The most popular day trip from Halifax has always included tourist hot spot Peggys Cove and Nova Scotia’s South Shore (home to the Bluenose, the sail boat featured on our 10 cent coin). There are tours that will take you to one or both destinations. Click HERE for some examples. You can also rent a car and explore on your own.
The small fishing community of Peggys Cove is the first stop on your journey.
No one can say for certain how the area became known as Peggys Cove, but there are three different stories commonly circulated about the origins of the name.
The first is simply that the cove is at the head of St. Margarets Bay and Peggy is short for Margaret.
The second piece of folklore centres around a young couple on their way to Halifax to get married. A storm wrecks their ship on the rocks and everyone onboard is lost at sea except for the young bride, whose name was Peggy. She spent the rest of her life walking the rocks looking for her beloved.
The third tale also involves a ship wreck at the cove. This time, the only survivor was an eight-year-old girl. Legend has it the villagers found the child and raised her as their own. The child’s name was Peggy.
The picturesque cove is lined with colourful fishing boats and stacks of lobster traps, providing visitors with an authentic East coast feel. Enjoy the beauty of the cove and it’s unique landscape.
Nova Scotia’s most iconic tourist spot is the famous Peggys Cove Lighthouse. When visiting the lighthouse, it is very important to heed the warnings posted on signs – do not go on the dark, wet rocks. The ocean is extremely powerful and rogue waves can come up at any time, washing visitors away. Stay safe and stay on the dry, light-coloured rocks.
In addition to the lighthouse, the cove is also famous for its giant boulders, or glacier erratics. The rocks are a product of the last ice age.
The town of Lunenburg is your next destination. Founded in 1751, the town was mostly populated by German immigrants who came to Nova Scotia on the promise of free land. Lunenburg is a port town and it wasn’t long before its early residents turned to the sea and became fishermen, boatbuilders, and sailors.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the streets are lined with beautiful old sea captain homes, many of which are now bed-and-breakfasts.
Lunenburg is most-known as the home of the Bluenose. Built in 1921, the Bluenose was a racing schooner that went undefeated in competition for 17 years and became an iconic symbol for Nova Scotia. A replica of the original ship was built in 1963 and continues to sail to this day. The ship is not always in its home port, but when it is , visitors are able to board the boat or even take a sail. Click HERE for the schooner’s schedule.
Lunenburg’s St. John’s Church is the second oldest protestant church in Canada. It opened as a place of worship in 1753. The church’s history, architecture, and beautiful stained glass make it well worth the visit.
The Gleeful Globetrotter 