Nova Scotia Travel Guide

Beautiful Nova Scotia is one of three of Canada’s Maritime Provinces, and also Canada’s second-smallest province, clocking in at around 1 million residents. “Nova Scotia” means New Scotland in Latin, as you may have guessed, and Halifax is its capital. It is where French settlers established the first permanent European colony in North America north of Florida in 1604. Nova Scotia was also one of the founding four Canadian provinces at the Confederation of Canada in 1867.

Ask any Canadian and they’ll readily agree that the reputation of the Maritime folk is that of the kindest, most accommodating and friendliest people you can hope to meet. The culture of Nova Scotia is a mishmash of Acadian, Scottish, Mik’maq, African Nova Scotian, and many other heritages. The province has produced many a famous actor, musician, writer, and athlete. Especially known for their music, some famous Nova Scotian musicians include Sarah Mclauchlan, Rita McNeil and Anne Murray. During the summer you’ll have tough decisions to make: folk festival, jazz festival, or Gaelic music festival. Fringe festivals, tattoo festivals and film festivals, too! How can they manage all these in one year? Nova Scotia’s tourism industry really showcases their beautiful and vibrant culture.

If you don’t already have a bunch of festivals on your to-do lists, let me give you some further travel fodder. In addition to having some beautiful Nova Scotia vineyards to satisfy the oenophiles on vacation, one of the most highly anticipated tours is of Alexander Keith’s brewery. Prepare to imbibe. You can visit one of the province’s many lighthouses, and walk along beautiful East Coast beaches, but beware: the Atlantic tends to be on the cold side! Nova Scotia also has a wealth of pristine golf courses for your golf fix. There are kayaking adventures to be scheduled in Advocate Harbour, and trails to be hiked and birds to be seen at the Amherst Point Bird Sanctuary. Take your canoe onto the lake for a commune with nature in Kejimkujik National Park. Visit an Irish style pub or indulge in a seafood smorgasbord in one of Halifax’s many restaurants. Nova Scotia is the perfect province for tourism – it can be as outdoorsy or as urban as you make it.

There are six major tourism regions in Nova Scotia. Decide which or how many you’d like to focus on, and then get started planning your trip! Halifax Stanfield Airport is about 30 minutes out of the downtown core. Passengers from the USA and Europe – remember your passports. Once you’ve booked your travel, accommodations are your next logical step. Do you want to camp? B&B? Or maybe rent some quaint Nova Scotia cottages? Think about your vacation rentals in Nova Scotia carefully, it can make or break your trip. There are a wealth of campgrounds, cabins, and other Nova Scotia vacation rentals available to choose from.

Once you know when you’re getting there and the vacation rental is booked, its one big maritime oyster for you to explore. Get wrapped up in the people and culture of this feisty province. Eat seafood. Jump in the ocean. Enjoy your vacation to Nova Scotia with your family, your significant other, or alone. You’ll love it any way you do it!