The Excellent 7-Day Nova Scotia Highway Journey Itinerary
Should you’re searching for a street journey full of good meals, cool locations to remain, and really minimal time truly spent on the street… then may I counsel a Nova Scotia street journey?
Nova Scotia is certainly one of my favourite Canadian provinces. It is received stunning coastlines, nice meals, and many outside journey choices — all whereas being sufficiently small to completely discover in per week or much less.
I did a mostly-solo street journey across the central a part of the province final summer season, and now I wish to share my entire Nova Scotia street journey itinerary with you! It is such an awesome province to discover by automobile, and I encourage you to make use of this itinerary to assist plan your individual journey.
7-day Nova Scotia street journey itinerary
This street journey can be nice for anybody visiting Nova Scotia for the primary time. Highlights embrace:
- Exploring Halifax and its waterfront
- Seeing the Bay of Fundy and its tides
- Picnicking at a bison farm
- Choices for biking and mountaineering
- Visiting Peggy’s Cove
- Seeing the UNESCO-listed city of Lunenburg
- Staying in distinctive locations together with a sea container and luxurious dome
- And extra!
Notice: That is primarily based on a visit I did as a part of a paid partnership with Nova Scotia, specializing in some distinctive lodging choices across the province. As all the time, although, opinions are 100% my very own and primarily based on my private experiences!
When to take this street journey
Nova Scotia is a year-round vacation spot, with issues to do each month of the 12 months. However this particular street journey itinerary is greatest completed from Might-September so you possibly can greatest take pleasure in all of the outside actions and go to little fishing villages whereas all of the eating places and museums are open for the season. I did this particular journey in August!
Day 1: Halifax
You may be flying out and in of Halifax for this journey. Halifax is Nova Scotia’s capital metropolis and is centrally situated within the province — and effectively value a go to by itself! I like to recommend attempting to e book your flights so you will arrive in Halifax within the late morning or early afternoon so you have got a while to discover at this time.
Decide up your rental automobile, and make the half-hour drive to town heart. You can both drop your baggage and automobile off at your lodge and stroll from there, or drive straight to the Halifax waterfront, which is what I like to recommend exploring first.
The Halifax Waterfront has greater than 4 kilometers of boardwalk lined with retailers, eating places, and different sights. Go for a stroll, cease for a snack (yow will discover classics like Beavertails and COWS ice cream right here), and benefit from the harbor views.
There are additionally a pair notable museums right here, in case the climate would not cooperate. The primary ones to learn about are the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (the latter of which has an exhibit of Titanic artifacts).
For dinner, you could possibly both keep in Halifax, OR you could possibly hop on the Halifax ferry over to Dartmouth (get on the one sure for Alderney). Not solely are these ferries the oldest saltwater ferries in North America, however they solely price $3 every approach to journey throughout the harbor.
As soon as in Dartmouth, there are a number of breweries and pubs alongside Portland Road, or you possibly can seize your first lobster roll of the journey at Evan’s Seafood proper at Alderney Touchdown.
Complete driving time at this time: half-hour
The place to remain in Halifax (1 evening): Should you’re searching for a unusual, hip-feeling lodge with a pleasant bar, the Moxy Halifax Downtown is the place I stayed. It isn’t on the waterfront, however is inside strolling distance (and has a big parking storage connected). Should you’d favor to remain on the waterfront, the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel is an efficient choose.
Day 2: Halifax to Truro
This morning, you have got a while to see a bit extra of Halifax earlier than heading to your subsequent vacation spot.
Should you keep on the Moxy, you will be actually near a beautiful “2-D” cafe known as Xena’s Bread and Butter, which is a superb spot to seize espresso and breakfast. After which from there you are near the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, which is a star-shaped army fort that gives historic excursions and displays (and a few nice views of Halifax).
I additionally went to take a look at the Halifax Central Library, which has very cool structure and even a rooftop seating space. It is close to Grafton Road, too, the place yow will discover fairly a little bit of avenue artwork.
After that, it is time to get your automobile and head north to the city of Truro.
Truro is a centrally-located metropolis with a historic downtown and shut proximity to some very cool adventures. In your means into city, I like to recommend stopping on the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre if it is open (it is solely open on weekdays). This can be a excellent spot to be taught in regards to the native indigenous Mi’kmaq tradition, and it has a pleasant present store that includes work by native Indigenous artists.
Then you possibly can go and verify into your cabin at Seek Wilderness Accommodations. This distinctive glamping web site affords yurts and comfy delivery container cabins alongside Victoria Park, a big park with mountaineering and mountain biking trails in a quiet, wooded space.
The cabins listed below are extraordinarily cute and outfitted with all the pieces you want in your keep, together with a kitchen, plus a grill and fireside exterior. The cabins all have outside sizzling tubs, too!
When you get settled in, head into Truro for dinner. I like to recommend Murphy’s Fish & Chips, which serves up the most effective fish and chips!
Complete driving time at this time: 1 hour
The place to remain in Truro (2 nights): Guide a sea container cabin at Seek Wilderness Accommodations; these are so cute and comfy, they usually all have sizzling tubs exterior.
Day 3: Bay of Fundy
Right this moment is your day to discover the Bay of Fundy! This bay between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is thought for having the very best tides within the total world.
You are going to want to prepare your day round tide occasions as a way to do the issues I am recommending right here, and please be aware that occasions for tidal bores, excessive tide, and low tide do change every day! So be sure that to verify them earlier than your journey.
Throughout my journey, the tide was coming in within the morning, so I headed to the Fundy Discovery Site first to see the tidal bore coming in. A tidal bore is principally a small but highly effective wave that travels *up* a river or slim bay in opposition to the present because the tide begins to return in. The scale of the wave can differ, however you possibly can very clearly see it transferring up the Salmon River in Truro.
Examine the time of the tidal bore, and attempt to get to the Fundy Discovery Web site at the least 15-20 minutes beforehand. It is available in fairly quick, and for those who miss it, you miss it.
Within the afternoon, you have got a pair choices relying in your pursuits, the tide occasions, and the way adventurous you wish to be. The choices I like to recommend embrace:
- Discover Victoria Park – This wooded park in Truro covers 3,000 acres, and is full of mountaineering trails for all talents. It is proper subsequent to Search Wilderness Lodging, too.
- Go Tidal Bore Rafting within the Bay of Fundy – That is positively extra of an journey, and excursions particularly run at excessive tide. Guide a rafting journey with Shubie River Wranglers in Inexperienced Oaks (roughly half-hour from Truro), the place you possibly can journey the tidal bore waves on the Shubenacadie River in Zodiac boats. Mud sliding is included afterwards, so be ready to get soiled!
- Stroll on the ocean ground at Burntcoat Head Park – If low tide is at a handy time, you possibly can drive out to a bit of park known as Burntcoat Head and truly stroll out on the ocean ground on the level the place the very best tides ever have been recorded! You may solely do that inside 3 hours of low tide on both facet (and the nearer to low tide, the higher), however it’s tremendous distinctive. The park is open till nightfall from mid-Might via mid-October.
And for those who do not wish to do any of these issues? You may discover a bit extra in Truro. I extremely suggest visiting NovelTea Bookstore & Items and NovelTea Coffeehouse & Cafe.
For dinner tonight, Parichat’s Asia Thai Restaurant in Truro can be my choose, or try Murphy’s for those who did not go there final evening.
Complete driving time at this time: It relies upon; for those who go all the way in which out to Burntcoat Head Park (the furthest from Truro), it will be 2 hours complete of driving.
The place to remain in Truro (2 nights): Keep once more tonight at Seek Wilderness Accommodations in a sea container cabin.
Day 4: Bison to Porters Lake
You may have a slower morning at this time earlier than packing up and leaving Truro.
The primary exercise I like to recommend for this morning is stopping at Lindsay Lake Farms to satisfy a bison herd! The farm is run by a German couple with an excellent attention-grabbing story. Their focus is on sustainable farming practices, and you may e book a tour of the farm (in a G-Wagon!) to be taught extra in regards to the bison herd and the farm on the whole.
Afterwards, take pleasure in a lovely picnic in view of the bison!
I really like getting super-local like this, and the thought and care that goes into all of the experiences at Lindsay Lake Farm is obvious. Simply you should definitely e book this (by e mail) at the least 2 weeks prematurely! You will discover all their choices here on their website.
Should you e book your bison go to round lunchtime, you will have time to make one other cease or two on the way in which to your subsequent lodging. You are headed for Porters Lake, and I like to recommend taking the route that goes via Musquodoboit Harbour on freeway 357.
You can also make a cease at Steeple Inexperienced Books, which is an excellent cute bookstore inside a transformed church in Musquodoboit Harbour that sells each new and used books. There is a store cat, and infrequently two canines inside, too, so for those who’re an animal-lover you will particularly love this spot!
You additionally may wish to cease someplace to seize meals for dinner tonight, as I’ve a sense you are not going to wish to depart your lodging to return out (belief me). In Musquodoboit Harbour, you could possibly cease in to Uprooted Market & Cafe to seize a tasty wrap or sandwich, or you could possibly cease at Gazoo’s in Porters Lake for takeout seafood.
(There’s additionally an Atlantic Superstore in Porters Lake the place you possibly can choose up pre-made meals, or stuff to prepare dinner your self.)
Your vacation spot for this night is Nalu Retreat, a tucked-away spot the place the lodging is within the type of luxurious glamping domes! That is certainly one of my favourite locations I stayed the entire 12 months, and I believe it will be a standout for you, too.
The domes are up on a hill overlooking Porters Lake (Dome #2 has the most effective lake views), and every dome has a full kitchen, cozy front room with secluded views, a comfortable mattress with sufficient pillows to get misplaced in, a big rest room, and even a stargazing loft! Outdoors, every dome has a personal deck with chairs, a firepit, and a small sizzling tub.
Add in all of the small touches like aromatherapy, sound machines, robes and slippers, and tons of cozy touches, and you will quickly perceive why I stated you in all probability will not wish to depart when you verify in.
This night, take pleasure in your dome to the fullest! I discussed a lot of choices for dinner, however know that you may additionally pre-book food instantly from Nalu Retreat. You simply must e book this prematurely (they will inventory your fridge earlier than you arrive), and know that the meals choices typically serve at the least 2.
Complete driving time at this time: 2 hours quarter-hour. And please be aware that once you put Lindsay Lake Farms into your GPS from Truro, it’d attempt to route you away from the numbered highways and attempt to take you down some logging roads. Don’t comply with this! Be sure you’re taking a route that makes use of numbered highways; I like to recommend Trunk 2 to Freeway 224.
The place to remain in Porters Lake (2 nights): I extremely suggest staying at a luxurious dome at Nalu Retreat tonight — you will wish to e book this prematurely to make sure you may get the dates you need, however it’s 100% value it.
Day 5: Southern seashores
You can decide to start out your morning with a therapeutic massage in your glamping dome (once more, that is one thing you possibly can pre-book via Nalu Retreat), or simply benefit from the quiet and nature.
Should you want breakfast or espresso this morning, cease at Pure Cafe, a cute spot with views of the lake. It is also close to a unusual place you may also wish to drive via: a trailer group the place the streets are named This, That, and The Different.
When you’re prepared to go away for the day, I like to recommend visiting some close by seashores if the climate is good. Martinique Seaside is gorgeous and price seeing (and is a superb spot to absorb some solar on the sand), and Lawrencetown Seaside is common with surfers.
Decide one to see, or maybe go to each like I did!
A little bit additional away, you could possibly additionally drive out to Fisherman’s Cove, an enthralling historic fishing village in Jap Passage. There is a small museum right here (the Fisherman’s Cove Heritage Centre), in addition to a boardwalk with retailers, galleries, and locations to eat.
For dinner tonight, go for one thing relaxed again in Porters Lake (The Hungry Beagle is nice), or e book a desk at Lupin Dining & Pantry in West Petpeswick for one thing fancy; they provide a 7-course farm-to-table chef’s tasting menu throughout the summer season months.
Complete driving time at this time: It’ll differ relying on the place you go! Count on at the least 2 hours complete of driving for those who’re simply going to hit up the seashores; for those who drive to Fisherman’s Cove as effectively, count on nearer to three hours complete of driving.
The place to remain in Porters Lake (2 nights): Keep once more tonight in your dome at Nalu Retreat.
Day 6: Peggy’s Cove and Mahone Bay
It is time to say farewell to your dome this morning (and sure, it will be laborious to go away!). Get an earlier begin so you possibly can have a full day exploring some new spots.
The primary cease it is best to make is previous Halifax at Peggy’s Cove, which is an artsy fishing village with a well-known lighthouse on the jap shore of St. Margarets Bay. Peggy’s Cove is kind of touristy as of late, however I believe the panorama and total vibe of this little group makes up for any potential crowds.
As soon as in Peggy’s Cove, take within the lighthouse views (for those who exit onto the rocks, please be very cautious and do not get wherever close to the black rocks or something that appears moist), hit up a number of the native present retailers and artwork galleries (there’s a lot locally-made stuff on the market!), and positively get a lobster roll from Tom’s Lobster Shack for lunch.
From Peggy’s Cove, you possibly can proceed alongside the South Shore to the city of Mahone Bay, the place you possibly can base your self for the final 2 nights of your journey.
A lot of folks cross via Mahone Bay on their approach to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Lunenburg, however Mahone Bay is effectively value a go to by itself. (However don’t fret, we’ll go to Lunenburg, too!)
Whenever you arrive this afternoon, verify into your lodging at Black Forest Cabins. These ethereal wooden cabins are tucked away in a bit of copse of bushes hung with twinkly lights — however they’re truly a brief drive or stroll from the middle of city!
Should you arrive within the afternoon, a enjoyable cease to make is at The BernArt Maze, roughly a 5-minute drive exterior of Mahone Bay. This is kind of what it says on the tin: a cool maze full of artworks of every kind and sizes! The maze is open between late June (it opens on Summer time Solstice every year) and early October, and is a enjoyable detour to make for about an hour.
This night, seize a drink at Saltbox Brewery in Mahone Bay, after which e book dinner at Betty’s at The Kitch.
Complete driving time at this time: You may spend about 2.5 hours on the street at this time; it is 1.5 hours from Nalu Retreat to Peggy’s Cove, after which one other hour from there to Mahone Bay.
The place to remain in Mahone Bay (2 nights): Keep in one of many studio cabins at Black Forest Cabins, that are cozy however actually spacious. There is a cedar sauna on web site that each one company have entry to, too.
Day 7: Mahone Bay and Lunenburg
For a fast breakfast this morning, both drive a couple of minutes to Boulangerie La Vendéenne for some scrumptious French pastries, or head simply down the road out of your cabin to The Barn Espresso & Social Home.
Then this morning, you may prefer to hire a motorcycle from Sweet Ride Cycling to discover a little bit of city and a portion of the multi-use trails that run proper via Mahone Bay (just like the Dynamite Path or Bay to Bay Path). You too can journey over to Oakland Highway to get the basic picture of Mahone Bay’s iconic Three Church buildings.
The opposite possibility in your morning is to only discover a bit extra of Mahone Bay on foot. You may go to the small Mahone Bay Museum, see an illustration at Amos Pewter, and go to the lovely Faerie Trails in a bit of backyard within the heart of city.
For lunch, seize a desk on the outside patio at The Bare Oyster Seafood and Grill, or go for a faster lunch on the Well-known City Pie Store.
After lunch, it is time to make the brief drive to the historic city of Lunenburg. Lunenburg — and particularly the previous metropolis heart — was based in 1753 by the British, and is acknowledged by UNESCO as being “the best-surviving instance of a deliberate British colonial settlement in North America.”
It is value it to take a stroll to see all of the colourful wood buildings and church buildings on the town, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is a superb spot to be taught in regards to the space’s ongoing fishing business.
Lunenburg can be house to the well-known Bluenose II ship, which affords harbor cruises twice per day in addition to the prospect to stroll across the decks when she’s docked in between cruises.
Seize a drink tonight at both Lightship Brewery (which has nice Lunenburg views) or Shipwright Brewing Firm Taproom + Kitchen (which additionally makes fabulous pizzas). Some good spots for dinner embrace The Seaside Pea Kitchen & Bar, The Half Shell Oysters & Seafood, and The South Shore Fish Shack.
After which it is a brief drive again to Mahone Bay for the evening.
Complete driving time at this time: half-hour (it solely takes quarter-hour to drive to Lunenburg)
The place to remain in Mahone Bay (2 nights): Keep once more at Black Forest Cabins.
Day 8: Halifax and residential
That is the top of my itinerary, so it is time to head again to Halifax and fly house. (The Halifax Stanfield Worldwide Airport is just about 1.5 hours from Mahone Bay.)
Hopefully you’ll have had a enjoyable and distinctive street journey round Nova Scotia!
When you have extra time…
If you wish to prolong your journey to 10 days and even 2 weeks, another locations you may like so as to add to this journey embrace Yarmouth (one other coastal city), Annapolis Royal (based by the French in 1605, it is one of many oldest European settlements in North America), and Cape Breton Island (the place you possibly can drive the Cabot Path and go to Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park).
I didn’t go to any of these spots on this explicit street journey, nevertheless, so I am not together with them right here! If you wish to add any of them, although, I might say you want at the least 1 additional day for every, and doubtless 2 additional days for Cape Breton.
Who’s able to plan a Nova Scotia street journey now?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey via the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!