10 Free Things to do in Nova Scotia | Canada
OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK THINGS TO DO
While on our week road trip around Nova Scotia, some of our favourite experiences were actually free ones.
Holidays and travelling can be expensive, not only the flights and accommodation but also eating out, activities and tourist attractions. So adding in some free things to do while you’re at your destination can really help keep the cost down.
I’ve tried to add some more off-the-beaten-track activities and locations as well as more well-known tourist attractions. These things aren’t as easy to find online but when you’ve found them, they’re worth a visit!
So here is our list of 10 things you can do around Nova Scotia for free!
1. Go waterfall hunting
Everybody loves a waterfall and there’s plenty to see in Nova Scotia!
If you find yourself in Baddeck go and check out Uisge Ban Falls Provincial Park. Uisge Ban, translating as “white water” in Gaelic and has a 4-kilometre trail that leads you to a 16-metre high waterfall.
When in Truro, visit Victoria Park, a 3,000-acre park that has two waterfalls and plenty of deer. Take on Jacobs Ladder, an elaborate trail of stairways and have a picnic out on the green.
Other waterfalls to check out:
Baxter’s Harbour Falls
Delaps Cove Waterfall
Hells Gate Falls
Wentworth Valley Falls
Annandale Falls
Egypt Falls
2. Watch the waves at Blue Rocks
Blue Rocks, located in the Lunenburg Municipal District is about a 6-minute drive from the town. Known for its picturesque and photogenic landscape, Blue Rocks is a little fisherman’s village with blue slate rocks on the edge of the ocean.
3. See Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, located in Peggy’s Cove, is one of the 160 lighthouses in Nova Scotia and is the most photographed lighthouse in Canada. This iconic Canadian image is one of the busiest attractions in the province so try and get there early to avoid the coaches of tourists.
4. Walk the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail
The Louisbourg Lighthouse trail hugs the coastline and takes you on a journey to discover the history of the country. Taking you through coastal areas like Gun Landing Cove and Brook Landing Cove. The iconic lighthouse where you start the trail is located on the site of the first-ever lighthouse in Canada in 1734. The trail starts across from the Fortress of Louisbourg, has a distance of 2 kilometres and takes about 1 hour to complete. Take a picnic with you and enjoy the coastline!
5. Go to an art festival
In the small town of Lunenburg, they have a surprisingly big art scene. Around 10% of the businesses are related to the arts! There are so many galleries, pottery studios and quaint boutiques selling unique gifts and items, a great place for some window shopping and to browse art from Nova Scotian artists.
They also hold the Lunenburg Arts Festival. Full of artisan vendors, craft tents, food and music, this festival is the perfect place for arts and craft lovers.
If you’re heading to Lunenburg check out our article: “Lunenburg, Nova Scotia- The Top 10 Things To Do”
6. Watch the sunset over the multi-coloured harbour
Lunenburg is a tiny UNESCO town with only 2,263 residence and is known for its colourful buildings. Walk along the water, admire the famous Bluenose II and go to the opposite side of the harbour. Here you’ll see the multi-coloured houses dotted along the landscape and this feels extra special to see as the sun starts to set.
7. Take a photo of “Nature’s Time Post”
The natural wonder of the balancing rock in Tiverton is a must-see. Overlooking St. Mary’s Bay, the 9 metre high, vertical column of basalt balances atop the rock, looks like it could fall any minute!
The 235-step staircase on the 2.5-kilometre trail leads to a platform with a view of the balancing rock and the bay below. Perfect for a photo opportunity.
8. Hunt for the red chairs
Parks Canada has placed red chairs in photogenic areas around the country. Try and find as many as you can in national parks and national historic sites in Nova Scotia!
So sit down, unwind and meditate on the beautiful nature around you and share your photos with #ShareTheChair!
Areas you can find them in:
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Grand-Pré National Historic Site
Fort Anne National Historic Site
Port-Royal National Historic Site
Kejimkujik National Park
9. Discover Cape Chignecto
The Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is a park known for its 29 kilometres of coastline, full of adventurous hikes and backpacking trails.
The highest cliffs which rise from the Bay of Fundy are 200 metres high and are a great photo opportunity. The Bay of Fundy is one of the 7 wonders of North America! The park has over 53 kilometres of trails, campsites, kayaking facilities and a picnic area overlooking the bay so take a picnic and admire the view!
10. See the rescued animals at Hope for Wildlife
You may have watched the programme “Hope for Wildlife” on TV. Hope for Wildlife is a charitable wildlife rehabilitation and education organisation in Seaforth. You can take a tour of the wildlife gardens and meet the adorable animals they’ve rescued. Visit the learning centre, learn about wildlife in Nova Scotia and meet the education ambassadors.
The organisation now takes in over 4,500 animals each year and since 1997 they have rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild over 40,000 animals that were either injured or orphaned.
