Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

skyline view of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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 2 - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

The Bluenose II docked in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

The Bluenose II on the Canadian dime with the Blunose 2 in the background - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

Whale watching and deep sea fishing ours in Lunenburg - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

cailin petting a lobster at the tidal touch tank in the fisheries museum of the atlantic - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

Petting a lobster at the tidal touch tank in the museum

Making new friends at the fisheries museum of the atlantic - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

Explore Luneburg's National Historic Sites - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

historic St. John's Anglican Church - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

The historic St. John’s Anglican Church

colorful streets of Lunenburg - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

lobster candy and gummies at the gift shop in the fisheries museum of the atlantic - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

seafood restaurant in Lunenburg - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

the menu at the salt shaker deli in Lunenburg - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

My number one pick for dining in Lunenburg, the Salt Shaker Deli

lobster sandwich at the salt shaker deli in Lunenburg - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Things to See and Do

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.

 
This content was produce with help from Tourism Nova Scotia. All opinions, views and love for my home province are my own as always.

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28 Comments

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 17, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Planning 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

    • Reply
      Cailin
      July 17, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      Hello 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! :)

  • Reply
    Penny
    April 25, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never actually been to Lunenburg … I might have to change that this summer!

  • Reply
    John
    March 31, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Try 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.

  • Reply
    Julie
    March 31, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Did 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!

  • Reply
    Carla Abanes
    March 31, 2016 at 10:07 am

    That is one giant lobster! Sad to say I’ve never tasted any shellfood in my life due to allergies :(

  • Reply
    Frank
    March 31, 2016 at 8:21 am

    Looks wonderful!

  • Reply
    Shawn King
    March 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    You 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.”

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 30, 2016 at 8:36 pm

      Thanks for the info Shawn!

      • Reply
        Shawn King
        April 28, 2016 at 3:09 pm

        You’re welcome! Thanks for the lovely article about my home province!

  • Reply
    Martin Chatterley
    March 30, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Have visited there twice from the UK. Beautiful area. Had a lobster dinner at Salties which was fantastic. Love Canada.

  • Reply
    willbrooks@bellaliant.net
    March 28, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Come visit the Lorne Street Fire Company of Lunenburg. Antique and unique fire engines and wee museum. 902-298-4161

  • Reply
    Vicki Mattingly
    March 27, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    I like the colorful buildings and flags. I presume that’s the downtown? Lunenburg seems like a fairly small town. Gummy Lobsters…interesting : )

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 28, 2016 at 12:17 am

      Hey 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 :)

  • Reply
    Vicki
    March 27, 2016 at 6:08 am

    What 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!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:42 am

      Thanks Vicki! It is a lovely little place :) The lobster is the BEST here!

  • Reply
    Rosemary
    March 27, 2016 at 5:50 am

    You 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.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:42 am

      Yes, 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 :)

  • Reply
    Betsy Wuebker
    March 27, 2016 at 5:11 am

    I 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.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:43 am

      You must visit and explore more, there is a lot to see, do, learn and eat! :)

  • Reply
    noel
    March 27, 2016 at 3:35 am

    This 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!

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Noel 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 :)

  • Reply
    sarah
    March 27, 2016 at 3:35 am

    I 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.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:45 am

      We 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 :)

  • Reply
    Anda
    March 27, 2016 at 3:31 am

    Nova Scotia looks very beautiful. I love the colorful streets and the historic sites. There seems to be a lot to see and do there.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:45 am

      There 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! :)

  • Reply
    Bernard Tan
    March 27, 2016 at 3:25 am

    Very nice place! I would love to try the lobster roll.

    • Reply
      Cailin
      March 27, 2016 at 11:46 am

      I would eat them every day if I could! :)


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