What’s New?  

In Halifax, visit Georges Island National Historic Site. It’s just a quick boat ride to the island, where you can explore outside the fort or join a guided tour to walk through the tunnels. The initial role of Georges Island was to protect the new settlement of Halifax from a sea attack. It was also used as a prison in early years and, during the years of the Acadian Deportation (1755-1763), it became a holding area for large numbers of Acadians (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/georgesisland).

Experience eco fun with the only land sailing experience of its kind in Canada featuring Blokarts with Tidekite ReWIND Adventures on Mavillette Beach (www.tidekite.ca).

Learn about the heritage of clam digging on the Eastern Shore by visiting Memory Lane Heritage Village and then accompanying a fourth generation professional clam digger to dig your own clams at Clam Harbour Beach.  The best part is that you get to return to the Village for a “feed” of clams, along with a traditional lumber camp meal, in the Village Cookhouse (www.visitmemorylane.ca).  

Peggy’s Cove is one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic attractions. The expansive granite rocks, rugged coastline, crashing waves and historic lighthouse exemplify quintessential Nova Scotia. It is also a living community, an active fishing village, and home to year-round residents. The new viewing platform honours the cove’s unique location while making it accessible to all (www.visitpeggyscove.ca). 

And visitors can now take in an intimate, interactive and uniquely Nova Scotian cultural experience at the Schoolhouse Ceilidhs.  Experience traditional Cape Breton fiddle music as it was meant to be heard…and pick up a few dance steps and Gaelic words along the way!  The Ceilidhs are 30-minute performances held three times daily from May to October (www.theschoolhousens.ca).

City Lights     

If you need an urban fix, Halifax is the place to go. Although this is Atlantic Canada’s largest, most cosmopolitan city, its tourist centre is conveniently compact, and most major attractions—the Halifax Citadel, the Historic Properties, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 among them—are all within blocks of its huge natural harbour. Tempting shopping, dining, and nightlife options are close at hand as well.  After strolling around the bustling waterfront boardwalk, you can take a leisurely harbour cruise or follow the locals’ lead and hop a commuter ferry for a quick cross-harbour trip (www.discoverhalifaxns.com).

Sydney, technically part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, is Nova Scotia’s only other urban centre. Located on the Island’s east coast, it has its own waterfront boardwalk and a smattering of heritage buildings. Moreover, it makes a handy base for exploring attractions in nearby Glace Bay, including the Marconi National Historic Site, which is dedicated to the Italian radio pioneer who established a transatlantic messaging station there in 1902, and the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum where you can don a hard hat and descend into a coal mine. The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is 45 minutes away by car (www.cbrm.ns.ca).

The Great Outdoors 

Nova Scotia has been dubbed “Canada’s Ocean Playground,” and since you’re never more than 67 km (42 mi.) from a coast, enjoying on-the-water activities is easy. Boating is a top draw, which is no surprise considering options include sailing on Bras d’Or Lake or paddling along ancient Mi’kmaq canoe routes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Scuba diving and deepsea fishing are also popular; ditto for surfing, a fun if somewhat frigid alternative on the South and Eastern Shores. Looking for something truly unique? Experience the rush of rafting on the Shubenacadie River, where a tidal bore whips up big waves.

Landlubbers, of course, needn’t feel left out. Choices for bikers and hikers abound. The former love to pedal on the 119-km (74-mi.) Rum Runners Trail connecting Halifax and Lunenburg; while the latter lace-up their boots in places like Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which alone has 26 trails. If golf is your game, world-class courses span the province. Standouts range from traditional favourites like Highlands Links and Fox Harb’r Golf Resort, to newer stars like Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, acclaimed sister courses.

Heritage And Culture

Nova Scotia is Latin for “New Scotland” and descendants of its Scottish settlers make much of that connection—particularly on Cape Breton Island, where you can take a class or buy a kilt at North America’s only Gaelic college (www.gaeliccollege.edu), raise a glass at the continent’s first single malt whisky distillery (www.glenoradistillery.com), tour the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre (www.celticmusiccentre.com), then dance your feet off at one of the summer ceilidhs (traditional Gaelic-inflected parties) held Island-wide. The province, however, isn’t entirely draped in tartan. 

After all, events like Festival acadien de Clare (www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca/en) and the Musique de la Baie concert series (www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com/en/things-to-do/view/musique-de-la-baie) are tuneful testaments to the strength of francophone culture here. Mi’kmaq com-munities carry on the legacy of this land’s original residents through powwows and other special programs (www.novascotia.com/travel-info/our-culture), while contributions made by new arrivals are celebrated at the moving Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (www.pier21.ca). 

Must See, Must Do

Nova Scotia is home to a diverse range of premium quality seafood, from their world-famous lobster and coldwater shrimp, to snow crab, scallops, oysters, clams, haddock, halibut and more.  From traditional lobster suppers and roadside restaurants to fine dining rooms, you’ll find seafood topping menus everywhere (www.tasteofnovascotia.com).

Ogle Lunenburg’s Old Town. Hundreds of heritage buildings have earned this port community’s downtown core recognition from UNESCO (www.explorelunenburg.ca). 

Explore the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Turn back time to the mid-18th century at North America’s largest historical reconstruction (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/louisbourg). 

Snap a picture at Peggy’s Cove. It’s almost obligatory to visit this seaside hamlet where one of the world’s most iconic lighthouses sits atop a slab of wave-blasted rock (www.peggyscoveregion.com).

Follow the Good Cheer Trail. On the first winery, cidery, craft brewery and distillery trail of its kind in Canada, you can sip beverages from dozens of local producers (www.goodcheertrail.com).

Tap your toes to old tunes. Be entertained the traditional way at a Cape Breton ceilidh or opt for the francophone alternative, a rousing Acadian soirée (www.novascotia.com/things-to-do/festivals-events/music).

Scenic Drives

The Cabot Trail delivers one of the most dramatic drives anywhere. The 298-km (186-mi.) road runs straight through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and, in places, rises and falls like a roller coaster as it follows the Atlantic coast. 

Hugging the South Shore for 339 km (211 mi.), the Lighthouse Route boasts over 20 postcard-perfect beacons, including those at Peggy’s Cove and Cape Forchu. Charming towns like Mahone Bay and Lunenburg make ideal stopovers. 

The 291-km (181-mi.) Evangeline Trail connects Yarmouth and Mount Uniacke. Named for Longfellow’s tragic narrative, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, it showcases the scenery that inspired his setting. 

Family Fun

Animated by buskers, glass-blowers and tour-boat operators, Halifax’s working waterfront has proven kid appeal. Along it lies the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca), the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (www.pier21.ca), plus the hands-on Discovery Centre (www.thediscoverycentre.ca). When hunger hits, refuel at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market (www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com). Experience the Bluenose II on a 2-hour cruise in Lunenburg or Halifax (bluenose.novascotia.ca).