Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, a welcoming beacon to fishermen and seafarers, stands proudly atop ancient rocks shaped by glaciers and the sea. Let it light your way to Bluenose Coast, a land of adventure and sea stories. The original Bluenose was never defeated in schooner races, treasure hunters, even today, seek hidden bounty on Oak Island, while tall ships still leave from Lunenburg to sail the high seas.
Feel the rhythm of the ocean and smell the salt air. Climb aboard a lobster boat, sea-kayak, or sail Bluenose II when she is in port. Discover your own treasures in charming, off-the-beaten-path shops. Savour fresh seafood and sample local wines. Be inspired by our art galleries and music from church concerts and local pubs. Lose yourself on a secluded beach, hike unspoiled trails, and golf on spectacular seacoast courses. Slow down… take a deep breath… and stay a while on the Bluenose Coast.
Climb rocks sculpted by the ice age 20,000 years ago, to the famous lighthouse, mail a letter and take a keepsake photo. Cautiously hike along granite outcrops marveling at the powerful surf, relax with some homemade chowder and gingerbread. Have a yarn with our resident fishermen and artists who call this natural masterpiece home. While traveling along Highway 333, be sure not to miss the villages of Terence Bay, West Dover, Prospect, Peggy’s Cove, and Indian Harbour.
Must Do
• Explore the tiny fishing village of Peggy’s Cove
• Walk the boardwalk at S.S. Atlantic Heritage Park.
• Stroll the shoreline in Prospect Village
Hidden Gem
• Kayak around the islands and secluded coves in Terence Bay
Locals say, “The sun always shines in Hubbards”. The salt air is energizing and the ten fabulous beaches are a great escape in any weather. Bunk down in an inn, cottage or campground and stay awhile. Treat yourself to lobster suppers, fish cakes, live entertainment and a vibrant Saturday Farmers’ Market. Be charmed by coastal fishing communities on the Aspotogan, the Yacht Club and Nova Scotia’s smallest provincial park. Shopping, hiking, biking and kayaking make this the “Playground of St. Margaret’s Bay”.
Must Do
• Enjoy the famous lobster suppers and old-time dance hall
• Visit the Hubbard’s Farmers’ Market
• Sea-kayak to see the fairy-tale castle in South West Cove
Hidden Gem
• Walk or cycle to New Harbour
Early summer settlers traveled for many miles by sea to reach this captivating seaside hamlet, and their descendants still thrill to sail pristine waters to unspoiled islands. Chester Race Week hosts the largest keelboat regatta in Eastern Canada and the ocean wraps itself around the 18-hole golf course. Charming restaurants, shops, art galleries, an art fair, free Sunday night concerts in the bandstand and a full line up of professional theatre make this a great place to drop anchor and find your magic.
Must Do
• Play 18 holes at Chester Golf Club
• Enjoy Chester Playhouse and Chester Art Centre
• Camp at Graves Island Provincial Park
Hidden Gem
• Ride the Tancook Ferry, take a picnic
Local lore mysteriously connects the Oak Island treasure hunt to New Ross. Seek your own adventure inland along Route 12 to the home of Nova Scotia’s living museum of agriculture, Ross Farm Museum, a real treasure. Known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, New Ross becomes a bustle of activity at the first snowfall with local Christmas tree producers readying shipments to go as far away as Europe and California.
Must Do
• Hike the walking trail
• Shop locally at the Saturday Farmers’ Market
• Visit the Christmas Festival and Christmas Tree Interpretive Centre
Hidden Gem
• Take the kids to Ross Farm Museum, a living museum of agriculture.
Drop your anchor in Mahone Bay, “a treasure since 1745” and named one of Canada’s best small-town downtowns by Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine. Described by the New York Times as “pretty as a picture” the town bustles with activity during its popular festivals. Art galleries, specialty shops, living museums, romantic restaurants and comfortable small inns are all within an easy stroll. Nearby golfing and a full service spa complement the serenity and natural beauty.
Must Do
• Explore the Classic Boat Festival
• Delight in The Great Scarecrow Festival and Antique Fair
• Celebrate the season at The Father Christmas Festival
Hidden Gem
• Attend concerts at the Three Churches all summer
As fishermen before you, follow your compass to Lunenburg. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, look for the “Lunenburg Bump” on buildings in Old Town. Reeking of a “salty”, seafaring history and old world charm, traditions and customs have been handed down through generations. Climb aboard the ships alongside the dock at the museum and imagine your own sea adventure. Discover treasures as you “plunder” the shops and walk the hilly streets. Accommodations range from charming heritage bed and breakfasts to restored modern inns.
Must Do
• Spend the day at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
• Tour the town by horse and buggy
• Sail on Bluenose II when she is in port
Hidden Gem
• Hear musical concerts at historic St. John’s Anglican Church
“Take the Time”...Here, nature’s canvas is particularly vibrant. The beauty of the area is fresh – the crispness of the air, the fragrance of the forests, the crash of the waves. Appreciate the serenity of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat. French, English, German and Dutch heritage influences everything from home grown food and local wines to art, artisans and architecture, not to mention the individuality of the people. Forest trails and pristine beaches beckon. Challenge yourself hiking, canoeing or sailing. Take a deep breath and stay awhile.
Must Do
Hike to Indian Falls
Pan for gold in Ovens Natural Park
Sample the local wines of Petite Riviere Vineyard and Lunenburg County Winery
Hidden Gem
Swim and hike Hirtle’s Beach and Gaff Point
Bridgewater, with its stately homes on tree-lined streets, is located on the banks of the beautiful LaHave River. The town offers numerous services and conveniences, outstanding shopping, restaurants and accommodations, banks, a multiplex movie theatre, a regional hospital, museums and a public library. Bridgewater also boasts wonderful recreational amenities including golf courses, tennis courts, a curling club, an arena, a 400-meter track, playing fields and a public outdoor swimming pool.
Must Do
• Visit the DesBrisay Museum
• Enjoy the South Shore Exhibition
• Soak in scenic LaHave River vistas
Hidden Gem
• Discover the Wile Carding Mill Museum
Liverpool, “Port of the Privateers”, boasts majestic colonial houses and country music, folk art, photography and wildlife museums. Enjoy tranquil sunsets on the Mersey River, and delight in the galleries of local artists and the performances at the historic Astor Theatre. Over 80,000 acres of protected places for flora and fauna offer boundless opportunities for quiet hikes, kayaking, surfing and birding. Gorgeous white sand beaches and the unspoiled Atlantic coastline dotted with traditional Maritime fishing wharves and lighthouses will enchant young and old.
Must Do
• Discover Port Medway’s two lighthouses
• Encounter the Ghost of Perkins House Museum
• Explore Rossignol Cultural Centre & Cultural Village
Hidden Gem
• Experience Kejimkujik National Park Seaside