Nova Scotia is renowned for its seafood cuisine and just like Canada’s two other Maritime Provinces seafood is on the local menu all year-round!
No matter when you visit you’ll be able to taste Nova Scotia’s famous lobsters and Digby scallops, as well as traditional dishes such as Butterscotch Pie, Mussels Marinara, Spicy Maple Broiled Salmon, and Mussel Stuffed Mushroom Caps.
As far as places to eat, you won’t find a shortage of eateries and restaurants where you can enjoy a traditional Nova Scotia meal or dinner. There are literary hundreds of great places to eat but some of the most popular include Wild Caraway (in Advocate Harbour), Jane's on the Common (in Halifax), The Knot Pub (in Lunenburg), Chives Canadian Bistro (in Halifax) and John's Lunch (in Dartmouth).
Enjoy a wine tasting afternoon
Nova Scotian wine is renowned internationally and the country’s wine regions are some of the top producers of wine in Eastern Canada. Popular Nova Scotian wines include the famous L’Acadie Blanc, Baco Noir, New York Muscat and Marechal Foch.
The top wineries in Nova Scotia where you can enjoy wine tastings and wine tours include Grand Pre winery, The Olde Lantern Inn & Vineyard (in Grand Pre/Wolfville), Jost Vineyards (in Malagash), L'Acadie Vineyards (in Wolfville) and Luckett Vineyards (in Wolfville).
Besides visiting the wineries, if you’re traveling to Nova Scotia in September or February you’ll be able to attend annual wine events such as the Port of Wines Festival (Sep 26-29), the NS Fall Wine Festival (Sep 13- Oct 14), and the Savour Food and Wine Festival (Feb 1-28).
See the world’s highest tide
One of the coolest things to do on vacation in Nova Scotia is watching the tides rise and fall in the Bay of Fundy. The tidal phenomena in the Bay of Fundy is like nothing you’ll see anywhere in the world because tides there rise up twice a day to an incredible 50ft high.
The rise and fall of the tide happens every day and can be viewed from most places such as Cape Chignecto Provincial Park and Cape d’ Or, though Balancing Rock in Tiverton and Parrsboro are two of the best places to see the Bay of Fundy tides.
Spend a few days exploring the South Shore
Nova Scotia’s South Shore with its rugged coastline, old-fashioned towns and picturesque lighthouses is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful regions in the country.
In fact, towns such as Lunenberg, Mahone Bay, Peggy’s Cove and Shelburne are the perfect example of why Nova Scotia is such a fantastic place to visit on vacation. These towns boast great colonial atmosphere, wonderful museums, charming art galleries and specialty shops that seem to be stuck in a time warp.
Another reason to visit South Shore is to see the Money Pit area in Oak Island, which is billed as the world’s greatest treasure hunt. The Money Pit area is said to be the resting place for hidden buried treasures left by pirates and privateers of the 17th century.
Take a ferry ride across the Bay of Fundy
If you’re looking for more pleasant things to do on vacation in Nova Scotia, another thing you must include in your itinerary is taking the enjoyable ferry crossing from Digby NS to St. John New Brunswick.
The ferry ride to St John takes roughly 3 hours one way, which means you can be there and back in Nova Scotia within the day. By the way, while visiting St John you won't want to miss seeing the Saint John River running in reverse at high tide (a.k.a.the Reversing Falls).
Go on a whale watching tour
If you’re traveling to Nova Scotia between July and October, you cannot pass the chance to take a whale watching tour along the Bay of Fundy (best area in Nova Scotia for whale watching)
Places such as Brier Island, Pleasant Bay, Digby Neck and Bay St. Lawrence are easily the best places to enjoy a whale watching trip and see the majestic Baleen and Right whales. There are several tour operators you can choose to go on a whale watching tour which include Capt Mark’s, Wesley’s whale watching, Island Mariner Cruises and Fiddlin whale tours.
Visit Nova Scotia’s stunning gardens
A trip to Nova Scotia would not be complete without passing by the famous Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens (Annapolis Royal) and Halifax Public Gardens (Halifax). Both the historic and public gardens are ideal spots to enjoy relaxing walks with the family while seeing beautiful collections of plants from all over the world.
By the way, while in Halifax don't miss visiting the spectacular Halifax Citadel, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (they’ll be totally worth your time!)
