25 Spectacular Reasons to Visit Nova Scotia (If You Haven’t Already)
Updated: Apr. 20, 2022
We challenged you to capture the essence of Nova Scotia on camera, and you delivered! From instantly recognizable landmarks to mouthwatering seafood meals, this gorgeous gallery will have you packing your bags for Halifax.
Postcard Perfect
Pictures of Nova Scotia don’t get more iconic than this! Paula Brown’s magnificent panoramic shot captures the village of Peggy’s Cove at its most photogenic.
Canadian Classic
“This is a photo of my 15-year-old son Andrew taken on Wednesday, January 12th at 10:25 am,” writes Haligonian Tom Murray. “It was very chilly at -15 degrees Celsius, but we didn’t care because we both love hockey and enjoy being outdoors. We had the entire place to ourselves and it was so quiet and peaceful that the only thing we could hear was the sharp sound of our metal skate blades against the ice. The game of hockey has given me so many great life experiences. But the opportunity to enjoy the game of hockey with my son on this day in this truly unique setting was incredibly special.”
What a beautiful memory, Tom—and a beautiful photo to keep it forever fresh in your mind. Thank you for sharing!
Check out more photography that celebrates the beauty of the Canadian winter.
The Piper of Peggy’s Cove
The talented Mr. George Coombes provided the perfect soundtrack for Maria Powell’s visit. You can almost hear those bagpipes blaring in her evocative shot.
You’ll find more of Maria’s photography in this gallery of beautiful doors across Canada.
A Moment to Reflect
The Merchant Mariners Memorial made a striking subject for Michelle Loyer’s lens. She snapped this captivating shot while in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia, waiting for the ferry to Newfoundland.
Read the haunting stories behind Canada’s most famous shipwrecks.
It’s a Shore Thing
“This colourful little seaside shanty caught my eye when I was driving to Port George to take a photo of a lighthouse for a previous Theme Pic Challenge,” writes Kim Ross. “It just looked so inviting, and I could imagine staying for the summer! Croquet anyone? Freshly caught haddock? The water is frigid so I’d pass on the swimming! Located on Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy, Port George is one of the many communities along the bay and many tourists enjoy the scenery of the area, even on a foggy day!”
A True Canadian Landmark
Stormy skies couldn’t dampen Janny Pape’s spirits on her visit to the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.
More Than Just a Lighthouse
This incredible shot from Rhonda Beirnes of Listowel, Ontario, has us aching for the east coast. What better place to master the art of tying a fisherman’s knot than Peggy’s Cove?
Check out 10 east coast attractions worth adding to your bucket list.
Le Grand Dérangement
Russ Hayes’ journey through Nova Scotia included a visit to the Grand-Pré Memorial Church and Evangeline Statue. “The park is set aside to commemorate the Acadian settlement from 1682-1755, and the deportation of the Acadians during this period,” Russ writes.
Here’s what you’ll discover along Nova Scotia’s Evangeline Trail.
To the Brink
It’s a good thing Rhonda Beirnes doesn’t suffer from vertigo! The fearless photographer captured this dizzying shot of the cliffs at Cape Split—widely regarded as one of the best hiking trails in Nova Scotia.
Check out more great hikes across Canada.
Fundy’s Fury
“This day, a few years ago, was very windy, and we took the opportunity to drive over to see the waves at Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia,” writes Rena Nixon of nearby New Minas. “I must say the waves were proving to be very strong, wild and beautiful. Glad to have taken my camera with me.” We’re glad you took it too, Rena!
Marvel at 30 more wild weather pictures from across the country.
Come Sail Away
Just over an hour’s drive from Halifax, Lunenburg is a popular day trip from Nova Scotia’s capital. It was in Lunenburg’s picturesque harbour that Sandy Sinclair of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, snapped this handsome schooner.
Brush up on the incredible story of the Bluenose, one of Lunenburg’s biggest attractions.
Natural Wonder
“If there’s one thing that captures the fascination of visitors to the province, it’s our ocean’s tides,” writes native Nova Scotian Kim Ross. “Reputed to be the highest in the world in the Minas Basin, the low tides seem to be the favourite. It’s the opportunity to see what lies under the water and walk on the floor of the Basin. This was taken at Delhaven Government Wharf looking southward over Medford Beach. The red sandstone rock formation on the left was the well-known Medford Arch until recently, when a particularly nasty storm battered the coast and one wave too many caused the arch to collapse after eons of showing itself twice a day. One savvy local entrepreneur hosts a yearly event nearby at Burntcoat Head, with formal dining on the basin floor during the six-hour low tide. Amazing!”
Time Warp
A visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton is a trip back in time. Norma Keith of Baltimore, Ontario, snapped this shot of the immaculately restored 18th-century barracks when she visited the national historic site.
Here are more must-see historic attractions across Canada.
Claw-fully Good Fun
“A stressful dinner in Digby, Nova Scotia,” writes Lorraine Bayford. “I bit into it, and it bit back!” Thanks for the smile—and the sudden craving for a fresh lobster dinner. Yum!
For more laughs, check out our all-time favourite Canadian jokes.
Catch of the Day
Elsewhere in Digby, Tricia Parker snapped these fishers loading a lobster boat. Wonder if their haul ended up on Lorraine’s plate?
Time Goes By
Perched on Citadel Hill, the Town Clock is one of Halifax’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in 1802, the structure that stands today is a faithful reconstruction dating back to the 1960s—and a stately subject for Norma Keith’s camera.
Check out more of Norma’s spectacular snaps in this gallery of rainbow pictures.
It’s Better By Boat
How much more fun would your daily commute be if you could swap the car for a ferry ride? Rosa Cross snapped the William G. Ernst passenger ferry to Tancook Island as it steamed across the bay.
Check out more beautiful boat photography from across the country.
Misty Morning
Swathed in thick fog, Peggy’s Cove takes on an air of mystery in Sandy Sinclair’s shot. It’s easy to see how local legends like the Oak Island curse continue to spark the imagination…
Hungry Bird
Officially, Nova Scotia’s provincial bird is the osprey, but the common gull probably pops up in more tourist snaps! Maria Powell managed to catch this one right in the middle of a meal.
Find out the fascinating story behind every province’s flower.
A New Beginning
Between 1928 and 1971, nearly a million immigrants started new lives in Canada at Halifax’s Pier 21, photographed here by Sandy Morrison of Abbotsford, B.C. Fittingly, Canada’s last remaining ocean immigration terminal is now home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration.
Here are 20 fascinating artefacts you’ll find in Canadian museums.
I Spy…
The world’s largest fiddle is somewhere in this photo. Can you spot it? The oversized musical instrument adorns the waterfront in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Check out Canada’s quirkiest roadside attractions.
Lasting Impression
“This 100-foot long bas relief was carved on an exposed piece of granite by a Finn named William E. deGearth,” writes photographer Russ Hayes. “He moved to Peggy’s Cove in 1955, and in 1977, at the age of 70, began the creation on this monument.” We’ll definitely be adding this to our Peggy’s Cove itinerary, Russ.
Discover more hidden gems across Canada.
Slice of Life
Although it’s undoubtedly a popular tourist attraction, Peggy’s Cove remains a working village with a practical side—lobster traps and all—as showcased in Richard Main’s marvelous shot.
Explore more great day trips from Halifax.
Happy as Clams
“You’d be hard pressed to find a Bluenoser that doesn’t appreciate a good feed of freshly dug clams,” writes Nova Scotia native Kim Ross. “Many visitors to Grand Desert Beach love to give it a try hoping to get a bucket of the salty delicacy. Some like them steamed but I’m a fan of the deep-fried version. On this day, I asked my husband to dig up something for supper and he did—literally! Mind you, he’s a commercial fisherman so he can dig about 100 pounds in an hour on a good low tide. The tool itself starts as a five-pronged pitchfork which has the handle shortened and the prongs bent to a certain angle, usually at an auto body shop. Most folks digging recreationally just use shovels and buckets and seem to quite enjoy getting filthy dirty in the process. Makes for a wonderful family day at the beach.”
Check out more quintessential Canadian dishes—and the best places in the country to find them.
A Bird’s Eye View
What better way to bring these pictures of Nova Scotia to a close than by returning to our starting point of Peggy’s Cove—albeit from an unusual angle! Gabor Dosa’s soaring shot will have you seeing this familiar landmark from a new perspective.
If you enjoyed these pictures of Nova Scotia, be sure to check out the 10 places in Canada every Canadian needs to visit.
