1 Week in Nova Scotia: The Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary

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1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 1 (Halifax)

After flying into the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and picking up our rental car, Justin and I drove to the capital city of Halifax. We're spending two nights in Halifax, including a day and a half in the city and a day trip to try tidal bore rafting.

Depending on what time you arrive in Halifax, feel free to shift the activities over the next day and a half to fit your travel schedule.

I'll be mentioning some specific places to visit in downtown Halifax, but take the time to go for a walk around the downtown core. Admire the street art, as well as the 18th and 19th century architecture.

The Halifax Waterfront

One of the most popular places to visit in Halifax is the Halifax Waterfront. It has one of the world's longest urban boardwalks spanning 4km, from Pier 21 at the Halifax Seaport to Casino Nova Scotia.

At the Halifax Waterfront, there are tons of dining options, opportunities to go shopping, or simply walk around and admire the views. You can rent bikes or kayaks from the waterfront area, too.

A newer waterfront neighbourhood in the middle of downtown Halifax is the Queen's Marque District. It's quickly become a destination in Halifax for dining and shopping.

At the same time, there's also a collection of public art by local and international artists. Don't miss "Sail" by Edoardo Tresoldi, a 20-foot work of art made from wire, mesh and lighting that resembles a ghost ship floating on the water.

If you find yourself with more time, you can take a ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth for even more urban exploring.

Halifax Central Library

From there, we continued our walk through downtown Halifax and couldn't help but admire this remarkable building. This is the Halifax Central Library, an architecturally stunning building both inside and out.

Its exterior resembles a stack of books and the beauty of this building continues inside throughout its several floors. Light flows into the central atrium and crisscrossed stairs and walkways span across several floors of the structure.

Don't miss the artwork on both the first and fifth floors entitled "Book Shelf Paintings", which is a total of 6000 miniature paintings in the size of library catalog index cards.

There's a cafe up on the fifth floor and a rooftop patio with great views of the city, dubbed as "Halifax's Living Room".

Spring Garden Road

Next, Spring Garden Road is a great place to do some shopping. Notably, we popped into Jennifer's of Nova Scotia, a gift shop that opened in 1978.

They only sell 100% locally made products and support the talents of over 200 artists and artisans from Atlantic Canada. We found all kinds of treasures here. 

The two of us also really enjoyed browsing at Bookmark. This is an independent local bookshop with all kinds of great finds, especially books penned by local authors.

Tucked just behind Spring Garden Road, Duly Noted Stationary is exactly the kind of shop that I love: quirky gifts, stationary, paper goods and stickers. I could have easily brought everything home with me.

Lunch at Wild Leek

For lunch, we popped into the Wild Leek in Halifax's West End. This is a 100% plant-based restaurant with a focus on seasonal local ingredients and comfort food.

It's located in a vibrant green building, you can't miss it. We ordered a burger and a burrito, and both were equally delicious. If you're ordering a side, consider getting the dragon fries. They're so flavourful!

Though we didn't have room for dessert, people were filing in and out solely for their sweet treats as we dined, so they must be pretty good!

Halifax Public Gardens

Halifax Public Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in the city, and it's one of the oldest surviving Victorian public gardens in all of North America.

The gardens were founded by the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836 and eventually grew to its present layout in 1875. We wandered around its multiple pathways to explore this tranquil landscape that totals 16 acres.

There are numerous species of trees, multiple flower beds, small replica ships in Griffin's pond, and of course, the historic bandstand (built in 1887 and restored in 2011). It was dedicated to Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and has been a venue for concerts for over 125 years.

In addition, there are two concrete bridges overlooking the gardens, a collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, a tropical and cactus garden, and a rose garden. This is also a National Historic Site and was recognized in 1984.

Halifax Harbour Hopper

Here's a great tour for first time visitors to the city or those looking to learn a little more about its history in a unique way. Halifax Harbour Hopper is a boat tour that invites you to sightsee by both land and sea.

We drove around the hilly streets of Halifax, even reaching the top of the Citadel National Historic Site. We learned all about the city's history and architecture from our informative guide.

Then, we quite literally drove down a ramp and took the plunge, right into the sea, the water splashed up against the sides of the boat which was quite the thrilling moment. From there, we continued to explore Halifax from the water, traveling around the harbour and past Georges Island.

It's a really unique sightseeing tour and the most popular tour in all of Atlantic Canada. Book your tickets here (it does sell out!).

Dinner at The Wooden Monkey

For dinner, we dined at the award winning restaurant, The Wooden Monkey. Their slogan is "a restaurant with a conscience" and they're very proud of being a farm to table establishment.

They put the environment and sustainability at the forefront, supporting local farmers while using fresh, local ingredients in their dishes. Since they are a climate friendly restaurant, it only makes sense that they have quite a few vegan options.

We ordered some vegan tacos, nachos and bruschetta bread. Justin and I were in the mood to share a few different appetizers, and this definitely hit the spot!

Where to Stay in Halifax (2 Nights)

The Westin Nova Scotian is one of the best places to stay in downtown Halifax. It's located right on the waterfront with views of Georges Island from your hotel room window.

It's a bright and modern place to stay with many great amenities, like complimentary Wi-Fi and an in-room mini fridge. This hotel also has an indoor heated pool and a spacious fitness centre.

There's an on-site restaurant called Seaport Social where we dined each morning for breakfast. The location is fantastic as you can leave your car behind for the day and walk all over the city.

Book your stay at The Westin Nova Scotian.

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 2 (Tidal Bore Rafting)

For day two of our week in Nova Scotia, we'll spend the morning in Halifax. Then, we'll spend the afternoon trying an outdoor activity that's completely unique to Nova Scotia, tidal bore rafting.

Breakfast at Seaport Social (The Westin Nova Scotian)

Seaport Social is the on-site restaurant at The Westin Nova Scotian. The menu features a wide array of fresh, local and seasonal fare. They're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, though we only dined here for breakfast.

I was really impressed with the dishes on the menu for breakfast. There was something for everyone...including me! I haven't seen this many vegan options at a hotel restaurant in a long while.

One morning, we ordered the avocado toast, which came topped with a tofu scramble. The following morning, we ordered the coconut banana French toast, which was also entirely plant-based.

Halifax's North End

Halifax's North End is a really cool neighbourhood in the city. There are many boutique shops, unique spots to dine, and cool coffee shops.

There's also vibrant street art and murals splashed across so many walls, which match perfectly with the colourful houses that line the streets.

The Independent Mercantile Co. is a fun place to shop with housewares and all kinds of unique finds. Next door, Monster Comic Lounge is filled to the brim with comic books and nerdy paraphernalia. Just up the road, Real Fake Meats is a favourite vegan butcher shop and deli.

Venturing farther northwest, the Hydrostone District is a National Heritage Site in the North End. Following the Halifax Explosion in 1917, the homes were all constructed with a similar English garden style theme. Also, the Hydrostone Market is home to many intriguing boutiques and restaurants.

Tidal Bore Rafting with Shubie River Wranglers

Tidal Bore Rafting is a true Nova Scotian experience. You won't find anything quite like this anywhere else in the world. We spent the afternoon tidal bore rafting with Shubie River Wranglers.

Tidal Bore Rafting is only made possible by the rising tides of the Bay of Fundy. These are the highest tides on earth.

The water levels shift twice daily and can rise by as much as 16 meters. When the water rises, it's at an alarmingly quick rate of 1 to 2 inches per minute.

How to Choose Your Tour

The rafting tours operate based on Bay of Fundy tidal charts that predict when high tide happens, so their schedule is continually in flux. You'll need to check their website to see when it's possible to go tidal bore rafting.

Also, there are three types of tours, based on the tides: regular tide (21-23.5 ft tides), high tide (23.6-24.5 ft tides) and extreme tide (24.6-29 ft tides). Our tour happened to be during an extreme tide and we were total beginners, so don't let this put you off. It was such an adventure!

You can also take a two hour tour or a four hour tour. Justin and I embarked on the shorter of the two and felt this was a great amount of time. The four hour tour is just a longer version of the shorter tour; you do all of the same activities, twice.

We ventured out in a zodiac boat with a motor on it. There's no need for paddles or helmets. The river doesn't contain any rocks, so you won't hit your head. Our tour guide maneuvers the boat through the waves, so simply hang on and enjoy the ride!

Playing in the Mud

Our first stop was essentially a muddy hill on the shores of the Shubenacadie River. The waters here look like chocolate milk due to the mud. It was time to feel like a kid again as we had ample time to slide down the hill into the mud!

Watching the Tides Rise

Next, all of the zodiac boats sailed over to a flat stretch of land in the middle of the river. We stood on the sea floor (trying not to sink into the mud!) and watched as the tides started to rise. The water quickly rose where we were standing, which was quite the unique phenomenon.

The Ultimate Rafting Adventure

Back in the boats, we watched as the water levels rose and waves started to form. As the incoming tide from the Bay of Fundy rises, the water clashes with the currents of the Shubie River creating these massive waves and rapids.

In our case, the waves were 12 feet high! Then, our guide drove full speed right into the waves. We flew into the air and the massive waves crashed into our boat, pelting us with huge amounts of water and even filling up our boat completely.

Once we reached the end of the waves, our guide turned us right around and we zipped into the waves again and again. I gripped the rope for dear life as I did not want to fall out, even though that was a possibility, I'm proud to say that no one ended up falling out.

Justin went up to the front of the boat at one point and urged me to follow, but I was pretty comfortable where I was. At the very end, I dared to sit up near the front right behind him, and this was even more of an adventure from the very front! There's nothing between you and the waves at this point.

There's nowhere else in the world that you can experience an activity quite like this one, so if you have an adventurous spirit, you need to come to Nova Scotia for tidal bore rafting.

Dinner at The BG - Halifax Beer Garden

The Halifax Beer Garden, aka The BG, is where we went for dinner and drinks on the Halifax Waterfront. It's voted as the best patio in Halifax and offers amazing views of the Halifax Harbour as you dine.

It's actually one of the largest patios I've ever seen, spanning two floors. There was understandably a line up to dine here, which ended up moving quickly as they are able to seat many groups of people.

On the menu, there's appetizers, seafood, burgers, hot dogs, tacos and comfort pub grub. We loved seeing all of the vegan options! We ordered a smash burger and a nacho dog with beer and a peach slushy. There are several flavours of boozy slushies that you can even order as a tower!

The Halifax Waterfront

We started our couple of days in Halifax with a walk around the waterfront, so it only made sense to visit again at the end of our time here. The Halifax Waterfront has a different vibe in the evening.

Restaurant patios and cafes are lively places to be. After we dined at The BG, we went for a stroll and stopped for ice cream, as many visitors do.

The Fog Company is a newer spot in Queen's Marquee that serves up delicious ice cream and a unique concept. You can get "fog" (cotton candy) wrapped around your ice cream cone for a special treat. And they have dairy-free/vegan options, too!

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 3 (Wolfville and Grand Pre)

It's day three of our Nova Scotia one week itinerary, and we're venturing outside of Halifax to the Annapolis Valley. Justin and I are spending two days in Grand Pre, Wolfville, Port Williams and beyond.

Tangled Garden

Tangled Garden has been 30 years in the making and started with owner Beverly McClare's passions for art, gardening and food. We stopped by the property, situated on the owner's home, on our way into Wolfville.

Wandering around the garden is such a peaceful experience. The garden paths lead you to numerous garden rooms that change through the seasons.

There are hedges, perennials and grasses surrounding ponds, sculptures, a reflection room, and a flowering labyrinth. The garden tea room is a picturesque stop along the way.

Once you're done wandering the gardens, visit the shop on your way out to sample delicious creations made from freshly picked herbs in the garden. Beverly takes herbs and fruits, picked daily from the garden, and transforms them into jams, jellies, mustards, vinegars and more.

There is a small admission fee to enter the garden. Anyone can stop by to taste the products or purchase items from the shop. We brought home a collection of savory jams and jellies that were unlike anything we've ever tried.

Lunch at Troy Restaurant and Grill

Troy Restaurant and Grill is a Mediterranean restaurant in Wolfville where we stopped for lunch. As a side note, if you happen to visit on a Friday evening, there's live music every Friday.

It's proudly owned by two alumni of Acadia University who fell in love with the Annapolis Valley while studying here. Their menu features fresh and local ingredients sourced from the region.

The menu is very friendly for dietary restrictions. The vegan-friendly and gluten-free options are clearly labeled. We ordered a trio of dips, a falafel wrap and a grilled tofu wrap. This was one of my favourite meals of the entire trip. Everything tasted so fresh and flavourful.

Domaine de Grand Pre Winery

Since Wolfville is at the heart of Nova Scotia Wine Country, Justin and I took a tour at Atlantic Canada's oldest farm winery, Grand Pre Winery. The winery was started by Hanspeter Stutz (stootz) from Switzerland who moved with his family to Nova Scotia to create a world class winery here.

On our tour, we walked around the beautiful property to see the vineyards and then headed straight to the tasting room. While we sampled several wines, it's important to try the Tidal Bay when you visit wineries here.

Tidal Bay is Nova Scotia's signature wine and must be made from 100% Nova Scotian grown grapes. It's cool and crisp with lively fresh green fruit, and relatively low in alcohol, no more than 11%.

Dinner at The Church Brewing Co

The Church Brewing Co is a brewery inside a restored stone church. Although the original burned down, St Andrew's Presbyterian church was rebuilt in 1914, which is home to the restaurant and microbrewery today.

The stained glass window inside Church Brewing was created in 1975 to remember the past 200 years of former congregations. The interior of the restaurant / microbrewery retains the heritage and vibes of this former church, while there's a great patio outdoors.

Justin got a pint and I tried a beer flight so I could sample four different brews. The restaurant mainly has pub fare with a few other bowls and entrees. I tried the Thai noodle bowl for dinner, which was a solid plant-based option.

Stay at The Stay at Planters Ridge Winery (2 Nights)

The two of us spent two nights at The Stay at Planters Ridge Winery. Located inside a renovated 1864 farmhouse, this is an opportunity to stay right at Planters Ridge Winery. While there are new modern inclusions, they've retained the original character of the farmhouse.

Even after the winery has closed for the day, guests can make use of the expansive winery balcony overlooking the vineyards and surrounding countryside. Sip a glass of wine and savour the views.

We stayed in room #2, a spacious room that's thoughtfully designed and decorated. The bedroom and living space features custom built solid birch furniture (the bed, nightstands, dresser and desk), a couch and coffee table.

I quickly fell in love with this bright and modern bathroom. There's a shower and a separate bathtub, and they even provided some bath salts for a relaxing soak. The bathroom even has a heated floor and heated towel rack.

In the morning, enjoy a light breakfast with a small charcuterie board, yogurt, bread and fresh fruit. They're happy to cater to special diets, including a vegan diet.

Be sure to also experience the winery while you're here. They have an amazing patio overlooking the vineyard. Sip a glass of wine and enjoy some light bites. They even prepared a vegan board for us!

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 4 (Annapolis Valley)

It's day four during our week in Nova Scotia, and we're continuing our trip in the Annapolis Valley. We'll start the day at a rejuvenating Nordic spa and spend the rest of the day wandering around Wolfville.

Saltair Nordic Spa

Saltair Nordic Spa is perched at the edge of the Bay of Fundy and aims to provide the ultimate relaxation experience. Immerse yourself in the Nordic traditions of hot, cold and relaxation at this wellness sanctuary.

Nature is all around. Nestled beneath Annapolis Valley's North Mountain and surrounded by forest, Saltair Nordic Spa truly enables you to disconnect and unwind. Sitting at 14 acres in total, there's the main building with a cafe and relaxation rooms.

The walking paths lead to three warm pools, a cold plunge, a wood-fired sauna, a dry sauna, a steam room, an exfoliation bar, cold buckets, hammocks, fire pits, and other outdoor seating with views of the bay.

Alternating between hot and cold is the most therapeutic for the body (though I must admit that I spend way more time in the heat than the cold plunges). I also love relaxing and reading a good book at the end of these healing cycles.

Blomidon Look Off

Also known as the Canning Lookoff, the Blomidon Look Off is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Annapolis Valley. We actually found out about this place from the valet attendant at our hotel in Halifax.

He told us about a beautiful lookout point near Wolfville and we used Google Maps to track down the exact spot. It was on the way back to Wolfville after we spent the morning at Saltair Nordic Spa and was such a lovely little stop.

Annapolis Cider Company

In the middle of downtown Wolfville, Annapolis Cider Company is one of Canada's leading premier cider brands. Founded in 2016, they work with local fruit growers in the Annapolis Valley to create their award-winning cider.

We stopped by to try some cider flights and had two different options: a flight of apple ciders or a flight of innovative craft cider blends. We sampled a few different flavours that we'd be unlikely to find anywhere else like sour cherry cider.

There's a huge shop at the front where you can purchase bottles of cider. You can also combine a tasting with a tour, which includes a trip down to their cellar. Although we didn't take a tour this time around, we'll definitely consider it for our next visit.

Shopping in Wolfville

Be sure to take the time to walk around Wolfville. There are many intriguing boutiques and shops to browse. Here are a few of our favourites.

The Market has a unique collection of gifts, things for the home, trinkets, games and books for kids, Jellycats, and local wares celebrating the Annapolis Valley.

Valley & Vine Trading Co is the place to shop for local art prints, magnets, postcards and other goods depicting Wolfville, the Annapolis Valley, and other places around Nova Scotia.

The Odd Book is tucked behind the main street on Front Street. You'll find vintage, used and rare books. We stumbled upon all sorts of unique finds here.

Rainbow's End Books and Discs sells comic books and graphic novels, DVDs and Blu Rays, Pokemon cards, random memorabilia and more. It's packed from the floor to the ceiling with stuff!

Dinner at Paddy's Brew Pub

Paddy's Brew Pub and Restaurant is an institution in Wolfville. First, they've produced their own craft beer and cider since 1995, making them the oldest craft brewery in Nova Scotia.

The restaurant itself opened back in 2001. Paddy's Brew Pub also has live music and entertainment some evenings. I love that their menu is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, and we were able to order plant-based burgers that came with vegan cheese!

The Real Scoop Ice Cream & Espresso Shop

After dinner, we popped by The Real Scoop Ice Cream & Espresso Shop for a sweet treat. They make all of their own ice cream from scratch in their on-site kitchen.

They have so many flavours for every taste, including several plant-based ones. They even have vegan and gluten-free cones and bowls.

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 5 (Lunenburg)

As we make our way through this 1 week in Nova Scotia itinerary, it's day five and time to depart Wolfville. Justin and I are driving to the South Shore region of Nova Scotia to two idyllic towns, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.

Wolfville Farmers Market

If you're visiting Wolfville on a Saturday morning, don't miss the Wolfville Farmers Market. It takes place every Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm. There's an indoor marketplace and outdoor vendors as well.

It all started back in 1992 with only three vendors. Eventually in 2010, the Wolfville Farmers Market moved into a renovated century-old apple warehouse.

Nowadays, there are over 65 vendors in total with locally grown produce, prepared foods and artisan creations. The market takes place all year long, too!

I couldn't resist buying some locally made art, stickers, and a handmade little ceramic house (I collect tiny houses from the places I visit around the world).

Walking Tour in Lunenburg

From Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley, we're off to Lunenburg! When travelling to a new place, taking a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide is one of the best ways to get acquainted with its history and culture.

Justin and I experienced the Essential Lunenburg walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours. We met at the Lunenburg Academy grounds (the "Castle on the Hill"), an impressive building that's the site of a former school.

From there, we learned more about Lunenburg's significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the architecture behind the old homes and churches, and fabled stories and superstitions from centuries past.

It's a great way to find your way around town and learn some interesting facts along the way. When we took our tour, it was just the two of us and one other couple, making it a relatively private and intimate tour experience that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Bluenose II

Our walking tour concluded at the docks and waterfront, right in front of where Bluenose II was docked. You're probably already familiar with Bluenose II as it's the vessel that appears on Canada's 10 cent coin.

When Bluenose II is docked, visitors are free to walk aboard to check it out. There's no need to book this in advance, simply show up and visit. It's also possible to book a harbour cruise aboard Bluenose II, though I suggest booking this far in advance as it's quite popular.

A little bit of history on Bluenose II: it's an exact replica of Bluenose, a famous schooner built in Lunenburg that won every international competition for a straight 17 years. Sadly, the original Bluenose sunk off the shores of Haiti.

Bluenose II was built by many of the same shipbuilders who constructed Bluenose. It was financed by a brewery to advertise their products, and was later gifted to the Government of Nova Scotia.

Shopping in Lunenburg

Now that you've familiarized yourself with Lunenburg on a walking tour and toured Bluenose II, it's time to wander around town. Most shops in Lunenburg are located on Montague Street, though there are more on Pelham Street and some side streets.

As Lunenburg is a very artsy town, there are quite a few galleries and shops selling locally made wares. There are also quite a few bookstores in Lunenburg, particularly on Montague Street.

Dinner at Shipwright Brewing Company

We dined at Shipwright Brewing Company in Lunenburg, an establishment known for their small batch brews and their signature pizza. They even have a separate vegan menu, just ask your server for it!

They serve both New York and Detroit style pizza, take your pick. The Detroit style pizzas are also larger than you think, so even a small pizza can easily serve two people.

Lightship Brewery

Before driving to Mahone Bay for the evening, stop across the Lunenburg Harbour at Lightship Brewery. This point offers one of the best views of Lunenburg, so be sure to snap some photos!

Lightship Brewery has a small menu (if you're still hungry), craft beer and seltzers. During the day, there's a small coffee shop here, too. There's often live music so sit back with a drink, enjoy the tunes and the view.

Stay at Mahone Bay Bed & Breakfast (2 Nights)

We spent two nights at Mahone Bay Bed & Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. This is a boutique inn right in the heart of town.

The rooms are newly refurbished while maintaining the classic charm of the home. Artfully designed, there's a separate bedroom, living room with a desk and a small couch, and the bathroom.

I was really impressed that the bathroom not only had a professional hair dryer, but also a straightening iron. I've never seen that before!

As for location, it doesn't get much better than this. Mahone Bay Bed & Breakfast is right in the middle of town on Main Street. Every room receives one free parking space and it's so easy to walk everywhere in town from the accommodation.

There's a small continental breakfast (muffins, juice) and each guest also receives a $15 gift card for their sister restaurant, Eli + Trix just steps from the B&B. We dined at Eli + Trix each morning on their patio, which was lovely.

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 6 (Mahone Bay)

It's our final full day for this week in Nova Scotia travel guide. We're beginning the day in nearby Chester to relax at a Nordic spa. Then, we'll stop at an intriguing art exhibit before spending the rest of the day in Mahone Bay.

Breakfast at Eli + Trix

Start your day off with a hearty meal from Eli + Trix. Your stay at the Mahone Bay B&B comes with a gift certificate to Eli + Trix, so I suggest taking advantage of that. This restaurant has a great patio with views overlooking the main street in town.

There's a delicious smashed avocado bagel on the menu that we ended up getting both days in a row. Highly recommend!

SENSEA Nordic Spa

Sensea Nordic Spa is Nova Scotia's first Nordic Spa. This Scandinavian-inspired spa is nestled in the middle of the forest on a lake, so you are truly immersed in nature. Much like other Nordic spa experiences, you'll cycle through a circuit of hot, cold and relaxation.

There are many warm pools and cold plunges sprinkled throughout the property, along with saunas, a steam room and an exfoliation bar. There are numerous hammocks and even little relaxation pods, both indoors and outdoors.

We really loved being able to look out across the water or even relax in chairs at the edge of the waterfront. There are even some sessions that are included in your visit.

Justin and I attended a short guided stretching class that took place in one of the saunas. While we've been to many Nordic spas, this was a unique activity that we appreciated.

BernArt Maze

From the spa, we checked out a truly unique art experience just outside of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, the BernArt Maze. This is Canada's first ever art maze and it exhibits works of art by Canadians and artists from around the world.

This is an outdoor art gallery with nearly 1km of paths to explore. It's full of sculptures, murals and mosaics crafted by artists from around the world.

Walk through the entire maze and explore the works on its exterior walls, too. This masterpiece is constantly evolving so every visit will be a little bit different from the last.

The Barn Coffee & Social House

We spent the afternoon in the beautiful little town of Mahone Bay. Our first stop was The Barn Coffee & Social House, a coffee shop located inside a restored heritage barn.

I love that they kept many elements of the structure intact, and their specialty coffee offerings are super flavourful. It's also proud to operate as a community space in Mahone Bay and its other locations in Lunenburg and Bridgewater.

Spill the Tea

And from coffee to tea, just down the road is Spill the Tea, a seaside tea brewery with unique blends for every taste. We opted for their peaches and cream loose leaf tea and also marveled at all the teapots and tea related handmade gifts around the shop.

There are staff working that can help you discover the perfect blend of tea, just for you. They have hundreds of teas from around the world. You can even take a tea quiz on their website, too!

Amos Pewter

Next up, we walked over to Amos Pewter, a shop with handcrafted pewter jewelry, ornaments and home decor. While Amos Pewter has a few shops in Nova Scotia, their original and first location is in Mahone Bay.

Amos Pewter offers a hands-on experience where you can create your own pewter piece. While the finished pewter piece was mostly created for us by their skilled artisans, we did learn all about the lengthy process of making them. 

We sculpted our own carvings out of wax, which was a really fun little activity. Then, we watched a live demonstration that showed how molten pewter solidifies instantaneously before our eyes.

Finally, we polished and sanded our own pewter pieces and then inscribed them so we could bring home our own little pewter schooners.

Dinner at Saltbox Brewing Company

For dinner, we walked down to Saltbox Brewing Company for their craft beer and there's also a little food truck right beside the brewery. While it's a little outside of the main tourist area, it's only about a 10 minute walk away and totally worth it.

The spicy tofu sandwich is really delicious and there's a great patio on site to enjoy your food and drink. Sometimes there's live music here, too!

Mahone Bay Waterfront and the Three Churches

You can't visit Mahone Bay without spotting the three churches. These three historic churches sit one right next to the other overlooking the harbour. The churches are: St. James Anglican Church, Trinity United Church, and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

We loved walking along the harbour in the evening, admiring the scenic views. It's wonderful to spot the colourful waterfront homes and their reflections in the water below.

1 Week in Nova Scotia: Day 7 (Peggy's Cove)

Before we depart Nova Scotia on an afternoon flight, we have time for one more iconic destination in the province. Can you even visit Nova Scotia without stopping at Peggy's Cove?

On our way to the airport, we stopped off at Peggy's Cove to see this picturesque fishing village and its famous lighthouse.

Peggy's Cove and Peggy's Point Lighthouse

Peggy's Cove is one of the most photographed places in Canada and has provided artistic inspiration for decades. Of course, this little village is home to Canada's most famous lighthouse.

And when I write that it's a "little village", I totally mean that. Only 32 people live in Peggy's Cove year round.

Make sure to stop and admire the scenery: the waterfront, the weathered wooden boats, and the colourful huts and homes. Then, catch glimpses of Peggy's Point Lighthouse from multiple angles. There are some viewing platforms and you can walk right up to the lighthouse as well.

The interior of the lighthouse is closed to the general public. But, you can walk right around the structure across the large, flat rocks that surround it.

Blog Posts About Nova Scotia

Looking to read more about Nova Scotia? I've been to Nova Scotia several times and have written all about my trips to the province. Check out these articles:

• The Ultimate Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (A loop from Halifax to the South Shore, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores and Annapolis Valley)
• The Best Things to Do on Cape Breton Island
• Vegan Guide to Cape Breton Island
• Vegan Guide to Halifax