South Shore, Nova Scotia
The South Shore region of Nova Scotia beats to the sound of the ocean's drum. The ever present waves brush the shore with the deft touch of an artist painting a pristine landscape. When the fog lifts, the region's fishing villages emerge offering good food, excellent shopping opportunities, and enough active adventure to keep vacationers busy for a decade's worth of visits. A day on the south shore can include hiking, fishing, swimming, sailing, bicycling, or just lounging in the sun working on your tan.The South Shore is peppered with quaint fishing villages that offer vacationers an excellent chance for some deep sea fishing and photo opportunities. One of the most photographed in the area is Peggy's Cove, about 25 miles from Halifax, the provincial capital. The village sits on Margaret Bay, with fishing boats primed to welcome those with an eye toward the Atlantic. One of the main attractions in Peggy's Cove is the lighthouse that has been guiding fishing boats home since the 1860s. The rocky outcropping near the beach is just begging for exploration!
The small village of Chester, first settled by New Englanders in 1789, lies at the northern portion of Mahone Bay. This area is popular for all the sailing that is a big part of the village's legacy. Each summer, Race Week, the largest sailing regatta in Atlantic Canada, attracts vessels from all over the coast. For a glimpse into Chester life, both past and present, amble over to the Lordly House Museum. The home was built in 1806 and is an excellent example of Georgian architecture. There are three rooms decorated in period furnishings that illustrate what an affluent life must have been like in the early 1800s. In town, the Chester Playhouse has an excellent reputation for live performance. The Chester Theatre Festival brings in professional actors in July and August. The complex houses a mixture of comedy revues, improvisational groups, and Broadway musicals.
South of Chester but still on Mahone Bay is the town of Luneburg, one of the most picturesque villages in Nova Scotia. With a large number of beautiful homes painted with every color of the rainbow, Luneburg was named a national heritage site in 1995. Luneburg's relationship with the sea was fortified in 1921 with the launch of the schooner the Bluenose, which won every racing competition it entered. Today, a replica, the Bluenose II, rests in the harbor and serves as an homage to the village's seafaring heritage. You might want to plan your trip for October, when the town tips a few pints during its annual Oktoberfest celebration.
For some serious outdoor fun, head inland about 30 miles from Liverpool to Kejimkujik National Park. The park is a mixture of island-dotted lakes, forests, and drumlins (rounded glacial hills), and offers nature enthusiasts a wonderful respite. Bird watchers come to see some of the more than 250 species that reside in the province. Hikers and mountain bikers can choose from a maze of hiking trails. One of the best ways to see the park is in a canoe or a kayak. Guides take visitors on organized tours through the rivers that traverse the park. In the winter, hiking is replaced by cross-country skiing.
