What to do and see in Lunenburg, Southwest Nova Scotia: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

December 6, 2021 Claudia Navarrete

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. Lunenburg Walking Tours

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5.0 based on 319 reviews

Lunenburg Walking Tours

For more than 30 years, Lunenburg Walking Tours has provided authentic travel experiences in one of Canada’s most treasured destinations. Nestled along the scenic shores of southern Nova Scotia, and only a one-hour drive from Halifax, our UNSECO World Heritage town is a must-see destination for any visit to Atlantic Canada. Our expert guides are local and bring a wealth of research and anecdotes to life with their captivating personalities. Offering a unique insider’s perspective to our picturesque town, this team is incredibly passionate about the stories they tell, and they create a real connection with their guests along the journey. Make Lunenburg Walking Tours first on your list when planning your itinerary.

2. Pleasant Paddling

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5.0 based on 162 reviews

Pleasant Paddling

The islands around Blue Rocks are some of the best kayaking in Nova Scotia. We offer daily kayak tours and rentals in this beautiful and sheltered area. If you haven't explored these islands, it is a must.

3. Glimpses Theatre Troupe

68 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada +1 902-624-8961 [email protected] http://allswellproductions.wordpress.com/glimpses-2013/
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5.0 based on 123 reviews

Glimpses Theatre Troupe

4. Sail Lunenburg with Star Charters

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5.0 based on 39 reviews

Sail Lunenburg with Star Charters

Built in 1948 in Denmark for Danish Royalty, the Eastern Star a 48 foot Ketch that has now been doing sailing tours in Lunenburg since 1993 is a beautiful 2 hour tour of the Lunenburg Harbour and Bay. Learn some history of the working waterfront, see the fishing boats up close, or any other visiting tall ships that may be in port. Get the rare opportunity of sailing along side the Iconic Bluenose ll on certain trips. Sail time's are 11:00, 1:30, 4:00 and 6:30 The 6:30 sail being the sunset sail, which is incredible to watch the sky change over the already picture perfect town of Lunenburg on your way back in to the dock. Suitable for all ages, children love to learn what makes the sail boat glide along the water with chances to take the helm and raising sails. Big kids also like that part to! We are fully under sail, motor is off, so the sails do the work for us, and expect the boat to Keel over as the sails fill with wind, but don't worry your safe at all times! All Aboard!

5. Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic

68 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada +1 902-634-4794 [email protected] http://fisheriesmuseum.novascotia.ca
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4.5 based on 902 reviews

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic

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.

6. Bluenose II

Lunenburg Marine Museum Society, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada +1 855-640-3177 [email protected] http://bluenose.novascotia.ca/
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4.5 based on 440 reviews

Bluenose II

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!

7. Ironworks Distillery

2 Kempt Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada +1 902-640-2424 [email protected] http://www.ironworksdistillery.com
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4.5 based on 373 reviews

Ironworks Distillery

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. Terra Beata Cranberries

161 Monk Point Rd Heckmans Island, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada 90-634-4435 [email protected] http://www.cranberryfarm.ca
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4.5 based on 14 reviews

Terra Beata Cranberries

Terra Beata is a 15 acre cranberry farm, open Monday to Friday year round for free farm tours. Visit our Bog Store for jams, juices, and dried cranberies made on site. U-pick in October. Harvest in late November.

9. St. John's Anglican Church

81 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada +1 902-634-4994 http://www.stjohnslunenburg.org/
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4.5 based on 407 reviews

St. John's Anglican Church

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.

10. Lunenburg Historic District

Main Street Old Historic Downtown Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia 01462 Canada +1 902-634-4410 http://www.explorelunenburg.ca/visitor-information.html
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4.5 based on 267 reviews

Lunenburg Historic District

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

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