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HellieF Aug 15th, 2004 09:28 AM

Yarmouth to Halifax for 4 nights - how to split them?
 
Our current plan is to spend three of those nights in Halifax, wondering if that's too much, or about right. That would mean one night along the coast. The alternative would be to spend two nights going up the coast, and two in Halifax.

Done a lot of reading and Web browsing, but haven't been able to get a sense of the city itself. We're from NYC, so for us it's not about the excitement of a change of pace to city life, but rather what's interesting and unique in places we visit. Last summer we spent 5 nights in Vancouver, which barely seemed like enough, while 2 nights in Victoria were plenty. Some cities are so stimulating that we keep returning (Montreal, Philly, Boston,) while others feel like after a couple of nights it's been there, done that. We like museums, interesting walks, shopping, boat/ferry rides, great food, and the occasional brewery tour. I know Halifax has these... but would it perhaps be a better allocation of our time to spend two nights driving up the coast, staying first around Shelburne and then around Lunenburg, so we can really enjoy the coastal area?

We'll be driving from home directly to Portland to catch the overnight ferry, so we thought it might be a good idea to take it easy and pick a destination 2 hours or less from Yarmouth for our first night - Shelburne seems a likely choice. But then some of the towns further along, like Lunenburg & Mahone Bay, seem appealing, and it feels like we'd have relatively little time to appreciate them if we're focussed on making Halifax for the second night. But if we stay a second night in one of those coastal towns, are we giving Halifax short shrift? It's a paradox I'd like some help with.

Any opinions welcome. We leave a week from today.

Helen

HellieF Aug 15th, 2004 09:35 AM

I realize that I omitted a third alternative - to make a longer haul on the first day, to go directly to the area around Lunenburg. Not my preference, but would consider it. Again, welcoming opinions, advice, recommendations, etc.

thanks,
HF

JanG Aug 15th, 2004 10:11 AM

Can certainly recommend Shelburne for a stop, we were there in June and enjoyed our stay. There are four museums to visit we particularly liked the Dory Shop. You do not say what type of accomodation you prefer but we stayed in the Millstones B&B which I could also recommend, as for great food do eat at Charlotte Lane if you stay in Shelburne:- http://www.destination-ns.com/common...rectoryID=2749
Reservations a must!

HellieF Aug 15th, 2004 10:45 AM

Thanks for your reply. I checked out that B&B, it does seem charming. For anyone who's interested, here's a URL: http://www.millstonesbedandbreakfast.com/

It seems increasingly likely that we'll stay in this area for the first night. Still left with my original dilemma: Night Two in Lunenburg, leaving only two nights in Halifax? Or stay with the original plan, head to Halifax for three nights?

Scotia Aug 15th, 2004 11:50 AM

Another suggestion is to drive from Yarmouth to Liverpool area. In particular to The Quarterdeck Beachside Villas on Summerville Beach. There is also an old lodge, White Point Beach, about 3 miles away with varying types of accomodation. Both are right on the ocean. This area is half way between Yarmouth and Halifax. If you spend one night here, then you could make a day trip from Liverpool area to Halifax stopping at Mahone Bay and Lunenburg having lunch at one of those places. Then you could spend your 3 nights in Halifax which is very historic.

HellieF Aug 15th, 2004 01:59 PM

Thanks for the info - I had been wondering about whether Liverpool would be a good alternative.

According to the provincial tourism guide it's another half hour's drive beyond Shelburne. Does that seem about right?

Scotia Aug 15th, 2004 02:54 PM

Yes, it is about 36 miles from Shelburne to Liverpool. The hotels I mentioned are just west of Liverpool. If you have lots of time, the old highway #3 is more scenic.

HogtownJim Aug 16th, 2004 03:51 PM

Mahone Bay is a gorgeous spot and Lunenburg would be a good place to set up camp.

You could take a day trip north of Halifax on the shore. In Halifax,
the Maritime Museum and the memorial to
the Titanic in Point Pleasant park are
places to visit.


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