Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1499370
NS 80 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 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. 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 • SHEDIAC LOBSTER FESTIVAL • STAN ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL, CANSO • TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL JULY – AUGUST • FESTIVAL ACADIEN DE CLARE, BAIE SAINTE-MARIE AUGUST • CHESTER RACE WEEK • HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BUSKER FESTIVAL • LUNENBURG FOLK HARBOUR FESTIVAL AUGUST – SEPTEMBER • WHARF RAT RALLY, DIGBY SEPTEMBER • DEEP ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, WOLFVILLE • FIN ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, HALIFAX • GRAN FONDO, BAIE SAINTE-MARIE • HIKE THE HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL, CABOT TRAIL OCTOBER • CELTIC COLOURS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, CAPE BRETON • DEVOUR! THE FOOD FILM FEST, WOLFVILLE • NOCTURNE: ART AT NIGHT, HALIFAX dining destination for French cuisine (www.cafelunette.com). Move over Peggy's Cove: the towering Cape Forchu Lighthouse near Yarmouth gets its star turn in Lighthouse: a new cinematic release featuring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson (www.capeforchu.com). 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. CABOT TRAIL, CAPE BRETON ISLAND • SHUTTERSTOCK/VADIM.PETROV