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Explore picturesque lighthouses, lay out on the beach and trek along miles of hiking trails overlooking the ocean in this scenic maritime province.
Nova Scotia is almost completely surrounded by ocean, making it a terrific choice for tourists looking to smell the fresh salty air and escape from the mainland. Hike or cycle your way along sunny coastal beach paths, climb up to the tops of lighthouses and tour the capital for a range of cultural attractions.
Visit the capital, Halifax, for waterfront views, fascinating museums and Victorian flower gardens. Taste the local cuisine at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market and stroll along the boardwalk at Fisherman’s Cove, a restored fishing village. Learn about maritime discovery at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and listen to an open-air concert in the Halifax Public Gardens.
Beach lovers should head to the Northumberland Shore region, where warm-water beaches stretch for miles across the coast. Visit the Cape George Lighthouse for panoramic views of St. George’s Bay. Mountain biking is popular at Keppoch Mountain and Trenton Park. Travel to Seafoam to taste lavender ice cream at Seafoam Lavender Farm.
Over on the Eastern Shore, hike the Liscomb River Trail, whose star feature is a suspension bridge overlooking a waterfall. For more outdoor fun, kayak along the coast, go swimming at Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park and cycle along the Musquodoboit Harbour Trailway.
On the tip of Nova Scotia is Cape Breton Island, home to the Cabot Trail, a scenic coastal-view path. Take a guided walk in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and if you are feeling fit, attempt the 10-Trails-in-One-Day Challenge. Visit the Louisbourg Lighthouse for uninterrupted views of the Fortress of Louisbourg, a reconstructed defensive fort.
To reach Nova Scotia by air, fly into the main airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For views of Nova Scotia from the sea, arrive by ferry. Ferry services depart from several Canadian ports. Renting a car is the most efficient way of touring the area, although motorcycles are also popular for zipping along coastal roads.
Nova Scotia is a popular vacation destination offering an appealing mixture of nature, culture and adventure.
