Matthew TremblayFeeling a bit tired of the hustle and bustle of downtown Halifax? Need a little escape to spice up your routine?
I had one of those days, you know? Where the city feels like it’s closing in on you, and you just gotta break free!
So, I whipped up a bucket list quicker than you can say “East Coast charm.”
And guess what? It started with five places to visit near Halifax but ended up being a treasure trove of hidden hotspots!
Now, hold onto your hat because these places aren’t just for us locals trying to ditch downtown. Nope, they’re so darn good, even tourists can’t resist their charm!
So, whether you’re a Halifax native or just passing through, I’m about to drop the hottest spots near our beloved city!
Peggy’s Cove
Website: https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/peggys-cove-lighthouse-and-village/1468
Distance: About 43 km southwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oFJKwv1ottesfcJC8
Are you looking for a spot where the waves crash louder than your morning alarm and the lighthouse poses like it’s on a magazine cover? Peggy’s Cove is your dream destination!
This place screams maritime charm louder than a seagull fight over a French fry. Brace yourself for Instagram-worthy shots of the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse!
| Pro Tip: Watch your step on those slippery rocks, unless you’re auditioning for a role in “The Little Mermaid.” |
Lunenburg
Website: https://townoflunenburg.ca/
Distance: Approximately 100 km southwest of Halifax.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/epyqc61MpzJM2ZKaA
Lunenburg is where the houses are as colorful as the characters who call this UNESCO World Heritage Site home.
It’s like stepping into a postcard, except this postcard comes with a side of salty sea breeze and enough history to make your high school textbooks jealous!
Feel free to dive into the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about Lunenburg’s seafaring past, or just wander the streets and pretend you’re in your own personal Wes Anderson film.
| Pro Tip: Feeling peckish? Indulge in some locally caught seafood—nothing wrong with stuffing your face with fish and chips! |
Wolfville
Website: https://wolfville.ca/
Distance: About 100 km northwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YmPVjXX4Mvag74Uc9
Wolfville is where the wine flows like water and the scenery is as charming as a Jane Austen novel—minus the corsets and the outdated gender roles, of course.
This picturesque town in the heart of the Annapolis Valley is a foodie’s paradise, with its bustling farmers’ markets and award-winning vineyards.
You can take a leisurely stroll through town and sample local delicacies, from freshly baked pastries to artisanal cheeses.
And if you’re feeling thirsty, why not go on a wine tour and discover why Nova Scotia wines are giving their West Coast counterparts a run for their money?
| Pro Tip: Visit in the fall for the annual Devour! Food Film Festival—because nothing pairs better with good wine than great food and a movie. |
Mahone Bay
Website: https://www.townofmahonebay.ca/
Distance: About 90 km southwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8FmarV2TuSJUEZXV8
Mahone Bay is your bet for charming views and the vibe is as laid-back as a sloth on a Sunday afternoon. Three churches stand sentinel along the waterfront, giving the town a vibe that’s equal parts quaint and iconic.
Just take a stroll through town, popping into shops and galleries housed in historic buildings older than your grandparents’ bedtime stories.
For an adrenaline adventure, rent a kayak and paddle your way around the bay like you’re auditioning for the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie!
| Pro Tip: Mark your calendar for October to witness the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival. Nothing says “community spirit” like a bunch of straw-stuffed figures trying to scare the seagulls away! |
Chester
Website: https://chester.ca/
Distance: Roughly 75 km southwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XtgWRrg4z9vr4Vfr6
For sailing scenes as posh as a tea party with the Queen and sceneries straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine spread, Chester’s your spot. This upscale enclave on Nova Scotia’s South Shore oozes old-money charm and nautical chic!
You can stroll along the waterfront and admire the sleek yachts bobbing in the harbor, or channel your inner Gatsby with a round of golf at one of the ritzy courses nearby.
If you’re lucky enough to snag an invite to one of the summer regattas, consider yourself officially inducted into the high society of Halifax’s elite.
| Pro Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities—because in Chester, you never know when you’ll spot a Hollywood A-lister sipping cocktails on a yacht! |
Lawrencetown Beach
Media credit: karleneproctorphotography
Website: https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/lawrencetown-beach-provincial-park/1939
Distance: Around 25 km east of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f1AcbjpAeCcZyeiW6
Lawrencetown Beach is your go-to spot for super gnarly waves and laid-back surf culture—think hammocks on a lazy summer day. This stretch of sand is a mecca for surfers and beach bums alike, with its pounding waves and Instagram-worthy sunsets.
Whether you’re shredding the waves like a pro or just soaking up some vitamin sea on the shore, Lawrencetown Beach has something for everyone.
And while you’re there, why not try your hand at surfing? Just remember to wax your board and leave your dignity on the beach—wipeouts are practically a rite of passage here.
| Pro Tip: Pack a picnic and make a day of it! Nothing tastes better than savory sandwiches and sweet snacks after a day of beachside adventures. |
Fisherman’s Cove
Website: https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/fishermans-cove/1416
Distance: About 16 km southeast of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QtNTMp6op5JtqBRg6
For seagulls that squawk louder than your neighbor’s annoying yapping dog and maritime charm as thick as the fog rolling in off the ocean, there’s no better place than Fisherman’s Cove!
This quaint fishing village is like a step back in time, with its colorful houses and weathered docks lining the waterfront.
Here, you can take your time strolling along the boardwalk, stopping to sample fresh seafood from one of the local eateries, or browsing the boutiques for handmade treasures.
Feeling brave? Hop on a boat tour and explore the rugged coastline while keeping an eye out for seals and seabirds along the way!
| Pro Tip: Visit during the summer months for live music and outdoor events! |
Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park
Media credit: kyleremcgregor
Website: https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/crystal-crescent-beach-provincial-park/1865
Distance: Around 30 km south of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vnZjE8yzq6YBq3n39
Ah, you’ve got to try visiting Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park. It’s where the sand is as soft as a baby’s bottom and the water is as refreshing as a dip in a mountain spring (if mountain springs were actually salty and full of seaweed)!
This slice of paradise boasts not one, not two, but three crescent-shaped beaches, each more Instagram-worthy than the last.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun like a solar-powered lizard or braving the chilly waters for a refreshing swim, Crystal Crescent Beach is the ultimate summer destination.
| Pro Tip: Just remember to pack your sunscreen and your sense of adventure. You never know what kind of marine life you might encounter in these crystal-clear waters. |
Burntcoat Head Park
Media credit: acorn_art_photography
Website: https://www.burntcoatheadpark.ca/
Distance: Approximately 80 km northwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PoWvhkj8f49Vf4Zu7
Head to Burntcoat Head Park for tides that are as dramatic as a soap opera and scenery as breathtaking as your first kiss! That is if your first kiss happened on a windswept cliff overlooking the Bay of Fundy.
This coastal spot has the highest tides in the world, with water levels rising and falling by as much as 16 meters twice a day. Go for a slow discovery along the ocean floor at low tide, exploring the tide pools and searching for hidden treasures washed ashore.
And why not try your hand at fossil hunting for a bit of adventure? Just be sure to watch the clock—those tides wait for no one.
| Pro Tip: Check the tide schedule before you visit and plan your visit accordingly. Getting stranded on a mudflat is a lot less fun than it sounds. |
Blue Beach Fossil Museum
Media credit: gary.drayton
Website: https://bluebeachfossilmuseum.com/
Distance: About 85 km northwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cns4ahwC5dBzpe1v6
Locals love the Blue Beach Fossil Museum and with good reason! It’s where the fossils are as ancient as your great-grandma’s bedtime stories and the history is as fascinating as a conspiracy theory—but with more evidence.
This hidden hotspot on Nova Scotia’s North Shore is a paleontologist’s paradise, with fossils dating back over 350 million years.
Here, feel free to explore the beach and hunt for fossilized treasures, from ancient shark teeth to prehistoric plants—just remember to leave them where you found them for future generations to enjoy!
After you’ve had your fill of fossil hunting, head to the museum to learn more about the ancient creatures that once roamed this coastline.
| Pro Tip: Visit during low tide for the best chance of finding fossils. |
Annapolis Valley
Website: https://haveitallav.ca/en/index.aspx
Distance: Around 90-150 km northwest of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U8BwfHEytFiATK4L8
The Annapolis Valley is where the orchards stretch as far as the eye can see and the scenery is as sweet as a ripe apple! This fertile region is a food lover’s dream, with its abundance of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and award-winning wines.
You can spend your days exploring the scenic countryside, stopping to pick your own berries or sample freshly pressed apple cider straight from the source. And hey, go on a scenic drive along the Harvest Highway and discover secret spots around every corner!
| Pro Tip: Visit in the spring for the annual Apple Blossom Festival—because nothing says “welcome to the Valley” like a sea of pink and white blossoms as far as the eye can see. |
Shubenacadie Wildlife Park
Website: https://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/
Distance: Approximately 60 km north of Halifax
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H3EDG3BHubcZigjP7
For critters that roam free and scenery as wild as a frat party on spring break (but with fewer regrets), visit the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park! This sprawling park is home to a diverse array of native wildlife, from majestic moose to mischievous otters.
Here, you can wander along the winding pathways and marvel at the natural beauty of the Nova Scotian wilderness.
And don’t forget to stop by the feeding stations to catch a glimpse of the animals chowing down on their favorite snacks—just be sure to keep your fingers away from the bars!
| Pro Tip: Visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best chance of seeing the animals when they’re most active. |
