Scout12

How many days should I allow to leisurely explore Nova Scotia? My friends and I plan to fly to Halifax from NY and rent a car. My friend can spend a week, but I can stay up to a week later, or at least 3 or 4 days. Would that be enough for NS? Thanks.

tovarich

I would spend 2 to 3 days in halifax then drive to Lunenburg via Peggy's cove-mahone bay.Then up to Annapolis royal(visit Fort Anne,Historic gardens and Port royal habitation.)Then to Truro or if driving a lot is ok all the way to Baddeck.Then at least 3 to four days doing the Cabot trail.Stay in Cheticamp and Ingonish.Then on to a must see ;Louisburg fortress.Stay two days.Then in two days back to HALIFAX visiting Sherbrooke along the way.Paul

mat54

Yes, Cape Breton Island - the Cabot Trail - is in my opinion a major highlight of Atlantic Canada (in fact of Canada in general). As your friend has only a week you might want to fit this in first and this will limit your time here - but 3 days would allow you to enjoy the highlights. Many people enjoy the fortress at Louisbourg which is a historic recreation, but this is really very much a matter of personal interests and for me, again with limited time and other priorities, I would skip it (maybe you would love it!).

The South Shore is also wonderful including as recommended historic Lunenburg with a stop at scenic little Peggy's Cove. If you have time to tour farther down this coast there are lots of quaint fishing villages and beautiful coastal scenery to tour. An option with your friend's limited time would be to base yourself in Halifax for a few days and do day-trips to the closer portions of the South Shore while leaving some time to enjoy Halifax's vibrant Harbour district. You could also day-trip to Wolfville and Blomidon from Halifax.

Once your friend leaves you could take yourself further down the South Shore and/or up to Annapolis for a couple of nights, and perhaps day-trip the Digby-neck peninsula and Brier Island from there (or stay over if Whale-watching interests you - but check seasonality and book ahead). Then before returning to Halifax you might consider taking the Digby Ferry to Saint John New Brunswick and drive the short distance to Alma/Fundy National Park to witness the spectacular tides and coastal scenery there. Overnight, then on the drive back to Halifax stop at Hopewell Rocks for another dramatic view of the Fundy Tidal action.

NorthwestMale

Based on the OP's description, it probably makes the most sense to land in Halifax and then immediately head to Cape Breton vs. staying in Halifax at the outset.

The "friend" should definitely see Cape Breton, and with plenty of time the pair should cover the bases in order of priority.

A next move for both might be a detour to the 'west' (after stopping in Pictou, NS), to Moncton, NB and then down to see Hopewell Cape, before a return path toward Halifax via the Amherst (NS)-Parrsboro(NS)-Truro path, which is scenic.

If further interested in the Fundy Tides, I'd visit the Wolfville area either on that same tour or on a different, day trip from Halifax. Hikers would probably love Cape Split, if that describes you.

Save Halifax toward the end, after you know you got to drive the Cabot Trail up north in clear, sunny weather.

Add a day trip to Peggy's Cove/Lunenburg from a Halifax base.

The lone traveler remaining might do well to drive the loop around southern NS via Yarmouth, etc. stopping in Digby and Annapolis Royal.