Nova Scotia

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from all the ghouls and buoys in Nova Scotia!

Featured Photo: Louisbourg Lighthouse by Acorn Art & Photography

10/30/2024

13 Creepy and Haunted Locations to Visit in Nova Scotia

If you’re intrigued by the supernatural, Nova Scotia is home to a host of haunted sites and eerie attractions. Here’s a list of must-visit places steeped in history and ghostly tales!

1. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Explore this 18th-century French fortress, known for ghostly apparitions of soldiers and townsfolk wandering its grounds. Take a ghost tour or book yourself in to stay the night. The Fortress offers equipped camping and overnight stays in the summer, if you dare.

2. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Home to the legend of the Grey Lady, this historic fortress is said to be haunted by a woman in a 19th-century dress. Visitors report the scent of roses as she mourns her lost love while wandering the grounds. Take a tour by lantern to learn more ghostly tales.

3. Lunenburg Academy
Perched on Gallows Hill next to Hillcrest Cemetery, this historic schoolhouse is said to be haunted by the spirit of a school janitor who continues to walk the halls, maintaining an eerie presence in the building. Join Lunenburg walking tours on a ghost walk to learn more of the town's haunted history.

4. Peggy's Cove
This iconic white lighthouse is haunted by the spirit of Margaret (Peggy), who is often seen in a blue dress, walking the shore looking for her lost husband. Local legend has it that her specter still roams the area, longing for her beloved. If you plan to visit at night, be sure to stay safely away from the water's edge.

5. 5 Fishermen Restaurant
Once a schoolhouse and later an undertaker’s that took in victims of both the Titanic disaster and the tragic Halifax explosion, this restaurant is said to be haunted. Visitors and staff report seeing a little girl crying in the washroom and have witnessed a man with white hair and a beard roaming the dining area. These days a visit to the restaurant is more likely to give your taste buds a real thrill.

6. Great Amherst Mystery
Known as one of the most famous poltergeist hauntings in Canada, with stories of objects moving on their own and strange noises and knockings echoing through the house. Though the house is now gone, the town hosts spooky events every October, inviting visitors to explore its haunted history.

7. St. Francis Xavier University
Once a dormitory, Gilmora Hall was said to be haunted by the ghost of a nun. Students have reported lights and appliances turning on in the middle of the night, objects moving around on their own—including textbooks strewn across dorm room floors—slamming doors, running water, shadowy figures, and even the sound of an old telephone ringing.

8. Uniacke Estate Museum Park
Once home to Richard John Uniacke, a former Attorney General of Nova Scotia, this site is said to be haunted by the spirits of his late wife and eldest daughter, who have been seen in the manor and walking along the lake. The museum is now closed for the season, but you can walk the grounds year round.

9. Alexander Keith's Brewery
This historic brewery has a reputation for being haunted, with reports of mysterious noises and sightings of the founder’s spirit. Staff at the brewery still have fun including the brew master as part of their brewery tour!

10. York Redoubt National Historic Site
Though the site has never encountered battle, local paranormal investigators, the Light Workers Paranormal, believe it to be haunted by victims of the Halifax Explosion. During an investigation, they captured a chilling voice on recording that said, “Fire’s coming. Get out.”

11. S**g Harbour
On October 4, 1967, at about 11:20 PM, at least 11 witnesses saw a low-flying object crash into the waters of S**g Harbour. Navy fleet divers combed the harbor's floor in the following days, but no object could be found, leaving the event shrouded in mystery. Visit the S**g Harbour UFO Centre to learn more about this unexplainable event.

12. St. Paul's Anglican Church
A haunting presence remains at St. Paul's Anglican Church, where an inexplicable face has appeared in a second-floor window since the Halifax Explosion. Many believe it belongs to the deacon who stood by the window during the blast, with the intense heat and light etching his profile into the glass forever. Take a ghost walk through historic Halifax to learn more ghostly legends.

13. Cossit House Museum
Built in 1787, Cossit House is one of the oldest standing houses in Cape Breton, named after its original owner, Reverend Ranna Cossit. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, voices, and even screams emanating from different rooms in the house, adding to its haunted reputation. Pay a visit to the museum to discover firsthand what life was like for one family during the early days of settlement in Sydney, Nova Scotia but listen for the whispers of any remaining residents.

Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these locations promise a thrilling experience filled with history. Visit if you dare!

10/23/2024

We're still falling for these beautiful colours! Here are all the stunning photos shared with us via Instagram this past week.

1. Franey Trail by via Cape Breton Island
2. Mahone Bay by
3. Salmon fishing in Cape Breton via
4. Shubie Park by
5. Chéticamp Gypsum Mines by
6. The Di**le by
7. Dartmouth by
8. Cape Breton Highlands by
9. Celtic Shores Coastal Trail by .hikers
10. North River by
11. Musquodoboit River by A For Adventure
12. Parrsboro by

Show us your Nova Scotia fall pics!

10/23/2024

An autumn getaway to Explore Cumberland in Nova Scotia. 🍂 We just spent the best few days travelling between Parrsboro & Advocate Harbour, taking in the fall colours next to Bay of Fundy cliffsides. Here is everything we got up to!

🐴The trees around Parrsboro were starting to pop in colour & what better way to experience them than by horseback. Located close to town, Spirit Reins Ranch offers guided tours on some of the beautiful trails & beaches in the area.

🍁Our first night here we stayed at Gillespie House Inn, where we enjoyed the fall colours around the property, a bonfire, & a great breakfast in the morning.

🍻If you love craft beer then you have to visit Two Islands Brewing. This small brewery has a fun atmosphere, lots of yummy beers to choose from, & a selection of light bites.

☕️Another great place to stay in town is Pleasant Street Inn, a relaxing 3 guest room B&B where we loved spending the evening in the hot tub.

🌊When in the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark area you of course have to explore the ocean floor! So that’s what we did on an incredible Clarke Head Arch tour with .

🎬Planning a trip for next fall? Book around the Parrsboro Film Festival! We were fortunate to be there for their 14th annual film festival at the Parrsboro Band Association & loved getting to watch one of the many great Atlantic Canadian-focussed films.

🌻 Travelling the scenic coast, our next stop was in Advocate Harbour where we experienced the new Wild Caraway Restaurant and Café cottages & dined at their award-winning restaurant. There are too many great things to say about this spot for one caption! The food, the atmosphere, the unique cottages, the awesome small family that runs it — just do yourself a favour and get here!

🥾Our last adventure was to one of our favourite provincial parks, Cape Chignecto. We did this through a guided hike to the Three Sisters with Local Guy Adventures who offers guided tours within the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark & along the Bay of Fundy.

With so much to see and do, hopefully this post inspires you to visit Parrsboro to Advocate Harbour in Nova Scotia this fall, too! ❤️

Canada Keep Exploring Travel Media Association of Canada

10/22/2024

Unedited clips of the Cabot Trail this past weekend by daveyandsky. So pretty!

10/16/2024

We're on Leaf Watch in Nova Scotia and the colours are spectacular! Enjoy some of the photos that have been shared with us on Instagram this week. Stay tuned, we'll be sharing more.

1. Kelly's Mountain, Cape Breton by
2. Red Barn, Baddeck, Cape Breton by
3. Hopewell Heritage Foot Bridge Nature Trail by
4. Meat Cove by Jakes Escapes
5. The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail, Halifax by
6. A great day for a bike ride by Nigel Jackson
7. Bird's eye view along the south shore by Vince Schnabl
8. Flying over Dartmouth by
9. Frog Pond, Halifax by
10. Chéticamp Gypsum Mine by
11. Cape Breton Highlands by
12. The Skyline Trail by
13. The Cabot Trail by
14. Windsor Junction by
15. Pictou scenery by
16. South shore by Vince Schnabl
17. Aspy Bay by Escapes
18. Five Islands by .jpg
19. Musquodoboit Trailways by Jakes Escapes
20. Location TBD Beltway & Beyond

Want to share your fall photos with us? Use the hashtags , or tag us on Instagram. Not on instagram, add them to the comments or send us a DM. 😍

Thank you to our community for sharing their photos with us and helping us to showcase all the fall foliage around Nova Scotia.

10/11/2024

Stunning Northern Lights over Cape Breton last night! We hope we may also see them tonight.

10/09/2024

Are they out of their gourds? No, they're definitely in them. Check out last year's Pumpkin Regatta in Shelburne and head there this weekend to cheer on this year's racers.

10/09/2024

Cape Breton local, Wallace Bernard, enjoyed a fall hike in the Cape Breton Highlands and to Uisge Ban Falls with friend Alex and his birds.

Share your Nova Scotia fall photos with us!

10/09/2024

10/08/2024

October is Mi’kmaw History Month. Connect with Indigenous culture in Nova Scotia through our attractions and experiences: https://www.novascotia.com/trip-ideas/stories/connect-indigenous-culture-nova-scotia

This year’s theme is Mijipjewey Na Mawa’luksi’k (Me gyp je wey na Ma waa loog seeg) - Food Gathers Us Together.

10/04/2024

10/03/2024

If you haven't already been, you have until October 9th to visit the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival.

Walk the streets of this charming town on the South Shore and meet the friendly locals! You may even spot a few scarecrow celebrities in the bunch.

Featured video by .maple.tales via Instagram. Thank you so much for tagging us and allowing us to share your video. 😊

10/02/2024

Whether you're driving the Cabot Trail or hiking in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, you're going to want to plan some delicious stops! Check out the Food Truck Rally happening October 26 - 27th and plan to work up an appetite!

🥁 Drumroll, please! 🥁

We're excited to announce this year's lineup for the 2024 CabotTrail Food Truck Rally! 📣

Get ready for a weekend of amazing food on October 26-27, as these incredible food trucks serve up everything from gourmet burgers to sweet treats across the Trail. 🍔🍦

✨ Here's where you’ll find them:

🍟 Amanda's Island Bistro LTD – Ingonish Beach
🍩 BeaverTails Mobile Cape Breton Island – Jersey Cove (Englishtown Ferry)
🐟 Da Smoky Fish – Across from Aucoin's Bakery
🍴 Fish Out Of Water Acadian Kitchen – Live Life in Tents
🥗 Grub Love Co. – MacIntosh Brook Campground
🍔 Jigs curbside cravings – Black Brook Cove Beach
🦞 Lawless Lobster Seafood Trailer – Meat Cove Campground
🌮 Little Sombreros – Centre de la Mi-Carême
🍔 Rose's Smash Burgers & Trickdough_hfx – Big Spruce
🌭 Stephen's Hot Sausages and Dog's– Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
🍖 STAND & STUFF YOUR FACE (Sunday Only) – The Gaelic College
🍦 Sweet Treatz – Middle River Community Hall

Get ready to eat your way around the Trail! 🚗

Visit here for more info: https://www.cabottrailfoodtruckrally.com/vendors

*Locations and participants are subject to change, so stay tuned for updates!

10/02/2024

10/01/2024

Spooky season is here! Take a ghost tour by candlelight at the Halifax Citadel National Historic site...if you dare!



Dates
Ghost tours will run on the following dates in October 2024:

Thu, Oct 3
Fri, Oct 4
Sat, Oct 5
Thu, Oct 10
Fri, Oct 11
Sat, Oct 12
Thu, Oct 17
Fri, Oct 18
Sat, Oct 19
Thu, Oct 24
Fri, Oct 25
Sat, Oct 26 (Please note that the Sat, Oct 26 ghost tour will begin at 7:00 pm)
Times
Ghost tours begin at 8:30 pm, and last for approximately 70 minutes.

Visit halifaxcitadel.ca for more details.

09/27/2024

Fall is the perfect time to visit our many vineyards, like Benjamin Bridge featured here! Do you have a favourite Nova Scotia wine?

09/17/2024

09/16/2024

Standing proudly - The Louisbourg Lighthouse celebrated the 100th Anniversary of it's current structure.

09/13/2024

When two Nova Scotia icons meet!

Featured photo by Acorn Art & Photography