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
What to do and see in Southwest Nova Scotia, Southwest Nova Scotia: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Southwest Nova Scotia, United States including W. Laurence Sweeney Fisheries Museum, Laurie Swim Gallery, Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Dory Shop Museum, Purcell Family Art Gallery, Port-Royal National Historic Site, Anne Murray Centre, Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre, Spruce Top Rug Hooking Studio, Hank Snow Home Town Museum.
Restaurants in Southwest Nova Scotia
1. W. Laurence Sweeney Fisheries Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
Step across the threshold and back in time at the W. Laurence Sweeney Fisheries Museum. Explore the Sweeney marine heritage through unique exhibits: a simulation of a traditional fishing wharf, complete with fishing, processing and ship repair sheds, wharf decks and even a coastal freighter.
Reviewed By yase0601 - Sola, Norway
A small but beautiful museum to learn about the history of Sweeney Fisheries. We were here for research, but this is a museum for everyone interested in the fish industry and fishing boats etc.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Dory Shop Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By wimsey54 - Granum, Canada
Driving around Shelburne, we stopped to ask for info, from a fellow, who took us over to see the Dory Museum & boat building shop. We are grateful to have run into Mr. M Buchanan, the boat builder, and for him to share, his wonderful stories, of the Dory Boat & building. He was very friendly, informative, & interesting. We would definitely return!
5. Purcell Family Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Two Halifax born fine artists, trained at Nova Scotia College of Art, opened the Joseph and Tela Purcell Family Art Gallery in year 1970, in Lunenburg Town, Nova Scotia. The gallery, a two hundred year old restored building, stands at the corner of Lincoln and Duke streets. It displays an outstanding collection of Purcell original oils, watercolours, giclées, prints and cards.
6. Port-Royal National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 413 reviews
1939 re-creation of Canada's first permanent settlement includes costumed interpreters engaged in traditional handicrafts like woodworking.
Reviewed By PaulRaps - Granville Ferry, Canada
This is a remarkable site. One can feel the presence of the Order of Good Cheer and almost envisage the sailing ships anchored in the Annapolis Basin. Champlain lives here.
7. Anne Murray Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
All that glitters is gold at the Anne Murray Centre. The Centre is a tribute to the legendary singer’s amazing career. Rows of gold and platinum albums, and glittering trophies of all shapes and sizes fill every inch of the room. It’s breathtaking even to those who’ve been in the room before, but for those who haven’t, it’s like walking into a fantasy – a spectacular visual you’ll remember long after you’ve left the Centre!
Reviewed By virtus18 - Australia, null
Before Celine...before Shania.....before kd......there was the Snowbird herself - Anne Murray! About 28 years ago, the Anne Murray Centre opened in Springhill, NS and is a wonderful way to revisit Anne's life and music. The museum (although Anne reputedly isn't keen on calling it that, still being very much alive) offers a chronological view of her life from her birth in Springhill through to her retirement, covering her professional, her personal and pubic achievements. It's all there - the music, the gold (and platinum) records and her other awards including her Order of Canada and Order of Nova Scotia. The gift shop on the premises offers not only memorabilia relating to Anne but also items created by craftsmen and women and artisans in Nova Scotia and particularly from the local region. In addition to this, the Centre also supports local musicians with their Music at Noon sessions on Fridays during the summer months. The staff are fun, friendly and enthusiastic - a great group of people. And for those who are able to be there - Anne Murray Day takes place on the last Saturday of July each year, with Anne herself appearing for a meet and greet with her fans.
8. Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Temporarily closed for the season. We will re-open from April 23, 2019 to October 31, 2019. Looking forward to finding fossils with you in the Spring of 2019!
Reviewed By birdmarg - Atlanta, United States
Make sure to time your trip to Joggins around low tide- this way you will get to see as much of the beach as possible. The museum and information center are lovely and worth the admission fee. The exhibits explain the history of the area (ancient and more recent), really framing the importance of the sight before you go down to the beach. After reading about the area, walk down the cliffs (could be difficult if mobility is a concern) and just walk along the beach and marvel at the fossils. If you look closely you realize they are everywhere! A great day for both kids and adults. Could easily spend about 3 hours there total with museum, but less depending on interest. The information center offers guided tours of the beach based on low tide (included with price of general admission) and there is a cafe inside the center as well. We went on a rainy day and it was still a splendid experience. Highly recommend!
9. Spruce Top Rug Hooking Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Our studio contains a wonderful collection of galleries featuring some of Nova Scotia's finest artists and craftspeople. It's located in a mid-1800's house on the main street in Mahone Bay. Spruce Top also provides a wide range of rug hooking services and sales.
10. Hank Snow Home Town Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Singent - Halifax, Canada
We visited the Hank Snow Home Town Museum yesterday. It was very easy to find as it is located in the old railway station. What a great venue for this museum, considering the connection Hank Snow had to it. This museum is well maintained and is a lovely tribute to Hank Snow and there is even a display for other country artists from Nova Scotia. There are some of Hank’s costumes and many of displays of his personal items. There are even two of his cars here. The gift shop has books, CD’s, T-shirts and many other items to choose from. The prices are very reasonable and tax free. Hank Snow had a very difficult early life and it’s truly heart warming to see how he overcame many obstacles to be a star on stage and in life. This is a museum you truly must visit.
