I'm from Nova Scotia and here's all the spots you need to go to while visiting this summer
Your East Coast vacation itinerary awaits.
Cater's Beach in Nova Scotia. Right: Nova Scotia village.
The warmer breeze is coming through, and soon there'll be blooming wildflowers along the roads, people filling the beaches, and seasonal shops opening their doors. It's the time of year when Nova Scotia starts to come alive.
The coastal beauty of the province draws in visitors from all over in the summertime, but it still manages to boast destinations that preserve a sense of untouched beauty. Beaches where crowds thin, trails that you'll likely have all to yourself, and little towns that'll make you feel a world away from any city street.
To be honest (and this likely won't come as a surprise to most readers), winters aren't something to write home about in Nova Scotia – or the Maritimes in general, really.
The result is me, and many other fellow East Coasters, packing all of our day trips, adventures, and a year's worth of outdoor fun into a few too-short months. It's a mad rush of sandy flip flops, afternoons popping into kitschy shops, and ocean swims.
Now more than ever, I find people looking east when planning their summer vacations. Maybe it's just me — because I make it my mission to sing the praises of our home to my Ontarian friends — or maybe it's just the region getting its due. Either way, this is what I'll be sending to you if your message is something along the lines of: Where should I go in the East Coast?
My answer is going to be Nova Scotia 9/10 times. Don't give me hate — I live in New Brunswick now and it's great, and P.E.I., you too (many don't seem to realize how far Newfoundland actually is, so I tend to put that aside and think 'Maritimes' only) — but let's be real, Nova Scotia is our beauty queen.
Carter's Beach
I'm going to refer back to the nickname people love to tout out — Canada's Ocean Playground.
You're probably coming for the beaches and the coastal vibes (the Nancy Meyers aesthetic is alive and well here), and you would be right to do so. I grew up in Nova Scotia but now live in New Brunswick, and when I visit I try to get sand between my toes as quickly as possible.
Lots of places have beaches, but the bright turquoise water alongside powdery white sand — that's something you don't find often in Canada. In Nova Scotia though, it's just another beach day.
Example A: Carter's Beach.
I'll admit, this beach is famous for being especially tropical-looking, but the province is full of picturesque coastline, especially along the South Shore. You can drive from Halifax, stopping at sandy shores like Queensland, Bayswater, Broad Cove, and Carter's.
Carter's Beach is one of the spots that's further out from the city (about two hours from Halifax), but it's worth the journey. The distance means that people are sparse, and the beauty of this place speaks for itself. Like all good things though, it comes with a catch. The water here is pretty icy, but you can probably brave it on a hot summer's day (I did, and I'm pretty weak when it comes to the cold).
Lunenburg
Also in the South Shore (yes, I play favourites), is this charming little town that's a popular – yet worth-while — tourist destination.
Old Lunenburg is probably what you imagine your Nova Scotia vacation to be — boats lazily bobbing in a calm harbour, quaint storefronts that are preserved from the 18th and 19th centuries, a salty breeze, and colourful buildings peppering the streets.
There's lots of little fishing villages around Nova Scotia that are worth seeing, but Lunenburg is made for visitors — in a good way. You can go and shop around at the cute boutiques, grab a meal at one of the great restaurants (I'm partial to the Salt Shaker Deli), and walk along the idyllic waterfront. There are walking tours if you want to learn more about the town, and the Bluenose II is a fun and very Nova Scotian thing to check out while here.
Martinique Beach
Okay, so you've explored the South Shore, and now it's time to head out to the Eastern one.
This part of the province is less touristy and offers a more secluded, but equally beautiful, experience. For something close to the city you can stop at rocky Lawrencetown Beach (where you can rent a surfboard at Lawrencetown Surfing Co. if you want to head out onto the waves), but keep driving and you'll reach my favourite spot.
Martinique Beach is the longest sandy beach in the province, reaching out at over five kilometres. Here, beach grass dances in the wind, soft sand stretches out in front of you, and blue water washes up onto the crescent-shaped shore.
About an hour away from Halifax this spot makes for a fun beach day that you'll almost definitely leave with a sense of calm and pockets full of shells.
Halifax
I went back and forth of adding Halifax to this list, because it seems a bit obvious. You're probably flying into the city or at least staying a couple of nights there on a road trip through, but still, it can't go without mention.
Halifax is the biggest city on the East Coast. While at first glance it might seem a little lacklustre to those coming from a major metropolis' (looking at you, Toronto friends), it's got its own distinctive vibe and personality. The city has boomed in the past few years, with more people moving and things in general just expanding, but I think it's managed to maintain an identity as a Maritime city with an atmosphere you won't find elsewhere in the country.
It's home to some of the most incredible restaurants, fun pubs where you can enjoy a beer (likely to the sound of The Rankin Family playing over the speakers), historic buildings, and a beautiful waterfront that's the city's beating heart.
If you're a history buff, spend some time at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (there's a Titanic connection you can learn more about there), then make sure to stop by the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, and explore the local boutiques, cafes, and shops.
A sunny afternoon on a patio in the city, turning to a night enjoying live local music at a pub, will have you falling in love with Halifax.
Cape Breton Island
So far, I've kept things easy and realistic with day trips from the city and likely go-tos that are sure to impress. While it is impressive, Cape Breton isn't exactly an easy destination. If you're travelling to Nova Scotia for a short while I would recommend sticking to the other spots on the list, but if you do have time for a bit of an adventure — head to Cape Breton Island.
I've actually only been here a few times (again, not the most convenient of destinations since it involves a long drive), but the natural beauty here rivals any other vacation I've been on. I still dream about the beach in Inverness and the cute cafe in Ingonish.
The Cabot Trail is the famous drive here — 298 kilometres wrapping around a big portion of the island and hugging the breathtaking coastline. The road trip takes you through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the scenery is all rolling mountains, jagged cliffs, and rugged coastal vistas. Along the way you can stay at little fishing villages and quaint communities, soaking in the island's vibrant culture.
Admittedly, the usual recommendation is to visit here in the fall when the views become even more unbelievable, framed by a sea of colourful leaves, but I think summer here holds its own appeal.
If you love small-towns and are a nature enthusiast, you'll probably have the trip of a lifetime here.
There's a lot in Nova Scotia to be explored – special mentions to the rolling vineyards of the Annapolis Valley, the coastal wilderness of The 100 Wild Islands, and landmarks like Peggy's Cove — but alas, these are my top choices. I'll continue to shout out the merits of East Coast vacationing, though, so stay tuned.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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