After moving to Nova Scotia, Canada six months ago, here are my top things to do on your next vacation! Having moved here in August, I have mostly experienced the fall and winter seasons, so stay tuned for my part two – where I will be sharing spring and summer favorites! Nova Scotia is known as Canada’s Ocean Playground, and there’s good reason why. It’s untouched coastline, 3,000+ crystal clear lakes, forests, and history are just a few of the amazing reasons to visit – and that’s coming from someone who’s been homesick pretty much the entire time I’ve been here, lol!
One: Peggy’s Cove
You won’t regret visiting Peggy’s Cove while you’re in Nova Scotia, it’s truly magical! Being less than an hour from Downtown Halifax, it’s worth the drive (and the drive is part of the fun, a good portion of it is right along the coast). The lighthouse is set on boulders that lead right into the Atlantic Ocean, and it is surrounded by a historic fishing village. Enjoy a lobster roll from Tom’s Lobster Shack (open seasonally), and shop around for a souvenir! The crashing waves are majestic, and fog rolls in quickly even on a sunny day. Have fun walking around and taking in the beauty of this iconic Canadian landmark, just don’t go out on the black rocks! People have died doing this, so please be careful.
Two: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
This UNESCO World Heritage site is worth the trip- it’s about an hour away from Peggy’s Cove and can be done as a day trip. Founded in 1753, this historic waterfront town is made up of colorful colonial houses that have been preserved to hold their charm for generations to come. With museums, great seafood restaurants, gift shops and history tours, it’s a great place to check out.
Three: Lawrencetown Beach
One of my personal favorites to visit – Lawrencetown Beach hosts some of the biggest waves in Nova Scotia, and you will often times see surfers out here in the warmer months! The historic Atlantic View Trail goes right by Lawrencetown Beach as well, making it a great place to hike around and enjoy the natural beauty of Nova Scotia. There’re nice bathrooms here, too!
Three: Conrad’s Beach
Just five minutes from Lawrencetown Beach, Conrad’s Beach is a sandy beach that has tons of clam shells that wash up on the shore! To get there, you walk on a giant a boardwalk that goes over marshes and lakes. Parking can be tricky to find here, so just beware of that!
Four: Crystal Crescent Beach
With white sandy beaches and turquoise clear waters, it’s almost hard to believe that this beach is in Canada! Besides enjoying the beach, there is a beautiful trail that goes right along the cost, making it a great stop on a sunny day! Just beware- at the end of the trail there is a nude beach… do with that what you will! For those of you, like myself, who have bad eyesight, this was quite the scare when I realized what I had walked in on, lol!
Five: Martinique Beach
Having the title of the longest sandy beach in Nova Scotia, I knew I had to visit. It’s a great beach for walking along the water. Having moved to Nova Scotia from the US Midwest, I think the crows are bigger in Nova Scotia. After seeing a crow eat a washed-up lobster on this beach, I can understand why!
Six: The Lakes and Trails- Too Many to Count!
With Nova Scotia having more than 3,000 lakes, you’re bound to find one you love. With their being lakes everywhere, there are tons of trails to follow. During the winter you may see people ice skating and playing hockey sometimes, but I personally stay off the ice. During warmer months, the pine trees and moss are overwhelmingly green and healthy. It’s not hard to find a trail that makes you feel like you’re in fairy land!
Seven: Watch the Sunrise or Sunset
There are too many good coastal locations to catch the beautiful reflection of the sunrise or sunset over the ocean – find one near your lodging and make sure to bring a jacket! It cools down at night, even on a warm day.
Eight: Blomidon Provincial Park/ The Bay of Fundy
Hosting the highest tides in the world, The Bay of Fundy is in between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There are a ton of amazing parks to check out, but having gone camping in Blomidon Provincial Park, I can personally recommend it. It’s amazing to be able to walk out on the ocean floor and see the difference in the tide after just six hours. Follow the Bay of Fundy Tide Schedule to time your trip! To get there, you drive through the Nova Scotia Valley, which is known as the agriculture hotspot of the province. It has tons of wineries, farms and places to stop for exploring. We were able to see the Milky Way from Blomidon Provincial Park, the stars are incredible out here!
Nine: The Food!
From amazing fresh seafood to international cuisine, you’ll find your favorites here in Nova Scotia (except Chicago style pizza, I still am having withdrawals from not finding this out here)! Especially in the warmer months, you’ll be able to find seafood that was caught that day and be able to enjoy it on a nice patio.
Evan’s Fresh Seafood has great lobster rolls and is located in the ferry terminal in Dartmouth- which goes back and forth between Dartmouth and Halifax. Ride the ferry for a few dollars, and enjoy a lobster roll to go with it!
The cafes are fun to check out- my personal favorite is Selby’s Bunker. It’s a gift shop, coffee shop, and AirBNB all in one! They make the BEST iced pumpkin Chai Lattes, serve Montreal Bagels (a local bagel place that’s amazing and has great prices), and has a cute and spacious downstairs and outside patio.
The Dairy Bar in downtown Halifax is across from the Public Gardens and is open seasonally. They offer unique sundaes that change weekly, so make sure to check out their social media for their menu! I was able to enjoy this Maple Ice Cream Butter Tart Sundae- how more Canadian can you get?!
For vegetarians/ vegans – Check out Real Fake Meats in Halifax!! They have an amazing selection of vegan fake meat dishes, and they’re so good! Donair’s (similar to a gyro) are the traditional food of Halifax- and Real Fake Meats has a vegan version of this! I also loved their burger and cheese fries.
Ten: Explore Downtown Halifax
From the unique architecture, tons of cute shops, the boardwalk along the harbor, and the historic Citadel, downtown Halifax has a great vibe! The main library is also worth a visit, and they offer helpful travel information and maps. In the summer months, there’s a ton of vendors that open up, restaurants have waterfront and outdoor dining, and there’s live music. You’ll even see giant cruise ships docked here! Just beware- it’s at the bottom of a huge hill, so be ready to do some walking!
I hope you have a great trip to Nova Scotia. Comment below your favorite places to check out in Canada!
Seashell & Seagrass 
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