As the temperatures slowly begin to cool (and we emphasize slowly), there is a certain sense of excitement that comes with planning a fall getaway. Typically, an autumn adventure means the crowds begin to dissipate while you benefit from mild temperatures and a colourful array of changing leaves.
Nova Scotia offers the ideal escape with coastal hikes, abundant farmers markets and a seafood season still in full swing, ensuring your East Coast experience will be one to remember.
This fall, we’re heading to a province that appeals to all the senses, featuring a rich collection of moments and discoveries that will leave you with a deeper connection and appreciation for the wild waters and natural beauty that can only be experienced to be understood.
Touch the Bottom: Dining on the Ocean Floor
It’s you against the tide! Set against the backdrop—and quite literally the shore—of the Bay of Fundy, expect a full-on immersion of the ocean floor and the world’s highest tides. Guests are guided by a local forager to learn about the ecosystem they are dining on through wild edibles before diving into a multi-course meal celebrating local seafood and seasonal produce. Given the time of year, Chef Domenic Padula has much to work with! Breathe in that salty breeze and get up close and personal with your food—and its source.
If photos from this event look appealing, it’s because they are, capturing a certain sense of awe and inspiration that is the unique result of people deciding to push the boundaries of what is thought to be possible.
Smell the Ocean Breeze: Discover Downtown Halifax
This coastal city on the edge of the country is no stranger to wild weather. Add a vibrant and constantly evolving food scene and you’ve got a city with a personality that is hard to replicate.
Given that the maritimes are synonymous with lobster, you’d be missing out if you didn’t get a roll. Add a vibrant coffee scene, a bustling Saturday market just steps from the waterfront and Donair as the city’s official food, and you’re off to a great start.
The ideal beginning to any Nova Scotian trip, venture from downtown Halifax to sandy beaches and charming coastal towns along with a visit to Peggy’s Cove to take in those iconic lighthouse views.
Taste the Spirit of Nova Scotia: The Good Cheer Trail
Tap into something new with Canada’s first and only trail offering five different types of beverage experiences: wine, spirits, cider, beer and mead. With over 90 trail stops across the province, you know you’re in for a good time. Learn the stories and traditions behind these local spots that celebrate a history dating over the past 400 years.
Named as an ode to one of North America’s first known gastronomic societies: the Order of Good Cheer (L’Ordre du Bon Temps) which was established to help survive long winters by bringing people together through food and drink. The good cheer lives on through the trail where you can collect stamps along the way to win a prize.
Need some help with planning? Be sure to check out our guide. Cheers!
Hear the Colours: Celtic Colours International Festival
Set against a backdrop of the vibrant colours of autumn, this international festival takes place every October with concerts taking place all across Cape Breton Island in unique venues ranging from historic churches to local community halls by the sea.
Expect collaborations between local and visiting artists from Celtic regions around the world: Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Brittany. Beyond incredible live music, the festival offers a host of community events including traditional meals, storytelling, square dancing, guided hikes and artisan demonstrations.
By weaving in the culture and traditions of the Island with music, it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.
See and Feel the Land of the Fog: Pjila’si Unama’kik
This intentionally curated Great Taste of Canada Experience offers a full immersion and traditional experience celebrating Mi’kmaw foodways, storytelling and connection through Unama’kik (present day Cape Breton Island).
A guided tour by Eskasoni Cultural Journeys will have guests participating in smudging ceremonies, traditional dances and drumming and basketry while learning about historical trading, hunting and fishing practices. This is followed by a traditional open fire feast along the shores of Pitupaq (Bras d’Or Lake).
A long-table feast awaits in the evening at the Fortress of Louisbourg, a Parks Canada National Historic Site. Chef Geordy Marshall of the Bear Clan, Eskaoni, will present a celebration of Mi’kmaw ingredients, stories, and traditions. After dinner, enjoy live music and storytelling from local entertainers—the perfect culmination to a day to remember.
The event takes place on September 27th with tickets available for the full day experience.
Plan a Visit for the Senses
As they say: “You haven’t seen Nova Scotia until you’ve tasted Nova Scotia!” Find out why this saying rings true with a visit for the senses this fall. From lobster to good cheer and everything in between, these experiences will leave you with a craving for fresh seafood, a yearning for that salty breeze and a deeper appreciation for the culture and traditions that are celebrated throughout the province.
Explore Nova Scotia and Taste of Nova Scotia to plan your escape today.
