. Visit the UNESCO Town of Lunenburg
This historic coastal town of Nova Scotia has the well-earned title of UNESCO world heritage site. On entering the Old Town, you will be greeted by Lunenburg’s colourful waterfront buildings. Wander through the town, filled with breweries, restaurants, artisanal shops and distilleries. Walking tours are available if you would like to hear the distinct and colourful history of the town.
Nova Scotia tides can bring in 160 billion tons of water through the Bay of Fundy, not once but twice a day! Use this surge of water to ride 10 foot waves, submerging you in salty seawater. If adventure is your flavour on holiday, we recommend you absolutely do not miss this!
5. Get Your Passport Stamped at Peggy’s Cove
This is a cute little detour for the whole family. First visit yet another iconic lighthouse and eat more delicious food, but on your way out don’t forget to get your passport stamped in the post office. The stamp will leave you with the sweetest little lighthouse, ready to keep you thinking about Nova Scotia long after you have left.
6. Bras d’Or Lake
Yet another UNESCO addition has made it to our top ten. Also known as Big Pond Beach, this incredible Biosphere Reserve hosts a whole load of outdoor activities for you to enjoy. The calm but deep waters make this the perfect place to swim, dive and relax. Watch eagles circle above, enjoy a beach picnic with family and witness kingfishers swimming through the waters, all with the added bonus of the stunning Route 4 drive to get there.
7. The Fortress of Louisburg
The Fortress of Louisburg is like entering a time machine. As the largest restoration project in North America, this recreation of a booming 18thcentury seaport will have you believing you have stepped into an old French town. Your immersion is not set to be broken by any part of this reconstruction, from the elaborately costumed actors to the 18thcentury buildings, everything is set to wow every member of the family.
8. Indulge on Maple Syrup
Spring may be sugar season at Sugar Moon Maple Farm, however the enjoyment of maple syrup is available all year long. Have breakfast at their on-site restaurant and take a tour to learn the process of making the glorious golden syrup. Some tasty snacks available to you include maple Mac n’ Cheese, Spiked Maple Mocha and Maple loaded Baked Beans. Now, that is sure to have the kids quiet for a while!
9. Whale Watching Tours
If you are ready to have your mind blown and your breath taken away, a Nova Scotia Whale Watching Tour is the activity for you. Summer and Autumn are the best times of the year to go whale watching, join your group on a boat with lively commentary of the moment a whale breaches, lunges, re-enters the water and creates a plume of water around you! If you’re really lucky, you may see more than one of the twelve species of whale that venture around Nova Scotia every year.
10. Visit a Winery
The tradition of growing grapes for wine in Nova Scotia dates way back to the 1600s. As one of the first places to cultivate grapes in North America, you have to try the appellation wine, Tidal Bay, to experience the true taste of Canada’s coastal breeze. The soil conditions of Nova Scotia provide a distinct flavour to the grapes grown here. There are plenty of vineyards and tours available throughout Nova Scotia but if you want a unique experience, we suggest stopping off at Avondale Sky Winery. This 19thcentury former church was transformed to create the most unique of wine tastings, be sure to savour every moment!
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.