One hour away from the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada lies two colourful and charming seaside villages: Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. Whether you plan to go on a day trip from Halifax, or are passing through during a road trip around Nova Scotia, it is worthwhile to check out these two iconic villages.
How to Get To Mahone Bay & Lunenburg
Rent a car. This is highly recommended! The highways are not difficult, and you can take the “Lighthouse Route”: a scenic drive from Halifax to Lunenburg. If you leave Halifax early in the morning, you can stop at Peggy’s Cove along the way to see the famous lighthouse!
Take the bus. Public transportation is available from Halifax to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, but it is infrequent and may not work with your schedule. The bus schedule can be found here.
Go on a day trip with a local tour company. This is a convenient way to see each location if you are uncomfortable driving around in a new area.
The best time to visit Mahone Bay and Lunenburg
The best time to visit Lunenburg and Mahone Bay is during Summer and Fall (July – October). The weather is warm and sunny, and the town is bustling with activity.
In September and October, the weather is more cool and the trees start to change colour. It isn’t as busy either. To see the BEST fall foliage, plan to come during the first 2 weeks in October. At the end of September, Mahone Bay hosts the Annual Scarecrow Festival. The entire village of Mahone Bay becomes decorated with scarecrows!
In the winter, A lot of shops close and it can feel like a ghost town.
The Spring months (March – June) are unpredictable. It isn’t unusual to have a snowstorm in April, and rainy weeks in June.
Where to Stay in Mahone Bay and Lunenburg
If you plan to spend the night in either Mahone Bay or Lunenburg, there are plenty of options for where to stay! They are both very small, walk-able towns, so you will always be a short walk away from the main sights. Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are also very safe, so there is no need to worry about booking an accommodation in an unsafe side of town.
Mahone Bay
Mahone Bay is a picturesque village known for their three churches overlooking the bay. It is a perfect place to spend half a day wandering along the waterfront and visiting the local shops that are along Main Street.
Tip: Park in the parking lot across from the three churches and walk around town from there.
Where to Eat and Drink in Mahone Bay
Joanne’s Market – For artisan sandwiches, locally made baked goods, and fresh produce. Grab a sandwich and have a picnic across the road in front of the three churches, or in their outdoor seating area.
Oh My Cod – Along the waterfront is Oh My Cod, with lots of seafood!
Get the Scoop – For desert, head over to Get the Scoop for homemade ice cream. They offer all sorts of delicious flavours – from traditional vanilla to even lobster. Yes, you read that right – lobster ice cream!
The Barn Coffeehouse – For a cozy, relaxed atmosphere The Barn is the place to go for for good coffee!
The Saltbox – If you prefer something with a bit more kick (i.e: alcohol), the Saltbox has a trendy vibe with an outdoor patio. On Sundays there are live Celtic Music sessions.
Lunenburg
Lunenburg is an UNESCO World Heritage site, and home to the Bluenose II. Fun fact, the Bluenose is on the back of the Canadian 10 cent coin! It is home to artists and artisans alike, and a unique place to visit. Vibrant, colourful buildings are around every corner.
What to Do in Lunenburg
The list below will help give ideas of what to do in Lunenburg on a day trip, or overnight visit.
Go on a Walking Tour (duration: approx 1.5 hours).
Lunenburg offers paid walking tours with fun and interesting commentary about it’s folklore and history. If you are spending the night, the Haunted Lunenburg walk at night is definitely recommended!
Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic (duration: approx 2-3 hours).
For maritime history and the opportunity to go inside some of the sailboats along the waterfront, the fisheries museum is an interesting place to visit.
See St John’s Anglican Church (duration: 30 minutes).
This church burnt down years ago, and they rebuilt it to look exactly as the original.
Go sailing (duration: 2 hours).
There are lots of different options for sailing in Lunenburg. My favourite is the sunset sail on the Eastern Star. It is very peaceful, and and a perfect, relaxing way to end the day. Sailing on the iconic Bluenose II is another sailing option. The Bluenose departs at various times throughout the day (except at sunset).
Taste test at the Ironworks Distillery (duration: tours are 45 minutes long).
Marvel at the Lunenburg Academy (duration: 15-30 minutes).
The Lunenburg Academy sitting at the top of Lunenburg is truly a site to behold. The Academy is surrounded by a graveyard, and at night the Academy is lit up and glows. Fun fact, this used to be an elementary school!
Tip: For the BEST view of Lunenburg, drive (or walk!) to the Topmast Motel (right next to the golf course). As you are driving there, there are lots of spots to pull over and take pictures of Lunenburg Harbour.
Where to Eat in Lunenburg
Lunenburg has so many restaurants, that the short answer for where to eat is any of them. They are ALL good. Seriously, it’s so hard to choose! But, I’ll TRY and narrow it down to just a few.
Lightship Brewery – Going to the Lightship Brewery should be considered as one of the main things to do on your day trip to Lunenburg. It has the best postcard-worthy view of Lunenburg.
It is an outdoor patio setting open from spring to fall (limited indoor seating also available). There is a little bit of everything offered: The brewery, another Barn coffeehouse location, and also lots of food options.
During the summer, there are lobster boils, live music, and even outdoor yoga sessions! It’s a great place to go with dogs too.
Salt Shaker Deli – offering a variety of dishes, the Salt Shaker Deli offers seafood, thin-crust pizzas and views over the Lunenburg Harbour.
Fish Shack – For the best fish and chips in town, lobster rolls, and more seafood! There is an outdoor patio overlooking Lunenburg.
The Grand Banker – It has delicious food with seafood options, and views of the harbour. Indoor seating only.
Old Fish Factory – It is located in the same building as the Fisheries Museum, and you can sit and eat right on the dock. It is more expensive than the other restaurants listed, but sitting outside on the dock next to the sailboats makes for a great summer vibe.
Lincoln Street Foods – This restaurant has an upscale, modern vibe, with locally sourced food and a changing menu depending on the season. It is also more expensive than the other restaurants listed, but it is an intimate setting perfect for a romantic night out.
What to do in Lunenburg if you have an extra day
Venture out to Blue Rocks (duration: approx 1 hour). On a sunny day, take a 10 minute drive to Blue Rocks and see a classic Nova Scotian maritime fishing village with sweeping views of the ocean. Unfortunately, the rocks aren’t actually blue! In Blue Rocks, you can rent out a kayak and explore the area on the water.
Visit the caves and pan for gold at Ovens National Park (duration: approx 2 hours). There is a short hike high up on the cliffs along the ocean where you can look inside the caves. There is a fee to enter.
Hike to the end of Hirtles Beach & around Gaff Point (duration: approx. 4 hours) – At the end of Hirtles Beach is a well-marked trail that goes around the point. Along the trail, you will walk through wooded forests, next to cliffs overlooking the ocean, and on rocky terrain.
Suggested Reading: 8 Unique Hikes in Nova Scotia
I hope that these tips for exploring Mahone Bay and Lunenburg in Nova Scotia, Canada help decide what to do! The South Shore of Nova Scotia is a beautiful area, and Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are two little villages that are worthwhile to visit. It is possible to do it as a day trip, or as a weekend getaway. Have you visited either of these towns, or are planning a trip to Nova Scotia? Let me know in the comments below!
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