There's A Reason Many Yearn To Embark On A Nova Scotia Road Trip.
This Eastern Canadian province is mighty and beautiful, justifying a visit
that's at least a week long. Although we mostly spend our visits in Cape
Breton, I've made it a mission to explore Nova Scotia from coast to coast. If
you're looking for a Nova Scotia road trip itinerary, I hope our experiences
help you create a memorable vacation no matter which season you're visiting
in.
Nova Scotia Road Trip Destinations As you plan your Nova Scotia road trip,
keep in mind that there are many awesome spots you'll want to stop at along
the way. I'm going to start and end our Nova Scotia road trip from Halifax,
but you can easily start from your preferred community.
Halifax
Halifax has so much on offer for all travellers. While a night or two won't be
enough time to explore everything, you can still get a good feel for the
city.
The Halifax Waterfront is one of my favourite places to hang out. You'll find
all sorts of food spots, ranging from food trucks to fancy eats. On a recent
visit we enjoyed a meal and drinks at Drift and highly recommend it. If you
like to explore beautiful neighbourhoods, take the ferry to Dartmouth and
enjoy the cafes, breweries and restaurants.
Meanwhile, the Halifax Public Gardens are great if you have kids who need to
burn some energy, and we enjoyed getting on the Harbour Hopper for a
fast-paced amphibious tour of land and water. The Halifax Citadel National
Historic Site is a must-visit for history buffs, while The Canadian Museum of
Immigration at Pier 21 is an informative visit for anyone looking to learn
about the Canadian immigrant experience.
And don't miss the Africville Museum and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on
the Waterfront, where you'll learn about Halifax and its connection to the
Titanic. Of course, there are many hiking trails and beaches nearby, and
plenty of day trips you can do, such as...
Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia is home to nearly 200 lighthouses and Peggy's Cove is
probably the most famous of them all. Make it your first South Shore stop, as
it's less than an hour's drive from downtown Halifax. I'd recommend a walk
along the recently constructed viewing deck and a warm drink at the coffee
shop.
Chester
The main reason I added Chester to this itinerary is because it's home to the
fabulous Sensea Spa! At this Nordic spa, you will raise the temperature of
your body at saunas, hammams and hot baths, then cool down with cold plunges,
a waterfall, shower buckets and ice fountains. While you can certainly book a
massage, we opted for a spa pass instead which allowed us to try everything.
There was even a facial room, which was a nice way to end our day.
Mahone Bay I love visiting Mahone Bay. It's a cute town filled with all sorts
of interesting shops, restaurants and markets. Located only 20 minutes from
Chester, it's a solid spot to spend your late afternoon. Grab lunch at Oh My
Cod! or Rebecca's, then visit the Amos Pewter shop and ask them for a free
demonstration — I loved it so much that I watched it twice! Before you leave,
be sure to swing by Jo-Ann's Deli for some baked goods for your drive.
Yarmouth
Depending on how your day is going, I'd recommend driving to Yarmouth for your
first night on the road trip. Keep in mind that it does take 3.5 hours to
drive from Halifax to Yarmouth, but with many pit stops along the way it's
easy to do — we speak from firsthand experience. You can stop in Barrington on
your way if time permits: it's the Lobster Capital of Canada.
While in Yarmouth, you can walk along the main strip, enjoy some Filipino food
at Charlene's Kitchen, catch the sunset by the pier, see the Cape Forchu
lighthouse, and then sample beers at Heritage Brewing and nearby Tusket Falls
Brewing.
Cheticamp
Annapolis Royal Royal Eating lobster should certainly be on your list of
things to do in Nova Scotia! If you love lobster, stop in at BMC Seafoods
in Meteghan - it's a fishery with picnic tables and seating along the
wharf, where we stopped for lunch on our way into Annapolis Royal.
Upon your arrival in Annapolis Royal, stretch your legs and go for a walk at
Fort Anne National Historic Site and take in the waterfront sights. Swing by
Annapolis Brewing Company for some drinks and eats, then be sure to grab
some ice cream (or birdhouses - unexpected but very cute!) at 1 Scoop 2
Scoop. On the way to the next location, scallop lovers will want to stop in
Digby and pick up some world-famous fresh scallops!
Wolfville
It's time to head to wine country, don't you think? If you're looking for a
relaxing spot, Benjamin Bridge is a solid option, and one of the most
well-arranged wineries I've ever been to. Known for their sparkling wines, I
recommend signing up for one of their tastings if time permits. Otherwise,
simply grab a glass and walk through their vineyards, or sit back and enjoy
their terrace. Having visited the area before, I can tell you that there's
plenty to do in this region and you can easily spend a few days here
visiting other wineries like Luckett and Domaine de Grand Pre, walking
through the Tangled Garden and of course, visiting the Grand-Pre National
Historic site.
Burntcoat Head Park
This was one of the ultimate highlights for me. I knew I wanted to
experience walking on the ocean floor at low tide - and timing it with
sunset in the summer was brilliant! Burntcoat Head Park is the home of the
highest tides in the world, and you should absolutely see them. But if I had
to choose, I would opt for low tide. There's something so magical about
roaming the ocean floor!
Antigonish Antigonish is most famous for their Highland Games which take
place in early July, but even if you're visiting at another time this
university town is a worthwhile stop on your Nova Scotia road trip! Take a
walk in downtown Antigonish and be sure to swing by Candid Brewing because
this retro spot is a nice way to hide from the sun. If you're chasing
lighthouses, Cape George Point Lighthouse is a must-visit.
Driving the Cabot Trail It's time to drive the Cabot Trail and make your way
to Cape Breton Island. We've shared many tips in the past about highlights
of a Cape Breton drive (and our favourite beaches on the Cabot Trail) so
read those if you want to spend a few more days on this scenic drive that's
deservingly touted as one of the best in the whole world!
Inverness
What was once a famous coal mining town is now a golfer's paradise. I'm not
a golfer, but I did enjoy swinging by Route 19 Brewing to fuel up after
visiting the Inverness Beach boardwalk, especially around sunset! Look
closely because you may spot some whales here, if you're lucky.
Cheticamp This is a great spot to use as your home base for a night or two
while you roam around the Cabot Trail. The main reason we chose Cheticamp
was its proximity to the Skyline Trailhead and the Gypsum Mine Quarry.
Cheticamp is also a great place for fishing and whale watching tours, which
I hope to do one day!
Ingonish Ingonish is a fantastic area filled with beaches. Black Brook is
one of my favourites because there's a waterfall right by the beach! You can
certainly spend a few days in Ingonish in one of its charming holiday homes,
bed and breakfasts or inns.
As you make your way to Ingonish from Cheticamp, you may want to check out
Neil's Harbour for a bowl of chowder, and if the ice cream shop in the
lighthouse is open, grab a cone before you leave!
Baddeck
You can certainly add a few days and head to Sydney or see the Fortress of
Louisbourg National Historic Site. But if time is tight, head straight to
Baddeck. We've visited Baddeck on numerous occasions and the main draw is
always the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. It's interactive
and fun for the kids.
Baddeck is also home to numerous boating tours and a cute downtown strip
filled with antique shops and boutiques. We always stop at the Highwheeler
Cafe for lunch, but for a true East Coast experience you should pop by
Baddeck Lobster Suppers for all you can eat mussels and a fresh lobster. If
you have time, there is a free ferry from the Lions Club to Kidston Island
between July 1st and Labour Day. There you will find a beach with
lifeguards, a bathroom and changing rooms. You can also hike trails, one of
which brings you to the lighthouse at one end of the island, then back to
the beach.
If you're driving from Ingonish to Baddeck on your Cape Breton road trip,
North River Kayak is a cute little spot for some adventure. You can do some
day tours like we did or rent a cabin where you can stay overnight. Kayaking
first thing in the morning was a Zen-filled experience.
Things To Do In Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is known for a variety of activities, including:
Whale watching:
Nova Scotia has several spots along its coast where you can go on a whale
watching tour, including the Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton Island.
Seafood:
Nova Scotia is famous for its seafood, including lobster, scallops, and
mussels. The province is home to several seafood festivals throughout the
year, including the annual Lobster Carnival in Yarmouth.
Hiking:
With its rugged coastline, Nova Scotia is a great place for hiking. There
are numerous trails to choose from, including the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton
and the Bluff Wilderness Trail near Halifax.
Wine tours:
Nova Scotia has a growing wine industry, with several wineries producing
award-winning wines. The Annapolis Valley is a popular destination for wine
tours.
Historical sites:
Nova Scotia has a rich history, and there are many historical sites to
explore, including the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, the Fortress
of Louisbourg, and the Grand-Pré National Historic Site.
Music festivals:
Nova Scotia is known for its vibrant music scene, and there are several
music festivals throughout the year, including the Halifax Jazz Festival and
the Stan Rogers Folk Festival.
Beaches:
Nova Scotia has many beautiful beaches to enjoy, including Lawrencetown
Beach, Martinique Beach, and Inverness Beach.
