Visiting Nova Scotia in the summer is one of the best times to experience everything that Nova Scotia has to offer. You can spend a couple days or weeks without running out of things to do. If you are visiting Nova Scotia, here are a few top things to do in Nova Scotia in the summer.
Map of Locations
Below is a map showing all of the locations mentioned in this article. Each activity is colour-coded by activity: hiking locations (light green), water activities (dark blue), museums (purple with a M), towns (green), and look-off points (dark purple with a camera).
Visit one of the many beaches
Nova Scotia isn’t called Canada’s ocean playground for nothing! Anywhere you are in Nova Scotia, you are at most a 45 minute drive to a beach. At the very most. Usually it’s about 15 minutes. So go an explore, and visit a beach (or three)!
Here is a link to give you some ideas of what beaches to visit.
Experience the world’s highest tides along the Bay of Fundy
While in Nova Scotia in the summer it would be a crime to not experience the Bay of Fundy and it’s world’s highest tides since it’s unique to Nova Scotia (and ok, New Brunswick too since they are on the other side of the Bay). BUT! It really is incredible, and there are a few ways to experience this.
- Go Tidal Bore Rafting. Ride along the river through the huge waves that are made by the changing tides. A really fun experience and a great way to cool off from the summer heat! The Tidal Bore Rafting Resort also offers overnight accommodations.
- Visit Burntcoat Head Park. Walk along the ocean floor and see the interesting sand formations. Read more about this experience here.
- Visit a town that experiences these tides. Along the Bay of Fundy there are lots of adorable, historic towns to visit or spend the night to also see these tides:
- Wolfville is a gorgeous University town with lots to do, and also has nearby beaches (like Kingsport) where you can see how fast the tides change.
- Digby is another town with a fishing culture that has the best clams and chips. Eat along the waterfront and see the boats rise and fall with the tides. Extend your stay by taking a trip down the Digby Neck to Brier Island.
- Bear River. While you’re in Digby, make a stop in Bear River (only a 15 minute drive away!). A small and beautiful village along the river to drink coffee, eat, and shop.
- Parrsboro. There are so many things to in Parrsboro like the Fundy Geological Museum where you can see where Canada’s dinosaurs once roamed and hunt for fossils, visit Five Islands Provincial Park and walk the trails and along the ocean floor, go kayaking, and see the Parrsboro lighthouse.
Go on a hike
Nova Scotia has so many hikes that have beautiful views. During the summer, it may be more enjoyable to hike along the coast where it is cooler than on a path that is entirely inland. For a more detailed guide on the best hikes to do read this article below:
Suggested Reading: 8 unique hikes in Nova Scotia
Whale Watching
The best place to go Whale Watching is on Brier Island along the Digby Neck. In fact, visiting the Digby Neck can provide a complete Nova Scotian summer experience all wrapped up into one weekend. Digby has the changing tides, there is a cool hike to see the balancing rock along the Digby Neck, visit the Maud Lewis art house, go on a couple of ferry rides to Brier Island, and of course go whale watching.
If you don’t have enough time to go to whale watching in Digby, then other places to go Whale Watching are in Lunenburg, Halifax, and Cape Breton.
Go Sailing
Since Nova Scotia is Canada’s ocean playground, it also makes sense to also go out onto the ocean.
If you are lucky to be in Nova Scotia while the Bluenose II is in port in Lunenburg then that would be choice #1. It is on the Canadian dime after all! See their schedule here
Other sailing experiences are sunset sail on the Eastern Star in Lunenburg and aboard the Tall Ship Silva in Halifax.
Visit a Lighthouse
Nova Scotia has SO many lighthouses, so there are lots to choose from. The most famous one of them all is at Peggy’s Cove. And for good reason too, the fishing village is absolutely postcard picture worthy. The view from Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is absolutely magnificent and there is a viewing platform installed as of 2021 for those with mobility issues. For hiking, there is near-by Polly’s Cove if you have time for a coastal hike too.
Another lighthouse that doesn’t nearly get the attention it deserves is Fochu Lighthouse in Yarmouth. There is a beautiful walkway around the lighthouse, the ocean view goes on as far as the eye can see, and it isn’t as busy.
Visit a winery
The valley in Nova Scotia is famous for it’s vineyards and wine tours. There’s even a wine bus tour where you can visit up to 5 wineries!
At Luckett’s Vineyards, there is a working red telephone box in their vineyard which provides the perfect Instagram photo.
In the South Shore, the Petite Riviere Vineyards feels like you have been transported to a small village in France. And only a 15 minute drive away there are 3 gorgeous beaches (Risser’s, Crescent and Green Bay) and the Lahave Bakery along the Lahave River.
See a waterfall
Nova Scotia has quite a few waterfalls. The biggest and best waterfalls are located in Cape Breton, Read this detailed guide for the best waterfalls in Cape Breton. But there are also a lot of waterfalls on mainland Nova Scotia as well!
In my opinion the best time to see waterfalls are in the fall, when they aren’t as dried up from the summer heat (for example, Victoria Falls in Truro dries up almost completely in the summer!).
The waterfalls listed below are on mainland Nova Scotia and are amazing to see all year long, even in the drier summer months.
- Indian Falls is located in the South Shore, about 1 hour from Halifax and has walking trails and a picnic spot.
- Liscombe Falls near Liscombe Lodge Resort (2.5 hours Northeast of Halifax) also has gorgeous walking trails and a waterfall.
- Delaps Cove Waterfall is located in the Bay of Fundy area, and has a viewing platform. The trail to access the waterfall is about 2km long.
- Mill Falls in Kejimkujik National Park is impressive to see, and has lots of trails, lakes to go canoeing or swimming, and camping sites.
Experience unique art
There are a few art experiences in Nova Scotia that are very unique. Both of these are located in the South Shore of Nova Scotia, about 2 hours south of Halifax.
Cosby’s Concrete Creations. Located in Liverpool, Nova Scotia there is Cosby’s Garden Centre with concrete sculptures located throughout a path in the forest, surrounded by gardens.
BernArt Maze. About a 5 minute drive outside of Mahone Bay, BernArt maze is an incredible maze that has art murals, sculptures, outdoor games that keeps expanding each year as new art is added.
Get lost in a sunflower maze
In mid-August the sunflowers start to bloom. These fields of sunflowers are beautiful to look at, and it is possible to go through a sunflower maze! A few locations offer sunflower mazes.
Dakeyne Farm. Located in Windsor, just a short drive from either Wolfville or Halifax. There’s a spot to fly kites (provided by the farm!), have a picnic, and take photos of the endless fields of sunflowers, and go throughout the sunflower maze. The sunflowers begin to bloom on August 13. Entrance is by appointment only. Visit their website for more details.
Riverbreeze Farm. Located closer to Truro, the Riverbreeze farm market has a sunflower garden as well. In the fall, it also offers a corn maze!
Visit the Sea Caves at Ovens Natural Park
The sea caves at Ovens Natural Park are very interesting to explore, and are only a 25 minute drive away from Lunenburg (or 1.5 hours from Halifax). The caves are open from May to October, and there is a $12 entrance fee.
You can’t walk freely in the sea caves since that would be dangerous AF, but there are viewing platforms which take you down and in the sea caves. There’s walking trail along the cliffs (about 2km), and a nearby beach where you can pan for gold.
A fun fact is that these sea caves are featured in a few movies and TV shows! Most recently Locke & Key on Netflix.
After a fun afternoon of walking around the sea caves, visit the nearby Hirtle’s Beach. If you’re up for more hiking, keep on walking to the end of the beach to do the Gaff Point hike (about 6km roundtrip). If not, then drive into Lunenburg and have dinner and a drink at the Lightship Brewery with the BEST view of the Lunenburg Harbour.
Go to the Sensea Nordic Spa in Chester
The Sensea Nordic Spa in Chester is a great activity for any time of the year. Overlooking a lake just 45 minutes outside of Halifax, it is a perfect place for a relaxing getaway to soak in the thermal waters.
While you’re in Chester, head over to the Kiwi Cafe or Chester’s Cafe for lunch.
Go on a Roadtrip
Nova Scotia isn’t very well connected by public transport, so it is best to rent a car and drive around. So what could be better than going on a road trip? There are so many options for road trips around Nova Scotia in the summer, but here are a few:
- Drive the Cabot Trail. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is best experienced in the summer and fall. Spend at least 3 days driving around this gorgeous part of the province.
- Yarmouth and the French Shore. Yarmouth is a colourful town located on the southern tip of Nova Scotia, and is home to the Forchu Lighthouse. There is a Ferry Service which goes to Maine as well. (The ferry service to Maine is on-again/off-again, so check in advance to see if it’s open). From Yarmouth, drive along the Western part of Nova Scotia called the French Shore. Filled with gorgeous beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see (up to 5km, to be exact), and the tallest church in Nova Scotia, it is a worthwhile place to explore. Read how to do this road trip in detail here.
- Digby Neck. This has already been mentioned in this article, but it is worth mentioning again! Start your road trip in Digby (or extend it from your Yarmouth and French Shore road trip), and see the tides change, eat the best clam and chips, and then make your way along the Digby Neck towards Brier Island.
Walk along the Halifax Boardwalk
The Halifax Boardwalk is an excellent activity to do in Nova Scotia in the summer. In the summer months of July there is the Busker’s Festival along the boardwalk too. Even if you don’t go to the festival, there are lots of places to shop, drink, eat, and relax along the way.
Visit Citadel Hill
A UNESCO heritage site located in downtown Halifax. Go back in time at Citadel Hill. The star-shaped fortress is located right on top of – well, you know – Citadel Hill, so you also have some nice views of Halifax from there! Once you’re inside, learn about what it was like to live in the fort, and life in Halifax.
Kayaking
There are so many places to Kayak in Nova Scotia, each offering a different experience.
- The Bay of Fundy. To experience the tides, kayak to see the 3 Sisters rock formation. The tour begins in Advocate Harbour and goes to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park where the towering cliffs and rock formations are.
- Cape Breton. There are lots of options for where to kayak in Cape Breton as well. From half day tours and full day tours. See wildlife like eagles, admire the beautiful rolling hills of the highlands, and see a seacave!
- Lunenburg. Paddle at sunset, or go on a bioluminescent night tour, or spend half the day kayaking along the Lahave Island are all options with this kayaking company.
Go to a Museum
If you happen to experience a rainy day in Nova Scotia, have no fear. There is a chance it won’t last long. But, if it does, then why not visit a museum?
And, Nova Scotia has SO many museums as well!
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Located in Lunenburg. At the museum, there is a touch tank for sea creatures, and you can also tour inside a few boats.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. In downtown Halifax there are boatbuilding exhibits.
Museum of Natural History. Also located in Halifax, see dinosaur statues, learn about the land and ocean and nature exhibits.
Miners Museum. In Glace Bay Cape Breton tour the inside of a mine and see what work was like!
Blue Beach Fossil Museum. A fossil site located along the Bay of Fundy. Guided tours to look at fossils are also available.
Visit a Garden
There is a beautiful rose maze, flower archways, walking trails, and gardens at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
The Public Gardens in downtown Halifax is also a peaceful spot to visit to have lunch and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens is on the Acadia University property in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It is small, but very beautiful to look at.
Tangled Garden is also another beautiful garden near Wolfville, with a lovely property to walk around and a shop with preservatives.
Cosby’s Garden Centre in Liverpool can also be enjoyed to walk around and see the concrete sculptures and rare flowers.
Have you visited Nova Scotia in the summer, or are planning to go? If you have been to Nova Scotia what was your favourite activity? If you are planning to go, let me know what you are looking forward to the most!
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Oh my! So much to pick from, and I could spend weeks in Nova Scotia. I would love to go to a winery and see a waterfall. This is a great trip!
Whales and hikes!!! Nova Scotia sounds like such an awesome place to explore
So many cool activities! go sailing and whale watching seem to be my favorite activities but not only! the landscapes are incredible! I would love to take so many photos! thanks for sharing this guide!
I didnt expect Nova Scotia to have SO many museums indeed! thanks for sharing and for the nice photos 🙂