Best things to do in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Essentials

Nova Scotia’s geography ranges from the 300-million-year-old Carboniferous fossils at the UNESCO-listed Joggins Fossil Cliffs to the rugged highlands of Cape Breton. The province features historic landmarks like the 19th-century Haliburton House and maritime beacons such as the Low Point and Fort Point lighthouses. Natural highlights include the saltwater estuary of Bras d'Or Lake, whale-watching corridors in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy.

Nova Scotia Essentials — Map

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Best Viewpoint of Cabot Trail

Elevated vantage point overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the iconic coastal hairpin turns of the Cabot Trail near Pleasant Bay.

Marcel Stijkel / CC-BY-SA

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Joggins Fossil Cliffs

UNESCO World Heritage site preserving the world's most complete fossil record of the Carboniferous Period, dating back 300 million years.

Madereugeneandrew / CC BY-SA 4.0

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The Lookoff

Roadside vantage point in Canning offering panoramic views across the Annapolis Valley, the Minas Basin, and the Bay of Fundy.

Dennis Jarvis / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Low Point Lighthouse

Low Point Lighthouse is an historic Canadian lighthouse marking the eastern entrance to Sydney Harbour at New Victoria, Nova Scotia, near…

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Seaside Whale & Nature Cruises

Boat tours departing from Chéticamp to observe pilot, humpback, and fin whales within the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Ken Heaton / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Bras D'or Lookoff

Roadside stop on Kellys Mountain providing views of the Bras d'Or Lake, a large inland saltwater sea on Cape Breton Island.

Dennis Jarvis / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Fort Point Lighthouse

Fort Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the LaHave River outside the town of Liverpool in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

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Lone Shieling

A replica of a traditional Scottish crofter's hut located within a grove of 350-year-old sugar maple trees in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Tango7174 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Ski Cape Smokey

Ingonish is a popular tourist destination in Victoria County, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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Annapolis Basin Look Off Provincial Park

Provincial park near Digby featuring views of the Annapolis Basin and the Digby Gut, where the basin meets the Bay of Fundy.

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Haliburton House Museum

The 1830s estate of Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a notable Canadian author and judge, featuring period furnishings and landscaped grounds in Windsor.

Other Lists

Beautiful Coastal Beaches Historic Churches & Places of Worship Historic Lighthouses of Nova Scotia Natural Wonders & Parks