Nova Scotia Holidays

From the 150-year-old settlements on the banks of the Bay of Fundy, to the vast wilderness overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia holidays showcase the best of Canada’s history and wildlife. Examine the Mi'kmaq petroglyphs beside the white sand beaches of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Visit the Ross Farm Museum, explore the 17th-century Fort Anne National Historic Site, and wander 10 acres of historic horticultural scenes at Annapolis Royal. And, after a busy day, why not grab a bite to eat at the vibrant harbour in Halifax?

Nature-lovers will find plenty to do, too. Enjoy the many hiking trails at Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park, and set out on a winding scenic drive around Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Black bears, beavers, moose, foxes, wolves and whales are all found in this beautiful corner of Canada. And, if you turn your eyes to the sky, you might also spot bald eagles, peregrine falcons and great horned owls. So Nova Scotia is the perfect choice for wildlife and wilderness lovers of all ages.

Old sits beside new in Nova Scotia’s bustling capital, Halifax. Take a stroll along the boardwalk by Halifax Harbour, where tugs still zip around the water, and relax with a drink and a bite at one of many bars and restaurants. You can feast on fresh seafood as you listen to a lively mariachi soundtrack, against a backdrop of colourful heritage buildings.

Step into Nova Scotia’s past at the hilltop fortress of Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, just beyond the Old Town Clock, and look back at the striking views across the city and its harbour. Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Or visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to learn about the town’s efforts to save passengers from the stricken Titanic. Wander Halifax Public Gardens – the oldest Victorian gardens in North America – or take a daytrip north to Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park, and explore the 40 hectares of open parkland. 

Cape Breton Island is worth a visit during your Nova Scotia holiday. Start in Baddeck – the holiday home of Alexander Graham Bell – and explore 180 miles of winding scenic road around the north of the island. You can pass through mountains to lookout points, where you can see whales swimming in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Descend to secluded sandy beaches, or pause for a while in the small roadside communities featuring artisan eateries and unique boutiques. In Cape Breton Highlands National Park, you can venture across more than 500 square miles of wilderness, home to deer, moose, beavers and eagles. You should also check out the small Acadian town of Chéticamp and spend a night in the mid-18th-century among the 40 preserved buildings of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Here, you can step back in time to the 1700s, as servants bake fresh bread, cannons fire, and soldiers keep the peace with their muskets.

Beautiful and diverse Nova Scotia offers something different each season. Summer is the most popular time to visit, with July and August temperatures reaching over 20°C. Crowds flock to enjoy the beautiful beaches and many festivals in Halifax, Baddeck and beyond.

Autumn and spring bring new colours and laidback days, ideal for exploring the wilderness. This makes May, June, September or October a great time to discover the many attractions of Nova Scotia’s cities, parks and countryside.

Winter temperatures drop below freezing, meaning fewer visitors. An enchanting stillness falls across the province, while plentiful snowfalls make the peaks perfect for skiing.