Leave behind maritime province Nova Scotia’s capital city of Halifax’s bustling harbour for Lunenberg to search for the historic Bluenose tall ship minted on Canada’s dimes. Travel to charming Wolfville to walk across the Bay of Funday during low tide while scanning the horizon for breaching humpback whales in the distance. Ascend Truro’s Victoria Park’s Jacob’s Ladder for a challenging workout while experiencing breathtaking views of the ancient hemlock forest. Since you’re planning a day trip, why not have a starting point in one of the many vacation rentals in Halifax, including Airbnb vacation rentals. Experience picturesque coastal beauty, wineries, and the famous Bay of Fundy’s tidal natural phenomenon. To enhance your visit to Nova Scotia’s charming maritime villages, here is a list of the best day trips from Halifax.
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1. Peggy's Cove
Climb up the treacherous rock mass surrounding the iconic Peggy’s Cove lighthouse to enjoy the picturesque views of St. Margaret’s Bay. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while admiring the powerful waves crashing against the rocks surrounding the famous beacon. Dine on succulent Atlantic lobster while watching local fisherman unload their overflowing nets, wooden crab crates, and lobster cages dockside. Wander by the pretty seaside shipping village’s historic cedar shake buildings to admire artwork and crafts produced by talented Nova Scotian artists.
Book Tours : Peggy's Cove Day Trip from Halifax
2. Annapolis Valley
Tour the Annapolis Valley to experience Nova Scotia’s premier food and wine destination. Be in awe of fragrant fruit orchards and vineyards. Wander under the dangling lavender chandelier of wisteria before listening to an informative discourse on the winemaking process at Planters Ridge Winery. Indulge in a two-course gourmet lunch at Restaurant Le Caveau while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding sprawling vineyards. Enjoy a wine-tasting before visiting enchanted Tangled Garden to sample chutneys, jams, and jellies produced from its aromatic orchards.
3. Hall's Harbour
Hall’s Harbour is a beautiful fishing community in Nova Scotia and is just up north of Halifax. The community overlooks the Annapolis Valley, the Bay of Fundy, Sheffield Vault, and Chipman Brook. Considered a Nova Scotia Tourism Destination Area, Hall’s Harbour is a great place to visit from Halifax.
There are a plethora of fine restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, artist studios, and so much more. Not to mention that the harbor itself offers a great place for travelers to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views.
4. Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve
Cape Split is a headland located on the Bay of Fundy coast and showcases a wonderful view of the bay from its cliffs. Cape Split Provincial Park is a 450-hectare (1,111-acre) provincial park that aims to not only preserve the natural beauty of Cape Split but also protect the cultural sites of the Mi’kmaq people. It has a 13.2-km (8.2-mi) long looped trail that goes through conifer forests and has panoramic views of the Minas Basin and Scots Bay.
5. Eastern Passage
Historically known for its fishing industry, Nova Scotia’s Eastern Passage is an unincorporated suburban community that is composed of various small wharves and piers. A road trip from Halifax to this fine location is highly recommended as the community offers so much for any traveler. It has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes that most likely includes a hefty amount of seafood.
As for attractions, the Eastern Passage has McCormacks Beach Provincial Park, Blue Shark Charters, Fisherman’s Cove, McNabs Island, the Shearwater Aviation Museum, and York Redoubt National Historic Site, among many other attractions.
6. Melmerby Beach
If it’s a relaxing day at the beach that you’re after, then Melmerby Beach Provincial Park is one of the places to visit near Halifax. This attraction is a provincial park and sand barrier beach located in Little Harbour, Nova Scotia. Its sand barrier is 2 km (1.2 mi) long and connects Kings Head with Roy Island. This beach is also known for its warm waters as they maintain an average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit).
There are also a number of facilities on this beach made to assist visitors and some of these include salt-rinse showers, picnic tables, a boat launch, and changing houses.
Melmerby Beach
Address: 6280 Little Harbour Rd, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5C4, Canada
Website: Melmerby Beach
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
7. McNab's Island
Hop aboard the ferry from Halifax’s busy Atlantic harbour to spend a leisurely day exploring the hidden gem that is secluded McNab’s Island. Enjoy peacefully walking along the powdery, soft sand beaches before hiking the ungroomed nature trails in search of historic fortresses. Indulge in sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean while passing by coal-black cannons lining the historic fortress’ heavily protected stone rampart. Watch as the white crests of the sapphire waves crash against the rocks surrounding Maugher’s Beach lighthouse before boarding a raft for a sightseeing excursion of scenic McNab’s Island.
8. Wolfville
Take a day trip to charming Annapolis Valley’s Wolfville to wander through the apple orchards and wineries and sample crisp, sparkling ciders and locally produced wines. For the adventurous at heart, tube down the Gaspereau River. Get your adrenaline pumping with a whale-watching excursion bounding across the Bay of Fundy’s waves and get to behold humpback whales breaching and dolphins splashing playfully. Stroll through Wolfville’s charming streets to admire the architecture of the historic homes before checking out its local shops. Hike the rugged, coastal Cape Split trail to admire the Bay of Fundy’s jagged, rocky sea cliffs before walking across the terra cotta sand floor towards rocky outposts during low tide.
9. Guysborough
Enjoy driving along the Atlantic Coast from Halifax to Guysborough to admire its vibrant wooden buildings lining its harbourfront. Drop by Guysborough Sailing Club to enjoy the rushing sea breeze while sailing across the dark blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Pack up your picnic basket to spend a day at Tor Bay Provincial Park building sandcastles, bird-watching, and digging your feet into powdery white sand while sunbathing. Wander over to Out of the Fog Lighthouse Museum to learn about Nova Scotia’s families’ occupation of its lighthouses. Listen to the foghorn in action.
10. Shelburne
A great cheap trip from Halifax is strolling along Shelburne’s historic Dock Street and watching the fishing boats pull into the harbour as hungry seagulls prepare to swoop in on their fresh catch. Travel back to the 1700s at Dory Shop Museum to view the staff display their craftsmanship skills while learning about the dory’s impact on Canadian and International fishing operations. Venture over to Island Provincial Park to canoe across the pristine Shelburne waterfront. Take a boat cruise to admire the colourful wooden homes bordering Shelburne’s scenic coastline before returning to browse charming seaside boutiques.
11. Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Be at one with nature during a day trip to Nova Scotia’s Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle across tranquil Kejimkujik Lake while admiring the amazingly beautiful autumn foliage. Follow the Mills Falls trail to discover ancient burial sites and petroglyphs surrounding the Mi'lkmaq’s ancient rawhide teepee-filled villages. Relax on a crimson Adirondack chair to admire the park’s picturesque natural beauty before resuming your search for cascading waterfalls.
12. Truro
Visit Truro’s Victoria Park to climb the 175-step Jacob’s Ladder while admiring its steep Salmon River canyon gorges surrounded by dense ancient hemlock forest. Hop on board a Zodiac raft for a thrilling water adventure riding the world’s highest tides where the Bay of Fundy meets the Shubenacadie River. Lace up your skates to participate in the festivities of February’s Long John Winter Festival including wagon rides, community skating, and musical performances. After picking up freshly caught seafood at Masstown Market, wander over to Little White Schoolhouse Museum to browse exhibits chronicling Nova Scotia’s 19th- and 20th-century education history.
13. Lawrencetown
While visiting Nova Scotia’s seaside village of Lawrencetown, venture over to Rainbow Haven Beach to observe kitesurfers perform daring aerial manoeuvres. Sign up for a surfing lesson to ride the strong waves alongside seasoned surfers at Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park. Walk along the popular Salt Marsh Trail travelling through wetland preserves to encounter the numerous native birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Attend the Annapolis Valley Exhibition during the third week of August to experience first-class entertainment and artistic displays from talented participants throughout the Maritimes.
14. Tatamagouche
During a day trip exploring Tatamagouche’s bayside village, hit the links at Brule Point Golf to play nine holes against panoramic views of Tatamagouche Bay. Stop by the Farmer’s Market at Creamery Square Heritage Centre to admire locally produced crafts while enjoying velvety, chocolate ice cream. Admire the village’s charming historic buildings before visiting Appleton Chocolates Company to satisfy your sweet tooth with their decadent sweets. Take a relaxing boat cruise across Tatamagouche Bay to enjoy watching seals play in the pristine waters before admiring a spectacular bayfront sunset.
15. Lunenburg
Stroll along Lunenburg’s marina-side boardwalk in hopes of seeing the historic Bluenose tall ship pull into the harbour. En route to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, pass by fisherman hauling in cages full of freshly caught lobsters. Listen attentively to the commentary detailing Nova Scotia’s boat building, fishing, pirate, and rum-running history. Enjoy the salty sea breeze while wandering past centuries-old, vibrantly coloured buildings and churches dotting pristine Mahone Bay before searching charming seaside shops for maritime-inspired souvenirs.
Book Tours : Lunenburg Day Trip From Halifax
Experience Nova Scotia's phenomenal coastal beauty
Depart Halifax to experience Nova Scotia’s phenomenal Atlantic Coast beauty en route to Peggy’s Cove to watch its lighthouse illuminate the blackened maritime sky guiding fishermen to safety. Stroll amongst Lunenberg’s maritime village’s vibrantly coloured historic buildings before hitting the white sand beaches of charming Guysborough. Leave behind Canada’s charming Maritimes filled with memories of lazy days indulging in Nova Scotia’s succulent seafood, exploring charming fishing villages, and admiring nature’s breathtaking beauty.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Halifax
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