Guided Tours on the Ocean Floor

Walk along the ocean floor and marvel at prehistoric rock formations and towering cliffs that will disappear under the world’s highest tides in just a matter of hours. Take a guided tour with a Geopark Ambassador to learn about the coastal landscape, hear local and historical insights, and ensure you have a safe and memorable experience:

• Tide Rollers & Mud Larkers: Outdoor Council of Canada-certified field leader Anna offers guided tours, such as the Clarke Head Arch & Ocean Floor Tour, at various Geopark locations. Anna brings her knowledge and experience in the Geopark to customize tours to your group’s fitness level and interests.
• Local Guy Adventures: Enjoy a coastal tour by Zodiac or take an epic 50 km hiking journey. Whatever adventure you seek, Laurie and Caleb at Local Guy Adventures will bring the fun!

Well Appointed Historic Inns

Stay at Gillespie House Inn, a historic Queen Anne Revival farmhouse complete with colourful gardens, a yoga studio, reading gallery, and parlour. Just a short walk to Main Street, Two Islands Brewing, and Ship’s Company Theatre, explore downtown Parrsboro by day and unwind around a fire under the stars at night. Each morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast featuring fresh fruit, homemade granola, yogurt, and a selection of hot cooked items!

Craft Brews by the Bay of Fundy

Enjoy a pint and a bite at the community hot spot and craft brewery, Two Islands Brewing. Sample locally inspired craft beers with a tasting flight or pair a refreshing pint with a selection of classic pub fare like baked nachos, chicken wings, and donair dippers. Visiting Parrsboro on the weekend? Be sure to stop by the brewery for live music!

Award Winning Culinary Experiences

Discover one-of-a-kind dining at Wild Caraway Restaurant, winner of the Taste of Nova Scotia ‘2023 Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Prestige Award’ in 2012. Taste how the local landscape and waters of Advocate Harbour are showcased through seasonal menus that feature ingredients grown on-site, Nova Scotia seafood, and humanely raised meats—all while overlooking the world-famous Bay of Fundy tides.

Charming Guest Suite with a Local Expert Host

If you’re looking for local insights on adventure, you’ll find them staying at the NovaShores Guest Room. This historic ship captain’s home is the headquarters for NovaShores Adventures, offering guided sea kayak day tours like the Three Sisters Day Tour available from early May through mid-October. The Guest Room has its own private entrance, queen bed, ensuite bathroom, and a kitchenette with local coffee, homemade granola, and bagels. You might also meet the friendly resident cat, Blackie.

For a full-service experience, visit the Tides Inn Guest Suites on the edge of the village; with two executive guest suites, extensive gardens, and fresh baked goods and hot beverages waiting at your door each morning.

Planning to gather with friends and family? Check out Bakers Bay Cottage with four bedrooms and panoramic ocean views to accommodate up to eight guests.

Get Hands-on with Local Experts

Get hands-on at Two Birds One Stone Farm with owners, Sarah and Kenny, who have made Hall’s Harbour their home. Take part in a variety of seasonal workshops from flower arranging and crowns, to seasonal centrepieces and wreaths. Or craft your own piece of art on the Bay of Fundy Botanical Casting Adventure, with a delicious local lunch provided!

Observe the Power of the World’s Highest Tides

See the dramatic change in the tide at Halls Harbour Public Beach and Wharf, just beyond the Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound & Restaurant. Search for interesting rocks and minerals like basalt, quartz, amethyst, and agate, or beach treasures like sea glass and driftwood that have been worn smooth by the powerful tides. Always be sure to check tide times when exploring.

Hot, Cold, Rest, Repeat

Relax and reset at nearby Saltair Nordic Spa, just 10-minutes from Halls Harbour. With panoramic coastal views, Saltair offers a serene wellness escape and a variety of restorative elements onsite including dry and steam saunas, invigorating cold buckets, warm and cold plunge pools, and guided rituals.

Corn & Hay Bale Mazes

Test your navigation skills as you take on one of the many corn mazes that pop up each autumn throughout Nova Scotia.

Popular corn mazes include Noggins Corner Farm Market near Wolfville, Riverbreeze Corn Maze near Truro, The Windsor Corn Maze near Windsor, Indian Garden Farms near Bridgewater, Stirling Fruit Farms near Wolfville, Morse’s Farm in Berwick, Willowbank U-pick in Port Williams, Hank’s Farm Market in North Sydney, and Six Little Farmers Corn Maze in Mabou. How about a hay bale maze? Weave your way through the hay bales at Blake’s Pumpkin Jungle in Debert.

For the braver souls, haunted corn mazes, such as Riverbreeze Fear Farm, can also be found in Nova Scotia… if you dare!

Farm and Farmers’ Markets

With all the u-picks, wineries and farms all across the province, it should come as no surprise that Nova Scotia has the most farmers’ markets per capita in Canada.

Along with fresh, seasonal produce, you’ll be treated to artists and artisans selling their handcrafted wares, freshly baked goods, local cheeses, meats, jams, jellies, preserves, and so much more at each and every farm market and farmers’ market you visit throughout the province.

Click here to find a farm or farmers’ market in Nova Scotia.

Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site

Delve into history at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk among the cliffs on the beach and discover fossils that date back 300 million years. The fall season’s cooler temperatures make exploring these unique terrains more comfortable and enjoyable. Don’t miss the on-site museum, which provides additional context and showcases remarkable fossil specimens.

Town of Amherst

Take a stroll through the charming town of Amherst, the first town you’ll encounter when driving to Nova Scotia from New Brunswick. With its historic architecture and friendly locals, it’s a wonderful place to explore on foot. Visit the Cumberland County Museum & Archives for a glimpse into the region’s history, or explore local shops and cafes. Be sure to stop by Dayle’s Grand Market, a century-old department store that now hosts a variety of unique vendors.

Exploring Nearby Beaches Along the Northumberland Shore
The Northumberland Shore offers some of the warmest waters on the east coast, making it a perfect destination even in the fall. Explore these beautiful beaches near Amherst:

• Northport Beach Provincial Park: Known for its warm waters and sandy shores, it’s an ideal spot for a peaceful walk along the beach, beachcombing, or even a late-season swim.
• Heather Beach Provincial Park: A popular spot for swimming and picnicking, this beach boasts shallow, warm waters and scenic views. Take a stroll and enjoy the tranquility of the autumn scenery.
• Amherst Shore Provincial Park: Offers picturesque settings with beautiful shoreline trails and picnic areas. The autumn colors make this park especially striking.

Victoria Park

Located in the heart of Downtown Truro, you’ll find Victoria Park and its 3,000 hectares of wooded trails, beautiful scenery, and tons of spots to view the scarlet leaves. During your visit, make sure to also take in the natural gorges, 360-million-year-old geologic formations, waterfalls, and old growth forest. After, enjoy a meal at one of Truro’s many restaurants, like the Nook and Cranny or Bistro 22.

Castle Rock Trail

For a view of a colourful carpet of trees with an Atlantic Ocean backdrop, journey to the Castle Rock Trail, just off the Rum Runners Trail. This nine kilometre hike features three different levels of difficulty to choose from. Conveniently located near Chester, stop into the Kiwi Café or the Rope Loft Restaurant to end your trip on a full stomach.

Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site

Boasting 12 front country trails, there’s no shortage of opportunity to take in the bright fall colours at Keji. Forests filled with peaceful hikes through woods, along waterways, and past 300-year-old Hemlock trees are lined with a canopy of colourful leaves. Book an oTENTik, rustic cabin, yurt, or Oasis accommodation, to fully immerse yourself in the beautiful fall season.

Cape Smokey

For a unique experience, view the impressive fall colours on Eastern Canada’s only gondola, as you ride to the top of Cape Smokey. On your journey up the mountain, take in the scenic coastline against the vibrant colours in this panoramic view. At the top, relax and grab a bite from the snack shack before you begin your trek back down the mountain, or enjoy the onsite restaurant at the bottom.