Exciting Nova Scotia destinations

Tourist organizations often call Nova Scotia “Canada’s ocean playground”, and that’s true: there’s many exciting Nova Scotia destinations and activities including oceans, beaches, seafood, lakes, boating, fishing. You name it, we’ve got it.

But there’s a lot more to it than just that. There’s history, multiple cultures, craft beer and cider, music, food galore, and much more.

Let’s face it: you’d have trouble seeing everything in just one trip. We went for a four-day weekend around the Cabot Trail, one of the most famous Nova Scotia destinations, last October to see the fall colours and it still felt hurried. There was so much to see on that one trip alone, it was impossible to spend enough time to see it all.

And it’s not just fun in summer. There’s winter trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. There’s ski hills with gondola rides to the top. Winter cabins with log fireplaces… the list doesn’t end!

Regional Nova Scotia destinations

Just so we’re on the same page — Nova Scotia is divided into regions — sort of. There doesn’t seem to be one official map with one set of official regions – there are several variations. Just so we’re talking the same language, we’re using this map and these regions to define where things happen. Click on the links (at the right) to our regional travel guides to explore each region:

Traveling to Nova Scotia destinations

By air – Nova Scotia has one international airport, the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, as well as the Sydney Airport in Cape Breton that offers flights to and from Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto. The Yarmouth International airport does not offer commercial flights and is primarily for charter and corporate flights only.

By water – From Maine to Nova Scotia, Bay Ferries offers services between Yarmouth NS and Maine. You can find scheduling information on their website.

If you’re coming from Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island (PEI), or New Brunswick, these ferries are available:

Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland – North Sydney (year round)
Argentia, Newfoundland – North Sydney (summer season)
Wood Island, PEI – Caribou (May – December)
Saint John, New Brunswick – Digby (Year Round)

By road – If you’re driving from the US, the nearest border crossing is between Maine and New Brunswick at Calais/St. Stephen. Once you’ve cleared customs, you can drive up and around the Northern region and on to your destination, or you can take the car ferry from Saint John, New Brunswick, to Digby, Nova Scotia (leaves once a day at about 9:30 am).

If you’re coming from a Canadian destination, you can get to Nova Scotia using the TransCanada Highway.

By rail – VIA Rail, Canada’s main passenger train carrier runs to Halifax through New Brunswick and Quebec from as far away as Montreal.

Traveling in Nova Scotia

Public transit – For local public transportation, major cities and towns provide bus services. In Halifax, Halifax Transit is the public transportation service. Halifax Transit has routes running throughout Bedford, Dartmouth, Halifax, Sackville, Timberlea, and Cole Harbour. Halifax Transit provides a service for people with disabilities called Access-A-Bus. Information on public transit outside of Halifax can be found on Community Transit Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Canada.

Ferry – There are several Provincial Ferries between smaller waterways within the province including at least four provided by cable-ferries. Services vary for each and some only operate during warmer seasons.