Top Things to do in Southwest Nova Scotia
Top Hotels in Southwest Nova Scotia
- 1. Days Inn by Wyndham Bridgewater Conference Center
- 2. Rum Runner Inn
- 3. Bayside Inn
- 4. Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel & Convention Centre
- 5. Dockside Suites
- 6. Tru By Hilton Yarmouth
- 7. Lakelawn B&B Motel
- 8. Rodd Grand Yarmouth Hotel
- 9. Smugglers Cove Inn
- 10. A Seafaring Maiden Bed and Breakfast
10 Free Things to do in Southwest Nova Scotia That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Southwest Nova Scotia, United States including Laurie Swim Gallery, Gaff Point Trail, Hall's Harbour, Cape Forchu Lighthouse, Gaspereau Vineyards, Cape Split Hiking Trail, Ironworks Distillery, Blomidon Provincial Park, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Victoria Park.
Restaurants in Southwest Nova Scotia
1. Laurie Swim Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 66 reviews
Award-winning visual artist and author, who is nationally and internationally recognized; Laurie creates painterly works of art in fabric and thread portraying the landscapes and people of the South Shore. Visit the Laurie Swim Gallery in beautiful Old Town Lunenburg and see these beautiful works for yourself.
2. Gaff Point Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Justtravelling4 - Halifax, Canada
We thoroughly enjoyed hiking this trail, it really had a little bit of everything. A beautiful beach, stunning water views, and stunning treks through wooded areas. The walk through the fir trees was one of my favourite portions of the trail, the smell was amazing. There are some exposed roots in places and the walk across the beach rocks is a little challenging on the ankles, but overall a pretty easy to moderate trail. I recommend walking the farm land area over the hill instead of the entire beach as it gives you a break from the sea rocks. The owners have it marked and don’t mind as long as the horses are not in the field. Once you get to the loop we went to the right first. It means you finish on the water view side of the trail. The trail in total including walking Hirtle Beach is about 6.6 km. We finished the entire trail in about 90 mins, this included stopping for pics etc. I highly recommend for anyone of any age, definitely a trail I’d return to.
3. Hall's Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By PaulH4266
It is always nice to be by the water and to comb the beach. The highest tides in the world. Beautiful sunsets. Gift shops and fine seafood. Watch fishing boats come in to dock , or go on their way out to make their living.
4. Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Welcome to Cape Forchu, a Light Like No Other. This spectacular and unique "apple core" lighthouse is the second most photographed lighthouse in Nova Scotia and located just 10 minutes outside the Town of Yarmouth. The Cape has been welcoming visitors since 1604, when Samuel de Champlain landed and named the area "Cap Forchu," meaning "Forked tongue of land."
Reviewed By PitaLemon - Melbourne, United States
It's not just a lighthouse to take photos. It is a beautiful location to hike and enjoy the cool breezes on a hot summer day. Nice people working in the gift shop, too.
5. Gaspereau Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Wine Boutique offering tastings, retail, & tours May-December, seven days a week with seasonal food service under our Vine-Side patio canopy, nestled against 35 acres of vines. Known for exceptional aromatic whites and food friendly, approachable reds.
Reviewed By why68 - Halifax, Canada
Visited this beautiful spot last weekend. The food and the red wine,Lucie Kuhlmann Barrel Select was amazing. It was all so great we returned again this weekend for another visit
6. Cape Split Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By 2015eastcoasters - Nova Scotia, Canada
A long hike along a trail to a beautiful view. Wear comfortable footwear because its a long walk but worth the time.
7. Ironworks Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Ironworks Distillery opened its doors to the public in June 2010. Situated in the old town of Lunenburg and residing in the building that used to be the old marine blacksmith shop, we create small batches of artisan spirits using produce from the Maritimes. We make vodka and brandy using Annapolis Valley apples, Pear Eau-de-vie, Rum, Gin and several delicious fruit liqueurs. Tastings are free. Please contact us to check on the tour availability.
Reviewed By AndyANew - Flower Mound, United States
Ironworks is an artisanal cute little distillery located in the historic port town of Lunenburg. My wife and I stopped in while we were visiting Lunenburg. We sampled several different liqueurs and vodka and loved all the sampling, especially the sweet blueberry liqueur. The shop was beautiful and well preserved. Friendly staff. Would definitely recommend this stop in Lunenburg!
8. Blomidon Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By Resort796477 - Nova Scotia, Canada
Well maintained trail leading to amazing views! 12 km round trip - bring a picnic to have at the end and enjoy!
9. Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
At Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, towering 185-meter (600-foot) cliffs rise from the Bay of Fundy while the world’s highest tides lap at their base. Cape Chignecto is a 4,200-hectare natural environment park on a dramatic coastal peninsula. The park features 29 kilometres (18 miles) of pristine coastline, some of Nova Scotia’s most significant geological features, deep valleys, sheltered coves, rare plants, remnant old growth forest, scenic views, and a rich cultural heritage. We offer wilderness camping in secluded coves and ravines, while a spectacular coastal hiking trail leads visitors along high cliffs and deep valleys. Because Cape Chignecto is a wilderness hiking park, there are no drive-up camping sites.
Reviewed By G5259KFshannonb
Cape Chignecto is a truly stunning place for anything from a half-hour stop at the Interpretive Centre and beach to a four-day hike around the whole trail. It has a great mixture of rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and hikes through coniferous forest, deciduous forest, and mixed forest. And the staff are truly excellent - very knowledgable and helpful (and kind: I moronically left my car keys in the cabin, and they were promptly returned to me by eagle-eyed staff members). This is Nova Scotian hospitality at its best. I've done day hikes from the Visitor's Centre in the summer. Tip: even for day hikes, bring a water filter to save yourself from being weighed down by water bottles, especially in hotter weather. There are streams at very regular intervals throughout the park, and if you drink at each of them, you'll never be thirsty. This Thanksgiving weekend, I did the trail clockwise in three days - fairly strenuous, but doable - although it's more common to do it in four days, and I stayed in the cabin at Big Bald Rock and the Bunkhouse near Eatonville. (The campsites are great, too, but I gave myself the luxury of going tent-free because I was moving quite quickly.) The first day, from the Visitor's Centre to Big Bald Rock, was intense but inspiring. The other two days were very manageable; the last was only five hours' hiking, and that included lots of breaks. It was varied, beautiful, and quiet. The trail along the southern shore from the Visitor's Centre to the Cape has a lot of larger climbs and descents, but it's a bit smoother; the trail along the Western coast from the Cape up to the turn-in to Eatonville is a little more uneven and has the most stunning coastline and views; and the trail from the coast back through the interior makes for a more relaxing (though still challenging enough to keep one's interest) woodland hike. Practicalities: the cabins are extremely well equipped with drinking water, wood stoves and firewood, privies, and two "rooms" of bunks. The ones I stayed at also had Adirondack chairs and picnic tables outside, tables with benches inside, packs of cards (a very nice way to pass the evening), and some other bibs and bobs. This is very cushy back-country camping, giving you the experience of a true back-country trail but a lovely place to spread out and dry out in the evenings if you've gotten wet. There is cel reception intermittently on the trail, generally in higher places and on the beaches. There is cel reception in the Big Bald Rock cabin but not the Bunkhouse, although you only have to walk a few minutes up the hill from the Bunkhouse for reception. (I'm on Telus; reception for other carriers may vary.) I also recommend bringing hiking poles. There are quite a few hills to give you a good workout, including a couple of steep ones, especially the descent into Mill Brook from the East. I've done it without poles, but descending it, in particular, feels much safer with them. And remember to pack all your garbage out. The park is really pristine - you don't want to do anything to spoil it. This is one of my absolute favourite spots in Nova Scotia, and that's saying a lot. Other favourite things in the area: in Advocate, the Hook & Anchor restaurant for the superb lobster roll or the Wild Caraway for fine dining; the Age of Sail Museum in Port Greville; the Joggins Fossil Museum and beach; Parrsboro (all of it); Mo's Family Restaurant and Accommodations in Five Islands; and Five Islands Provincial Park.
10. Victoria Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 524 reviews
Reviewed By KennO555 - Halifax, Canada
This is the best thing about Truro. Victoria Park is truly a lovely place with great trails and it is kept clean.
