Need Help With Nova Scotia

[ILUVDXL]

We're planning a trip next month. Thaking the Cat from Plymouth NH to Halifax. Now for the questions. Should we stay in Halifax or rent a car and stay somewhere else? Say Yarmouth, maybe? What are the Must See attractions? What are the really good hotels? Any recomendations for really good websites? How cold is the water at the beaches and which arre the best beaches? Well that should start us off. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I'm originally from New Brunswick and I took my fiance to Nova Scotia for the first time and he loved it.

Halifax is gorgeous and be sure to visit the Citadel for a mix of good views of the city and a historic place to visit with cannon fire and people in period costume.

Rent a car and go to Peggy's Cove for some of the best scenic ocean views in the world. It is absolutely GORGEOUS and should not be missed...Other picturesque towns in the area are Mahone Bay and Lunenburg(the home of the BLUENOSE)

We loved the whole journey and the drive is beautiful and not too long.

If you have time try to do the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.
I hear that it is very nice and we will be visiting it for our honeymoon...

There is lots more to see and I'm sure that fellow DIS'ers will have more info because as Maritimers we are very proud of our tourist areas...

Have a great trip...

 

[dbltrbl]

WOW! This is my territory! LOL! There are quite a few factors that will determine where to stay etc..

1. The CAT arrives in Yarmouth. I'm assuming you mean you're getting the CAT (the high speed ferry) from Maine (I haven't heard of 1 into Halifax, but I may be wrong). There are usually 2 ferries a day. If you arrive in the evening (I think it gets in around 7:30 our time (6:30 yours) you'll have to decide how far you want to travel. Are you bringing your own vehicle? Probably MUCH cheaper than renting.. even paying the extra for the ferry.

2. Halifax (capital city of Nova Scotia) is really the HUB of the province, in my opinion. It is approx. 3 1/2 - 4 hours away from Yarmouth.

3. There are LOTS of places to stay.. bed and breakfasts, hotels, camping etc..

4. How much time do you plan on spending? Yarmouth is actually on the southern tip of the province, you could always do a "loop" and take 1 route to Halifax, and another back to Yarmouth.

5. What you want to see depends on your interests. There is Peggy's Cove, there are beaches EVERYWHERE!, lots of historic sites, some great museums, casino, golf, hiking trails etc.... you name it!

6. WEBSITES:

<a href="http://explore.gov.ns.ca">Explore Nova Scotia</a>
<a href="http://www.yarmouth.org/">Yarmouth County Tourism</a>
<a href="http://www.halifaxinfo.com/">Halifax Regional Municipality Visitor Information</a>

Sorry this was so long! Ask away if there's ANYTHING at all I can help you with!

 

[Inga]

I have lots of suggestions for you...we did a B&B trip around our beautiful province in March (not the best time of year, but we did it anyhow!!).

1) I would suggest to drive from Yarmouth along the 103 towards Lunenburg/Bridgewater and perhaps stay a night in Lunenburg. It would be about 1.5 hours drive from Yarmouth. We stayed at the Brigatine Inn (sp?) and it was wonderful! It is close to the water, and to shopping. Lunenburg is a sweet little coastal town and a great stop on your way to Halifax!

2) Continuing on the 103 toward Halifax, you MUST NOT MISS Mahone Bay and Chester. Again, probably a nights stay at each place would be fine. Chester is only a 45 minute drive from Halifax. Haddon Hall is 'the' place to stay in Chester, but is extremely pricey! We stayed at the Oak Island Inn and Marina, very nice, we were on the water in a little cabin. Both Mahone Bay and Chester are small little places, Mahone Bay has a wonderful restaurant called the Innlet Cafe. Sweet place to visit..but no longer than a day at each place. Peggy's Cove should not be missed and it is on the way back to Halifax as well. You could stay in Halifax and drive out to Peggy's Cove if you wish...1/2 hour.

3) We live in Halifax and think it's a great place to stay. If you want to be in the middle of things, I would recommend Haliburton House as an accomodation. It is very centrally located, nice rooms, etc. You must take the best boat ride in town...the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry is only ~$1 (I haven't taken it in a long while) but it takes you across the harbour and back. On a sunny day, it is a really nice, inexpensive thing to do! You also must spend some time on the waterfront. Make sure you go to a few seafood restaurants (McKelvies, Waterfront Warehouse, Five Fisherman)...fish chowder is wonderful here. Head to the Citadel Hill for a tour, see the Town Clock (very exciting)...Argyle Street has a few nice cafes and pubs. Wandering around the downtown, at Historic Properties, etc. There is a Casino downtown if you are interested in that sort of thing. You probably wouldn't have to stay in Halifax more than a few nights.

4) From Halifax you can either head to Cape Breton, or go up to the Annapolis Valley. If you head toward the Valley, go to Wolfville. Two wonderful places to stay in Wolfville, just a walk to the main street, is The Gingerbread House and The Victorian Inn.

5) If you decide to go to Cape Breton, it is about a 3 hour drive to get there (maybe less)...the Cabot trail is something to see...but you should make sure you had the time to spend there. It is a beautiful drive, no question. I have no favorite places to stay as the last time I was there was about 10 years ago, but it is a wonderful place! It might take 3 or 4 days to do the Cabot Trail properly.

In the summer there are alot of festivals going on. There is quite a bit of folk art in Nova Scotia these days and folk art festivals as well. Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer them!

Cheers!
Inga

 

[Inga]

The water will be cold, but many still swim in it...

You have to eat lobster while you're here...