A lovely view of Lunenburg
I have traveled far around the world seeking out various UNESCO World Heritage sites and yet I often forget and under appreciate the one that I live just 20 minutes down the road from. Designated UNESCO status in 1995 Lunenburg is a small town on the south shore of Nova Scotia with colourful streets steeped in German and maritime history.
Lunenburg is a popular stop on the tourist trail in Nova Scotia and for good reason with many different things to see, do and of course eat. Here are some of my best tips of things to see and do in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
The Bluenose II docked in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
The Bluenose II on the Canadian dime
Take a tour onboard and/or set sail on the iconic Bluenose II
The original Bluenose was once the fasting racing fishing schooner in the world and a popular icon of Canada, so much so that it appears on our ten cent piece, the dime. Over the past couple of years the boat has been going through a HUGE restoration project and hasn’t always been available to be seen or to sail but if you are lucky, all will be fixed soon. Keep your fingers crossed and you too can enjoy this beautiful ship.
Take a deep sea fishing tour or go whale watching
The summer months in Lunenburg are of the course the high tourism season and is also when it is the best time to visit. There are many daily tours available to go deep sea fishing, whale watching and more. Near the main wharf there is a small red barn with ticket offices for the various tours that you can book. These are great ways to get out on the ocean especially if the Bluenose isn’t available. Also remember that whale sightings are not guaranteed.
Petting a lobster at the tidal touch tank in the museum
Making friends with Captain Seymour Fogg at the museum
Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
The huge iconic red building that sits on the Lunenburg waterfront is the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and is a great place to learn about Lunenburg and Nova Scotian History. Here you can learn about Rum Runners, see gorgeous pieces of art, learn about tons of different boats and the history of them and fishing in the area, there are sealife touch tanks and so much more.
The historic St. John’s Anglican Church
A glimpse of the town’s colourful streets
Explore the town’s historic and colourful streets
Either take a walking tour or explore on your own and enjoy the historic and colourful streets of Lunenburg. Learn about its UNESCO status and see it’s picturesque buildings, churches and views. You might even be surprised to find some familiar places as Lunenburg is also quite often home to filming locations for various TV shows and films including Haven, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles and more.
Go Shopping for Souvenirs and More
Lunenburg is full of wonderful nautical themed souvenirs to take home for yourself or friends and family. It is also full of great boutiques and stores to go shop for unique hand crafted art, clothes and more. When you visit Lunenburg definitely bring your wallet to buy some of these wonderful items.
My number one pick for dining in Lunenburg, the Salt Shaker Deli
A delicious lobster roll sandwich at the Salt Shaker Deli
Eat ALL of the seafood
Nova Scotia is a peninsula sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean and because of that we mean business when it comes to seafood. From scallops to haddock to the best lobster in the world we have it all. It is almost impossible to visit Lunenburg and not stop by one of the many restaurants for a lobster roll, a seafood chowder or some other kind of delicious seafood dish.
To learn more about Lunenburg watch my video tour of Lunenburg below or visit Tourism Nova Scotia‘s site.
28 Comments
Lisa
July 17, 2016 at 6:29 amPlanning a trip to the area in June 2017. What is the best way to get info on what to see and do in the Lunenburg, Chester, Mahone Bay areas? So you have delicious Lobster, haven’t heard shrimp mentioned(my fav). I found out about your beautiful part of the country from watching HAVEN, the scenery stole my heart and I have to see it in person!! Live in Iowa USA
Cailin
July 17, 2016 at 2:53 pmHello Lisa! The best way to figure out what to do in those areas is to check out the http://www.novascotia.com or really to just go there yourself and drive/walk around and you will find so many great things to see and do. There are also tourism Nova Scotia booths around in the towns that you can visit where locals can give you tips and ideas as well.
Yes, there is TONS of lobster here not really any shrimp fishing but you can still find it on various menus. We also are home to some of the BEST scallops in the world, Digby scallops, clams and mussels are popular as well.
I actually worked on a few seasons of Haven, glad that it inspired you to visit! :)
Penny
April 25, 2016 at 5:11 pmI’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never actually been to Lunenburg … I might have to change that this summer!
John
March 31, 2016 at 4:55 pmTry the scallops from Adams and Knickle, even better than the local,lobster. We moved here from Ontario and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Enjoy Lunenburg.
Julie
March 31, 2016 at 11:04 amDid you know that Lunenburg has it’s very own campground and RV park right in Town! Located at the top of Blockhouse Hill, an amazing location with outstanding views of both Front and Back harbours. Easy walking distance to the historic downtown and waterfront. There is so much to do and see that you will be spoiled for choice. The best beaches in Nova Scotia are on the South Shore, un-crowded and clean. With miles of white sand you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Mediterranean, except that the water is just a tad colder of course! A beautiful relatively undiscovered part of the world. We love it!
Carla Abanes
March 31, 2016 at 10:07 amThat is one giant lobster! Sad to say I’ve never tasted any shellfood in my life due to allergies :(
Frank
March 31, 2016 at 8:21 amLooks wonderful!
Shawn King
March 30, 2016 at 3:57 pmYou say, “The Bluenose II on the Canadian dime…” Minor correction:
“The fishing schooner on the Canadian dime, added in 1937 at the height of fame for Bluenose, was actually based on a composite image of Bluenose and two other schooners, but has for years been commonly known as Bluenose. In 2002, the government of Canada declared the depiction on the dime to be Bluenose.”
Cailin
March 30, 2016 at 8:36 pmThanks for the info Shawn!
Shawn King
April 28, 2016 at 3:09 pmYou’re welcome! Thanks for the lovely article about my home province!
Martin Chatterley
March 30, 2016 at 3:25 pmHave visited there twice from the UK. Beautiful area. Had a lobster dinner at Salties which was fantastic. Love Canada.
willbrooks@bellaliant.net
March 28, 2016 at 9:56 pmCome visit the Lorne Street Fire Company of Lunenburg. Antique and unique fire engines and wee museum. 902-298-4161
Vicki Mattingly
March 27, 2016 at 8:13 pmI like the colorful buildings and flags. I presume that’s the downtown? Lunenburg seems like a fairly small town. Gummy Lobsters…interesting : )
Cailin
March 28, 2016 at 12:17 amHey Vicki, that is the downtown area, just a couple of streets up from the water. It’s a small little town. You should definitely visit some day :)
Vicki
March 27, 2016 at 6:08 amWhat a cute and colorful little seaside town! Your lobster roll sandwich looks delish (i’m a huge seafood fan so that would be practically my perfect dish!) and its super cool that you can see the ship from the coin!
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:42 amThanks Vicki! It is a lovely little place :) The lobster is the BEST here!
Rosemary
March 27, 2016 at 5:50 amYou got me at lobster and delicious seafood from the Atlantic. Never hear of Lunenburg before, but you got me intrigued now. Will have to visit soon.
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:42 amYes, come on up to Nova Scotia! There is a lot more to see than just Lunenburg too and we have great scallops as well as lobsters :)
Betsy Wuebker
March 27, 2016 at 5:11 amI have always been fascinated by the seafaring and fishing traditions in the Maritime provinces and have wanted to visit them for quite some time. What colorful facades on the buildings, and your pic of the lobster roll made my mouth water.
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:43 amYou must visit and explore more, there is a lot to see, do, learn and eat! :)
noel
March 27, 2016 at 3:35 amThis looks like a fun and colorful city to explore and yes to all that amazing seafood, I could probably eat a lobster a day if it was a good deal!
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:44 amNoel the lobsters are great deals here! Right now they are about $7.99 Canadian a pound! A couple years ago they were just $5! It varies each season and by demand :)
sarah
March 27, 2016 at 3:35 amI grew up on the west coast of Canada and sadly have never made it that far east. I’ve always wanted to get to Nova Scotia as I hear it is beautiful and you obviously agree.
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:45 amWe don’t have gorgeous rocky mountains like the east coast, but we definitely have beauty in a different kind of way. Hopefully you make it out east soon :)
Anda
March 27, 2016 at 3:31 amNova Scotia looks very beautiful. I love the colorful streets and the historic sites. There seems to be a lot to see and do there.
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:45 amThere are a lot of great things to see and do in Lunenburg and in the province of Nova Scotia as a whole, you should definitely come visit someday! :)
Bernard Tan
March 27, 2016 at 3:25 amVery nice place! I would love to try the lobster roll.
Cailin
March 27, 2016 at 11:46 amI would eat them every day if I could! :)