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Writer's pictureLyn (aka Jazz)

Flashback Friday: Go Visit Nova Scotia

Updated: Mar 29

Small but mighty Nova Scotia might be my favourite province in Atlantic Canada, although it's a tight competition with Prince Edward Island. The small community feel is everywhere, even in Halifax's capital city. The history is fascinating, the landscape is breathtaking, the food is tasty, and the people are warm and welcoming.

The Clock Tower on Citadel Hill
Halifax Clock Tower at Citadel Hill

Halifax is a very walkable city with some steep hills. The harbour area, The Salt Yard, buzzes with activities in the summer. The guns at the Citadel sound at regular intervals. There's a great walking tour that tells the historical stories with a particular focus on the Great Explosion,

Busy summer Plaza adorned with shade umbrelllas and flag bannes. Sign saays "Salt Yard"

A great time to visit in the summer is during the annual Tall Ships Festival, when the harbour is filled with magnificent ships. Tours are offered (some for free, some for a fee) and are absolutely entertaining as some crews go above and beyond to entertain their visitors. There is a big race and battle demonstrations. One magnificent evening, after doing the Haunted Evening Walk, we were treated to a fabulous firework display and the sound of the CBC orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with cannons!

The author  at a ship's wheel

Nova Scotia's tourism website is a great place to start figuring out what you want to do. I suggest renting a car and taking several of the self-drive tours. The South Shore Drive, which includes Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg, is probably the most popular. If you don't want to rent a car, day trips are available from Halifax. Other self-drive itineraries will take you around different sections of the coast. They offer longer multi-day itineraries, too.

Peggys Cove Lighthouse at twilight
Peggys Cove

Colourful houses, and small row boats
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Do not miss Cape Breton. The famous Cabot Trail is an incredible drive with stunning views. Hire a driver so you can appreciate the views. The truly adventurous might choose a motorcycle or bicycle the route, but it has a lot of steep grades, so make sure you can handle it.

rocky cllffs overlooking rocky shores
The Cabot Trail

A statue of a couple (Alexander Graham Bell and mable Belll) sitting on a bench looking out on Bras d'Or
Mable and Alexander Graham Bell

The town of Baddeck will invite you to join kitchen parties, you can visit Alexander Graham Bell Museum and learn about his close connection to this area, take a sailboat cruise, kayak and/or explore the trails. This little town sits on the edge of the large central lake/sea in Cape Breton, known as Bras d'Or. There are numerous ski and golf resorts and choices for everyone, from the budget traveller to those with thicker wallets. The annual fall festival, Celtic Colours, attracts excellent Celtic musicians to perform in the midst of celebrating the intense colours of the fall foliage and Celtic traditions.

musiciaans on stage. Fiddler, guitarist, piano, and hand drum
Ceilidh in Baddeck, Cape Breton

While in Cape Breton, spend a full day exploring Louisbourg Fortress, originally occupied by the French until turned over to the British. It's a large site with costumed interpreters, many buildings and gardens to explore, activities for kids and adults, and food choices. On one visit, a children's group invited me to dance along with them. I couldn't resist, but I was sad that I didn't get to dress up, too.

Group of children dressed in 18th century clothes listening to a costumed ukelele player at Louisbourg Fortress
Louisbourg Fortress

To get a real understanding of the struggles of workers in the coal mining industry, visit Glace Bay. The museum is outstanding and uses voice recordings of some seniors who lived through the often violent fights for safe working conditions and union representation. You can take a little train ride into the mines below the bay's surface.

A duplex style single story house painted brown with white trim
Glace Bay Mining Museum

Another excellent side trip in Cape Breton is the Highland Village Museum located in Iona. This impressive reconstructed village offers a living cultural history of the Gaelic arrival and settlement in Cape Breton. Costumed interpreters and activities help create an authentic atmosphere as visitors wander through time from the earliest mud huts to the early 20th Century.

A collection of old farm equiipment displayed with a view of Cape Breton coast in background
Highland Village Museum

Along with all this fun, you must eat lobster. Traditional lobster dinners are available almost everywhere with varying options and price points. Be prepared to crack the shells and get your fingers in your food. Put on that bib, and dig in. It will be a treat you won't forget!

steamed whole lobster, side dish of potato salad, melted butter and lemon slices
Typical Lobster dinner

A special treat for me is anytime I can see wildlife. I was absolutely thrilled and quickly pulled the car over to photograph this beautiful fox along the road. He was completely unconcerned with me as I took photos from every angle.

Fox walking alongside a path

I hope I've inspired you to put Nova Scotia on your travel short list. Whether you stick to Halifax or take the time to explore from north to south, it will leave you wanting more. If there was a province that could lure me from BC, it would definitely be an Atlantic province... however, if I'm absolutely honest, I'd be out of there in the harsh winters.


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3 Comments


KayRock
KayRock
Jun 12, 2022
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It does look beautiful! My husband has been pushing for a trip there. He wants to drive. From SAN DIEGO. In an old car that he himself has fixed up. And then he wants to drive/ferry to Newfoundland. As beautiful as it looks, I fear this may be a trip I allow him to take on his own. Or perhaps I will fly to Vermont and visit family and meet him there and drive the rest of the way with him. Of course, that way it SOUNDS like it might be just a jaunt, but actually, Vermont is like the halfway mark. I'm afraid to show him your beautiful pictures because it might encourage him.

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packinglighttravel
Jul 26, 2022
•
Replying to

Also, there’s a seasonal ferry service from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia that saves many miles and kilometres in distance and driving time, putting you in the SW end of the province.

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momsie106
momsie106
Jun 10, 2022
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Yes, but did you see any moose? *runs away*

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