Cape Breton Island is one of the premiere sightseeing places to visit in Nova Scotia. There is just a wealth of things to do and see. We went on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park where we went on a hiking trail, visited the Bay of Fund, got on a boat and did some whale watching. We were lucky on two counts: the weather was glorious and we saw a lot of whales. Some photos are below.
JFB
Cape Breton Highlands National ParkVertical format photo of a hiking trail on Cape Breton that leads into the woods.A photo taken along Cabot Trail that runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia.Photo of a humpback whale diving into the ocean off Cape Breton, Nova ScotiaA close-up photo of the head of a humpback whale covered with barnacles breaking the surface.
We spent most of the 3rd day in Nova Scotia visiting Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. Lunenburg is known for its Victorian architecture in the Old Town Section. The Old Town section is one of only 2 urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Something like 70% of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries are still in use with their colorful facades.
After Lunenburg we were off to Peggy’s Cove and its famous lighthouse. Peggy’s Cove is a small, picturesque fishing village with one of the most photographed lighthouses in Canada. Or at least that’s what the claim is, although it’s hard to tell how that could be measured. Needless to say, some photos of these places are below.
JFB
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 17,2022. A photo taken with a wide angle lens along the Lunenburg boardwalk that includes an outdoor dining area and the exterior of a museum.Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada — SEpt 17, 2022. Tourists rent boats to go out on the water of the harbor.The Coastline of LunenburgPeggys Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 17, 2022Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 17, 2022. Tourists sit in colorful adirondeck chairs in Peggys Cove.Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 17, 2022. Photo of the Lighthouse at Peggys CoveAt Peggys Cove, Not Abbey Road
The next day we saw some more of the city of Halifax, which is the largest city in Nova Scotia and a major economic center. But with a population of about 440,000 people it is kind of a small city by most standards.
The city is an important tourism center with numerous National Historic Sites including Citadel Hill which is where Ft. George is located. Downtown Halifax is a major shopping center which includes Scotia Square, the Maritime Mall and Spring Garden road where the city maintains a public garden.
The city is home to numerous colleges and universities including Dalhousie University, University of Kings College, Mount St. Vincent University, NSCAD University, and Nova Scotia Community College. With so many colleges and universities located in such a relative small town, there is no lack of student bars and there is always good pizza to be had.
We wandered around the Halifax Harbor Boardwalk, visited the Maritime Museum, went for a ferry ride to Dartmouth and back, visited the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the cemetery where many of the victims of the sinking of the Titanic are buried, and had several excellent meals at local restaurants.
Some photos of our wanderings are below.
JFB
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 13, 2022. A photo of a ferry leaving Halifax for Dartmouth on Halifax Harbor.Tourists Walking on the BoardwalkPhoto of a section of the Halifax Waterfront Harbor boardwalk that juts out to sea.
We arrived in Halifax in early September to begin a 10-day tour of Nova Scotia, a beautiful place. As we made our way around we managed to catch hurricane Fiona, which made landfall on September 24. Most of the damage appeared to be in Cape Bretton, which we left the day before.
Needless to say Halifax Stanfield International Airport was shut down so all flights were cancelled. Consequently, we had to stay for a day or two extra before we could Geta flight out. Note to self: Don’t ever fly Air Canada again. They were a nightmare to deal with.
But Nova Scotia was beautiful, and the people were exceptionally nice. Our Road Scholar trip started in Halifax where we visited (among other places) Citadel Hill, Fort George, the Titanic cemetery where many of the ship’s victims are buried, the Maritime Museum, the public Gardens of Halifax and the boardwalk. I included a few shots taken at some of these spots in Halifax. Please see below.
JFB
Vertical format photo of the Halifax Town Clock on Citidel Hill in Nova ScotiaHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 13, 2022. A guard in traditional ceremonial dress outside an entrance to Fort George in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Halifax, Nova Scotai, Canada — Sept 13. 2022. Photo of tourists sitting outside the gift shop at Fort George in Halifax, Nova ScotiaHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada — Sept 13, 2022. Photo of a busker singing and playing an acoustic guitar in the Halifax Public Gardens.