A Nova Scotia street journey is the right introduction into the Maritime area of Canada. Nova Scotia, which suggests “New Scotland” has a big Scottish affect whereas additionally being referred to as Canada’s ocean playground.
I street tripped round many areas of Nova Scotia and have put collectively what I feel is the right 7-day Nova Scotia Highway Journey. If nonetheless you might have greater than per week to spare, chances are you’ll wish to additionally discover New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island, the opposite two areas of Maritime Canada. Irrespective of how lengthy your journey is, ensure that to decide on a reliable automotive that’s appropriate for street journeys.
Nova Scotia Highway Journey Day One
When you fly into the capital metropolis of Halifax and it’s late, chances are you’ll wish to keep the night time on the Alt Lodge and begin recent the following morning. The Alt Lodge is likely one of the coolest airport inns I’ve ever stayed. And, the automotive rental facility is situated just some hundred ft from the lodge.
Begin your time without work by exploring the small fishing village of Blue Rocks. It is a lesser-known space off the vacationer crushed path of close by Lunenburg. You may merely stroll the village and benefit from the scenic coastal drive. Or, time allowing; there’s a kayak clothes shop with excursions to discover the world by the ocean.
Lower than 10 minutes from Blue Rocks is the UNESCO website of Lunenburg. This vibrant and colourful neighborhood dates to the 18th and 19th centuries, the place the previous mingles with the current. Tall ships are sometimes moored within the harbor with horse-drawn rides taking guests via the historic city. When you’re hungry, try the Salt Shaker Deli for some seafood chowder.
Be aware: The very best view of Lunenburg is on the opposite aspect of the harbor, down Tannery Highway. There’s a pullout that makes the right spot for images.
Peggy’s Cove and its lighthouse might be some of the in style locations within the province, and for good motive. The idyllic village is completely charming and the photographic alternatives are boundless. Click on the next hyperlink for a video and extra info: Peggy’s Cove.
The Westin Nova Scotian in downtown Halifax makes a terrific central resting spot for the following two nights. There may be a lot inside strolling distance that you simply gained’t must drive on Day 2 of this itinerary.
There are various locations to eat close to the Westin, nonetheless, should you simply wish to calm down for the night, the restaurant on the Nova Scotian is sort of beautiful.
Drive From Peggy’s Cove To downtown Halifax
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Distance: 28 miles
Highway Journey Day Two
Immediately throughout the road from the Westin is the oldest farmers market in North America (1750). On the second ground of the market is a espresso store with a small deck overlooking the harbor…it is a spot to begin the day.
Strolling alongside the harbor pier is a should! The views, public artwork, road performers, outlets and eating places make this a full of life place to discover.
A pair blocks up from the harbor are streets filled with extra buying and eating places. Persevering with straight up the hill is a Halifax landmark, the Citadel Nationwide Historic Web site. This huge hill overlooking the harbor beneath is what led the British to discovered the city in 1749. Among the many first buildings constructed was a wood guardhouse on prime of what would ultimately be known as Citadel Hill, with Halifax’s first settlers constructing their properties on the base of the hill, nearer to the water. The sweeping views are undoubtedly definitely worth the stroll up.
When you’re fascinated about Titanic Historical past, make sure you try the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Right here you’ll find that Halifax has many ties to the tragedy of 1912. About 5km from the museum is the Fairview Cemetery, the place over 100 victims have been laid to relaxation, in an ensemble that represents the form of a ship. One of many gravesites is for a gentleman with the markings J. Dawson. Many individuals suppose that is “Jack Dawson,” the character performed by Leonardo DiCaprio within the film Titanic, however actually, that character was fictionalized.
One other tie to the Titanic is a restaurant I’d extremely suggest, the 5 Fishermen Restaurant—a improbable venue for dinner and only a quick stroll from the Westin Nova Scotian.
Nova Scotia Highway Journey Day Three
Head straight throughout the province to Grand Pre Nationwide Historic Web site. That is one other UNESCO website in Nova Scotia and honors Acadian historical past from the 18th Century, a lot of whom have been deported to New Orleans between 1755 and 1764.
Close by is the Domaine de Grand Pre Vineyard, a beautiful place to take a stroll via the vineyards and style some award-winning native wines.
- Drive From Downtown Halifax To Grand Pre
- Drive Time: 65 minutes
- Distance: 54 miles
- Discover Time: At the very least 1-2 hours relying should you go to each locations
Seafood, and lobster specifically, are large enterprise in Nova Scotia. An attention-grabbing expertise to study concerning the lobster business is at Corridor’s Harbour Lobster Pound, which is situated proper on the famed Bay of Fundy. Right here you may take a tour of the ability, whereas additionally getting to choose your personal reside lobster that might be ready and delivered to your desk. After lunch, it is a excellent place to take a stroll on the seaside if the tide is out. You’ll additionally see a slew of fishing vessels on the harbor ground patiently ready for the tide to rise.
- Drive From Grand Pre Nationwide Web site To Corridor’s Harbour
- Drive Time: half-hour
- Distance: 22 miles
- Discover Time: 60-90 minutes
Head to Pictou for the night time. I stayed on the Pictou Lodge and Seaside Resort. The situation is improbable, with gorgeous views, nice grounds and a beautiful seaside. Be aware: The lodging are on the country aspect and haven’t been up to date in a really very long time. The lodge is fairly cool and the restaurant serves nice meals.
Highway Journey Day 4
Pictou is named the birthplace of “New Scotland” Nova Scotia. Drive to downtown from the Lodge and make sure you try the Hector Heritage Quay, a dwelling historical past attraction that tells the story of 18-Century Scottish migration to the world. Touring the duplicate ship within the harbor actually places in perspective the arduous journey that passed off over 2 hundred years in the past.
Head east alongside the coast towards Arisaig. Alongside the best way (about 40 minutes from Pictou) you will note Huge Island Highway. Head north towards the water and you’ll drive throughout a really cool stretch of street with water on each side. There’s a extensive spot in which you’ll be able to pull over and stroll alongside the seaside on one aspect of the street. Once I was there, there wasn’t a soul in sight and I solely noticed two autos drive down the street. The street results in Huge Island, an space I didn’t discover, however when you have the time, it may be price trying out.
A bit of farther down Shore Highway is Arisaig, an space filled with artisan studios. Additionally within the space is Steinhart Distillery, which has gained fame for its maple-flavored vodka. Properly price a cease for a tour and a tasting.
- Drive From Pictou To Arisaig
- Drive Time: 50 minutes
- Distance: 46 miles
- Discover Time 1-2 hours
Considered one of my favourite lighthouses in all of Nova Scotia was at Cape George Level, about 18 miles east of Steinhart Distillery. A dust street winds itself round a mountain face till lastly the lighthouse reveals itself. In contrast to many of the different lighthouses round Nova Scotia, Cape George is on a excessive elevation overlooking the ocean. It is a fantastic place to absorb the views, have a picnic, or simply stroll round and discover.
Make your solution to Guysborough for the night time. There are a number of charming inns to remain at, I occurred to name it an evening at DesBarres Method Inn, which I’d certainty suggest. The inn is located on 6 acres and dates again to 1873. This historic inn has been properly restored with elegant widespread areas and spacious rooms. The lodging are marvelous with an excellent on-site restaurant.
Nova Scotia Highway Journey Day 5
Guysborough is unquestionably a type of ‘off the crushed path’ locations. There are usually not loads of facilities within the space, however the quiet shoreline leads street trippers to romantic seaside villages the place traditions and legends of the ocean come alive. The rugged shoreline is affected by wonderful seashores that present the right setting for out of doors journey. There are close by parks, mountain climbing trails, kayaking, birding and different actions to absorb whereas exploring this space.
I ought to point out that this a part of the japanese shore of Nova Scotia has loads of rugged un-paved again roads, so do discover with warning. Personally, that is simply the varieties of space I get pleasure from trying out, these which can be lesser identified to vacationers.
From Guysborough, head to Sherbrooke Village, a rare dwelling historical past museum that depicts life within the mid to late 19th Century. The village is sort of massive with interpreters all through brining historical past alive. Every of the genuine buildings have interpreters sporting interval apparel and are sometimes engaged on creating items from the period, equivalent to a blacksmith, woodworker, crochet to a photographer utilizing authentic methods. It is a improbable expertise for each younger and previous.
- Drive From Guysborough To Sherbrooke
- Drive Time: 1:05 hours
- Distance: 51 miles
- Discover Time: 2-3 hours in Guysborough and surrounding space. 2-3 hours in Sherbrooke Village
From Sherbrooke you may head to Liscombe Lodge Marina for the night time like I did. The situation is improbable, proper on the Liscombe River surrounded by lush timber. Whereas the secluded setting is fantastic, the lodge and its lodging are dated, so preserve that in thoughts. There’s a lot to do on the Liscombe Lodge, from close by and back-country mountain climbing trails, biking, canoeing to swimming. You may additionally decide to take a ship tour of the river with captain Chester, who has been employed by the lodge for over 40 years. The lodge additionally has a pleasant on-site restaurant so that you don’t want to depart the property.
Nova Scotia Highway Journey Day Six
After breakfast on the Liscombe Lodge chances are you’ll wish to go kayaking, take a hike or partake in a few of the different on-site leisure choices.
When you stepped again in time at Sherbrooke Village the day earlier than, chances are you’ll wish to take a stroll down Reminiscence Lane Heritage Village. This attraction is considerably much like Sherbrooke, however celebrates an period a couple of hundred years later, the Forties.
Reminiscence Lane Village can be significantly smaller than Sherbrooke, however nonetheless a very cool place to discover. Guests enter through the Normal Retailer to pay the admission price, after which you’re launch out into the village to discover the bike store, the ship constructing space and way more. There are some stunning Forties autos on website in addition to different artifacts from the period. After perusing the grounds, chances are you’ll wish to cease by the cookhouse for some genuine buffet model chow. The meals ready options baked beans, recent soups, home made brown bread, gingerbread cookies and occasional, tea, or lemonade.
After strolling down reminiscence lane, my subsequent suggestion will certainly get your adrenal going, it’s known as tidal bore rafting. It is a actually distinctive expertise, and, Nova Scotia is likely one of the solely locations on this planet you are able to do this exercise (make sure you watch the video above to see it in motion).
In a nutshell, tidal bore rafting is a gaggle of individuals in a small Zodiac boat with a extremely skilled captain. Excursions are timed based mostly on the altering tide. Your captain will cruise upstream the close by river with an enormous sand bar within the center. As soon as past the sand bar, the caption will test his watch to see how a lot time till the tidal bore arrives. As soon as it passes by, it isn’t lengthy earlier than the channel begins to replenish and create large waves over the sand bar. As soon as this happens, the captain will navigate the boat down the rapids for an exhilarating journey.
Many points of tidal bore rafting could appear disagreeable and even scary, however belief me, you’ll be telling all your pals about this thrilling and distinctive expertise.
Relying on the day and time you raft the tidal bore, chances are you’ll wish to keep the night time in a comfortable cottage proper there on the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort. Located on 180 acres of wilderness, there are a selection lodging decisions, some over wanting the majestic Shubenacadie River when you can see the tidal bore cross by.
Nova Scotia Highway Journey Day Seven
The final day of this street journey could possibly be spent lounging round on the Tidal Bore Rafting Resort. Or, perform a little exploring by yourself en path to the airport. Relying on what time your flight is, you may return your rental automotive and hang around at The Alt Lodge for dinner, or, keep the night time and depart the following day. This fashion you may relaxation a bit earlier than having to return to the true world after such an incredible journey touring round Nova Scotia.
You probably have any questions on doing a Nova Scotia street journey, please be happy to depart a remark beneath. Or, when you have any solutions on locations to not miss or keep, please embody that as nicely. Click on right here to see extra of my images from this Nova Scotia street journey.
