Top Things to do in Lunenburg
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What to do and see in Lunenburg, Southwest Nova Scotia: The Best Things to do
Established in 1753, this historic Nova Scotia coastal community is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander among its colorful galleries and shops, arranged on a tidy grid of walkable streets. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to understand the town's maritime history.
Restaurants in Lunenburg
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. Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 902 reviews
2020 Guided Tour Experience In order to keep our visitors and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have adapted the museum experience we offer this season. We are offering a guided tour of the first floor. The small group sizes allow for easy physical distancing and the wearing of a non-medical face mask is strongly recommended while on site. This high value experience gives the opportunity to discover how our ocean connects to our maritime identity. Small groups sizes allow for the benefit of a 1 to 5 staff to visitor ratio, and our staff are wow makers! Our ocean is a pillar of Nova Scotia’s natural and cultural heritage. We identify with our ocean but what are we doing to protect it? This tour will touch on some ocean preservation initiatives plus more! To book your tour: Call 902-930- FISH (3474)
Reviewed By cliffl973
My wife and I visited in late September. We expected to breeze through in maybe half an hour. Actually spent a couple of hours, and it was educational and informative and very entertaining. They have the best collections of shipbuilding tools I've seen, and a wonderful old birchbark canoe—just two of the many highlights of our visit. And make sure to view the cod-cleaning video by Rosie Tanner (I bough a DVD copy at the well-stocked gift shop for a friend who fancies himself an expert fish cleaner). Lisa, the interpretive guide at the aquarium, was personable, enthusiastic, and a font of knowledge. My only suggestion for the acquarium might be that they provide a nook or crevice for the Wolf Fish to retire to when he's feeling shy. On our two-week driving tour of Western Nova Scotia, this was certainly one of the most enjoyable experiences.
3. Knaut-Rhuland House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
4. Bluenose II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Nova Scotia's Sailing Ambassador, Bluenose II, is an exact replica of Bluenose -- the famed schooner and undefeated champion in the International Fisherman's Races. Bluenose II is available for deck tours, and harbour sails twice daily when in port. Please check our schedule for more information .
Reviewed By MartyF_12 - Plymouth, United States
Bluenose II is a 1963-launched replica of the original 1921 Bluenose, a working fishing schooner that made history starting in October, 1921, by winning the International Fishermen's Race, an end-of-the-season race against other Canadian and American fishing vessels. In 17 years of racing, Bluenose was never defeated; she became the pride of Nova Scotia and is now represented on the back of the Canadian dime. "Bluenose" is a nickname for Nova Scotians. For much more detail about her history, go to the Bluenose II website. Bluenose II is a beautiful vessel, lovingly cared for by a dedicated crew. You can book a cruise on Bluenose II (from early June to the end of September) when she's in port in Lunenburg, or you might be lucky enough to see her at other ports around Nova Scotia or throughout the Great Lakes as she tours during the summer months. We were fortunate to be able to board Bluenose II in Kingsville, Ontario, in summer, 2019, when she visited that port as part of a group of five tall ships, and then saw her again in Lunenburg on October 2 as she was being readied for winter. Cruises in Lunenburg are at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., weather permitting, and last for two hours. Check the Bluenose II website for cruise prices. Just steps away form Bluenose II's mooring spot in Lunenburg is the Bluenose II store, where you can find all kinds of Bluenose II goodies. I love my new Bluenose II t-shirt, complete with an outline drawing of the ship on the back, puchased at $25 plus tax. Enjoy Bluenose II -- hope you can get on board for a cruise!
5. 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!
6. Halifax & Southwestern Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Jasper-Dreams
So this review is horrendously late. My girlfriend and I visited this fantastic place (or rather stumbled upon it) during a trip to Canada for a friend's wedding that we extended into a holiday to Nova Scotia. It was a warm September in 2018 (not 2019 but TA will not let me input earlier) and we were out biking the back roads heading back to our B&B when I cam across a sign indicating this railway museum. Now I love my trains and the girlfriend was willing to tolerate a detour. I expected to have fun as I love watching model trains and I was NOT disappointed but the happier occurrence was my girlfriend's taking to the passion, whimsy and knowledge of the owner of this fine passion project of an establishment. They chatted happily away about running a small museum while I gazed at tiny trains passing through meticulously created historical local landscapes. A true joy and I'm sorry it took me so long to say so BUT I've only recently started a TA profile.
7. St. John's Anglican Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 407 reviews
Reviewed By Westgalady - Decatur, United States
I was on a walking tour of Lunenburg and our guide arranged for the church organist to play for our group on our visit. Allow at least 30 minutes to see the church and grounds. You can also walk downhill to the water and take a stroll of that area.
8. Blue Rocks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By tartan - Digby, Canada
Blue Rocks is only 6km from Lunenburg and is a gorgeous tiny, quaint spot to visit on a sunny day! There is even a lovely, clear spot to walk in the water if you wish with small stones underfoot. I believe there is a nearby spot to rent kayaks as well! This was one of my favourite scenic spots on our recent south shore vaca! You wouldn’t spend a lot of time here, but it is gorgeous!
9. Lunenburg Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By MartyF_12 - Plymouth, United States
Among the list of Unesco World Heritage sites in Canada, only two have earned the designation of "Historic Districts": -- the "Historic District of Old Quebec" and "Old Town Lunenburg". Lunenburg's well-preserved historic district is a pleasure to the eye and fun to wander, with many old buildings, lots of interesting shops to peruse and excellent restaurants for dining. Founded in 1753 as a British colonial settlement, Lunenburg retains the charm of the times. The waterfront with tall ships and other vessels is especially interesting to see -- particularly when the pride of Nova Scotia, the iconic Bluenose II, is in port (see separate review). Plan to spend at least 1/2 day exploring this charming site! Highly Recommended
10. Crescent Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By T5087OOjohnb - Dallas, United States
We went to Crescent Beach in October on the last day of the season. Zero crowds. Had it all to ourselves. Cool, but beautiful. VERY picturesque. Could sit there all day listening to the waves crashing the shore.
