A ROAD TRIP THROUGH PICTURESQUE NOVA SCOTIA

There’s nothing like exploring the underrated parts of Canada. There is so much more to discover outside of the larger cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. As grand of an experience it is to vacation in these bigger cities, Canada has a plethora of greenspace and smaller towns to discover. That’s why Kaan and I decided to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and explore the picturesque landscapes and romantic corners of Nova Scotia.

We decided to hire a car and do a week-long road trip of Nova Scotia from top to bottom, starting in Halifax and finishing off in Baddeck in Cape Breton Island. Nova Scotia is set on the beautiful east coast of Canada and neighbours the Atlantic Ocean. Although this means beautiful beaches and fishing villages, it also means that the weather can oftentimes go to extremes. Nova Scotia was hit by an intense hurricane not long ago which made us have to work around some things on our itinerary, but we got to see and take-in a great amount of the province nonetheless.

Where to Stay in Nova Scotia

There are so many great places to stay in Nova Scotia, from chic city hotels to cute Airbnb cabins.

A CHIC NIGHT AT MUIR HOTEL HALIFAX

Muir Hotel Halifax is by far one of downtown Halifax’s most gorgeous hotels. From mid-century modern, made-in-Canada decor, to local Nova Scotian art, this hotel had so much to offer in terms of the interior design and the overall vibe of the place. Our room had a beautiful view looking onto the city which made the experience feel so complete.

One very notable part of our stay at Muir Hotel Halifax was the hotel staff. They really took Canadian hospitality to a whole new level and were not only accommodating, but were also just genuinely kind and friendly people. The staff here absolutely know how to make their guests feel welcome.

COZY COTTAGE AT THE ARGYLER LODGE

After a couple of nights in the city, we decided to move on to somewhere a bit more slow paced and checked in to The Argyler Lodge, located on the west coast of Nova Scotia on the shores of Lobster Bay. When I say this place felt like it came straight out of a Nicolas Sparks movie, I’m not kidding! Our cottage felt super warm and welcoming, with floor-to-ceiling shiplap, cozy and homey decor and a gorgeous view overlooking Lobster Bay. With its serene lakeside views and breathtaking sunsets, this was the perfect spot for a romantic getaway and was exactly what we were looking for.

A QUAINT BNB AT PLANTER’S RIDGE WINERY GUEST HOUSE

This recently renovated farmhouse turned winery and BnB was built in 1864 and we absolutely loved it. You can definitely tell that the historic charm and details of this property remained but were showcased in such a creative and unique way. Our room was spacious, with modern decor and a gigantic bathroom that we loved.

Although every corner of this spot was to die for, our favourite part about Planter’s Ridge was the wine, of course! We got to enjoy some delicious local wine, accompanied with mouth-watering blue cheese and a million dollar view. We would definitely recommend this spot if you’re looking to do a tasting in the area.

GLENORA INN AND DISTILLERY

This b&b is located at the foot of the mountains on Cape Breton Island. Onsite, you’ll find one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, the Washback Pub, where we had amazing haddock and old fashions while listening to live music, as well as Canada’s first single-malt scotch distillery.

INGONISH CHALETS

On the west side of Cape Breton Island, you’ll find these cute chalets which have private beach access if you fancy a dip in the ocean.

Cute Towns of Nova Scotia

ANNAPOLIS ROYAL

Annapolis Royal was definitely amongst one of our favourites, not only for quaint and charming streets, but also for the history behind it. The town was originally inhabited by the Mi’kmaq community before European settlers had made it home. This place is located on an inlet, and offers such a homey feel.

MAHONE BAY & LUNENBURG

Two coastal towns, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are such a cute town to drive through. The fall leaves made Mahone Bay look like it came straight out of a novel. We had stopped by the water at a famous viewpoint that overlooked three churches which were perfectly lined up in a row and it was the most photo-worthy view ever. Lunenburg is a UNESCO Heritage-protected site, and when you stop for some chowder in the colourful town you’ll quickly understand why.

WOLFVILLE

As the epicentre of the wine scene in Nova Scotia, Wolfville was definitely the place to visit. There are eight wineries to choose from that are all within close vicinity to the city centre. Along with the rest of Nova Scotia, Wolfville has a long history and was a historically significant site that marked the Deportation of Acadians from Nova Scotia. The town consists of gorgeous wineries, charming cafes, and a ton of restaurants to choose from that serve fresh, local produce and seafood.

Activities To Do and Attractions To See in Nova Scotia

TOURING THE HARBOUR WITH HALIFAX BOAT TOURS

As one of the best-rated boat tours in the city, Halifax Boat Tours truly had so much to offer. We cruised around the harbour in an almost 100 year old boat that was converted to being fully electric, allowing for a quiet and peaceful boat ride so that you can soak up all of the beauty. The tour included a ride along Canada’s largest military base, where we got to see amazing ships and submarines that will definitely take your breath away.

PHOTOSHOOTS AT PEGGY’S COVE

The world famous Peggy’s Cove was the most stunning coastal area. Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, the place consists of lava rocks that formed 400 million years ago, and a beautiful lighthouse that sits on top of them. The shoreline is made up of rugged headlands and tranquil bays that will truly capture your heart. If you get there at the right time, you can catch the sunrise or sunset that would make for the most jaw-dropping and iconic photos.

TRAVELLING BACK IN TIME AT HALIFAX CITADEL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

If you’re a big history buff like me, this is the place for you. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a short distance from downtown Halifax but located far enough that the loud urban sounds of the big city are drowned and the pitches of a bagpipe and crack of rifle-fire are amplified. The restored Citadel is a famous Canadian landmark that commemorates the naval history behind Halifax. The site contains a historical museum where you can take a walk-through and learn interesting facts about the history of the site’s involvement in the British Empire as well as a fortress where all of these historical events took place.

The Citadel sits on a piece of land that belongs to the Mi’kmaq First Nations and was colonized by Britain. Halifax being located right on the coast made for the most ideal place for troops to set up camp. The Citadel was built in such a unique and efficient way so that troops could be warned that invaders were on their way and ships could be sunk before matters even began to get worse. The museum has actors walking around the site to make your experience feel real and interactive. It’s definitely worth checking out in person so that you can see where some of Canada’s most pivotal historical events took place.

TOUR THE MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE ATLANTIC

As one of Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museums, this place is known for displaying artifacts from the great 1912 sinking of the Titanic. It has some of the world’s finest collections of well-kept pieces from the shipwreck that you’re going to want to check out, especially if you’re a fan of the film and have watched the romantic drama one too many times like I have!

When the sinking of the Titanic had occurred, Halifax was one of the closest towns and a large sum of the leftover pieces of the ship were brought to the town. This is why so many of the artifacts are displayed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. One of the main attractions of this museum is a perfectly in-tact deckchair from the Titanic which was so interesting to see in person!

CRUISING THE CABOT TRAIL IN CAPE BRETON

We cruised along the world famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton that’s about 298 km in total. The views along this road had us hooked and we could not take our eyes off them. The highway is carved inside the mountains that are up against the shorelines of this trail and overlook the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re lucky and you look closely, you can even see whales just offshore of Cape Breton. It’s definitely a view you wouldn’t wanna miss!

HIKING THE SKYLINE TRAIL IN CAPE BRETON

Kaan and I aren’t normally huge on hiking, but the beautiful landscapes, amazing shorelines, and rich greenlands of Nova Scotia kept us on our toes for more. We heard that the Skyline Trail had gorgeous views and was relatively easy, so we had to take a look for ourselves. This was the perfect fall hike, as it was quite flat and the trees along the trail had changed colours and were all different shades of orange, red, and yellow which was super picturesque. At the top of the cliff that this hike leads to, there’s a boardwalk that’s the perfect spot to take in the views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Best Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries in Nova Scotia

ALEXANDER KEITH’S BREWERY

This spot is one of the oldest breweries in Canada. Our brewery tour took us through the 200-year-old ironstone buildings and walked us through how the brewing process has changed over the years. It was founded by Alexander Keith himself in 1820 who emigrated to Nova Scotia from Scotland in 1817. We highly recommend this place as it gives you a feel of the 18th century, followed by pub games and traditional songs.

DOMAINE DE GRAND PRE WINERY

Located in Grand Pre near Wolfville, Domaine de Grand Pre Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the province. From the beautifully designed space, to the wide variety of wines to choose from, this winery was without doubt amongst the finest.

TASTINGS AT GLENORA DISTILLERY

The whiskey tour at Glenora Distillery is a must. The place has a welcoming, traditional feel to it, with high ceilings, wooden beams, and stone walls that make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. We loved trying the highland Scots traditional drink, “Uisage Beatha” (also meaning “The Water of Life”). Although the tours are closed for the winter season, be sure to check them out when they reopen in June.

Our Tastiest Eats in Nova Scotia

TASTY HALIBUT AT DRIFT HALIFAX

The halibut at Drift Halifax was to die for! We absolutely loved it. The fish was perfectly grilled and was served on top of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with a delicious sauce that will keep your mouth watering. The staff was also super accommodating at this restaurant and we had an overall great experience in terms of service. Not to mention, their drinks were off the charts! The espresso martini I ordered was the perfect way to reward myself after a long day of travelling.

FRESH CATCH AT THE SALT SHAKER DELI

If you’re ever in the small town of Lunenburg, you’re going to want to make sure you try a lobster roll at Salt Shaker Deli. With Lunenberg being a fishing town, you can definitely taste that the seafood is fresh and that the chefs commit to sourcing local ingredients. We enjoyed our lobster rolls with some delicious cocktails!

LOBSTER OVERLOAD AT LOBSTER IN THE ROUGH

We were on a quest for lobster on this trip around Nova Scotia. After having our first lobster meal, we were absolutely hooked. That said, we had to visit Lobster in the Rough. Located on the Bay of Fundy which is known for their lobster, this place was super unique because you could choose the lobster you wanted served to you! What added to the fresh seafood was the waterfront dining room at this restaurant that offered views of the famous, rapidly rising tides of the Bay of Fundy. I don’t know about you, but there’s no better way to eat lobster!

This province definitely swept us off our feet and was the perfect place for a quaint, relaxing, and romantic getaway. Whether you’re looking to spend quality time with family, friends, or a loved one, or just spend some time relaxing on your own, Nova Scotia is the place to be.

Be sure to check out my story highlights so you can see our adventures in depth!

In partnership with Visit Nova Scotia