15 Hidden Gems To Discover In Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is known for its seafood and scenery, but it has so many other experiences to offer. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a food lover, or a road trip warrior, there are lots of unique adventures awaiting you in the heart of the Maritimes. Here are 15 hidden gems to uncover in Nova Scotia.

That Dutchman's Cheese Farm & Animal Park

Secret Nova Scotia Tours

Dutchman’s Cheese Farm has been making more than a dozen delicious varieties of gouda in-house since 1980. My personal favourite is ‘Old Growler’ but you’ll want to try them all. The real hidden gem at this North Shore destination is its animal and nature park. This beautifully landscaped trail takes you through flowers and fragrant herb gardens that have been a work in progress for more than 30 years. You’ll find varieties of birds and animals to feed and pet like sheep, pot belly pigs, and emus, but the miniature goats are definitely the star of the show.

La Have Bakery

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Housed in a turn-of-the-century building, the charm and aesthetic is as equal a draw as the delicious selection of baked goods that line the display cases. Don’t miss the bags of cookies lining the back shelves! Downstairs is a general store full of loaves of bread, interesting condiments, knick-knacks, and other items, but that’s not all. Under the same roof, you’ll also find LaHave River Books, Homegrown Skateboards, and the LaHave Craft Co-op. Be sure to take the route that puts you on the cable ferry.

Explore Sea Caves at the Ovens Natural Park

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The Oven’s Nature Park features sea caves, walking trails, gold panning, and accommodation options like cabins, serviced RV sites, and spaces for tenting. The walk to see the sea caves is relatively easy but not all the sea caves are accessibility friendly. Some of the sea caves are manmade and others have naturally occurred. Each cave has been named, like ‘Thunder Cave’ which will release a boom like thunder when the water crashes into the narrowing cavity. On a clear calm day, the water is as turquoise as the Caribbean Sea. Just as quickly, you can have no view as the quick-moving fog can set in. A guided tour of the sea caves is available, but you can also go on your own.

Fun Fact! This location was used as a set for the Netflix show Locke and Key in 2019!

Tidal Bore Rafting

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Nova Scotia sees some of the highest recorded tides in the world. Tourists come from all over to see the tidal bore roar in, but other people want to do more than see the bore. You can hop in a raft and ride the waves! If you’re just dipping your toe into experiential adventures, this could be a good choice for you. You will get wet and you will get muddy! This is not an activity that is offered every day as the tidal times change daily so keep that in mind if this is an activity you want to include in your itinerary. You may need to be flexible on the date and time.

Cape Breton Highlands Hiking

Alicia Simms

With dozens of trails to choose from when visiting the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it is a literal hiker’s heaven. There’s a grading system that classifies trails as green dots for easy, up to black diamonds for very hard so you can find what works for you regardless of if you are new to hiking or more experienced. The location of the Highlands on Cape Breton Island means that so many of these hikes have great views - those perfect Instagram-able moments you long for when choosing your hike. If it’s not a coastal view at the end, it's probably an epic waterfall.

Walk the Ocean Floor at Burntcoat Head

Alicia Simms

In the county of East Hants is a place called Burntcoat Head where at low tide, you can walk out onto the ocean floor. You want to wait until the tide is almost at its lowest so the muddy banks have had time to dry out. Definitely choose your footwear for this outing carefully as that mud has a tendency to get everywhere! You can see hermit crabs and snails occupying the shallow pools that remain, and walk along cliffs, touching the layers of sandstone that have built up and worn down over time. There’s a small island of trees you can climb up for a better view, but be sure to pay attention to the tide coming back in or you’ll be stuck there for hours!

Wild Axe Lumberjack AXEperience

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Barrington is famous for its lobster rolls and white sandy beaches, but that’s not all! The Wild Axe Lumberjack AXEperience is a playground for adults. Grab a partner and try your strength at a cross-cut saw or if you’re really feeling sure-footed, you can learn log rolling in a shallow pool. Of course, there’s also the tried and true axe throwing at targets, but the owner and World Champion lumberjack, Darren Hudson has a pretty impressive collection of axes to try. All of this is on a beautiful grassy meadow next to a sparkling river with mature trees surrounding it all. This is an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Farmers Golf at Hennigar Farm Market

Alicia Simms

Have you ever wanted to just stand at the first hole of mini-golf, wind up, and just smash that neon ball right to the end of the course? If so, check out Farmer’s Golf at Hennigar’s Farm Market in Wolfville. This 10-hole course is laid out amongst acres of farmland and apple orchards. The time it takes to complete will vary based on how many people you have playing as well as their accuracy. Hennigar’s also has a beautiful market full of freshly grown produce, baked goods (check out their sweet potato biscuits), fresh fudge, and ice cream. They also have a family play area and a small petting zoo that’s worth checking out. You could easily spend an entire day here.

Mud Sliding at the Shubenacadie River

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Mud sliding is an experience unique to this province, and a quintessential Nova Scotia experience. The Shubenacadie river has recorded some of the world’s highest tides so its banks are perfect for mud sliding. Once you get past the adult urge to ‘not get dirty,’ you’ll find your inner child bursting to the surface. It’s like a combination of hot days of summer at the pool combined with the fun winter days of sliding down the perfect hill wrapped into one experience. Have all the fun of an outdoor water park without the line-up or crowds. The mud is so smooth and free of debris, you’d think you were paying for a spa treatment. There are guided mud sliding tours but there are also places you can do this for free on your own. Be careful to observe the tide times because the waters will come in quickly and have a very strong current when flowing out as well.

Cape Forchu Lighthouse Climb

Alicia Simms

There are around 150 lighthouses in Nova Scotia. If you think you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all, this lighthouse will banish that notion. Cape Forchu Lighthouse in Yarmouth County has one of the most unique designs I have ever seen, with its tall skinny middle and top-heavy design. Not every lighthouse is open to the public but you can buy a ticket to climb to the top of this one. There are 77 steps to the top up a winding central staircase, and it is quite a climb. Once you get to the top, the panoramic view is worth the burn you’ll surely feel in your legs. Be sure to check their required footwear before you go.

Fun Fact: this is also the site of Robert Eggers's film ‘The Lighthouse’ starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.

Feed Lambs at Lismore Sheep Farm

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A trip off the beaten path to Lismore Sheep Farm just off the Sunrise Trail (Route 6) is never a baaaad idea. Their visitor barn is open the same hours as their wool shop during the spring/summer season (May-October). A call ahead to see if there are lambs in the barn and when a good time for feeding might be is definitely recommended. Take a tour through the visitor barn and try your hands (or wrists) at carding the wool by hand! After you’ve bottle-fed some lambs, check out the variety of chickens they keep here. There are some 200 sheep on the farm, and if you’re lucky, you might spot their highland cattle in the fields. Be sure to bring your shopping bags for the wool store.

Distil Your Own Gin at the Ginstitute Steidhardt Distillery

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Ever wanted to distil your own spirits with ingredients you foraged while dining on delicious cuisine and staying in a seaside cottage? Then this is the experience for you! Nestled along the ocean in the rural community of Arisaig in Antigonish County is the award-winning Steinhardt Distillery. Originally opened in 2014, Master Ginmaker Thomas Steinhardt has created a unique destination inspired by his German roots. Not only is there a tasting room where you can sample products or have a signature cocktail, but there’s also a kitchen serving up delicious German-style cuisines such as schnitzel and spaetzle. The weekend packages include everything from accommodations to all your meals and cocktails. Be sure to book well in advance as this experience is only available on weekends and books up quickly.

Blas Math Lunchtime Céilidhs

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You don’t need Gaelic roots to enjoy this Nova Scotian tradition. While céilidhs happen all over the province, be sure to catch one at Colaisde na Gàidhlig - The Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, Cape Breton. During the summer, the college holds Blas Math lunchtime céilidhs, where you can get a taste of lively music and dance, accompanied by a hearty home-cooked meal. You won’t be able to stop your toes from tapping as you listen to the sounds of fiddle, piano, bagpipes, Gaelic song, and much more! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Hall of Clans. Check the schedule for the many demos the college offers.

Fun Fact: The Gaelic College has a beautiful washroom facility outside the college that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for travellers passing by.

Make your Own Jewelry with Kainoa Jewelry

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A unique experience that will have you leaving with more than just the memory! Metalsmith Beth Rogers invites you into her seaside studio near iconic Peggy’s Cove to learn how to create your own one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry of your own design. The workshop also includes snacks and drinks making it the perfect outing for friends or couples. Workshops can run from 3-5 hours depending on the number of participants and piece you’re making. She also offers flexible scheduling and gift certificates.

This is an intimate experience that can only accommodate up to 3 people at a time. No experience is necessary to do this workshop, but participants must be 16 or over. If you’d like to make it an overnight excursion, check out the Driftwood Seaside Retreat on Airbnb!

Flying Apron Inn & Cookery Cooking Classes

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Not only is the Flying Apron Inn & Cookery a place you want on your ‘Must Eat Here’ list, but keep your calendar open when their cooking classes become available too! Tucked along the Minas Basin, this charming building houses a cafe, book, and novelty store as well as a restaurant. Owners Chef Chris Velden and Melissa Velden offer hands-on classes, demonstrations, specialty classes, and private cooking lessons, or can accommodate groups of up to 10 people. They offer classes for the casual home cook to the most distinguished of foodies. The kitchen is also licensed so you’re able to purchase local beer, wine, or cider on-site to enjoy during your lesson. Check out their stay packages as well.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for what there is to see and experience here. I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring these 15 hidden gems of Nova Scotia. If you have a place you think I need to explore, please pass it along! I’d love to hear from you! Until then, happy exploring!