In the event you’re in search of a highway journey full of good meals, cool locations to remain, and really minimal time truly spent on the highway… then may I counsel a Nova Scotia highway journey?
Nova Scotia is certainly one of my favourite Canadian provinces. It is obtained lovely coastlines, nice meals, and plenty of out of doors journey choices — all whereas being sufficiently small to completely discover in per week or much less.
I did a mostly-solo highway journey across the central a part of the province final summer time, and now I need to share my entire Nova Scotia highway journey itinerary with you! It is such an awesome province to discover by automotive, and I encourage you to make use of this itinerary to assist plan your individual journey.
7-day Nova Scotia highway journey itinerary
This highway journey can be nice for anybody visiting Nova Scotia for the primary time. Highlights embody:
- Exploring Halifax and its waterfront
- Seeing the Bay of Fundy and its tides
- Picnicking at a bison farm
- Choices for biking and climbing
- Visiting Peggy’s Cove
- Seeing the UNESCO-listed city of Lunenburg
- Staying in distinctive locations together with a sea container and luxurious dome
- And extra!
Notice: That is primarily based on a visit I did as a part of a paid partnership with Nova Scotia, specializing in some distinctive lodging choices across the province. As at all times, although, opinions are 100% my very own and primarily based on my private experiences!
When to take this highway journey
Nova Scotia is a year-round vacation spot, with issues to do each month of the yr. However this particular highway journey itinerary is finest completed from Might-September so you possibly can finest get pleasure from all of the out of doors actions and go to little fishing villages whereas all of the eating places and museums are open for the season. I did this particular journey in August!
Day 1: Halifax
You may be flying out and in of Halifax for this journey. Halifax is Nova Scotia’s capital metropolis and is centrally positioned within the province — and nicely price a go to by itself! I like to recommend making an attempt to ebook your flights so you will arrive in Halifax within the late morning or early afternoon so you’ve gotten a while to discover at present.
Choose up your rental automotive, and make the half-hour drive to town heart. You may both drop your baggage and automotive off at your resort and stroll from there, or drive straight to the Halifax waterfront, which is what I like to recommend exploring first.
The Halifax Waterfront has greater than 4 kilometers of boardwalk lined with outlets, eating places, and different sights. Go for a stroll, cease for a snack (you will discover classics like Beavertails and COWS ice cream right here), and benefit from the harbor views.
There are additionally a pair notable museums right here, in case the climate does not cooperate. The primary ones to learn about are the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (the latter of which has an exhibit of Titanic artifacts).
For dinner, you can both keep in Halifax, OR you can hop on the Halifax ferry over to Dartmouth (get on the one certain for Alderney). Not solely are these ferries the oldest saltwater ferries in North America, however they solely value $3 every approach to journey throughout the harbor.
As soon as in Dartmouth, there are a number of breweries and pubs alongside Portland Road, or you possibly can seize your first lobster roll of the journey at Evan’s Seafood proper at Alderney Touchdown.
Complete driving time at present: half-hour
The place to remain in Halifax (1 evening): In the event you’re in search of a unusual, hip-feeling resort with a pleasant bar, the Moxy Halifax Downtown is the place I stayed. It isn’t on the waterfront, however is inside strolling distance (and has a big parking storage connected). In the event you’d desire to remain on the waterfront, the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Resort is an efficient decide.
Day 2: Halifax to Truro
This morning, you’ve gotten a while to see a bit extra of Halifax earlier than heading to your subsequent vacation spot.
In the event you keep on the Moxy, you will be actually near a beautiful “2-D” cafe known as Xena’s Bread and Butter, which is a superb spot to seize espresso and breakfast. After which from there you are near the Halifax Citadel Nationwide Historic Web site, which is a star-shaped army fort that provides historic excursions and reveals (and a few nice views of Halifax).
I additionally went to take a look at the Halifax Central Library, which has very cool structure and even a rooftop seating space. It is close to Grafton Road, too, the place you will discover fairly a little bit of road artwork.
After that, it is time to get your automotive and head north to the city of Truro.
Truro is a centrally-located metropolis with a historic downtown and shut proximity to some very cool adventures. In your method into city, I like to recommend stopping on the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre if it is open (it is solely open on weekdays). This can be a excellent spot to study in regards to the native indigenous Mi’kmaq tradition, and it has a pleasant reward store that includes work by native Indigenous artists.
Then you possibly can go and verify into your cabin at Search Wilderness Lodging. This distinctive glamping web site affords yurts and comfy transport container cabins alongside Victoria Park, a big park with climbing and mountain biking trails in a quiet, wooded space.
The cabins listed below are extraordinarily cute and geared up with every little thing you want on your keep, together with a kitchen, plus a grill and fireside exterior. The cabins all have out of doors scorching tubs, too!
When you get settled in, head into Truro for dinner. I like to recommend Murphy’s Fish & Chips, which serves up the perfect fish and chips!
Complete driving time at present: 1 hour
The place to remain in Truro (2 nights): Ebook a sea container cabin at Search Wilderness Lodging; these are so cute and comfy, they usually all have scorching tubs exterior.
Day 3: Bay of Fundy
At this time is your day to discover the Bay of Fundy! This bay between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is understood for having the very best tides within the total world.
You are going to want to prepare your day round tide instances as a way to do the issues I am recommending right here, and please notice that instances for tidal bores, excessive tide, and low tide do change day by day! So ensure that to verify them earlier than your journey.
Throughout my journey, the tide was coming in within the morning, so I headed to the Fundy Discovery Web site first to see the tidal bore coming in. A tidal bore is mainly a small but highly effective wave that travels *up* a river or slender bay towards the present because the tide begins to come back in. The scale of the wave can range, however you possibly can very clearly see it shifting up the Salmon River in Truro.
Examine the time of the tidal bore, and attempt to get to the Fundy Discovery Web site not less than 15-20 minutes beforehand. It is available in fairly quick, and when you miss it, you miss it.
Within the afternoon, you’ve gotten a pair choices relying in your pursuits, the tide instances, and the way adventurous you need to be. The choices I like to recommend embody:
- Discover Victoria Park – This wooded park in Truro covers 3,000 acres, and is full of climbing trails for all skills. It is proper subsequent to Search Wilderness Lodging, too.
- Go Tidal Bore Rafting within the Bay of Fundy – That is undoubtedly extra of an journey, and excursions particularly run at excessive tide. Ebook a rafting journey with Shubie River Wranglers in Inexperienced Oaks (roughly half-hour from Truro), the place you possibly can journey the tidal bore waves on the Shubenacadie River in Zodiac boats. Mud sliding is included afterwards, so be ready to get soiled!
- Stroll on the ocean flooring at Burntcoat Head Park – If low tide is at a handy time, you possibly can drive out to slightly park known as Burntcoat Head and really stroll out on the ocean flooring on the level the place the very best tides ever had been recorded! You may solely do that inside 3 hours of low tide on both aspect (and the nearer to low tide, the higher), nevertheless it’s tremendous distinctive. The park is open till nightfall from mid-Might by way of mid-October.
And when you do not need to do any of these issues? You may discover a bit extra in Truro. I extremely suggest visiting NovelTea Bookstore & Items and NovelTea Coffeehouse & Cafe.
For dinner tonight, Parichat’s Asia Thai Restaurant in Truro can be my decide, or take a look at Murphy’s when you did not go there final evening.
Complete driving time at present: It relies upon; when you go all the best way out to Burntcoat Head Park (the furthest from Truro), it’s going to be 2 hours complete of driving.
The place to remain in Truro (2 nights): Keep once more tonight at Search Wilderness Lodging in a sea container cabin.
Day 4: Bison to Porters Lake
You may have a slower morning at present earlier than packing up and leaving Truro.
The primary exercise I like to recommend for this morning is stopping at Lindsay Lake Farms to satisfy a bison herd! The farm is run by a German couple with a brilliant fascinating story. Their focus is on sustainable farming practices, and you’ll ebook a tour of the farm (in a G-Wagon!) to study extra in regards to the bison herd and the farm on the whole.
Afterwards, get pleasure from a fantastic picnic in view of the bison!
I really like getting super-local like this, and the thought and care that goes into all of the experiences at Lindsay Lake Farm is clear. Simply be sure you ebook this (by e-mail) not less than 2 weeks upfront! You could find all their choices right here on their web site.
In the event you ebook your bison go to round lunchtime, you will have time to make one other cease or two on the best way to your subsequent lodging. You are headed for Porters Lake, and I like to recommend taking the route that goes by way of Musquodoboit Harbour on freeway 357.
You may make a cease at Steeple Inexperienced Books, which is a brilliant cute bookstore inside a transformed church in Musquodoboit Harbour that sells each new and used books. There is a store cat, and sometimes two canine inside, too, so when you’re an animal-lover you will particularly love this spot!
You additionally may need to cease someplace to seize meals for dinner tonight, as I’ve a sense you are not going to need to depart your lodging to return out (belief me). In Musquodoboit Harbour, you can cease in to Uprooted Market & Cafe to seize a tasty wrap or sandwich, or you can cease at Gazoo’s in Porters Lake for takeout seafood.
(There’s additionally an Atlantic Superstore in Porters Lake the place you possibly can decide up pre-made meals, or stuff to prepare dinner your self.)
Your vacation spot for this night is Nalu Retreat, a tucked-away spot the place the lodging is within the type of luxurious glamping domes! That is certainly one of my favourite locations I stayed the entire yr, and I feel it’s going to be a standout for you, too.
The domes are up on a hill overlooking Porters Lake (Dome #2 has the perfect lake views), and every dome has a full kitchen, cozy front room with secluded views, a snug mattress with sufficient pillows to get misplaced in, a big rest room, and even a stargazing loft! Exterior, every dome has a personal deck with chairs, a firepit, and a small scorching tub.
Add in all of the small touches like aromatherapy, sound machines, robes and slippers, and tons of cozy touches, and you may quickly perceive why I stated you in all probability will not need to depart when you verify in.
This night, get pleasure from your dome to the fullest! I discussed a lot of choices for dinner, however know that you would be able to additionally pre-book meals straight from Nalu Retreat. You simply have to ebook this upfront (they’re going to inventory your fridge earlier than you arrive), and know that the meals choices typically serve not less than 2.
Complete driving time at present: 2 hours quarter-hour. And please notice that whenever you put Lindsay Lake Farms into your GPS from Truro, it’d attempt to route you away from the numbered highways and attempt to take you down some logging roads. Don’t comply with this! Be sure to’re taking a route that makes use of numbered highways; I like to recommend Trunk 2 to Freeway 224.
The place to remain in Porters Lake (2 nights): I extremely suggest staying at a luxurious dome at Nalu Retreat tonight — you will need to ebook this upfront to make sure you may get the dates you need, nevertheless it’s 100% price it.
Day 5: Southern seashores
You may choose to begin your morning with a therapeutic massage in your glamping dome (once more, that is one thing you possibly can pre-book by way of Nalu Retreat), or simply benefit from the quiet and nature.
In the event you want breakfast or espresso this morning, cease at Pure Cafe, a cute spot with views of the lake. It is also close to a unusual place you may also need to drive by way of: a trailer neighborhood the place the streets are named This, That, and The Different.
When you’re prepared to depart for the day, I like to recommend visiting some close by seashores if the climate is sweet. Martinique Seashore is gorgeous and price seeing (and is a superb spot to take in some solar on the sand), and Lawrencetown Seashore is well-liked with surfers.
Choose one to see, or maybe go to each like I did!
Slightly additional away, you can additionally drive out to Fisherman’s Cove, an enthralling historic fishing village in Japanese Passage. There is a small museum right here (the Fisherman’s Cove Heritage Centre), in addition to a boardwalk with outlets, galleries, and locations to eat.
For dinner tonight, go for one thing relaxed again in Porters Lake (The Hungry Beagle is nice), or ebook a desk at Lupin Eating & Pantry in West Petpeswick for one thing fancy; they provide a 7-course farm-to-table chef’s tasting menu throughout the summer time months.
Complete driving time at present: It would range relying on the place you go! Anticipate not less than 2 hours complete of driving when you’re simply going to hit up the seashores; when you drive to Fisherman’s Cove as nicely, count on nearer to three hours complete of driving.
The place to remain in Porters Lake (2 nights): Keep once more tonight in your dome at Nalu Retreat.
Day 6: Peggy’s Cove and Mahone Bay
It is time to say farewell to your dome this morning (and sure, it’s going to be laborious to depart!). Get an earlier begin so you possibly can have a full day exploring some new spots.
The primary cease you need to make is previous Halifax at Peggy’s Cove, which is an artsy fishing village with a well-known lighthouse on the japanese shore of St. Margarets Bay. Peggy’s Cove is sort of touristy nowadays, however I feel the panorama and total vibe of this little neighborhood makes up for any potential crowds.
As soon as in Peggy’s Cove, take within the lighthouse views (when you exit onto the rocks, please be very cautious and do not get wherever close to the black rocks or something that appears moist), hit up among the native reward outlets and artwork galleries (there’s a lot locally-made stuff on the market!), and undoubtedly get a lobster roll from Tom’s Lobster Shack for lunch.
From Peggy’s Cove, you possibly can proceed alongside the South Shore to the city of Mahone Bay, the place you possibly can base your self for the final 2 nights of your journey.
A number of folks cross by way of Mahone Bay on their approach to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Lunenburg, however Mahone Bay is nicely price a go to by itself. (However don’t fret, we’ll go to Lunenburg, too!)
Once you arrive this afternoon, verify into your lodging at Black Forest Cabins. These ethereal wooden cabins are tucked away in slightly copse of timber hung with twinkly lights — however they’re truly a brief drive or stroll from the middle of city!
In the event you arrive within the afternoon, a enjoyable cease to make is at The BernArt Maze, roughly a 5-minute drive exterior of Mahone Bay. This is kind of what it says on the tin: a cool maze full of artworks of every kind and sizes! The maze is open between late June (it opens on Summer season Solstice every year) and early October, and is a enjoyable detour to make for about an hour.
This night, seize a drink at Saltbox Brewery in Mahone Bay, after which ebook dinner at Betty’s at The Kitch.
Complete driving time at present: You may spend about 2.5 hours on the highway at present; it is 1.5 hours from Nalu Retreat to Peggy’s Cove, after which one other hour from there to Mahone Bay.
The place to remain in Mahone Bay (2 nights): Keep in one of many studio cabins at Black Forest Cabins, that are cozy however actually spacious. There is a cedar sauna on web site that every one company have entry to, too.
Day 7: Mahone Bay and Lunenburg
For a fast breakfast this morning, both drive a couple of minutes to Boulangerie La Vendéenne for some scrumptious French pastries, or head simply down the road out of your cabin to The Barn Espresso & Social Home.
Then this morning, you may prefer to lease a motorcycle from Candy Experience Biking to discover a little bit of city and a portion of the multi-use trails that run proper by way of Mahone Bay (just like the Dynamite Path or Bay to Bay Path). You may as well journey over to Oakland Street to get the traditional photograph of Mahone Bay’s iconic Three Church buildings.
The opposite choice on your morning is to simply discover a bit extra of Mahone Bay on foot. You may go to the small Mahone Bay Museum, see an illustration at Amos Pewter, and go to the lovable Faerie Trails in slightly backyard within the heart of city.
For lunch, seize a desk on the out of doors patio at The Bare Oyster Seafood and Grill, or go for a faster lunch on the Well-known City Pie Store.
After lunch, it is time to make the brief drive to the historic city of Lunenburg. Lunenburg — and particularly the outdated metropolis heart — was based in 1753 by the British, and is acknowledged by UNESCO as being “the best-surviving instance of a deliberate British colonial settlement in North America.”
It is price it to take a stroll to see all of the colourful picket buildings and church buildings on the town, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is a superb spot to study in regards to the space’s ongoing fishing trade.
Lunenburg can be house to the well-known Bluenose II ship, which affords harbor cruises twice per day in addition to the prospect to stroll across the decks when she’s docked in between cruises.
Seize a drink tonight at both Lightship Brewery (which has nice Lunenburg views) or Shipwright Brewing Firm Taproom + Kitchen (which additionally makes fabulous pizzas). Some good spots for dinner embody The Seashore Pea Kitchen & Bar, The Half Shell Oysters & Seafood, and The South Shore Fish Shack.
After which it is a brief drive again to Mahone Bay for the evening.
Complete driving time at present: half-hour (it solely takes quarter-hour to drive to Lunenburg)
The place to remain in Mahone Bay (2 nights): Keep once more at Black Forest Cabins.
Day 8: Halifax and residential
That is the top of my itinerary, so it is time to head again to Halifax and fly house. (The Halifax Stanfield Worldwide Airport is barely about 1.5 hours from Mahone Bay.)
Hopefully you’ll have had a enjoyable and distinctive highway journey round Nova Scotia!
If in case you have extra time…
If you wish to prolong your journey to 10 days and even 2 weeks, another locations you may like so as to add to this journey embody Yarmouth (one other coastal city), Annapolis Royal (based by the French in 1605, it is one of many oldest European settlements in North America), and Cape Breton Island (the place you possibly can drive the Cabot Path and go to Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park).
I didn’t go to any of these spots on this specific highway journey, nevertheless, so I am not together with them right here! If you wish to add any of them, although, I might say you want not less than 1 further day for every, and possibly 2 further days for Cape Breton.
Who’s able to plan a Nova Scotia highway journey now?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by way of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!