jwuch

I know this is a really general question but if you could only do 5 things in nova scotia what would you do? My husband and I are celebrating an anniversary and would like to go see something amazing and beautiful and have loads of fun just the two of us. And we would like to do it in Nova Scotia. So someone sell it to us!!!
thanks

geebee14

Naturally, it would help to know if you're 30 or 60, fit or sedentary, city or country oriented, but here's my 2 cents' worth:
1. explore part of the Bay of Fundy (hike/visit Cape Chignecto, Cape d'Or, or Cape Split on a sunny day)
2. drive the Cabot Trail, stay at the Keltic Lodge, and golf at Highlands Links
3. stay overnight in Lunenburg, walk the town, drive to Blue Rocks, Mahone Bay, and Chester, work in a lobster supper
4. visit Louisbourg and enjoy the history
5. stay in Halifax, visit the historic properties area and walk the harbourfront

ltt

"loads of fun" means many different things to different people. does that mean you want to have a bunch of bars to visit? celieh's? or a remote cabin in beautiful wilderness with no one around. how long do you plan on being there? budget per night?
if you only had a week, for me it would be a night at the start in halifax or pictou area, the rest of the time on cape breton and then a final night in halifax.

toedtoes

I've been planning a 10 day trip there for this summer also and it seems that it's better to choose EITHER the southern part or the northern part. There's just too much to see otherwise to cram it all into a week.

So, if you want the hiking, etc., then I'd choose Halifax and up to Cape Breton. If you aren't into hiking, choose Halifax and south along the lighthouse trail.

For my trip, I'm looking at Halifax, Lunenburg, Digby, and Truro (I have family history there).

One of the best things you can do is get the Doers and Dreamers guidebook from the NS Tourism. It's been recommended here many times and gives you some very nice ideas to lay out your trip as well as things to do, places to stay, etc.

oliverandharry

Please don't continue to post the same question under different screen names! People here will try to help you - but only one of you! I also support getting a Doers and Dreamers guide. Maybe you could sell yourself on this trip.

jwuch

Hey Oliverandharry
I am sorry but this is the first time I have ever posted anything here in my life. So I am not posting under a different screen name.
and I guess what I am looking for is a Letterman top ten list of things to see in Nova Scotia. i am tired of being the tour director in the family and want someone else to help me out this time. I have the dreamers and doers book but from my travels I also know that what you see may not be what it really is. I also find it all very overwhelming-- soo much to do. So help me out if you can.
thanks

geebee14

I know the feeling. Do your research and post a tentative itinerary on this site. See what response you get to that. People may be able to tweak it for you.

klam_chowder

toedtoes - while around Digby, will you have time to stay over on Brier Island? If so, check out the Balancing Rock on the way to/from Digby.

In Digby town itself, there's Boardwalk Cafe (on the water - quel surprise...LOL!) that has amazing seared scallops salad. I recall not only was it delish but a great deal too! The cafe is pretty cute with back deck tables overlooking the harbor, I think all the food and desserts all are homemade.

If you're heading down the South Shore, check your DD Guide and see if the Privateer Days festival in Liverpool lines up with your travel dates. It's a lovely town and if you like festivals and haunted things, it's worth a few hours.

Don't know if these are on your radar - just thought I'd mention them in case you wanted to check them out (=

Enjoy-la!

blrn1

Hey jwuch!

I think you were accused of posting the same message under a different screen name because I posted almost an identical question within a day of your posting! My husband & I are also planning an anniversary trip to Nova Scotia this year, and like you, I'm doing most of the planning, got the doers & dreamers guide, and am now looking for some personal recommendations.

...The only response my post got, though, was "do a search!" so I'm now following your thread closely. Hope you have a great trip!!

toedtoes

Thanks Klam. I am planning on staying on Brier Island and definitely have Balancing Rock on my to do list. I am planning on stopping in Liverpool for an afternoon to check out the Sherman Hines Museum of Photography, so I'll check into the Privateer Days. The food is going to be my toughest issue - I'm a vegetarian and it's going to drive me nuts with all that shellfish around me and not eating it.

Blrn1 and Jwuch - that's what I thought when I read your posts. I figured you "lost" the first post and ended up re-signing up and re-posting. That's why I only responded to one of the posts.

Jwuch - I have a hard time with "top 10" lists because what I think is a must see, you might care less about. If I had to say any musts from my research, it would be:

1. Whale Watching
2. Halifax' historical sites, etc.
3. Cabot Trail

But, as I mentioned earlier, when I was trying to schedule my trip (10 days), I couldn't get everything worth seeing into the trip. I ended up dropping the northern area for another time.

klam_chowder

geebee14's list is pretty good.

If you're looking for something more active, try river rafting the Shubenacadie - it's a blast!

toedtoes: you still might want to check out the Boardwalk Cafe - it's owned by 2 ladies I think, and it has fresh wholesome type food.

In case you haven't heard, THE place in Halifax for vegetarians is the Wooden Monkey. Satisfaction Feast is the old timer of this category. Sweet Basil isn't vegetarian per se but has wonderful food and always has excellent v-options on the menu.

Enjoy-la!

mat54

Well, of course, tastes vary, but there is so much that is spectacular and fun in NS. I have vacationed there 5 times, travelled all over, and here are my favourites:

1 - The Cabot Trail through and near spectacular Cape Breton National Park. One of the world's top scenic drives. Some wonderful nature walks/day hikes in the park, great wildlife viewing, several beaches including a couple of gorgeous semi-secluded ones near Dingwall (perfect for romantic stroll and picnic), interesting towns, artsy shops. Historic Fortress of Louisbourg as a day trip.
2 - Halifax Harbour and adjacent downtown areas. Vibrant and fun, boardwalk, restaurants, pubs, museums, Historic Buildings converted into specialty shops, the Citadel.
3 - A day trip out of Halifax to include Peggy's Cove (short but unique scenic stop), maybe Mahone Bay, and definitely Lunenburg - preserved historic town (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Marine history, many specialty shops, cafes.
4 - A few days exploring further down the Lighthouse Route. Get off the main highways and follow the coastal roads. Colourful fishing villages, lighthouses, some spectacular beaches, many of them "hidden" almost deserted gems (more romantic strolls!).
5 - Oh, difficult choice - Brier Island is off-the-beaten track, beautiful, great for naturalists (birds, wildflowers) and whale-watching. Could base in Digby, do a day trip or overnight to Brier Island, and also explore other nearby sites e.g. Annaopolis Royal. Parrsboro area is also interesting - super for rockhounders/geology bluffs, interesting scenery, and a little off the beaten track.

aaatraveller

I would go to
1. Louisbourg and the Heritage Coast include a Ceilidh
2. Cabot Trail Golf in the Highlands, and include Cheticamp
3. Lobster Dinner a few good restaurants on Cape Breton, but mord in Halifax
4. The Citadel and Casino Nova Scotia
5. Scallops in Digby

janjanjan

Lunenburg, Louisbourg, Grand Pre, and Cheticamp were the highlights of our 6 week trip to NS this past summer. If I had to pick one experience, I'd choose the play which is put on in Cheticamp each summer. I can't even remember the name of it, but it is an amateur production which features the NS Symphony as accompaniment which gives you an idea of how well done it is.

The play is the story of the Acadians who settled the area, both pre and post-British expulsion. This is the real story of real families who lived the Evangeline story. It is presented in French in the town hockey rink, is a musical with exceptionally talented singers, and is incredibly well done. We were told that half-price tickets were $18.50, which seemed ridiculous for an amateur production in a hockey rink! But, we would happily have paid full price for what we got. The best part was sitting next to a local family on one side who shared their story with us during the break, and a couple from Holland who shared their wonder at the value of the evening.

Grand Pre was also terrific. What we learned about the Acadians was that they were the first Europeans who thought of themselves as permanent residents of North America and who didn't look backward to the old country, whether England or France. And, this was more than 50 years before the American Revolution.

jwuch

ok so here goes.
i am 47 my husband is 48
we have been married almost 25 years which is why we are taking this trip. i work in an office. my husband is an electrician. i do not eat seafood he adores it. we live in the midwest of the usa and have no boats or harbors just one stinky river and lots of corn fields. our kids are finally old enough to stay home alone while we are gone. my husband walks into a town and says what is going on here. i think that is from going to florida every year and staying in the same hotel for an entire week and then driving back. i walk into a town with five guidebooks, a watch and a calculator.
i know nothing about nova scotia except some people that volunteer where i work swear it is outstanding.
we do not plan to bar hop but hitting a winery might be nice.
thanks for all your suggestions.
i think we are looking for more of an adventure than a vacation so keep giving me suggestions
at this point i am leaning on going south except someone told me we had to go to prince something island.

toedtoes

Jwuch - that's the problem with asking folks what they think you should do... they all have suggestions and you can't do it all so you end up banging your head against a wall trying to figure it out.

My recommendation is to do what YOU'RE leaning towards. If you think the south is for you, then skip Prince Edward Island this trip. The odds of it disappearing into the ocean are pretty slim, so you'll be able to come back and see it (at least that's what I'm hoping).

geebee14

jwuch - no matter what you choose, NS will not disappoint. I agree with toedtoes that Prince Edward Island (normally shortened to PEI), while wonderful in its own right, should be a separate vacation. There is the Jost winery at Malagash along the Northumberland Strait (an often overlooked, but attractive area) and at least one other (I think near Grand Pre, but haven't first-hand knowledge of that). Post further questions as you do some reading and planning. There seems to be some strong local knowledge on this site.

irecommend

jwuch

Welcome to Fodors.
Its a great spot where you can get some great information.

Everybody is different and like different things.
From the sounds of things, I think when you get to Nova Scotia and relax and let loose you will love it!

I am also 48 and will be celebrating 25 years this summer.
I lived in Cape Breton as I child and have visited over the years with my children.

# 1 is the Cabot Trail. Great scenery and some wonderful local spots with little gems like fiddlers by
campfires at local inns in the evenings.

Fortress of Louisburg is a must. Plan a day there.

These two things are must do's.

From there on, you could pick any other suggestions that people have offered as you just cant go wrong.

But the above two are "MUST DOS"

I will say Truro is a non tourist spot so dont overnight there .