Let me show you around my backyard.... These are Nova Scotia's most scenic spots. Cape Breton Island is famous for gorgeous sunsets and ocean views. Where can you go for incredible sunsets, beautiful ocean views, endless white sand, charming cottages, and fields filled with flowers? If you're guessing Hawaii or Ireland or New Zealand - you're wrong. Well, I suppose technically you're right! But I had a much more accessible and affordable destination in mind - Nova Scotia! This is more than just a favourite travel destination of mine - it's home. I grew up in Nova Scotia, along the shores of Cape Breton Island. While I no longer live there, it still has a warm spot in my heart and I never hesitate to passionately recommend my favourite spots to visitors. Whether you're visiting the province for the first time or the 10th, here are three incredibly beautiful spots you shouldn't miss. Of course, if you think there are other destinations to vie for the title of Nova Scotia's most scenic spots - please weigh in!! I want to learn about your favourite spots too! The Digby Shore I suspect that ripple in the water is from a whale!  The end of a river becomes a waterfall into the ocean.
The Digby Shore is famous for its dramatic tides, charming lighthouses, and the lush, fertile shores of the Annapolis Valley - and there's a few wineries cropping up there as well! The area is also the ancestral home of the Acadians, the first Francophone settlers of North America, and history lovers will fall in love with the area's UNESCO-listed heritage site. To get a sense of the region's history, you can read the famous Longfellow poem Evangeline or, one of my favourites, The Birth House by Ami MacKay, which tells the story of an Acadian midwife. Perfect for a little shore-side reading! Just make sure to look up and keep an eye out for the whales! This area is famous for ocean life small and large. The Cabot Trail I dare you to find a better sunset anywhere in the world.  The Cabot Trail is famous for rolling green hills and seaside villages. Growing up, I had no idea I lived beside what has been crowned the most beautiful drive in the world. I thought everyone was raised with phenomenal sunsets, incredible ocean views, and rolling green hills! Now as an adult, I can truly appreciate just how gorgeous Cape Breton Island's Cabot Trail really is. You'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful spot anywhere in the world and it's worth coming to Nova Scotia just for this drive. And you'll love more than just the jaw-dropping scenery. This is a fantastic area for spotting whales and rare seabirds - even moose make an occasional appearance! The area is also famous for its hospitality, musical talent, and delicious food. (PS: My secret pro tip to the Cabot Trail is to keep an eye out for Aucoin's Bakery, based in Cheticamp. Shops all over the island carry bread and old fashioned baked goods from this traditional Acadian bakery. Its one of my favourites!) The Cabot Trail isn't a drive for the faint of heart, with high cliffs and sharp turns. If this makes you uncomfortable, it's a good idea to go with an organized tour so you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Chester to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay The tiny harbour in Chester, Nova Scotia  I love the gorgeous homes and cottages along the shore!
Looking for a real taste of Maritime history? You'll find it in these three former fishing villages which have developed into beautiful, charming towns. I must confess that Mahone Bay, the smallest of the three, is my favourite (keep an eye open for a house with cedar shingles and a bright yellow door - I think it's the cutest in town!). But most visitors take a shine to Lunenberg, as the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their shipyard is legendary as the home of the famed Bluenose racing schooner and remains an important port for fishing and commerical activities. And as you make your way between the villages you'll get gorgeous glimpses of the coast, complete with tiny fishing boats. And, YES, you can totally go onboard the Bluenose II! There are cruises twice a day during the summer month - you can get more info on this and tons of other amazing things to do in Nova Scotia here. Both are on the way to visit Peggy's Cove, one of Nova Scotia's most famous spots, so you really have no excuse not to stop by and explore! Welcome to my backyard. A classic Nova Scotia site: a beach boardwalk I'm tremendously biased, but I think that Nova Scotia is one of the most under rated travel destinations in the world. It represents a great value to budget minded travelers, appeals to a wide variety of interests, and is stunning no matter what the season. But don't take my word for it - like I said, I'm biased! Come and have a look for yourself!  Have you ever been to Nova Scotia? Do you agree that the Cabot Trail is the most beautiful drive in the world? If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like: A Photo Tour of Rural Malagash, Nova Scotia North Shore Nova Scotia's Greatest Grub Dining Aboard a Historic Railcart in Nova Scotia Had to add that even though Vanessa and I have circled the Globe, and travel for a living, there are a couple of spots on Cape Breton that might be my favourite places in the world to visit. I highly encourage everyone to take the small excursions when possible down unnamed roads that lead to water. You might just discover your own sacred place. I'm not giving away mine this time! :) 1/4/2015 09:10:29 am
What a beautiful place. I have always wanted to visit Nova Scotia. It is only 10 hours drive from where I live. Beautiful shots
Vanessa
1/4/2015 09:16:06 am
Thank you! Nova Scotia is now about 14-16 hours away for us, so when we go we make a road trip out of it and stop in Fredericton on the way down and Quebec City on the way back.
Vanessa
1/4/2015 11:23:57 am
Hurrah! My crafty plan has worked - I'll let Nova Scotia know that a new fan is on the way :-). Seriously, I hope you get there some day soon - there is so much to explore. 1/4/2015 10:59:43 am
These pictures are stunning! I have yet to travel to Eastern Canada.
Vanessa
1/4/2015 11:27:09 am
And Nova Scotia is just one small part of Eastern Canada - you could spend months exploring the whole region....
Vanessa
2/4/2015 01:26:58 am
It really is :-)
Vanessa
2/4/2015 05:53:57 am
We really, really do.
Renee Long
2/4/2015 04:10:27 am
First time in Nova Scotia was Cape Breton on my honeymoon in 1964 but the Cabot Trail was in complete fog so we did not get to see much of it.. Went back in 2008 & 2012 both times the Cabot trail was so beautiful!!! Love particularly the Inn at Glenora Distillery. Lunenburg & Mahone Bay are also absolutely magnificient and so is the beach at the Quarterdeck in Summerville Beach... unforgettable!
Vanessa
2/4/2015 05:55:07 am
I've never been to Summerville Beach before - I'm going to add that to my list. I love Glenora Distillery as well - I'm not much of a single malt drinker but they have a delicious menu.
Renee Long
2/4/2015 06:37:39 am
In Nova Scotia there is a Summerville and a Summerville Beach not in the same area... the Summerville beach I am writing about is near Shelburne...
Martha Scott
2/4/2015 06:12:32 am
We live in Ottawa but are retiring to Chester Basin the minute our house here is sold. The sign is in the lawn. Chester to Lunenburg is great, and NS is one of this country's best kept secrets!
Vanessa
2/4/2015 08:54:38 am
Martha, please keep in touch with us - we'd love to hear how your journey goes!
Kathy
2/4/2015 03:06:35 pm
I live in Alberta. I have been to Nova Scotia/Cape Breton Island 6 times now and I'm going back for a couple of weeks this July. I love it there and try to discover something new every time we visit. We've been around the Cabot Trail I think three times now. We always go west to east (on the inside) and stay in Baddeck for a couple of days after - another treasure! I dream of someday spending my entire summers there.
Vanessa
3/4/2015 11:07:36 am
I really miss those early days of summer, sitting outside on the patio, feeling the sun on my skin for the first time in months. I would love to be back for a summer - it's so relaxing!
Dawn
2/4/2015 07:54:39 pm
From one Cape Bretoner to another, there is no sunset like a NS sunset... From Digby to the Eastern Shore with Clam Harbour beach and Martinique Beach to my best spot in the world, the front "yard" of the MacNeils in Irish Cove... The cove never fails to perform when we head back home. ... The home of my heart is firmly planted on the waves of the Bras d'or Lakes and the mudflats of Cape Blomidon. Heading home later this month with two friends from Ottawa for a visit!
Vanessa
3/4/2015 11:08:44 am
Room in the car for the third Ottawa gal? I would love hit up all your favourite spots - they all sound spectacular.
Michael Mombourquette
3/4/2015 08:04:06 am
My early childhood years were in L'Ardoise, a small fishing village on the south coast of Cape Breton. It was always just home. I remember returning there one time as a young adult with some friends from my then Saskatchewan home and they could not stop oohing and aahing. I too realized that I could point my camera in almost any direction and get a post card shot. I had been living in the most beautiful place on earth and didn't know it until after I had left. My parents retired just down the road in Barra Head, a beautiful little village with a small church. Just like you see in all those Christmas post cards.
Vanessa
3/4/2015 11:11:50 am
Someone really should go into business doing post cards and prints of those lesser known areas. It's so easy to take the scenery for granted but seeing it through someone else's eyes really puts things into perspective. 4/4/2015 12:38:35 am
The Cabot trail is beautiful as an overview but the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail is up close and personal. The sea and spray and wind and waves is right in your face.
Vanessa
4/4/2015 02:53:40 am
I am somewhat famous (or is it infamous) for being able to change the weather at Louisbourg Nat Historic Site. Everyone has always told me to dress in layers, bring a rain jacket, as it is so well known for being rainy, cool, unpredictable. But everytime I go, the sun comes out and it gets HOT! And all the staff in their period dress are utterly wilting in the heat. Sadly, my weather defying powers are limited to just this one location :-)
Adele
4/4/2015 02:17:35 am
Left Cape Breton for greener pastures but not thinking you can not get any greener than in Cape Breton.Love it dearly !!!!!!!
Vanessa
4/4/2015 02:55:30 am
I have never seen Cape Breton as anything but green. Even when the snow melts in spring and everywhere else is brown, the green seems to just pop there.
nina rinaldi
17/4/2015 08:59:04 am
Can't wait until October!! My husband and I are coming from Nashville, TN. Hope there will be some spectacular colors...
Vanessa
17/4/2015 12:06:34 pm
There will be Nina - that's the most spectacular time of year to visit. The colors are just incredible.
henry
17/7/2017 12:04:20 pm
hey, could you tell me where this chruch at the seaside is? Would really like to visit it when im in NS
Vanessa
19/7/2017 09:47:25 am
You got it Henry! It's in Margaretsville, a tiny village not far from Middleton (which is kinda tiny itself). I don't know the name of the church but we parked close to the By The Dock Of The Bay cafe and walked down on the shore from there. I hope that helps! Comments are closed.
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