Lobster & Lighthouses: A trip to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of those places that most people know by name but can’t place on a map. Situated on the ragged shores of eastern Canada, Nova Scotia might miss the tourist radar of many, but its maritime history is as old as the Americas, it’s got a dramatic picturesque shoreline, quaint villages and, of course, no shortage of lobster and lighthouses. Here’s how to make your way around Canada’s Atlantic province.

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Peaceful Peggy’s Cove filled with bobbing boats and wood planked houses – Photo by GettingStamped.com

A great way to start your trip to Nova Scotia is by making a visit to Peggy’s Cove. This narrow cove on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay pretty much sums up the province in a nutshell. Here you can climb over the smooth rocky coastline to get a peek at the famous Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Either side of the cove is lined with wood-planked buildings painted in traditional bright red. Once you’ve snapped your pictures take a break and find yourself a classic lobster roll.

Lunenburg is a must visit when in Nova Scotia – Photo by GettingStamped.com

Further down the road is the UNESCO world heritage site of the town of Lunenburg. This deep and wide cove boasts a large harbor with an entire village full of classic, brightly colored wooden buildings behind the docks. Lunenburg could easily fill an entire day of your trip as you wander the wharf and walk the charming little streets. If you’re short on time it can also be covered in an afternoon, but be sure to stick around for a classic, colorful sunset shot by hopping on a sunset boat tour that cruises around the harbor as the sun sinks behind the village.

Catch a kayak to the lighthouse on George’s Island – Photo by GettingStamped.com

The “big city” of the province is Halifax, which is actually bigger than most expect. The city has a short skyline and two massive bridges connecting it to the rest of the surrounding islands. Halifax has enough to do to fill a few days of your itinerary with many good restaurants and outdoor activitiesin and aroundthe city. Most of the action happens around the waterfront with bike and kayak rentals being some of the most popular ways to explore the city and surrounding nature.

One of Canada’s most photographed spots, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse – Photo by GettingStamped.com

Back outside the city, there are miles and miles of beautiful coastline to explore. A rental car is a great way to see all that Nova Scotia has to offer. Home to around 150 lighthouses, Nova Scotia has a route that runs the perimeter of the province weaving in and out of the many coves and peninsulas. The Lighthouse Route will guide you by green and white road signs to some of Nova Scotia’s best maritime beacons.

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Relax on the rocky shoreline – Photo by GettingStamped.com

As stunning as Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove are, some of the most memorable stops will more than likely be the ones that you stumble upon along the way. When driving around Nova Scotia, leave some extra time in your schedule for spontenaneity.

In Nova Scotia, you can get scallops added to just about everything – Photo by GettingStamped.com

The culinary scene is strong in the province with easy access to excellent seafood. Nova Scotians know their seafood, especially lobster and sea scallops. The seafood is fresh, so you really can’t go wrong however, if you’re looking for an especially nice meal while in Halifax, try the Bicycle Thief on the waterfront.

Lunenburg is one of the best places to catch a sunset – Photo by GettingStamped.com

As the sun begins to make its daily journey toward the horizon, the sky lights up with pinks and oranges. There’s no better way to finish a day in Nova Scotia than watching it set while enjoying some delicious seafood outside overlooking the water.

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