![Explore Nova Scotia Home Explore Nova Scotia Home](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/explorelogo.png)
- ACCOMMODATIONS
- ATTRACTIONS
![title= nova scotia travel and tourism](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/banners/homebanner.jpg)
Canada's Ocean Playground
WHERE TO GO
![Where to Go in Nova Scotia Where to Go in Nova Scotia](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/photos/destinations1.jpg)
Take a virtual tour of Nova Scotia. From the iconic Peggy's Cove Light on the historic south shore to the world-renowned Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, explore our growing collection of Nova Scotia destinations.
PLACES TO STAY
![Places to Stay in Nova Scotia Places to Stay in Nova Scotia](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/photos/placestostay2.jpg)
Choose from spacious campgrounds and RV parks, quiet bed and breakfasts, oceanfront cottages, historic country inns, luxury hotels and seaside resorts. Nova Scotia offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit every taste.
THINGS TO DO
![Things to Do in Nova Scotia Things to Do in Nova Scotia](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/photos/thingstodo3.jpg)
Hike a coastal trail and view the world's highest tides, experience the thrill of a whale watching cruise, or enjoy a quiet paddle on a heritage river system. Nova Scotia offers a wealth of outdoor activities to suit all tastes.
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Welcome to Nova Scotia
Nova scotia is located in easternmost canada ( upper east coast of north america ), and is one of four atlantic provinces. almost completely surrounded by the atlantic ocean, "canada's ocean playground" offers plenty of coastline to explore, including the world famous bay of fundy. discover nova scotia's must-see signature attractions including the iconic peggy's cove lighthouse, the joggins fossil cliffs (a unesco world heritage site), and the scenic cabot trail on cape breton island. come enjoy our warm east coast hospitality, and sample our fresh atlantic canada seafood.
![NS Map NS Map](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/novascotiamap2.png)
Explore Menu
- About Explore
- Destinations
- Accommodations
- Attractions
- Festivals & Events
- Photo Gallery
- Video Gallery
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://www.explorenovascotia.com/images/spacer.png)
Explore Resources
- Travel Information
- Visitor Guestbook
- Submit Listing
- Advertise on Explore
- Link to Explore
- Related Links
- Contact Information
Explore Nova Scotia Tourism Guide, featuring Destinations , Accommodations , Attractions , Adventures and Music Festivals & Events .
© 2024 ExploreNovaScotia.com and Rivendell Software (E), All Rights Reserved » Privacy Policy .
Providing Nova Scotia tourism and travel information since 1996.
"Festivals & Events" and "Destinations" photos courtesy of Nova Scotia Tourism.
"Accommodations" banner photo courtesy of Anchorage House Inn & Cottages.
"Places to Stay" photo courtesy of Blockhouse Hill Bed & Breakfast.
"Things to Do" photo courtesy of Greg Trowse.
16 things to know before visiting Nova Scotia
![nova scotia travel and tourism Darcy Rhyno](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-04/Darcy%20Rhyno%20headshot.jpg?w=64&h=64&fit=crop&crop=faces&auto=format&q=75)
May 22, 2024 • 7 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyRF1019638592.jpg?w=1440&h=810&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
Get the most out of your visit to Nova Scotia with these local tips and insight aprott / Getty Images
As a born and bred Nova Scotian and a one-time tourism promoter, I’ve been welcoming and advising visitors for decades.
This is my home and my playground, and I never tire of exploring Nova Scotia ’s nooks and crannies. There’s always a new winery or restaurant, a kayaking tour or an Indigenous experience to renew my appreciation of the home I thought I knew.
The good news is that my fellow Nova Scotians are just as eager to receive visitors. On a whale-watching tour, the captain will invite you into the wheelhouse for a yarn. It’s their fishing boat – they're eager to show it off. At a winery, the vintner is more than happy to talk about varietals and the organic approaches to growing them. Inside a rural museum, an interpreter might invite you to help fit that next board onto the dory they're building. Their great-grandparents might have built similar boats here.
Nova Scotia is very safe, but more than that, its people are ready to welcome visitors with open arms, a glass of wine and a tale or two, some of which might even be true. Get the most out of your trip to Nova Scotia with these things to know before you go.
![nova scotia travel and tourism People stroll along a boardwalk at a waterfront](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/shutterstockRF482114659.jpg?w=1920&auto=format&q=75)
1. Plan to spend at least three days in Nova Scotia
A common misconception among visitors to Nova Scotia is that it’s driveable in a single day. While technically true – a one-way trip tip-to-tip takes eight hours – you’ll want to immerse yourself in its rural charms and urban panache. Get off the 100-series highways onto the rural routes and scenic drives. Take that side road down to the wharf. When that beach tempts you to pull over and walk it, answer the call.
Looking for other ways to travel around Nova Scotia? Here's our transportation guide
2. Pack for changeable weather
Casual, comfortable clothing is ubiquitous – lots of denim, plaid, t-shirts, sneakers, sandals. Smart casual for the theater or a nice dinner is as formal as it gets. More importantly, pack layers and a waterproof windbreaker for cool nights, foggy coastlines and rainy days. Winter’s a different story when freezing temperatures require hats, mittens and warm coats.
Figure out which time of year you should visit Nova Scotia
3. Book accommodations and car rentals well ahead
Especially in summer and near the sea, accommodations fill up months in advance, sometimes a year out. Rental cars are hard to come by in summer, so book one well ahead of arrival.
![nova scotia travel and tourism A city waterfront with a small sail boat in the foreground](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyRF912939826.jpg?w=1920&auto=format&q=75)
4. Getting into and around Nova Scotia requires creativity
Everyone needs a passport to enter Canada through Nova Scotia, including Canadians returning from abroad. Citizens of the US and many other countries need only a passport, others need additional documentation .
Maritime Bus serves some parts of Nova Scotia with daily stops. A two-hour trip costs about $25. VIA Rail, the only passenger train , links Halifax and Montréal three times a week. EV charging stations are coming online quickly, but the total number is only around 100. While useful in Halifax, ride-hailing apps won’t likely get you a ride in rural areas. A few taxi services survive in some small towns.
Halifax’s Metro Transit runs a network of efficient, affordable bus routes and the ferry service that makes several harbor crossings per hour. An adult fare for either is $2.75. Ask for a paper transfer each time you get off a bus or ferry so you can catch the next one for free. Sydney on Cape Breton Island has its own public transit , but that’s about where services that are useful to visitors end in Nova Scotia.
5. Call 911 in an emergency
That number gets you an ambulance operated by professional paramedics. In rural Nova Scotia, it gets you a first responder, a volunteer with extensive first aid training who can quickly reach the services required for whatever the emergency might be. Medically essential transportation by ambulance can cost over $1000 for tourists, so be sure to have adequate travel insurance and contact your insurance company immediately.
6. Cell phone options are expensive, so stick with your home plan
Picking up a SIM card upon arrival in Canada won’t land you the savings it does in other countries. Phone plans in Nova Scotia are notoriously expensive. It’s likely cheaper to stick with your own roaming plan.
First time in Canada? Here's what you need to know
7. Wi-fi is common and free
Hoping to cut down on expensive data use? Most bars, restaurants and attractions offer free wi-fi. Just ask a server for the password. Need a keyboard? Libraries across Nova Scotia are equipped with computers that are free to use.
![nova scotia travel and tourism A man buys sunflowers from a roadside farm stall](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-08/Nova-Scotia-Roadside-Farm-Stand-Nova-Scotia-JPA04829.jpg?w=1920&auto=format&q=75)
8. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, but take cash to farmers markets
Nova Scotia businesses of all sizes have gone fully electronic. Debit and credit cards are almost universally accepted. Just remember that small businesses have to eat the transaction fees, so debit is better than credit for them, and cash is better than both. Small companies like Wilson’s sell gasoline at a discount when you pay with debit or cash.
9. ...and tipping is expected
When paying by card, you’ll see a range of percentages pop up. The standard tip at Nova Scotia restaurants is 15%. There's no need to go higher than that, but do remember that many servers are paid minimum wage.
10. Place names can be tricky to get right
Expect strange, hard-to-pronounce place names in Nova Scotia, many with Mi’kmaw, French or Gaelic roots. Nobody in Antigonish is against something called a “gonish,” as one visitor enquired. No one is looking for anything in Ecum Secum. There’s no bumper crop of fungi in Mushaboom. Nova Scotians are known for their healthy sense of humor and will happily help with correct pronunciation. Pronounce Musquodoboit as “mus-ka-dob-it.” When asking how far to Ben Eoin, it helps to think of a sleepy friend named “Ben Yawn.”
11. Practice your French in Acadian communities
In communities of Acadian ancestry such as Cheticamp, Isle Madame, Pubnico and Clare, French is the first language. It’s an older form of the language, influenced by English and Mi’kmaq, the local Indigenous language. Slipping into a conversation with a speaker of Acadian French will make an instant friend, but be prepared for a heavy accent and a hybrid language in which un pickup and un truck à garbage are easily translated terms.
12. Canada is in the midst of a reconciliation process with Indigenous peoples
Centuries of mistreatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada by settlers has led to a process called reconciliation . Governments at all levels and Canadians of settler descent are working to address the fallout of that mistreatment. At a musical performance, you’ll likely hear a land acknowledgment that declares the area as the ancestral home of the Mi’kmaq. Visitors are encouraged to seek out the welcoming Mi’kmaq, who offer interpretive experiences such as Eskasoni Cultural Journeys and work as guides in places like Kejimkujik National Park and the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre .
![nova scotia travel and tourism A lighthouse being buffetted by massive waves](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/500pxRF105483775.jpg?w=1920&auto=format&q=75)
13. Stand well back from breaking waves
If there’s one danger Nova Scotians want every visitor to be aware of, it’s unpredictable coastal waves. At popular sites, waves roll straight in off the Atlantic, gently washing over the rocks one minute and potentially rising up to swallow onlookers at the next. Stay well back from rocky shores where waves break. At Peggy’s Cove , watch the waves from the viewing deck. On beaches, learn how rip tides work and how to escape them .
14. Forget bottled water
All restaurants serve free water with meals, usually from the tap, that's safe to drink. There’s rarely a need to buy water in plastic bottles.
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
15. Put down that lobster bib
I know, I know. Cracking open and devouring a whole lobster is a messy business, and you don’t want stains on your shirt. But nothing marks a tourist faster than donning the plastic bib decorated with little lobsters that restaurants provide. Be bold. Go local. Dive into that big, red, delicious crustacean with both hands, bib-free.
16. Cannabis is legal but confined to private places
Canada legalized cannabis in 2018. The Nova Scotia Liquor Commission (NSLC) is the only legal retailer of cannabis in the province, and it’s sold in the same stores as beer, wine and spirits. If you’re at least 19 (that’s also the legal drinking age), feel free to use it in the privacy of your accommodations. You can possess up to 30 grams in public, but it’s illegal to use in most public places and in a vehicle. Don't drive under the influence, and don’t forget it in your suitcase when flying out of Halifax. Otherwise, if you’re one for the weed, enjoy this rare freedom.
Plan your trip to Nova Scotia:
- Save this list of the best things to do
- These are the places you have to visit
- Head out on one of these scenic road trips
Explore related stories
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-07/Jeff-Frenette-Photography201619AOUT1128COR-cropped.jpg?w=730&h=630&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
Jul 24, 2024 • 8 min read
One of Lonely Planet’s destination editors recently visited Québec City for the first time in decades. Here what made her trip memorable.
![nova scotia travel and tourism Jess kayaking in Newfoundland](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-07/Jess-kayaking-in-Newfoundland.jpeg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
Jul 16, 2024 • 5 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism Diving in Zanzibar's teal waters](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-05/where-to-go-when-july-updated.png?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 28, 2024 • 9 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/LPT1216014.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 27, 2024 • 7 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism Man preparing hammock, Ingonish, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyImages-702546035-copy.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 26, 2024 • 7 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism A woman enjoying a winter sunset at Peggys Point Lighthouse, Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia. A reflection is seen in a pool of water gathered on the rocks.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyImages-657041938.jpeg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 23, 2024 • 4 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyImages-2054050126-cropped.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 21, 2024 • 11 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-06/500pxRF129542151.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 17, 2024 • 7 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism Man walking on Terwillegar Bridge in Edmonton, Alberta.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyImages-1033873824.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 11, 2024 • 9 min read
![nova scotia travel and tourism nova scotia travel and tourism](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-05/GettyImages-1159554503-cropped.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)
May 7, 2024 • 8 min read
- Newsletter Signup
- Portal Login
WELCOME TO TOURISM NOVA SCOTIA'S
Corporate website, working with our partners to grow tourism.
Looking for Trip Planning Information?
Growing Local Tourism
![nova scotia travel and tourism A small town connected by a bridge surrounded by trees](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/DJI_0633-2.jpg)
Emerging Destinations Program
The Emerging Destinations Program provides research, coaching and support to develop an action plan to use your community’s most compelling attractions and events to raise your profile with travellers. Access new programs and learn more about activities to help grow local tourism.
Get Expert Support to Connect with Customers Online
![nova scotia travel and tourism Woman posting an image of her meal on Instagram](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/2021-09/30PAR_2621Edit.tif1920x800.jpg)
Use the Digital Resource Centre for Tools and Expert Advice to Promote Your Business Online
Delivered in partnership between Tourism Nova Scotia and Digital Nova Scotia, DigiPort is an online resource centre where you can connect with qualified digital service providers for one-on-one support and access articles, videos, tip sheets, webinars and more to help you be more visible online, reach more potential customers, and close the sale.
- Request Maps of Nova Scotia
- Promote Your Business with Us
- Tourism Nova Scotia Programs
- Webinar Series
- Business Tools & Resources
- Accommodations Occupancy Reporting
Featured News
![nova scotia travel and tourism Flood damage in Halls Harbour is seen Friday, July 12. The bridge is damaged.](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/styles/882x636/public/2024-07/HALLS_HARBOUR_3x2_JHedit.jpg?itok=h6SdzznR)
Disaster Financial Assistance for July 2024 Flash Flooding Damage
![nova scotia travel and tourism A picture of Heather Yule, Director of Sector Development](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/styles/882x636/public/2024-07/HeatherYule-hires_3x2_JHedit.jpg?itok=nFotz9Fr)
Announcing Heather Yule, Our New Director of Sector Development!
![nova scotia travel and tourism Destination Canada Webinar](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/styles/882x636/public/2024-07/GRGeESfWEAAfigE_JHedit_3x2.jpg?itok=lNdulPML)
Destination Canada presents Destination Dialogues Seminars
![nova scotia travel and tourism Five bottles of wine on a wooden table. The wines are Gaspereau Vineyards Reserve Reisling, Planters Ridge Chardonnay, Blomidon Estate Winery Cuvee L'acadie, and Lightfoot and Wolfville's Brut and Brut Rose.](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/styles/882x636/public/2024-07/IMG_3990_JHedit32.jpeg?itok=PxoJTOvA)
Nova Scotia Wines Win Award for Excellence
![nova scotia travel and tourism A drone captures the Bluenose II sailing ship coming in to the dock on the Lunenburg waterfront. The ships sails are full and the weather is sunny.](https://tourismns.ca/sites/default/files/styles/882x636/public/2024-07/bluea111_0633_3x2ratio.jpg?itok=6ziZcNWa)
Tour Operators Apply Now! Partner with Us to Promote Packages
See all articles on our blog, or subscribe to our industry newsletter here .
Tourism Nova Scotia
Tourism Nova Scotia works with communities and industry to attract visitors to the province and increase tourism revenues through experience and sector development, business coaching, marketing, and visitor servicing. As a division of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, Tourism Nova Scotia is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across Nova Scotia and we support partners who share in this commitment. Tourism Nova Scotia is located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq. We are all Treaty people.
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Find all the helpful info you need to plan your visit to Nova Scotia, Canada. Discover the top things to see and do, along with unique experiences.
Discover where to go and what to do on your next Nova Scotia adventure with our comprehensive Doers & Dreamers Travel Guide. Get yours to start planning.
Discover Nova Scotia's must-see signature attractions including the iconic Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, the Joggins Fossil Cliffs (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the scenic Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. Come enjoy our warm East Coast Hospitality, and sample our fresh Atlantic Canada Seafood!
Plan your visit to Nova Scotia, Canada, with these local tips and insight on everything from health and safety to packing and transportation.
There’s no question the hardest part about your visit to Nova Scotia is deciding what to do next. Make the most of your time by exploring our Top 25 things to see and do in Nova Scotia... with a little off-the-beaten-path adventure mixed in.
Tourism Nova Scotia works with communities and industry to attract visitors to the province and increase tourism revenues through experience and sector development, business coaching, marketing, and visitor servicing.