Top Things to do in Nova Scotia
Top Hotels in Nova Scotia
- 1. Maritime Inn Antigonish
- 2. Prince George Hotel
- 3. Comfort Hotel Bayer's Lake
- 4. The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
- 5. Cambridge Suites - Halifax
- 6. The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax
- 7. Comfort Hotel Bayer's Lake
- 8. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Halifax - Dartmouth
- 9. Chateau Bedford, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 10. Hampton Inn by Hilton Halifax Downtown
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Nova Scotia That You Shouldn't Miss
From Yarmouth to Sydney, Nova Scotia is full of scenic landscapes, rich history, and interesting local culture. Sights and fun experiences abound in Nova Scotia, and there is a little bit of something for everyone. Soak up the beauty and serenity to be found in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, or head to Cape Breton Highlands National Park for the stunning landscape and wildlife. Explore the history of the area at Louisbourg's Fortress Louisbourg, or hike the Skyline Trail in Ingonish.
Restaurants in Nova Scotia
1. Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,529 reviews
Treasures abound throughout the headlands and rugged cliffs of Cape Breton Highlands with its abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery and human history dating back to the last Ice Age.
Reviewed By live2love_love2live - Wilmington, United States
There is so much to see, do, and explore in this beautiful area of Nova Scotia. If you love a variety of hiking trails, great photo opportunities, chance encounters with wildlife, remote/quiet locations, and unsurpassed beauty, then you MUST visit this national park.
2. Annapolis Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By tshep42 - Halifax, Canada
This is a beautiful rural region of NS. Probably the most popular thing to do is the wineries. A number is great companies have wine tours. For us beer drinkers though, there’s some nice breweries to visit. This is the farming capital of NS and I recommend a visit during the apple blossom festival. It’s great doing a u-pick for apples as well. There is some excellent restaurants in Wolfville and Kentville, some small theatre companies, and world famous scallops in Digby. There’s great parks and hikes in, for example, Blomidon and Cape Split.
3. Halifax Central Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,108 reviews
Reviewed By RDHiscott - Lion's Head, Canada
This modern new building replaces the old Halifax Memorial Library on Spring Garden Road – it is a large building with open glass walls with great views of the city, along with a rooftop terrace with some spectacular paroramic vistas of the Halifax waterfront. Check out the modern art design of an entire wall devoted to cards from the library card catalogue of another era … some of us still remember doing library searches that way! Very impressive architecture, beautiful building!
4. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,717 reviews
Experience an exciting part of Canada's history by visiting this 19th-century fort with a sweeping view of downtown Halifax. Between May and October, the Citadel is brought to life by two historic regiments of the British Army - the pageantry of the 78th Highlanders and the precision of the Royal Artillery thrill visitors daily with live re-enactments. The skirl of the bagpipes mixes with the crack of a rifle and the assembly of recruits for the next foot drill. There's no shortage of authentic experiences to view and participate in! Kids will love the Xplorers Program - an activity book just for them. When the sun sets, it's time to experience the other side of the Citadel - join the Citadel Ghost Walk and experience the dark and errie lore from the early 1800's. Tours start mid-July and run every Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8:30pm until the end of October. Cash at the front gate.
Reviewed By SophiaIneson - Exeter, United Kingdom
I visited the Citadel as a solo traveller. I went on a free guided tour which was very informative and interesting, they have demonstrations throughout the day of shooting the rifles and the canon which goes off at noon. I would advise people to visit in the morning to make the most of it. They also have many exhibitions you can visit to warm up a bit of the weather is poor. The whole site is well maintained and all of the staff are in traditional costume which is really cool.
5. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,164 reviews
Immerse yourself in the rich marine history depicted by this museum's vast collection from binnacles and buoys to anchors and armaments.
Reviewed By B1698RKmichaelh - Burke, United States
This museum has some of the most beautiful ship models, sailboats of unique designs from the Maritime region and artifacts of the wrecks so abundant on the shoreline of Nova Scotia. And to add to this is actual artifacts from the Titanic! Including an actual deck chair. Great displays and fund for the whole family
6. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,880 reviews
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is located in the national historic site at the Halifax seaport where nearly one million immigrants landed in Canada from 1928 to 1971. Today, as Canada’s sixth national museum, we share the ongoing story of immigration to Canada—past to present, and coast to coast. Our exhibits immerse visitors in the immigration experience and allow for a deeper understanding of how newcomers shape our country. Our staff and collections provide opportunities for visitors to discover the countless journeys to Canada and find their own family’s connection to the story. Countless Journeys. One Canada.
Reviewed By rayp775 - Ipswich, United Kingdom
Visited here on our first full day in Halifax and a short walk from our stay. Would certainly recommend the guided tour and our guide George, an immigrant who passed through Pier 21 added immensely to our enjoyment, being able to bring to life the process and hopes and fears of all those who journeyed to a new world. With many artefacts donated by families this offers a great insight into the development of both Halifax and wider Canada and its multi-cultural make-up today. Great visit.
7. Point Pleasant Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
Have a picnic with sweeping ocean views or hike through 186 acres of forest in one of Halifax's most cherished parks.
Reviewed By nroe - Brackley Beach, Canada
Halifax residents should be very proud of this gem of a green space at the tip of the city. Wonderful walks, great vistas, lots of parking, Dog friendly and lots of off leash areas for the furry pals. Bouncing back nicely from the hurricane damage of Juan.
8. Fairview Lawn Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 781 reviews
The final and noteworthy resting place for many of the victims of the Titanic.
Reviewed By championam - Paducah, United States
I have wanted to visit this cemetery since I was a small child and learned of its existence. I am not 47 years old and I will tell you that young kids that don't LOVE the Titanic won't have much fun here. It is nothing but 4 rows of 121 passengers of the RMS Titanic. There is not much to give you a clue as to whom the folks are so you may want to brush up on the names before you go. Buried here is a trimmer by the name of J Dawson (Joseph), a member of the band (John Hume), Sidney Goodwin who was the unknown child and James McGrady (the last body pulled from the Atlantic).
9. Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,088 reviews
This museum chronicles the life and career of Alexander Graham Bell with its rich collection of artifacts and documents accumulated by Dr. Bell and his family during their time in Nova Scotia.
Reviewed By SueK167 - Laguna Woods, United States
Had no idea the many contributions made by Alexander Bell in addition to the telephone, ie aviation, hearing impaired, boating, conservation, etc, etc. Beautiful museum displaying this man's many talents with minimal education. Highly recommend when in Baddeck NS
10. Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 902 reviews
2020 Guided Tour Experience In order to keep our visitors and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have adapted the museum experience we offer this season. We are offering a guided tour of the first floor. The small group sizes allow for easy physical distancing and the wearing of a non-medical face mask is strongly recommended while on site. This high value experience gives the opportunity to discover how our ocean connects to our maritime identity. Small groups sizes allow for the benefit of a 1 to 5 staff to visitor ratio, and our staff are wow makers! Our ocean is a pillar of Nova Scotia’s natural and cultural heritage. We identify with our ocean but what are we doing to protect it? This tour will touch on some ocean preservation initiatives plus more! To book your tour: Call 902-930- FISH (3474)
Reviewed By cliffl973
My wife and I visited in late September. We expected to breeze through in maybe half an hour. Actually spent a couple of hours, and it was educational and informative and very entertaining. They have the best collections of shipbuilding tools I've seen, and a wonderful old birchbark canoe—just two of the many highlights of our visit. And make sure to view the cod-cleaning video by Rosie Tanner (I bough a DVD copy at the well-stocked gift shop for a friend who fancies himself an expert fish cleaner). Lisa, the interpretive guide at the aquarium, was personable, enthusiastic, and a font of knowledge. My only suggestion for the acquarium might be that they provide a nook or crevice for the Wolf Fish to retire to when he's feeling shy. On our two-week driving tour of Western Nova Scotia, this was certainly one of the most enjoyable experiences.
