On The Water Tour
The Old Salt Experience
Day 1
Eastern Shore
Fisherman’s Life Museum
Come and experience a hearty welcome to this Nova Scotian fisherman's house from the early 1900s. From the crackle of wood in the summer kitchen cook stove to the smell of the saltwater breeze at Navy Pool by the ocean, you'll experience the typical life of a coastal village family. Homemade hot biscuits or fresh baked cookies are often served up by the costumed guides to be enjoyed as you learn more about a traditional fisherman’s life.
In this house once lived Ervin and Ethelda Myers and their 13 daughters. Like many inshore fishermen and their families, their livelihood depended on their ability to take advantage of the natural resources around them. Ervin fished and, each winter, worked in the woods. The family raised root crops and knew traditional ways to preserve food for the long winter months. Life here was full of hard work, hardships, and joy. Your visit here will leave you with a better understanding of an ordinary fishing family's special way of life on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore.
Memory Lane Heritage Village
Can you remember what it was like growing up during the 1940s in rural Nova Scotia? Do you wonder what everyday life was like for your parents, grandparents or relatives? Well now you can take a stroll through the Memory Lane Heritage Village and experience this era, less than a lifetime ago, but dramatically different from present day. Memory Lane Heritage Village portrays rural life as it was between 1940 and 1950 — in a new and unique "Living Memory" museum. The village includes thirteen rescued or re-created buildings from the area that illustrate the key aspects of village life during this period. Experience the boat building process in action at the Norm Hutt Boat Shop. Hear about the process while the replica of a typical local inshore fishing boat of the 1940’s is created before your eyes.
No trip to Memory Lane would be complete without a meal at the Old Cookhouse. Here homemade meals are served much like your grandmother would have made, if she were from the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Traditional selections include cookhouse chow with homemade bread, baked beans, clam chowder and homemade sandwiches. Delicious!
Hike the white sand beaches of the Eastern Shore
Clam Harbour Beach
Just a short drive from Memory Lane visit Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park. Walk on this pristine beach with its fine white sand or visit the look-off with its panoramic view of Clam Bay and the offshore islands. Tides permitting try your hand at digging softshell clams.
Martinique Beach
A visit to the longest, white sand beach in Nova Scotia will make you think you're in the Caribbean -- except most of the time, the beach is wonderfully uncrowded. Enjoy the peace of a 2 mile beach walk where the only sounds you're likely to hear are the wind, the waves and the cry of seagulls. Remember to bring your bird book to help identify over 440 species that call the marsh behind, and renowned to be the best birding destination in Eastern Canada.
Fisherman’s Cove
Enroute back to downtown Halifax detour to Eastern Passage to visit Fisherman’s Cove, a traditional Nova Scotian fishing village. Take a walk along the ocean boardwalk where you can hear the wind whistling through the sea grass, seagulls cawing, the breaking of ocean swells on MacCormick's Beach and the creek of fishing boats at their wharves. Peruse maritime crafts at the village stores and art galleries. Then savour some fresh seafood delicacies at Boondocks, a popular local eatery. Option: take a sea taxi back downtown and experience what it is like entering Halifax harbour by boat like so many seafarers from years gone by.
Day 2
South Shore – The Lighthouse Route
The day begins with an early rise and departure for Lunenburg.
Lobstermen Tours
Discover first hand, the salty history of charming Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) by experiencing the life of a Lobster Fisherman! This is an entertaining and educational experience and an absolute “must do” when visiting Nova Scotia.
Your tour begins next to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic with a brief look at the historic Lunenburg waterfront. Then you are off to the fishing grounds for the hauling of the lobster traps! Along the way you'll learn about lobsters and lobster fishing from the professional crew. The boat, the 'Chris L', is a real working lobster boat and is converted into a tour boat for the summer season. It is equipped with comfortable seating, washroom, and a canopy to protect you from nature’s unpredictable elements.
Throughout the tour you’ll benefit from lots of 'hands-on educational science'. There is an onboard marine biologist and a touch tank featuring lobsters, crabs, and other marine creatures.
Another highlight of your adventure will be watching seals and marine birds in their natural environment! Throughout the tour you will be treated to some of Nova Scotia's most picturesque coastline.
Mahone Bay
Visit Amos Pewter, Canada's only Pewter Economuseum and take a guided tour of the workshop with one of the local artisans. Started in Quebec in 1992, the Economuseum Network's mission is to showcase traditional trades and skills. Visitors to Amos Pewter are introduced to techniques, both old and new, used in making pewter and the history of the pewter craft.
Peggy’s Cove
Travel on to Peggy’s Cove where you visit one of Canada’s most recognized and photographed lighthouses, built in 1915. During the summer months visitors can mail their postcards at the lighthouse post office.
Day 3
Halifax
Murphy’s on the Water Deep Sea Fishing Tour (All Morning Event)
Enjoy a deep sea fishing tour aboard the Summer Bay. Take in the wonderful sites and wildlife along the coast lines of George’s and McNab’s Islands before entering the Great North Atlantic to cast your line in search of cod, haddock and Boston bluefish. Live the authentic maritime experience of bringing in your catch and watch the experienced Captain clean and filet your fish for you to take home.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Dive into Atlantic Canada's maritime history in the heart of the historic Halifax waterfront. Experience the life of a sailor, learn of the province's rich ship-building heritage and uncover the meaning behind colourful ship flags. On your tour you will see exhibits featuring the Halifax connection to the Titanic, Samuel Cunard, North Atlantic convoys, Theodore Tugboat, the Halifax Explosion, Shipwreck Treasures, and galleries with Days of Sail and Age of Steam.
Try your hand at making a traditional rope map at the ships chandlery, which is where fishermen would have purchased their wares back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. This centuries old crafting experience gives you a wonderful mat to take home to remind you of your Nova Scotia vacation.
Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery Tour
Then you are off to experience what Halifax night life is all about at Alexander Keith’s historic brewery with the Keith’s Welcome tour. Alexander Keith’s hospitality has made Keith’s India Pale Ale the #1 selling beer in Atlantic Canada and the fastest growing ale in all of Canada. Come and experience Nova Scotian hospitality at its best with an Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour that includes a special extended period in the Stag’s Head Inn where dinner can be served. While at the Stag’s Head Inn you can listen to toe-tapping music, play games of chance and engage the costumed interpreters in conversation. This tour serves as a great warm-up for a night out on the town.
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