Hi, Canadians! Does anyone live in Nova Scotia or are you familiar

[babylonsister]

with it?

We're thinking about taking a trip there at the end of August, but don't know much about it. We're thinking of a whale watching trip, and we love lobster. Also, it's bloody hot here in August, so their temps sound refreshing.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Spazito]

1. You must travel the Cape Breton Highlands if you are visiting Nova Scotia!

It is breathtaking. I visited Nova Scotia a few years ago and drove the coastal roads instead of taking the main highways and it was a delightful trip. Be sure to visit Peggy's Cove, it is very beautiful and there is a memorial to those who died in the Swiss Air crash.

[babylonsister]

2. Thanks, Spazito. This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for!

I'll add Peggy's Cove to the list.

[Spazito]

3. I forgot a few ideas for you....

If you visit Halifax be sure to visit the Maritime Museum at Pier 21 and also, if this would interest you, the Halifax Citadel, a historic fort located right in Halifax. I found it much more interesting than the more famous Louisburg fort because Louisburg is, imo, very "touristy" whereas the Halifax Citadel is less restored.

One more thing, if you are interested in history, my passion I must admit, there is a little place called Iona, on the tip of Cape Breton Island, that has the Highland Village Museum and it, too, is delightful, imo.

Here is the link to info on the Highland Village Museum:

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/index.html

[Hand]

4. Been here since 1990...

I'd agree with the others' recommendations--also, don't miss visiting the Fundy area on the west coast. The tides are every bit as impressive as described. Whale watching trips run out of Digby. There's also a fascinating fossil area on the west coast near Parrsboro called the Joggins, recently made a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The South Shore is also beautiful--Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Yarmouth, etc. Several wildlife areas such Kejimkujik are worth the trip as well.

Really, there's a lot here to see and do, and the summer is pleasant, not too hot, and cool at night. Here's a good place to consult:

http://novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx

Cead Mille Failte! :hi:

[daleo]

5. I would concur with everything Spazito said

I also drove the coastal roads, pretty well circumnavigating the island. Yarmouth, on the south shore is neat. The bay of Fundy is cool. Shag Harbour is good for a quick stop at the post office (a famous UFO event was supposed to have occurred there in this little village the 1960's). Just touring around the coastal roads is fun - you never go for long without a nice view. The people are friendly too.

[Posteritatis]

6. Buskerfest!

If you're going to be in Nova Scotia between the seventh and the seventeenth, hang around downtown Halifax for awhile. It gets completely nuts.

(Hang around towntown Halifax for awhile anyway; it's a neat place as far as downtown cores go from my experience. Lotta tangible history.)

Halifax gets moderately ugly temperature-wise for a few weeks around July or August, but from what I hear it's starting to cool off now. I'm from Halifax, but I'm stuck in London, ON for school for the year, which is really teaching me to shut my mouth about heat in Halifax at all ever. ;)

I'll second the recommendations for various museums/historic sites. I like the Maritime Museum, the Citadel's great, and I worked at Pier 21 so I can't not recommend there.

You might also want to look at the fossil cliffs near Joggins if you're into that sort of thing; they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site a couple of weeks ago.

[buzzard]

7. I will be in Halifax at the end of August my middle son is attending Dalhousie University next year,

It has been a long time since we were on the east coast that is where we went on our honeymoon. I loved most places we went but always wanted to go back and see the Cabot trail again, it was very foggy when we were there but beautiful nonetheless, Baddeck the start or end of the trail was lovely as well. If you want any other information I will be happy to scour our honeymoon pictures, we stayed at a lot of bed and breakfast places it was funny because we stayed at one place since we really heard nice things about it and the owners were quite concerned because we would have separate beds. I remember Lunenburg and thinking I could live in that spot and be very happy. Enjoy your visit our Maritime Provinces are beautiful and quite laid back.