Nova Scotia travel tips

Jul 4, 2024 • 9 min read

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Halifax is a harbor town. A narrow neck opens up to the protected waters of Bedford Basin, making it ideal as a naval and shipping port. Before Europeans arrived, this body of water was a sanctuary and home to Indigenous Mi’kmaq for millennia.

Nova Scotia, Canada’s second smallest province, offers a surprising variety of landscapes. Rocky headlands end in sweeping crescents of white sand, and the ancient mountains of Cape Breton Island add another dimension. Mammoth tides pick fishing boats up and set them down again in the Bay of Fundy, and rivers stitch together small lakes across the interior. The capital, Halifax – home to a third of Nova Scotia’s population – its walkable waterfront is a beehive of bars, restaurants and attractions. The key to visiting Nova Scotia on a budget? Get outside and explore all these beautiful places.

Finding a sandy strand in Nova Scotia is as easy as taking a drive along the coast. Some 200 stretches of silver, coffee or brick-colored beach punctuate the 7500km (4660 miles) of its coastline.

I pried open the blinds, letting dawn’s filigreed light into the cabin. Outside my window, wild forest zoomed past. All night the train had barreled up the “jungle rails,” a historic set of tracks that spans the length of peninsular Malaysia, from its southernmost tip to its border with Thailand in the northeast. Those tracks would lead us to Taman Negara, one of the world’s oldest rainforests and the last refuge of the Malayan tiger.

“Canada’s Ocean Playground” – the phrase emblazoned on every Nova Scotia license plate – is a call to action to get out and explore this magical province.

The newest and most luxurious hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia is the chic, five star Muir hotel, located in the Queen’s Marque district, a newly regenerated waterfront neighborhood in the heart of the city. Owned by local businessman Scott McCrea, the Muir (gaelic for “the sea”) is a gorgeous property, a worthy addition to Marriot’s exclusive Autograph Collection, a select group of unique, independent hotels around the world.

On a map, Nova Scotia resembles a duck or a lobster – both fitting references for a province defined by its proximity to the North Atlantic.

There’s no better way to enjoy a summer’s day in Nova Scotia than poking along a quiet, rural road with the windows down just to see what’s around the next corner.

Embraced by the North Atlantic, Nova Scotia’s seasons, weather and attractions follow a predictable annual cycle. The icy Labrador ocean current that slips past the east coast tempers temperatures year-round, clearing summer skies, whipping up winter storms and delaying seasons by weeks. 

As a born and bred Nova Scotian and a one-time tourism promoter, I’ve been welcoming and advising visitors for decades.

When a northern, sea-bound island goes by the nickname “The Rock,” you already have a good idea of what to expect. Newfoundland is a place of elemental beauty where the Earth’s mantle is one of the attractions. Stiff breezes can build to roaring winds off the cold Atlantic, pushing around icebergs and tossing fishing boats, even in coves protected by jagged cliffs where clouds of seabirds nest.

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On the shores of the blustery North Atlantic, Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s trio of Maritime Provinces. But you don’t (necessarily) need a boat to get around.

There’s perhaps nothing more relaxing than checking your worries at the door and spending some time getting pampered at the spa—and Halifax has a handful of really good options not far from the city’s biggest attractions and hotels.

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There is something about tucking into a well-crafted latte in a cozy cafe that is unmatched in the dopamine department—and Downtown Dartmouth has a handful of excellent spots well-worth taking the ferry over to check out. The following cafes are all walking distance from the ferry terminal and each offer something special—whether its a baked-to-perfection croissant, books and vinyl, or the perfect corner booth for a casual first date.

The gateway to Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia is set to host The Congrès Mondial Acadien 2024. Taking place in the South West of the province, from 10 – 18 August 2024, the international event will celebrate over 400 years of Acadian culture over nine days of festivities featuring outdoor concerts, culinary experiences, family reunions, music, and heritage. Discover opportunities to celebrate Acadian joie de vivre. Enjoy a bonfire overlooking the beach or a lively kitchen party where everyone is not just welcome but encouraged to join in the celebration.  Immerse yourself in the heritage of the area by exploring local museums, join a walking tour, or savour the authentic flavors of the region featuring lobster and traditional Acadian dishes.  Come discover the warm and welcoming people of this rural corner of Nova Scotia, as well as the tastes and traditions of the region.

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's greenest provinces—from championing eating and shopping locally to being the first province in Canada to implement a province-wide compost program—so it should come as no surprise that there’s excellent second-hand shopping to be had in and around the capital city.