Welcome to Nova Scotia

With its windswept fields, dramatic coastlines and absurd assortment of postcard-worthy lighthouses, Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s most picturesque provinces.

Big city Halifax is a popular destination for most first-time visitors. As Canada’s second-smallest province, Nova Scotia is easy to explore from a central spot, and Halifax is perfectly positioned. In town, highlights include the city’s idyllic Waterfront Boardwalk, the Halifax Public Gardens, and a grand collection of historic sites and museums, including the Citadel, a 19th-century fort located right in the city center.

Outside of Halifax, don’t miss paying a visit to iconic Peggy’s Cove Village and Lighthouse, spotting for whales in the Bay of Fundy or dining on freshly hauled lobster on Cape Breton Island.

Adventure

The entire province of Nova Scotia is home to around 900,000 people, but half of them are located in and around the capital city of Halifax, leaving the rest of the province charmingly quiet and relaxed—full of empty coastal trails and wide-open oceanfront beaches.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is among the most popular destinations in the province. Located on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife, spectacular cliffs and the Cabot Trail scenic byway.

If you find yourself in western Nova Scotia, don’t miss a chance to explore the Bay of Fundy coastline, home to the highest tides in the world. When the tide rolls all the way out and reaches its lowest point, you can walk along the ocean floor.

Entertainment

Nova Scotians love their music, so no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find yourself close to a live show.

As far as music festivals go, highlights include the Celtic Colours International Festival (a nine-day affair on Cape Breton Island), the TD Halifax Jazz Festival (which features more than 500 performers) and the Deep Roots Music Festival (held in the seaside town of Canso).

Other highlights include the Not Since Moses walk and run (along the ocean floor in the Bay of Fundy), the Halifax International Busker Festival and Digby Scallop Days.