NS
78
commuter ferry for a quick cross-harbour
trip (www.discoverhalifaxns.com).
Sydney, technically part of the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality, is Nova Scotia's only
other urban centre. Located on the Island's
east coast, it has its own waterfront
boardwalk and a smattering of heritage
buildings. Moreover, it makes a handy base
for exploring attractions in nearby Glace Bay,
including the Marconi National Historic Site,
which is dedicated to the Italian radio
pioneer who established a transatlantic
messaging station there in 1902, and the Cape
Breton Miners' Museum where you can don a
hard hat and descend into a coal mine. The
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
is 45 minutes away by car
(www.cbrm.ns.ca).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Nova Scotia has been dubbed "Canada's
Ocean Playground," and since you're never
more than 67 km (42 mi.) from a coast,
enjoying on-the-water activities is easy.
Boating is a top draw, which is no surprise
considering options include sailing on Bras
d'Or Lake or paddling along ancient Mi'kmaq
canoe routes in Kejimkujik National Park
and National Historic Site. Scuba diving and
deepsea fishing are also popular; ditto for
surfing, a fun if somewhat frigid alternative
on the South and Eastern Shores. Looking for
something truly unique? Experience the
rush of rafting on the Shubenacadie River,
where a tidal bore whips up big waves.
Landlubbers, of course, needn't feel left
out. Choices for bikers and hikers abound. The
former love to pedal on the 119-km (74-mi.)
Rum Runners Trail connecting Halifax and
Lunenburg; while the latter lace-up their boots
in places like Cape Breton Highlands National
Park, which alone has 26 trails. If golf is your
game, world-class courses span the province.
Standouts range from traditional favourites
like Highlands Links and Fox Harb'r Golf
Resort, to newer stars like Cabot Links and
Cabot Cliffs, acclaimed sister courses.
HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland" and
descendants of its Scottish settlers make
much of that connection—particularly on
Cape Breton Island, where you can take a
class or buy a kilt at North America's only
Gaelic college (www.gaeliccollege.edu),
raise a glass at the continent's first single
malt whisky distillery (www.glenora
distillery.com), tour the Celtic Music
Interpretive Centre (www.celticmusic
centre.com), then dance your feet off at
one of the summer ceilidhs (traditional
Gaelic-inflected parties) held Island-wide.
The province, however, isn't entirely draped
in tartan.
After all, events like Festival acadien de
Clare (www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca/en)
and the Musique de la Baie concert series
(www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com/en
/things-to-do/view/musique-de-la-baie)
are tuneful testaments to the strength of
francophone culture here. Mi'kmaq com-
munities carry on the legacy of this land's
Special Events
www.novascotia.com/events
JUNE
• PRIVATEER DAYS, LIVERPOOL
JUNE – JULY
• ROYAL NOVA SCOTIA INTERNATIONAL
TATTOO, HALIFAX
JULY
• ANTIGONISH HIGHLAND GAMES
• FESTIVAL DE L'ESCAOUETTE, CHÉTICAMP
• HALIFAX PRIDE FESTIVAL
• PICTOU LOBSTER CARNIVAL
• STAN ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL, CANSO
• TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL
JULY – AUGUST
• FESTIVAL ACADIEN DE CLARE,
BAIE SAINTE-MARIE
• HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BUSKER FESTIVAL
AUGUST
• CHESTER RACE WEEK
• LUNENBURG FOLK HARBOUR FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER
• DEEP ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, WOLFVILLE
• FIN ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM
FESTIVAL, HALIFAX
• GRAN FONDO, BAIE SAINTE-MARIE
• HIKE THE HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL,
CABOT TRAIL
• WHARF RAT RALLY, DIGBY
OCTOBER
• CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL, CAPE BRETON
• DEVOUR! THE FOOD FILM FEST, WOLFVILLE
• NOCTURNE: ART AT NIGHT, HALIFAX
great way to better understand the life of
colonists and their relationship with the
Mi'kmaq (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
portroyal).
CITY LIGHTS
If you need an urban fix, Halifax is the place
to go. Although this is Atlantic Canada's
largest, most cosmopolitan city, its tourist
centre is conveniently compact, and most
major attractions—the Halifax Citadel, the
Historic Properties, the Maritime Museum of
the Atlantic and the Canadian Museum of
Immigration at Pier 21 among them—are all
within blocks of its huge natural harbour.
Tempting shopping, dining, and nightlife
options are close at hand as well. After
strolling around the bustling waterfront
boardwalk, you can take a leisurely harbour
cruise or follow the locals' lead and hop a
CABOT TRAIL, CAPE BRETON ISLAND • NS TOURISM/SCOTT MUNN
