50 Things to Do on the Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore is on the Atlantic coast running northeast from Halifax Harbour to the eastern end of the peninsula at the Strait of Canso. It is a scenic, yet sparsely settled area, which hosts dozens of small fishing harbours and communities. In recent decades, the region has become home to a growing number of cottages and recreational properties. This is mainly due to the number of unspoiled sand beaches, and dramatic coastlines, and small islands in the area.
The Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia is a rare jewel that beckons to be explored. So, grab your traveling companions, a map and head out in search of new adventures. You can use the 50 ideas listed below to create new memories you all will treasure forever.

1.Acadian House Museum – West Chezzetcook

Experience the unique and exciting Acadian culture in West Chezzetcook. In the past, the area was home to a thriving coastal Acadian village. Go back in time with the guides who will show you how the Acadian culture has thrived. There are live demonstrations of ancestral skills, including bread baking, butter churning, broom making, toy making and many more. Acadian House Museum

2. Goldenville Gold Mining Interpretive Centre – Goldenville

This valued Goldenville landmark is located in the old Goldenville Presbyterian Church museum of gold mining in Nova Scotia. It sits on a steep slope and retains many features of its former use as a church, like its off-center front tower. Both the building and property are included in the municipal heritage designation. The centre has photos, artifacts, and stories told by the miners about how the area quickly became a major gold-producing area. Goldenville Gold Mining Interpretive Centre

3. Musquodoboit Railway Museum – Musquodoboit Harbour –Musquodoboit

Located in the former Canadian National Railway Station, the Musquodoboit Railway Museum and Tourist Bureau has five railway cars. The museum is home to tickets, posters, maps, photographs, and other artifacts to tell the stories of Nova Scotian railways. The knowledgeable staff can provide you with information on the railway station and the area.

4. Sherbrooke Village – Sherbrooke

During in the 1860’s, the area is full of tall ships and gold ruled the day along the St. Mary’s River, turning Sherbrooke into a booming town. The Sherbrooke Village is a trip back in time, with costumed interpreters including a blacksmith, weavers, painters, and potters. Hitch a ride on the horse-drawn wagon and sit back to enjoy a tour. Sherbrooke Village

5. Canso Museum: Whitman House – Canso

The Whitman House Museum is a three-story home that has been fully restored. The house was the home of Canso’s most prominent 19^th-century family. There is period furniture, folk art, photographs and other memorabilia. The main interesting feature is the Widow’s Walk that is located on the roof, which was used by women to watch for their loved ones who were coming home from sea. Canso Museum: Whitman House

6. Memory Lane Heritage Village – Lake Charlotte

Travel back to the 1940’s in Nova Scotia at the Memory Lane Heritage Village, which is a living history village. There are 16 rescued and restored buildings that have period artifacts, which include a church, cookhouse, icehouse, general store, and one-room schoolhouse. There are chicks, kittens, and lambs that roam around the grounds that the kids will love to play with. The gift shop has 1940s-related products, as well as local crafts available for sale. Memory Lane Heritage Village

7.   Fisherman’s Life Museum – Jeddore Oyster Pond

Experience a fisherman’s life at a traditional fishing family’s home. The home once belonged to Ervin Myers, his wife, and their 13 daughters. The home was built in the early 1900’s, and many of the original buildings are still standing today. You can learn how to hook rugs and see how their family cooked meals on a wood stove.  Listen to the guides tell stories about the life people led on the Eastern Shore in the early decades of the 1900s. Fisherman’s Life Museum

8. St. Mary’s River Salmon Education & interpretive Centre – Sherbrooke

The St. Mary’s River has been a popular spot of nature lovers and anglers for decades. The Centre has exciting exhibits relating to the area’s salmon angling like memorabilia of famous anglers such as the Legendary Babe Ruth. The centre also has exhibits about birds, bats, butterflies, wood turtles, and other native species. There is also an aquarium, a gift shop and a children’s corner on site. St. Mary’s River Salmon Education & interpretive Centre

9. Skipping Stone Café & Store –  Guysborough

Relax at the Skipping Stone café with an ice cream cone or with a freshly made cup of coffee. the Skipping Stone cafe also offers light breakfasts, along with daily soup and sandwiches. Sit down inside or go outside and enjoy the scenic harbour view. If you feel like exploring the Guysborough Marine, the store offers bike rentals and boat rentals. This is the perfect place to start or end a day at the Guysborough Marina. Skipping Stone Café & Store

10. Port Bickerton Lighthouse Interpretive Centre – Port Bickerton

Take the family to explore a former lighthouse. The Port Bickerton Lighthouse Interpretive Centre provides a wealth of information about Nova Scotian lighthouses. There is a look off at the top of the lighthouse that offers a wonderful view of the sea and the Port Bickerton Lighthouse Beach Park.  The trails around the area are beautiful and also offer stunning seascapes. Port Bickerton Lighthouse Interpretive Centre

11.  East Coast Surf School –Lawrencetown

From June to October at the Lawrencetown Beach, there are surf lessons held by the East Coast Surf School. You can also rent wetsuits and a surfboard if you already know how to surf. The Lawrencetown beach is the best place for surfers of all level surfers to catch waves in Nova Scotia. East Coast Surf School

12. Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park – Clam Harbour

Clam Harbour Beach is a long, natural sand beach that is supervised on the weekends in July and August. There is a picnic area on top of the bluff where you may see multiple rabbits running around on the grass field. You can test your sand castle building skills at the annual Clam Harbour Sandcastle Competition that has taken place every August for over 35 years. Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park

13.Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean – Murphy Cove

Located right on the Murphy Cove, Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean is one of the most interactive and scenic camping locations in Nova Scotia. There are open and wooded camping areas that you can pick from. Eagles, osprey, seals, and porpoise are often seen around the park. Pets are permitted at this park, so bring along your fur babies. Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean

14.AquaPrime Mussel Ranch – Ship Harbour

Located in Ship Harbour, on the beautiful Eastern Shore, AquaPrime Mussel Ranch has been farming mussels for 23 years. The mussel farm operates year-round and processes the delicious shellfish in their own facility on site. The proximity of their farm’s site to their processing facility means that AquaPrime can basically have mussels out of the water and on your supper table the same day. AquaPrime Mussel Ranch

15. Rare Bird Pub & Eatery – Guysborough

Experience Eastern Shore craft beer brewing at the Rare Bird Pub & Eatery on the Guysborough harbour. Take a brewery tour and learn more about their proud brewing heritage and how they handcraft a great maritime beer. Their tasting room is the perfect place to try a tasting board or enjoy a pint. Sit back and relax, or make a few new friends.  You can take some of their beer home with you because Growler and bottle off sales are also available.  Rare Bird Pub & Eatery

16. Kannon Beach Wind and Surf – Lawrencetown

Catch some waves off the coast of Nova Scotia with Kannon Beach Wind and Surf. Kannon Beach Wind and Surf is the largest surf shop in Eastern Canada, and offers a variety of ocean sporting gear to pick from.  You can learn to surf, stand-up paddleboard, and windsurf at the Lawrencetown Beach. Kannon Beach Wind and Surf

17. Hope For Wildlife – Lawrencetown

Get up and close with Nova Scotian wildlife at the Hope for Wildlife rehabilitation facility. The facility has rescued, rehabilitated and released over 40,000 orphaned and injured wild animals from over 250 species. It also seeks to connect people to wildlife in a positive way through education for a sustainable future. Tours are available for no charge, but donations help keep the centre running and helping animals. Hope For Wildlife

18. Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum – Cole Harbour

This is a rural oasis hidden in a modern suburban area. The Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum is made up of heritage buildings, farm animals, gardens, a tea room, and much more. You will see heritage plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers are grown along with newer varieties. Go for a stroll through the pathway of native trees and shrubs to the neighbouring pond and wetland to see ducks and marsh animals. Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum

19. Chedabucto Place Performance Centre – Guysborough

This state of the art theatre promotes the cultural heritage of Guysborough County, with particular emphasis on the local area’s founding and diverse cultures. The centre strives to enhance learning and networking opportunities for students and adults in the visual and performing arts, stage and multi-media production, and cultural entrepreneurship. It also hosts a variety of events each year, which provide a performance venue that will attract world class entertainment to the area, along with providing a venue for local performers to showcase their talent. Chedabucto Place Performance Centre

20. Baird’s Tradesman Museum – Aspen

This museum is loaded with history and is a great place for anyone with an interest in craft, industry and how things are made. The museum’s walls and display cases are filled with tools from the past for trades that are not used nowadays, but were used daily at the turn of the century by some of the finest craftsmen from many forgotten trades. You will learn about the lives and skills of spinners, typesetters, leatherworkers, blacksmiths, coopers and much more.  Baird’s Tradesman Museum

21. Mulgrave Road Theatre – Guysborough

The Mulgrave Road Theatre is a pioneer of new play development, and is a part of Nova Scotia’s theatre history. For the past four decades, the theatre has been transforming works from trail-blazing artists, and connecting the region by touring with its shows. There is always a new show in production because of their mandate to identify, develop, produce and promote theatre which resonates with Atlantic Canadians. Mulgrave Road Theatre

22. Out of the Fog Lighthouse Museum – Half Island Cove

Take the family to visit this small, intimate museum that is run by the ‘Keepers of the Beacons’ who are former lighthouse keepers’ families and descendants. Learn about lighthouses and the history of fishing and sailing in Nova Scotia. This museum has a large collection of lighthouse artifacts including foghorns and lights that the kids will enjoy seeing and hearing. Out of the Fog Lighthouse Museum

23. Fancy Lucky Gallery and Craft Emporium – East Lawrencetown

Located in the MacDonald house overlooking the Lawrencetown beach, The Fancy Lucky Gallery and Craft Emporium is a one of kind shop. The shop is home to locally handmade item, crafts and fine art. You can also find vintage and antique clothing and much more at this shop. Fancy Lucky Gallery and Craft Emporium

24. Murphy’s Scenic Boat Tours – Murphy Cove

This one and a half hour tour takes you around the coastal island. Along with the breathtaking views of the coves, beaches and cliffs, you may spot seals, eagles, porpoises, and even whales. During the stops, you can try your hand at ocean fishing. If you take the mussel tour, you get to pick them and take them home with you. Murphy’s Scenic Boat Tours

25. Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park – Cow Bay

Enjoy a relaxing a day at the large sand and cobble beach at the Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park. The beach is popular with tourists and locals. The beach is supervised during July and August because it is part of the larger Cole Harbour-Lawrencetown Provincial Park. There is also a lake/wetlands area that is populated by a wide variety of birdlife, which makes it a nice place to walk and enjoy nature. Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park

26. Windansea Whaleboat Sailing Tour – East Ship Harbour

Take the family on a fully customized whaleboat sailing tour run by the Foley brothers, Seth and Matt. Their tours explore the coastlines of the Eastern Shore, to help protect and preserve the 100 Wild Islands. Tours run from July to August, depending on the weather. Windansea Whaleboat Sailing

27. Venus Cove Marina- Mulgrave

This pretty marina is located right off of the Strait of Canso, and has a bandstand and park that you can relax at. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the park and then explore the park on foot. During the Scotia Days Festival in July every year, there are many activities held at the marina.   Venus Cove Marina–

28. Port Bickerton Lighthouse Beach Park Trail – Port Bickerton

Hike the 3km loop that takes you over a boardwalk, ATV trail, natural path and barrens. The map at the start of the trail notes where resting spots, picnic tables, and toilets are located. The path is known for the famous “Kissing Rock”. There are also other breathtaking views for you to see along the trail. Port Bickerton Lighthouse Beach Park Trail

29. The Deanery Project – Lower Ship Harbour

Learn about local wildlife and how your family can help protect these amazing animals while building strong communities. There are hands on activities about forest management, sustainable energy systems, healthy living, food sovereignty and much more. There is always a new project to learn about at The Deanery Project.  The Deanery Project

30. Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market – Musquodoboit Harbour

This market is a vibrant meeting place that connects all the communities on the Eastern Shore. Vendors travel from various areas along the shore to the market every week, bringing their best products and ready to show their craft. So, enjoy many kinds of homemade bread, cakes, and pies, or browse the homemade bath products, jewellery, and artwork.  Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market

31. Uprooted Market & Café – Musquodoboit Harbour

Pick-up locally grown produce to make your meals, or enjoy a meal at the café. The Café uses local seasonal vegetables, free range meats and cheeses in their dishes. The menu changes with the season, so there is always something new for visitors to try. . Uprooted Market & Café

32. Black Sheep Gallery – Jeddore

The Black Sheep Gallery was opened in 2000 in an old fish plant on the shore of the Jeddore Harbour. The gallery displays the work from over 40 Nova Scotian folk artists, along with folk artists from Quebec and Ontario. Drop in and have a look at folk art spanning three decades. The gallery also carries a number of videos, books, and magazines relating to Nova Scotia folk art for visitors to peruse. Black Sheep Gallery

33. Ciceros on the Water – Porters Lake

Enjoy Italian and Canadian meals right off of the water at Cicero’s on the Water. Relax with your sweetheart and sip wine that you brought with you while you choose from thin crust pizza, pasta, steaks, and local seafood. The chef adds his own flair to the classics, making them uniquely Nova Scotian. Ciceros on the Water

34. Days Gone By Bakery– Guysborough

“Just like mom used to make” is what many people say about the meals and baked goods that are served at the Days Gone By Bakery. You can enjoy breakfast all day, or try a freshly made treat at the bakery. There is also a gift shop for you to explore before or after your meal.  Days Gone By Bakery

35. Norse Cove Café, Supply, Camping and Recreation – East Ship Harbour

Get out and explore the great outdoors at Norse Cove Camping. It is a small footprint, wilderness campground with many modern amenities available on site. Hear the ocean as you wake up, and enjoy hiking the trails around the Eastern Shore. The Norse Cove Café and Supply offers coffee and homemade snacks, along with camping gear and handmade items that you may purchase. Norse Cove Café, Supply, Camping and Recreation

36. Rose and Rooster Bakery – Grand Desert

This small café is located in the heart of Grand Desert. Locals and travelers love to stop in for breakfast, and lunch during the week and brunch on the weekends. The coffee and espresso beans are roasted in Nova Scotia, and all the bread and sweet treats are made in-house from scratch. There is a front and back patio for you and your partner to relax on, while you have your meal. Rose and Rooster Bakery

37. Tin Roof Mercantile and Café – Head of Chezzetcook

Relax with your sweetheart by an open wood-burning hearth, and try locally inspired lunches. Everything is made like Grandma would have made, if Grandma was a good cook. All the ingredients are fresh from local producers. There is a gift shop attached to the restaurant that you can explore if you need to buy a souvenir as a memento of your visit. Tin Roof Mercantile and Café

38. Goldboro Interpretive Centre – Goldboro

The original name of Goldboro was Isaac’s Harbour East and was named after Isaac Webb, an African Canadian man who was known for his kindness, sincerity, and generosity. The Centre explores the local area’s past and present.  It is a great place to buy a drink and take a rest at.  Goldboro Interpretive Centre

39. Icelandic Memorial – Markland

This was a site of an Icelandic settlement. There are historical plaques that mark the foundations of many original homesteads, while the walking trails and interpretive signage commemorate this little-known Icelandic community. There is a log cabin replica with interpretive signage that you can explore on your own.  If you would like to take a tour, you must make an appointment.  Icelandic Memorial

40. Seacoast Trail Arts Association – Sheet Harbour

This association celebrates and promotes local Eastern Shore talent by displaying a variety of crafts and fine art by local artists. Each artist that is in the association is featured on their website.  You can meet the artists at the Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital Multipurpose Room at their monthly meeting.  Seacoast Trail Arts Association

41. Salt Marsh Trail – Lawrencetown

The Salt Marsh Trail is an a part of the Trans Canada Trail, that connects to the Shearwater Flyer Trail, Atlantic View Trail, and Cole Harbor Heritage Park. The trail has amazing views of the salt marsh, bog land and wildlife. The trail is a straight line and is wheelchair and stroller friendly. Salt Marsh Trail

42. Old Court House Museum – Guysborough

The Old Court House Museum has been fully restored, and still retains its integrity of being a public building. The museum opened in1976 and is used to promote a better understanding of the area’s culture and history. There are a large number of artifacts in the museum that provide a glimpse into the past and how the locals made a living back then. Old Court House Museum

43. Crowbar Lake Wilderness Trail Hike – Porter’s Lake

Over 16.5 of wilderness to explore on the Crowbar Lake Trail. There are number of loops in the trail, so you can decide how far you want to travel. The trail has challenging parts for those who are looking for a challenge. Explore of only an hour or spend the whole day exploring the trail.  Crowbar Lake Wilderness Trail Hike

44. J. Willy Krauch & Sons – Saulnierville

Stop in and taste some of the finest smoked Atlantic fish, which has been enjoyed Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II. Smoking fish has been an important part of the fishing culture in Nova Scotia for many years. J. Willy Krauch & Sons has been smoking fish since 1956, and they now smoke Mackerel and Atlantic salmon.  J. Willy Krauch & Sons

45. Taylor Head Provincial Park Headland Trail – Spry Bay

This trail is the ideal place to go for challenging hike because it is 6.5km long. It will take you through a number of habitats and to a number of scenic look-offs. There is 16km of unspoiled coastline for you and the family to enjoy. You will find that the park is full of wildlife, including lots of porcupines who may guide you down some of the trails. Taylor Head Provincial Park Headland Trail

46. Coastal Adventures – Tangier

Head out on the ocean with your partner on a sea kayaking tour for a half day or full day. There are sea kayaking courses you can take, especially if you have no previous experience in sea kayaking. You can also rent equipment if you want to head out on your own. Coastal Adventures

47. MacPhee House Community Museum – Sheet Harbour Area

The museum is amusing and intriguing for all ages. Take a tour and learn how life was before plastic with the items from the 1850’s onward. Another popular exhibition explores the impact the World Wars had on the military and civilian communities. MacPhee House Community Museum

48. Atlantic View Trail

This trail is a part of the Trans Canada rail trail, and runs through woodland, salt marshes, and past beaches. Enjoy the breathtaking views along the trail. Local wildlife often can be spot along the trail, and sometimes will come visit you. Atlantic View Trail

49. In The Raw Sprouting Center – Porter Lake

Enjoy dairy-free and processed sugar free vegan ice cream at In The Raw. All their products are made fresh on site, and they have many sweet treats available. Their Peanut butter balls are to die for. They are adding new products regularly, so keep an eye out. In The Raw Sprouting Center

50. Black Duck Cove Provincial Park – Little Dover

This small day park is located in Little Dover and is fun for families to explore. The park is home to a lovely sandy beach, a rocky shoreline, and boardwalks to explore. Pack a picnic, relax at the Black Duck Cove, or try your hand at photography, building sandcastles, or beachcombing. Black Duck Cove Provincial Park

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