Halifax 
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
The iconic Peggy’s Cove is only an hour’s drive from Halifax. The drive up to Peggy’s cove itself a beautiful one and the little houses in this small fishing village are so colorful. This area is a popular location for visitors to travel to because it is so famous. For many people, spending a day in Peggy’s Cove is a great way to relax and get away from the busy city without going too far from Halifax and Dartmouth.
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse should be a ‘must’ stop when you are in the area. The lighthouse marks the eastern entrance of St. Margaret’s Bay and is officially known as the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. This classic red-and-white lighthouse is still operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. It is situated on an extensive granite outcrop at Peggy’s Point, which is immediately south of the village and its beautiful cove. This lighthouse is one of the most-photographed structures in Atlantic Canada and one of the most recognizable lighthouses in the world.
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Roaming the rocks is a popular activity in Peggy’s Cove. This may sound incredibly boring, but the smooth granite and the sounds of the ocean have changed many people’s opinions. Please be careful when you are near the rocks as rogue waves occur and are dangerous.
Peggy’s Cove is an active fishing village, so exploring this village will give you a better insight into Nova Scotia’s fishing history. Most days, the docks are full of colorful boats that are getting ready to head out to sea. The boardwalk only takes about 30 minutes to fully explore, but there are shops to explore along the boardwalk.
Credit: Sou’Wester Restaurant and Gift Shop
The Sou’Wester Restaurant and Gift Shop is a popular location in Peggy’s Cove for dinner that specializes in home-style meals and it has been open for the last 50 years. Their lobster dinner and lobster rolls are local favorites, along with their delicious homemade apple crisp and gingerbread desserts. There is also a gift shop on site if you would like to buy souvenirs to take home with you.
Another popular location in the village is Beales’ Bailiwick. The shop is worth visiting because of the displays and sales of Canadian crafts, artwork, jewellery and nautical wear, including Tilley hats. You should plan to spend a few hours at this shop. If you need to warm up from the ocean breeze or need a snack, there is a quaint café called Espresso on Deck in Beales’ Bailiwick. Espresso on Deck serves up fresh organic coffees and delectable baked goods.
Right down the Peggy’s Point Road is William E. deGarthe Memorial Monument. The monument is a 30-metre long granite carving, which was carved by William E. deGarthe as a “lasting monument to Nova Scotian fishermen”.
Right next to the William E. deGarthe Memorial Monument is the deGarthe Gallery. The gallery displays 65 of William E. deGarthe’s paintings and sculptures. The artwork explores the life of Nova Scotian fisherman and life on the coast. Included in the display are deGarthe’s own depictions of Peggy, one of the possible namesakes for Peggy’s Cove. It is interesting to note that Peggy is always depicted carrying a basket containing fish and was known as the “keeper of the bounty”.
You can walk a minute down the road from the deGarthe Galley to Dee Dee’s Ice Cream where you can enjoy handcrafted ice cream made with real fruit, European chocolate, nuts, and raw cane sugar in a freshly baked waffle cone. They offer unique and traditional favorite flavours, along with vegan and dairy-free options. You can also enjoy milkshakes, floats, and coffee.
The Old Red Schoolhouse is a performing venue for musicians and comedies. It was the original one-room schoolhouse, which was used from 1839 to 1958. It is located at Beales’ Bailiwick, so you can enjoy an evening snack before heading to a show.
Getting Around:
The best way of getting to and around Peggy’s Cove is by car. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the most popular rental car company in Nova Scotia and has many locations across the province. Once in Peggy’s Cove, most locations are only a few minutes walk from each other.
