Looking at Nova Scotia on a map, the first thing you’re likely to notice is that it either resembles a lobster or a duck. In this region bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, you’ll encounter one of the highest tides in the world, beautifully preserved French Acadian villages, fishing villages founded by both Black Loyalists and European settlers, and lands the Indigenous Mi’kmaq have called home for thousands of years, full of undulating highs and lows. The biggest problem you’ll face is deciding which summer-centric destination to visit first, but we’ve got plenty of ideas to get you started.

Halifax

We’ll start with our very own Halifax. Nova Scotia’s capital is rich in entertainment options, history, cultural heritage, and lovely outdoor spaces perfect for a summer’s day out and about. A walk on the waterfront is a great way to get started, and a stop off at Pier 21’s museums is a good way to get to grips with the history of the city. The Queens Marque isn’t far away either: a fresh new waterfront development that can offer visitors some of the best restaurants in the city, high-end accommodation, and a lovely stairway that leads directly into the ocean- perfect for a dip!

There are music venues like the Split Crow perfect for a dance and a drink after the sun goes down, and a convenient harbour ferry to get you across the harbour to Dartmouth, where you can enjoy a day in an urban village that has a fun, nostalgic feel to it.

Halifax is a wonderful place to start off any Nova Scotia trip, thanks to its bustling airport, which accepts both commercial and private jet charter planes, and its position as a hub that allows access to the rest of the region.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

From the city to the most beautiful, unspoiled nature you could ever hope to see: Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This stop along the Cabot Trail offers either an exciting day trip or an opportunity to get back to nature by spending time in one of the park’s eight well-maintained and safe campgrounds. A road trip is a wonderful way to see the park, thanks to its winding roads that take you through some truly stunning areas, but camping gives you a chance to relax and experience nature up close and personal. Visitors can hike or bike through the park or take a swim in one of the many lakes and rivers to cool down after a hot day.

Annapolis Valley

If you’re a fan of delicious wines and sprawling, green vineyards, then you might want to make a stop in the Annapolis Valley. There are a number of expansive local vineyards which offer tasting tours and the chance to enjoy a delicious meal in their onsite restaurants. Benjamin Bridge Vineyards, Bent Ridge Winery, or Planters Ridge would be great places to start.

While you’re in the area, a stop off at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens will offer you a chance to relax and just enjoy 17 acres of bright, colourful and well-maintained gardens. There’s also the town of Digby, which visitors seek out from miles away for the world-famous scallops that are made there and for the awe-inspiring Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa.

100 Wild Islands

Though this chain of islands isn’t 100 strong in reality (technically it’s 282 little specks of land), it’s a wonderful place to experience the nature and wildlife that make Nova Scotia the destination it is. The best way to see these islands, some of which are forested, some fringed by sandy and pebbly beaches, some so small they could barely hold a few people, is by kayak tour. You’ll glide through beautiful blue and green waters along a 20-mile-long stretch of coast and islands with one of the many certified and reliable kayak tour companies in the area. If you book with Murphy’s Camping for a nature escape while you’re around, you could also get the chance to gather fresh, wild mussels for a seafood cookout.

Tatamagouche

This tiny town has character in excess, and it’s a place you won’t want to leave once you’ve arrived. Tatamagouche, on the north shore, has a bouquet of beautiful stops for visiting tourists but still manages to feel like an authentic place to spend time—a balance that is challenging to find. There’s Tatamagouche Brewing for those who love a local craft beer, Appleton Chocolates for those with a sweet tooth, and Creamery Square, which was named to honour the town’s agrarian roots.

A short drive south will reward you with sights like the Balmoral Grist Mill, where you can enjoy the most delicious oat cakes. Driving to the east, toward Seafoam Lavender, will give you the chance to stroll through fragrant fields of flowers, and in Pictou, you can visit a replica of the ship that brought the very first Scottish settlers to the area, the Hector.

Summer is Calling

Nova Scotia in the summer is a riot of exciting activities, natural beauty waiting to be explored, and a rich history ready to be uncovered. Now that you know where to spend your summer, it’s time to get packing and make your way to Nova Scotia.