ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL’S MUSEUM IN BADDECK Baddeck is a resort community on the shores of Bras d’Or Lake. The town pays homage to its best-known resident, inventor Alexander Graham Bell. The National Historic Site that is named after him contains the world’s largest collection of artifacts, photographs and personal mementos of Dr. Bell, inventor of the telephone. The National Historic site also tells the stories behind his lesser-known inventions, involving aeronautics, a sound and light transmitter, music machines and man-carrying kites.
CAPE BRETON ISLAND Cape Breton Island is a palette-shaped island to the northeast of mainland Nova Scotia, whose spectacular and rugged scenery attracts nature lovers in particular. Cape Breton Highlands National Park showcases some of the best natural masterpieces Nova Scotia has to offer, with half of the Cabot Trails’ 185 miles of fragrant hiking trails, and 366 square miles of highland plateaus, whimsical waterfalls, coastal cliffs, deep-walled canyons and beaches.
THE TRADITION OF FOLK ART Folk art, a form of creative expression that is distinctively Nova Scotian, often takes its inspiration from the sea. A well-known Canadian, most recognized for his folk art is Reed Timmons. He built a shop by his home in Pleasant Bay and took to whittling whales out of pieces of wood when there was a downturn in the fishing industry, and the rest, as they say, is history. The brilliant colors that are used on the puffins, fish, seagulls and other local critters reflect the array of colorful fishing boats that dock in the harbor near his shop.
HALIFAX WATERFRONT Like many port cities, much of Halifax’s livelihood and culture are centered on its waterfront. Follow the bright and spacious boardwalk along the harbor’s edge and through a delightful series of open-air plazas, parks, historic sites and waterfront attractions. Pier 21 on the Halifax harborfront is the last remaining immigration shed in Canada.
MAHONE BAY Mahone Bay is one of Canada’s best-known seaside towns that is now as popular for its unmitigated charm as well as the quiet waters of the bay’s secret coves and secluded beaches that are so perfect for exploring by canoe or kayak, or for a sailing charter. Mahone Bay’s trademark picture consists of three internationally known churches standing at the head of the harbor, symbolizing the quiet beauty and enduring spirit of this small town.
THE CULTURE On the east coast of Canada, Nova Scotia offers a spectacularly beautiful and diverse maritime landscape along with a unique culture that results in sightings of men in kilts, playing their bagpipes, and the uplifting sounds of Celtic music in the air. Steeped in Scottish influence, Nova Scotia celebrates its Celtic heritage and military pride with daily and annual festivals, and at special colleges devoted to perpetuating Gaelic themes.
HALIFAX The capital city of Nova Scotia, Halifax is blessed with one of the world’s largest harbors. A year round port and the Maritimes? main commercial center, it’s a popular seacoast destination. Recent development has revitalized the downtown core, where you’ll find the world’s longest downtown boardwalk in Canada’s most historic English city. Restored warehouses and waterfront buildings from the 19th century have been converted into a shopping arcade of charming boutiques and restaurants.
LUNENBURG Historic Lunenburg is one of Nova Scotia’s prettiest towns, laced with the flavor of its seafaring heritage. Its Old Town District was first established in 1753 and this thriving fishing and shipbuilding community includes preserved buildings, public spaces, and an eighteenth-century European grid layout. Dozens of historic buildings and homes dating back to 1760 are a reason why the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE ATLANTIC Located on the busy boardwalk along the harbor, this museum showcases the vastly influential seafaring history of this region, including a popular display of artifacts gleaned from the doomed passenger liner, the Titanic. Nova Scotia’s most famous icon is the tall ship, Bluenose, and it’s often part of the Halifax scene. When in port, the world-famous schooner docks at the Maritime Museum and offers sailing tours of Halifax Harbor.
PEGGY’S COVE Peggy’s Cove is one of the most famous fishing villages in the world. The lighthouse here has become a symbol of the spirit of Nova Scotia. Built in the year 1914, it currently houses a fully operational Canadian post office during the summer months. The graceful lighthouse sits high upon some of the ancient boulders that are scattered randomly around Peggy’s Cove.