Nova Scotia
Halifax
Halifax or as Nova Scotians call it, “The City”, is the population center and the cultural hub of Nova Scotia. If something is happening, more than likely, its happening in Halifax. The metropolitan area, known as HRM, is home to around half a million people; that’s around half of the population of the province!
I could honestly say Halifax is one of my favourite cities I have ever lived in; with my apartment so close to downtown and basically right by the water, I was privy to a lot the city has to offer!
The Public Gardens
Open all year round, The Public Gardens is a personal favourite of mine. Its a quiet, peaceful refuge from the city… in the middle of the city! Not big enough to get lost in, but still plenty to explore and see, the Gardens is a free and great way to relax and spend a sunny day out!
A seasonal wonder
Being a year-round open attraction, The Public Gardens always has something to offer in every season! Whether it be the spring flowers, the summer gardens, the fall hues or the winter snow paradise, The Garden has something for everyone!
Halifax’s Wealth
The City is rich with culture, arts and people. You can see all this throughout the city with the many murals on almost every street, the architecture of heritage buildings, and the very friendly, open and chill locals living and working around the city.
The beauty lies in its genuine character that is both humble and unapologetic. Halifax remains true to itself and its charm entices you to stay!
Shops – Stores – Restaurants Recommendations
Our absolute favourite spot, find one of the best places for Indian food here! Close to the waterfront, quality and authentic Indian food is served in a casual and sometimes very busy setting. Great for a take out as well, the portions and tasty food they provide is an amazing find in the city!
One of the coolest spots in the city; you can find anything from jewelry to furniture, to clothing, to décor, to much much more! Halifax’s own Bazaar!
Buta Ramen looks like it flies under the radar but is packed to the brim at nights! Situated in an old fire department building, Buta Ramen provides great Japanese cuisine in a comfortable and relaxed dining environment.
If you’re looking for great authentic Italian food that is a bit pricey but with guaranteed quality, Trattoria Vesso is for you. My wallet begs me to stop visiting but my taste buds keep me coming back again!
Looking for some much needed art supplies? DeSerres has basically everything an artist might need!
Wasabi House is my wallet’s favourite spot to visit as well as the spot to fill my frequent sushi craving. Their tasty sushi and Japanese dishes are enough for me to recommend them. However, they also offer extra sushi, free, when you dine in. They ALSO charge less when you pay by cash. Not only is this place a tasty sushi spot, but it also feels like the only sushi place to really get the bang off your buck.
Just on the corner of my apartment block, I always saw this coffee shop but I never had a reason to visit. While escaping some noisy construction in our building, we finally decided to spend some time here! An absolute gem, this corner cafe is a great spot to hang out and study! The top level could get busy and rowdy but the basement level is a great quiet spot to chill out in. The down-to-earth and helpful staff are also amazing!
Another low-key spot to hang out in, Trident cafe is a great spot if you’re a book lover. They sell great coffee and pastries there but also sells books! If you love to read, this place is for you.
Snappy’s is that iconic corner pizza shop where you can spend the late nights in, winding down. You can also just hang out there with your friends for a nice classic greasy kitchen type of food. Or you can simply enjoy their great pizzas and donaires just as we have. Their service is not the friendliest, nor are they the cheeriest bunch; but be sure that your food will be the tastiest.
Meyvn is that shop you can easily overlook. It doesn’t stick out like the donut shop just a block away. I assure you, this one is not to be missed. They have quality product and plenty of range to choose from. The apparel is cycled or frequently freshened up with new collections. I personally really appreciated the staff looking after the shop the day I went there; he was very helpful but gave no pressure to buy. Very easy going and even went out of his way to help us find what we were looking for. I found an amazing jacket here. Everyday, I try to find every and any reason to wear.
King’s Pier used to have a location at the old heritage waterfront buildings. Now they have a new location in Barrington street. Their amazing collection of Nova Scotian knitted sweaters are absolutely amazing and vintage jewelry and decor are also really cool. Find anything from shoes to shirts to jackets to hats in this vintage shop. The owner is also very down-to-earth and is a pleasant to talk to. Their collection is great and if you’re a thrift-shopper, drop by this place and see what treasure you’d find.
Every Saturday, something magical happens by the waterfront in the Brewery Market. Artisans, local restaurants, farmers, cafes, and all types of local businesses all gather in one beautiful spot to share their passion and art for others to discover and hopefully buy. My go-to here is the Mediterranean family restaurant in the lower level where they serve fresh food; I especially love their baklava. Another favourite of mine is a Hong Kong man who offers great tasty treats of his own recipe; he is not shy to give you free samples. This market knows the way into my heart.
Honourable Mentions
Izzy’s Bagels – Our absolute favourite bagel spot. Though technically not in Halifax, its location is in the Bedford highway. They make their bagels in-house and are an absolute treat; they also make your sandwiches and bagel meals on the spot. Better yet are their dips and spreads and sour creams; all of them are also homemade and is an absolute banger each one. Though a bit on the pricy side, Izzy’s Bagels is our little guilty pleasure.
The Citadel – The hill in the middle of city, once a strategic military point, now an iconic park and museum, is one of my favourite spots. You can have a great view of everything here from the skyline, to the ocean, to pretty much in all directions of the city. I have personally not been to the museum but I have heard great things about it. In the winter this place turns into a snowy hill for sleds, skis and snowboards. This is also my go-to spot to watch the sunset.
Waterfront – If you find yourself in Halifax, make sure to not miss out on the Waterfront. It is the absolute best sea-side waterfront I have ever been to. There is always something happening there in the summer and is teeming with life; in the winter, it is a lot quieter and unfortunately colder. If the activity buzz is not what you’re looking for, perhaps its quaint beauty and spectacular views of the ocean, George’s island, Dartmouth, the bridges, the city skyline and much much more can convince you for a visit.
Point Pleasant – Nestled deep in the south side of Halifax, Point Pleasant is the true refuge from the city. The park itself is so big, it would take a day just to explore it. You can truly get lost in its intricate and many many trails all through out. Covered by trees and nature, you can also forget that you’re in the middle of a metro city. A big plus is the unique fusion of views from Halifax’s industrial gigantic towering cranes, the green lush nature forests all around and the deep blue cold ocean that borders it all. An personal side-bonus are the neighborhoods all around; its a very well-off area and the houses are nice to look at and dream about.
Hirtles Beach, Gaff Point and Secret Beach
Hirtle’s Beach is an iconic hangout spot near Lunenburg N.S. It sets the standard for Nova Scotian beaches. It has the iconic pebble beaches, the picturesque cliffs that overlook the ocean, a great hiking trail, its secret beaches, and of course, it has surfing.
It’s a great day trip from Halifax and despite its amazing features, it is relatively quiet. Of course on holidays or weekends or especially beautiful days, it is not surprising to see this place with some more visitors than usual. There is a decently sized parking lot available at the entrance with some outdoor bathrooms. There is also a well established community around and even a very nice general store that I would highly recommend visiting!
This beach is perfect if you’re looking for a nice long scenic walk along the beach, some sightseeing or if you’re just looking to simply immerse yourself in Nova Scotian nature!
There is also a secret beach in the area, an amazing find and away from the crowds! Read all about it here!
Lunenburg
Lunenburg is a World Heritage Site, a very pretty port town, a summer tourist paradise and most important of all, at one point, my home. Well technically not; I lived in the outskirts of the town but I worked here and go into town pretty much every day. Seeing its iconic skyline, with its very colourful and bright buildings would never get old to me. Its heritage roots are in full view and many of the stores and homes and businesses still carry its history proudly. You can truly see it in its preserved architecture. The Acadian culture is in full display and its history of fishing and ships is held proudly. You can visit its many shops, museums and best of all you can see and explore the iconic ship behind the Canadian dime: The Blue Nose. Technically it is called Blue Nose II as the first one crashed and sank in Haiti. Still, it looks amazingly beautiful and you could join its crew into the harbor for a tour.
There are plenty of shops around with plenty of character. One such shop is the Ship and boat Chandlery offering many Atlantic treasures and sea junk to browse through; they even sell real maps, tools and equipment used by real sailors! Another personal favourite of mine is Sweet Treasures . Right smack down in the middle of the busiest streets of Lunenburg, you’ll often see lines forming outside of the shop, especially in the summer! Their homemade ice cream is an absolute treat and is served on freshly made waffle cones. They also have a great view in their seating area.
Lunenburg is also home to great cafes; my personal favourite is The Laughing Whale Cafe. They have a great casual seating with plenty of room for everyone. The vibe is great and the staff are very kind, hardworking and patient. The highlight is their coffee. They roast their own fair-trade beans and add their own twist to the delicious flavor.
The No. 9 comes in close second. Their seating and atmosphere is much more comfortable and chill. They have great outdoor seating, plenty of stuff to look at in the shop and I think has just a bit more character. However, they don’t roast their own stuff so the flavors of their coffee just isn’t there yet.
If you’re looking for some space from the busy Lunenburg, the very quaint town of Blue Rocks is quite a special treat. Much less busy and just a drive away, Blue Rocks is a scenic town with its heritage on full display. You’ll see a preserved fishing town full of character that is definitely worth to visit.
Peggy’s Cove
Ah yes, the lighthouse on the rocks. The iconic picture is sure to make an appearance at least once in all of Nova Scotia’s travel pamphlets. Of course it is plenty justified as the location is iconic and beautiful; the sole lighthouse stands high and mighty on big great white rocks as the waves endlessly beat on its shores.
I would personally highly recommend this spot. Is it highly touristy? yes. Can it get crowded some days? yes. Is it serene and beautiful? yes. While visiting Nova Scotia, I’d recommend going here at least once just to finally see what its all about. You can make your own judgements then.
P.S. While visiting the rocks, make sure you stay well off of the black rocks. These rocks are darker in shade due to it being more recently wet. Wet from the crashing of waves. Waves that can sweep you up under your feet into the ocean with nowhere to get up from. People have fallen, injured or died.
Cape Breton: Highlands National Park, Cabot Trail and Polettes Cove
Driving up and through Cape Breton and the infamous Cabot Trail is in every maritime traveller’s bucket list. Famous for its great views and amazingly scenic drives, the Cabot Trail is not one to be missed. Better yet, driving through during the fall time is an absolute joy as all the leaves display a great range of fall colors. You’re in for a beautiful show when driving through the right time.
Highlands National Park is also an amazing place as the drive takes you up and through and down the mountains. My favourite view was the clear sight of the autumn mountains on one side of the drive, the endless blue ocean on the other and us in the car, on a valley, in between. Plenty of amazing hikes are also within the park and though personally I haven’t done any of them yet, I have heard amazing things about them and would love to take them off my list.
An absolute gem of a drive through, Cape Breton, Highlands National Park and The Cabot Trail are worth every mile, every stop for a view point and every gas fill up.
Warning: Make sure when you’re driving through here that you know how gearing down your car works or you give your car brakes plenty of break between mountains. This is for the health and safety of your brake system as there are sections of the drive where you are constantly going uphill and where you are constantly going downhill. To control your speed, you must either gear down or use your car brakes extensively. When using the brakes for prolonged periods, you will eventually wear them out, or heat them to an extremely hot temperature; in this case you will start to smell a burning smell, or see smoke, or have brake failure.
Pollette’s Cove
It is said that a man in Nova Scotia won the lottery and bought the area now known as Pollette’s Cove. Here during the warmer months, horses run free and people from all over hike into the cove, set their tents down and camp for the night. For more details about the hike and our adventures going into the cove, read more here.
A beautiful serene spot, Pollette’s cove is the definition of camping in Cape Breton done right. You’ve gotta lug all your supplies, gears, tents in and out of a hike at the edge of the coast. At the end you are treated to a valley by a river’s mouth flowing from the mountains into the ocean. If you time it right, you may also see the many horses that freely roam the place. You would most likely also see other people and campers around as this place is quite popular.
Lawrencetown and Cowbay and Martinique beaches
The proud East Coast surfing culture is proud and alive and it thrives here.
In Lawrencetown where both the locals and outsiders both compete for the iconic point break. Where beachgoers enjoy walking through the pebble beach. Where bikers and joggers bask in the glory of their newly paved smooth paths.
Enjoy a drip coffee at the cafe up the hill surrounded by amazing views. Rent all of your surfing needs at the surf shop. Maybe you’re feeling for a new dress or shirt. Perhaps you’re looking for that perfect gift to bring home…or you’ve got a kid to drop off at a day care. Well. This building up the hill is perfect for you. The Lawrencetown Beach Cafe has got it all: a thrift store, an art store, a gift shop, a cafe, a surf shop and even a day care. I would absolutely recommend visiting this spot when you’re in the area as the staff are friendly, the views are amazing and the place is just perfect.
Cowbay is where I truly felt how cold the ocean can be. Lawrencetown was my go-to spot for surfing but The Moose is what kept me going despite the freezing temperatures. An iconic Moose statue stands in the entrance of the parking lot. Despite its small size, the parking lot is in the perfect spot as you can just watch the waves from here. The locals and visitors are friendly. The surf is great. The views are better.
Further up the coast lies Martinique Beach . Also a great spot for surfing, this place’s charm lies in the seemingly endless stretch of white fine sand beach. There’s plenty of parking and different “stations” all along the beach; there’s plenty of room and sand for everybody!
Honourable Mentions:
Places we’ve visited and enjoyed but haven’t explored enough to fully make a section about
Carter’s Beach : Deeper in the south-east coast of Nova Scotia is one of its most beautiful beaches: Carter’s Beach. The waters are turquoise and clear, the sand white and fine, and the surrounding isolated landscape make the beach a rare find. Its often said that visitors are reminded by beaches way down south in the Caribbean; though with one stark difference: the water is frigid cold. This beach is worth the visit, especially when you’re in the area anyways. On a nice day, locals and visitors flock to this white sand paradise.
The Valley: On the Bay of Fundy side of Nova Scotia lies a different region of the province often reffered to as “The Valley”. When someone is talking about The Valley, they could be talking about one of the many towns on that side of the province. For our purposes we’ll mostly be talking about Wolfville and its surrounding areas.
Fall is where The Valley truly shines. The autumn hues really show up in a big way with the many trees all around. The region is also big on apple picking, pumpkin patches and other fall activities. The many local farms all around the area have markets that sell their produce. One that we visited was the Noggins Corner Farmer Market; they have a lot of fresh produce, local products, pumpkins and more!
Annapolis Cider is also a great visit if you’re a fan of their ciders. They have many different flavours at this site, offer some exclusive ones and you could even buy it there. Nearby, there is also one of Nova Scotia’s ski hills (Ski Martock) which turns into a popular pass time in the winter just 45 minutes away from The City.
Lahave cable ferry and bakery – A very fun little activity while in the South Shore, the cable ferry has been around for… forever! Though the service heavily depends on the weather, taking the cable ferry through the inlet is an amazing experience. Better yet, is the bakery and cafe across one side; they have a great location full of local and great quality products. The building also displays its heritage fully and proudly. I would highly recommend giving this area a visit!
Cherry Hill is further down south of Lahave, down the coast, past the many different small communities and beaches. What makes Cherry Hill so special is that this place also has a surf break, fine white sand and a beautiful beach to have a walk through. However, it is far and a little out of the way so some of the road to the parking lot is in quite a bit of disrepair; pot holes as wide as your car, and as deep as your tires are frequent and a bit of a pain. If you can get through all this and make your way out there, you are treated to a beautiful beach that you are likely to have all by yourself.
Travellers Pursuits 