At Kejimkujik, activities on the water meet a Mi’kmaq cultural landscape that has been used by the Mi’kmaq for thousands of years. Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered there. Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and safety equipment can be rented. This brings together a specific selection of water sports with the site’s long history of use.
Water, landscape, and geological history
Nova Scotia has seven tourism regions associated with coastal adventures, history, and culture. The provincial parks system also provides access to opportunities to experience the province’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The themes thus range from activities on the water to protected landscapes and historic places.
Around the village of Peggy’s Cove, the Peggy’s Cove Preservation Area encompasses 1,000 acres of protected land with a sensitive ecosystem. On the coast of the Bay of Fundy lie the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, the cliffs expose up to 15 kilometers of rock strata containing the most complete known fossil record of life in the Carboniferous Period. Visitors can look for fossils on the beach. The site thus combines an exceptional geological exposure with a specific opportunity for discovery on the beach.
Acadian stories and historic places
The Grand-Pré National Historic Site presents Acadian stories through multimedia presentations and exhibits. A Victorian garden and a memorial church are also part of the visit. The site is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Landscape of Grand-Pré. Interpretation, garden, and church give the site several facets, while its connection to the World Heritage Site places it within a broader historical context.
The Port-Royal National Historic Site gives visitors a glimpse of life in the Habitation in 1605. Fort Anne is Canada’s first operating national historic site; it was designated in 1917. At the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, the Noon Gun has been fired daily as a tradition since at least 1856. The time references differ significantly: from life in the Habitation, to a historic designation, to a tradition carried on daily.
The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site also offers practical guidance for trip planning: it is on the east coast of Cape Breton Island, 40 minutes from Sydney, Nova Scotia. This information can be considered when visiting the historic site, without combining the different places into a single route.
Views and trails
At the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, visitors can explore the museum and grounds, which offer views of Baddeck Bay and Kidston Island. The rooftop terrace provides a special perspective: panoramic views of Beinn Bhreagh and Baddeck Bay. Those interested in landscape views will find both the views from the grounds and the specifically mentioned view from above.
Another way to connect places is a 110-kilometer cycling and hiking trail between Grand-Pré and Annapolis Royal. It offers a different focus from visiting individual historic sites: the two named places are the endpoints of a longer route suitable for cycling and hiking.
Discover more destinations
Cape Breton County, Colchester County, Yarmouth County, Richmond County, Pictou County, Hants County, Lunenburg County, Victoria County, Queens County, Annapolis County, Shelburne County, Inverness County, Kings County, Digby County, Halifax County, Cumberland County, Guysborough County, Antigonish County, Margaree Valley, Middleton, Larrys River
For the broader travel overview: Canada.
