The lovely town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is the home of the Bluenose II, the speedy schooner that appears on the Canadian dime, and is only one of two urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites in North America. Lunenburg is a lovely place to visit for the day while travelling through Nova Scotia, and also a great place to spend a night (or two!) to really experience the slower, seaside pace of this little town.

What to do

Explore at your own pace: You can easily walk and explore your way through the town of Lunenburg, as it’s quite small. There are plenty of shops selling beautiful East Coast trinkets to wander through, and various different restaurants, cafe’s and patios where you can relax and enjoy delicious Nova Scotian fare. For those who prefer to learn a little more on their explorations, a walking tour is a great option as well.

Take a ride on the Bluenose II: The Bluenose II, which is the most popular tourist attraction in Lunenburg, travels throughout Nova Scotia, but most of the time, you can find it in Lunenburg’s harbour. Day sailings and deck tours on the ship are available to book in advance when the ship is in port, but those experiences also don’t come cheap! For this reason, during our visit we chose to only admire the Bluenose II from the dock.

Sample rum, liqueur or vodka at the Ironworks Distillery: Since 2009, the Ironworks Distillery, which is located in an old marine blacksmith shop, has produced vodka’s made from Nova Scotia apples and other hard liqueur’s and alcohol made from products grown in the direct surrounding areas. Stopping in for a browse and a taste is definitely recommended.

We stopped in at The Fish Shack and enjoyed delicious fish & chips, and lobster, in a casual setting overlooking the bay.

The Bluenose II

If you’re passionate about fishing, it’s worth visiting the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which is located on the boardwalk, right next to the water, in Lunenburg.

Whatever your reason is to visit, Lunenburg is a special place, and should definitely be on your ‘must visit’ list. There’s lots to keep you busy for a day, but mostly, you have to see it because it’s just so beautiful.

*All photos & opinions are my own.