Halifax
The oldest surviving building in Halifax is also the oldest Protestant place of worship in Canada. Established in 1749 with the founding of Halifax, St…
Must-see attractions in Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley
This museum is housed in what is considered to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Nova Scotia: the former home of the…
Nova Scotia
A 10-minute drive north of town, in the personal residence of the founder of the Sobeys supermarket chain, this private gallery has an excellent…
Nova Scotia
The work of Maritime artists provides the backbone of the collection at this impressive outpost of the main Halifax gallery, spread over three floors. If…
Nova Scotia
In a gorgeous setting on the stream that once provided it with power, the Balmoral Grist Mill still grinds wheat in summer. From Tatamagouche, turn south…
Nova Scotia
Country-music star Clarence Eugene 'Hank' Snow was born on May 9, 1914, in the village of Brooklyn, not far from Liverpool. Housed in the old train…
Cape Breton Island
Ingonish's long, wide strip of sand is sheltered in a bay surrounded by green hills. It's a popular spot for some shore time in summer, even though the…
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Halifax
Sea dogs will love this briny museum on the waterfront, which houses a huge collection of maritime memorabilia relating to Atlantic Canada's many nautical…
Nova Scotia
Big Tancook Island (population 120) is a 50-minute ferry ride from Chester's government wharf. Settled by Germans and French Huguenots in the early 19th…
Halifax
Commissioned in 1941, HMCS Sackville is the last survivor of the 123 Canadian corvettes tasked with escorting Allied convoys during the perilous Battle of…
Grassy Island Fort National Historic Site
Nova Scotia
An interpretive center on the waterfront tells the story of ruined Grassy Island Fort, which lies just offshore and can be visited by boat until 4pm. In…
Nova Scotia
This museum in a former church has a typically eclectic collection of artifacts: look out for a Victorian funeral hearse and stagecoach, an original…
Nova Scotia
The attractive campus of 125-year-old St Francis Xavier University makes for an interesting stroll. The Hall of the Clans is on the 3rd floor of the old…
Nova Scotia
Built in 1885, this lighthouse at the end of the spit of land overlooking Liverpool harbor stands on the place where Frenchmen Pierre Dugua and Samuel de…
Nova Scotia
Stop here for good exhibits on the region's ecology and history. Climb a WWII observation tower for a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area and pick up…
Nova Scotia
During the 19th century wood was the wonder material that underpinned nearly every aspect of construction. Built in 1894, this steam-powered sawmill…
Annapolis Valley
This renowned winery is well worth a stop, particularly for its sparkling crémants and crisp Tidal Bay (a blend of local varieties that makes up an…
Nova Scotia
The town of Church Point, also commonly known as Pointe de l'Église, takes its name from Église Ste-Marie, which towers over the town. Built between 1903…
Nova Scotia
A fitting museum for industrial New Glasgow, this hands-on place has lots to interest the kids, including a working water tower, a machine shop and…
Nova Scotia
Shelburne dories (small wooden open boats used for fishing from a mother schooner) were the staple craft for Nova Scotian fishers on the Grand Banks…
Nova Scotia
Lunenburg's renowned brewery crafts a selection of fruity liqueurs, a strong apple brandy, a pear eau-de-vie, an apple vodka and – fittingly for a…
William E deGarthe Gallery & Monument
Nova Scotia
Finnish-born local artist William deGarthe (1907–83) carved the magnificent Lasting Monument to Nova Scotian Fishermen into a 30m granite outcrop behind…
Cape Breton Island
Canada's first lighthouse was built on this wild, rugged and extremely scenic site in 1734. The present lighthouse, a handsome concrete structure, was…
Northumberland Fisheries Museum
Nova Scotia
In the old train station, this museum explores the area's fishing heritage. Exhibits include a replica of a fishers' bunkhouse and the spiffy Silver…
Africville Heritage Trust Museum
Halifax
Learn the story of Africville, Halifax's predominantly African suburb, the residents of which were evicted and their homes razed in what became the local…
Bear River First Nation Heritage & Cultural Centre
Annapolis Valley
Bear River First Nation is a five-minute drive from Bear River town; turn left after crossing the bridge, then take a left where the road forks. The…
Annapolis Valley
All the estate-produced, award-winning wines made at this adorable little winery are created using solar energy, biodiesel, wind power and the natural…
Musquodoboit Harbour Railway Museum
Nova Scotia
This wonderful little railway museum, loved by train buffs and kids alike, looks a little incongruous in its surroundings: it's hard to believe there was…
Mavillette Beach Provincial Park
Nova Scotia
This huge, dune-backed beach sprawls for 1.5km overlooking Cape St Mary, and can be accessed by boardwalks from the parking lots. The receding tide…
Nova Scotia
This interpretive center on the grounds of Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point is a really useful stop as you drive along the coastal road. You can…
Nova Scotia
This 2½-story house – named after its first owners, merchants Benjamin Knaut and Conrad Rhuland – is considered the finest example of Georgian…
Le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse
Nova Scotia
This 17-acre site overlooking Pubnico Harbour recreates an Acadian village, with vintage Acadian buildings and a cemetery. The village is located in West…
Nova Scotia
This surprisingly interesting town museum has displays exploring Liverpool's privateering history, some wonderfully intricate First Nations artifacts, and…
Nova Scotia
A replica of the ship Hector, which carried the first 200 Highland Scots to Nova Scotia, is tied up for viewing on Pictou's waterfront. You can descend…
Smuggler's Cove Provincial Park
Nova Scotia
Named for its popularity with 19th-century pirates, this park is today frequented by picnickers. A hundred wooden stairs take you down to a rocky beach…
Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery
Halifax
Brewing the good stuff since 1820, this is one of the oldest breweries in North America. Now part of a complex of shops, bars, gift stores and the…
Halifax
Natural history with a Nova Scotian bent is the modus operandi of this interesting museum, where informative exhibits cover everything from the gold rush…
Annapolis Valley
Formerly known as Annapolis Highland Winery, this place specializes in craft cider made with 100% Nova Scotia apples, sometimes mixed with soft fruit. It…
Nova Scotia
Go shopping, 1780s style, at this merchant's house, once owned by traders George and Robert Ross, who supplied Shelburne's residents with staple goods and…
Halifax
Atop Citadel Hill, Halifax's Palladian-style town clock looks as though it would be more at home in a Venetian lane, but it has been faithfully keeping…
