6 of us, 3 couples, are planning a trip to Nova Scotia the last week of September 2024. We are all able-bodied, active 59-65 yr-olds. None of us have been here before, so we are excited for something new! I’ve found some preliminary info about things to see/do in NS. We will likely fly in/out of Halifax. We are planning for one week. I know we want to spend some time in Halifax, a couple of days doing Cabot Trail/Cape Breton. Any recommendations? We are from ATL, GA, so we are looking forward to cooler temps. Is there a leaf season there? Will travel from place to place be easy? Or congested with leaf-peepers? Any B&B recommendations? Obviously, we’re in the infancy stage of planning. Your suggestions are welcome!
Posted by
Calgary
1653 posts
I haven't been to Nova Scotia in the fall, but I suspect that September would be too early for leaf-peeping.
Some sights I enjoyed in the area:
Halifax:
Pier 21. This was my absolute favourite sight in NS. This is the pier from where soldiers sailed to war and through which many immigrants, including war brides and home orphans entered Canada. The museum is wonderfully done, with many interactive and multimedia exhibits, including a show that has a mix of live and holographic actors--and it isn't always obvious which is which! [Disclaimer: it's been a while, so exhibits may have changed since I was there, but probably for the better, if anything.] https://pier21.ca/
At the harbourfront, you can also tour the HMCS Sackville, an old navy corvette. It's interesting to see the conditions in which the sailors worked and lived. https://hmcssackville.ca/
The harbourfront, of course, has many cute shops and restaurants. https://discoverhalifaxns.com/things-to-do/halifax-waterfront/
The Citadel in Halifax-a star-shaped fortification. https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/halifax-citadel-national-historic-site/1440
The Five Fishermen-a restaurant in an historical building that was once a school established by Anna Leonowens (of Anna and the King of Siam fame). https://www.fivefishermen.com/
Elsewhere in Nova Scotia
The Bay of Fundy, with the highest tides in the world, and a wonderful "land"scape when the tide is out. https://www.novascotia.com/places-to-go/regions/bay-fundy-annapolis-valley
Lunenburg - a cute fishing village, also home of the Bluenose II (replica of the schooner which has long been featured on the Canadian dime). https://www.novascotia.com/places-to-go/regions/south-shore/lunenburg
https://bluenose.novascotia.ca/Peggy's Cove - a well-known (and somewhat overtouristed) iconic lighthouse on rocks, with charming fishing boats bobbing in the harbour nearby. You can take whale-watching tours here, if that interests you. https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/peggys-cove-village-and-lighthouse/1468
Wolfville - a cute, artsy town on the way to the Annapolis Valley. https://wolfville.ca/about-wolfville/visit-wolfville
Cape Breton
besides the trail, there's the Fortress of Louisburg (a bit out of the way, but interesting if you like history and historical reenactments) https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg
Baddeck - Alexander Graham Bell museum, and the best seafood chowder I've ever had at a restaurant next door (The Bell Buoy). https://www.your-nova-scotia-holiday.com/alexander-graham-bell.html
Posted by
21 posts
My wife & I flew into Halifax last September 6th (1st time) - I would agree with BB's post in terms of things to do in and around Halifax (we did all of those). We saw little in the way of fall colors during our time in NS in September.
We were really looking forward to driving the Cabot Trail, but it was overcast and raining as we drove and not much to see - nor much open. Things start closing up after Labor Day, so be prepared for that. We spent two nights in Baddeck and two nights in Cheticamp as bases for driving the Cabot Trail. We were fortunate to attend a Ceilidh in both communities - very unique and enjoyable experience! In Baddeck it was in a Community Hall, in Cheticamp at a restaurant.
We went to Hopewell Cape to experience the tidal changes and left underwhelmed. Something else to consider about going in September is Hurricanes - we kept a close eye on a hurricane that was headed directly for us. It ended up being downgraded to a tropical storm but locals were taking the threat very seriously as hurricane Fiona caused wide spread damage (still evident in Louisberg) almost exactly a year to the day that last year's hurricane was due.
We also spent 3 nights in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and exploring the island taking the ferry to the island and driving back via the 8 mile long Confederation Bridge. We really enjoyed our stay there!
Enjoy your trip!!
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA
3 posts
Thanks BB and anne.ken. BB, I appreciate your input. Some of those things are already on my list! 😊 anne.ken, I haven’t even thought about hurricanes. That will give one of my fellow travelers something to think about! 😳 You also mentioned things closing up because it’s end of season? Surely B&Bs/restaurants depend on year-round visitors. And I was hoping to walk through some of these quaint fishing villages! Do you have any recommendations re: lodging? We only have a week, so I was hoping to get to Cabot Trail, Halifax, and Annapolis Valley. Is that being too optimistic with our time? Thanks!
Posted by
841 posts
The Cabot Trail, Annapolis and Halifax in one week would be a lot of driving. We were there in early June and some places were still opening up. Check ferry schedules if you will be using any. Early June was definitely early in the season. Restaurants closed early so be prepared.
We really enjoyed the fishing villages. It was lobster season and we liked watching the boats coming in with their catch. Had some very interesting conversations as the catch was being weighed. If visiting fishing villages is a priority, find out what season will be open.
We liked Annapolis and Halifax, but with short time I would prioritize the Bay of Fundy and the Cabot Trail, both of which are really unique.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6510 posts
We stayed here years ago and loved it. Dingwall is on the north shore of Cape Breton Island, on the Cabot Trail. A good place to interrupt your very scenic drive.
Posted by
21 posts
Super6 - we did not have any problems finding lodging (we used Airbnb) in Baddeck nor Cheticamp, but as we were driving between the two we were hard pressed to find any restaurants open - the majority were closed. In Baddeck we stayed at this bnb (booked through Airbnb and would recommend it. In Cheticamp we stayed in a "tiny house" located on the dock, but it wouldn't work for more than 2!
If you've not been to Trip Advisor, I would suggest that you go to the Nova Scotia Forum and you'll find a wealth of information and a lot of helpful advice.
Ken
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA
3 posts
Thanks all! I appreciate your input! It’s been helpful! 😊
Posted by
1412 posts
In Halifax I suggest the cemetery where the unclaimed titantic passengers are buried
As well as many folk from the Halifax explosion
It was surprisingly moving
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
261 posts
It is about 250 miles from Halifax to Cheticamp - half on very good roads. The other roads on the island were less good except those within the park. In Cheticamp, check out the Seaside Shacks. Very popular and you can fight over who gets the view. The town is known for Hooked Rugs (not quilts). Just north of town stop at the Aucoin Bakery - very yummy. We stayed 3 nights in Cheticamp, taking hiking day trips to the west side of Cape Breton (with stops every morning at the bakery!). (There is only camping in the Park.) The park's east side did not seem as interesting to us but the coastal towns on that side were. Very near Baddeck, stayed at auldfarminn.ca. There are a dozen rooms and the Vickers are great hosts. 4 nights at Auld Farm Inn with day trips to Sydney and area, hiking the Baddeck area and the Bell museum. We have always enjoyed Halifax. Don't skip the Maritime museum.
Posted by
1412 posts
Someone mentioned quilts, the craft I discovered was a kind of hooked rug, expensive even when I was there in 1993. I bought some coaster sized round ones, and a little wall hanging literally like 3x7 inches
You are going to have such a marvelous trip!!