I say this in all honestly, I don’t recall ever visiting somewhere where the size-to-activity ratio packs such a punch as Lunenburg in Nova Scotia.
This charming, heritage town has a population of around 2,500 people and covers an area of just 4km2 and yet there are so many things to do in Lunenburg Nova Scotia that I wished I had a week just to explore this town alone!
I visited Lunenburg for two days as part of my Nova Scotia road trip itinerary and instantly felt so at home and welcome in the town. I was so excited to head out every day and explore the town and surrounding areas - and let me tell you, there’s a lot of things to do around Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Founded in 1753, Lunenburg’s history is rooted in ship building, fishing and rum running. Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban centre UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the whole of North America!
But history isn’t the only thing to explore here, the food scene is incredible, the outdoor and water activities are plenty and the thriving independent and artisan stores, galleries and shops make this a great place for authentic experiences and souvenirs.
In this Lunenburg guide I’m going to share some of my travel tips for visiting Lunenburg, the best things to do in Lunenburg and the surrounding area, where to eat in Lunenburg and where to stay. Hopefully this gives you plenty of ideas and information to help you plan your own trip - whether you’re visiting for a day or a week!
A quick note: I visited Nova Scotia as a guest of the Nova Scotia tourism board. While this trip was sponsored, this article was not a contractual requirement but something I just really wanted to write myself because I enjoyed Lunenburg so much, so you can be sure that all the experiences and opinions shared here are my own.
Lunenburg waterfront at dusk
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Where is Lunenburg?
Lunenburg, Canada is located on Nova Scotia’s South Shore around 1 hour and 15 minutes southwest of Halifax.
Located on a peninsula, tucked on Lunenburg Harbour, you’ll find Lunenburg on the Lighthouse Route which runs along the picturesque south shore of Nova Scotia.
Is Lunenburg worth visiting?
In a word, yes.
Not only is it visually a beautiful town (evidenced by its UNESCO status for its well-preserved architecture) but there are so many things to do in Lunenburg, covering everything from cultural experiences to amazing food and a variety of exciting water activities and outdoor activities in the surrounding area.
When is the best time of year to visit Lunenburg?
While Lunenburg has a permanent population all year round and you could in theory visit any time of year, it is a seasonal town in terms of the Lunenburg tourism tours, experiences, attractions and facilities that are available.
The best time to visit Lunenburg is during the milder weather months, May-October.
For the best weather and an enjoyable experience if you have outdoor activities planned then June-August are the best time of year for temperate weather.
The shoulder seasons in May and September-October are also a popular time to visit, more-so for locals who perhaps want to avoid the peak crowds of tourist season.
Saying that, I visited in the “peak season” at the end of July and while yes, it was busy, it was nothing like the “peak season” crowds you see in some destinations around the world! The biggest crowd I saw was a small bus which apparently was a day excursion from a cruise ship in Halifax - so really not crowded enough to impact your experience at all!
The best things to do in Lunenburg, NS
1. Walk along the Lunenburg waterfront
Probably the most iconic part of Lunenburg and you’ve probably already seen pictures of it online.
What was once a thriving ship building waterfront is now a thriving cultural area of the town with a lovely wooden boardwalk, colourful old ship building warehouses, docks lined with boats old and new and the location of locally departing tours and waterfront events.
I highly recommend a stroll along the waterfront at all times of day; looking over the calm harbour first thing in the morning, enjoying the hustle and bustle and bright colours during the day and then for a vibrant sunset stroll in the evening.
Lunenburg waterfront during the day
2. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is THE place to go to learn more about Lunenburg’s history, industries and relationships with the water.
Housed in an old fish processing plant, there are informative exhibitions, interactive exhibits with sea creatures, you get access to the still-working area of the wharf and you can speak to Lunenburg natives and retired schooner captains. You can also see one of the restored fishing schooners which was one of the last to be made before trawlers became the norm.
Lunenburg Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
3. Go onboard the famous Bluenose II
Have you heard of the Bluenose II schooner?
If you haven’t, just take a look at the Canadian 10 cent coin - the boat on there is Bluenose.
The original Bluenose schooner was a record breaker. It won every race as the fastest boat for 17 years in the early 20th century and became an iconic ship for Canada and the country’s ship building capabilities.
Unfortunately the original Bluenose was shipwrecked in 1945, but the replica, Bluenose II, was built in 1963 and during the summer months, it sails along the coast of Nova Scotia, docking in Halifax, Lunenburg and a couple of other coastal locations.
So you may or may not see the Bluenose while you’re in Lunenburg depending on its schedule, but if you would like to see Bluenose II, you can check her schedule here.
While Bluenose II is docked, you can go onboard and explore the deck for free. If you’d like to spend longer on board, you can also book a sailing trip here.
Bluenose helm
Bluenose Deck
Bluenose Ship
4. Do a Lunenburg food tour
This was my favourite activity I had booked during my Lunenburg trip!
Eric was our tour guide on our Tastes of Lunenburg walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours. The tour was not only full of delicious food but was absolutely fascinating to hear about Lunenburg from a historical but also local perspective from a born-and-raised Lunenburger!
Foods included in the tour may change slightly depending on seasonality, but you are guaranteed to have incredible seafood, try some local spirits and some fantastic local business products including ice cream, baked goods, deli sandwiches and more.
I had a life-changing seafood chowder made with lobster bisque which has basically ruined all future seafood chowders for me - ha!
If you love food and learning about a destination in a more personal, casual and engaging way - I highly recommend this tour.
Lobster Roll on the Lunenburg Food Tour
Haddock taster on the food tour
5. Do a Lunenburg walking tour
I appreciate that not everyone wants to do a food tour whether that’s due to dietary restrictions or allergies or maybe you’re just not a foodie.
Fear not!
Lunenburg Walking Tours company also does a standard Lunenburg Walking Tour. While I didn’t do this tour, someone in my food tour group had done the walking tour the day before and said it was fantastic!
Bluenose Lodge
6. Explore the Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage town architecture
There are only two urban communities that have UNESCO World Heritage Status in North America and Lunenburg is one of them (the other is Quebec, if you’re curious).
70% of Old Town Lunenburg is preserved from the 1800s in its original layout. So it’s not just the charming colours and hours, but the fact that such a substantial amount of the historic town is still preserved.
There are also several architectural aspects that make Lunenburg unique (and you’ll learn them on the walking tours!) but one of the most iconic architectural quirks of the town is the Lunenburg Bump.
You will see a “bump” or an addition on the front of many houses, similar to a dormer. But it doesn’t serve any function apart from showcasing the wealth of the family who traditionally lived there, Because these houses were often built by ship builders and captains, they wanted to showcase their skill and wealth with these ornate additions to the front of their houses.
The houses are also historically colourful so captains and sea-goers were able to spot their houses from their vessel as they sailed into harbour and neared the shore.
Downtown Lunenburg
7. Do the Lunenburg Harbour walk
I stayed just outside the old town area at The Kinley House.
Each morning I walked into the town along the Lunenburg Harbour Walk which starts at a side street off Falkland Street.
It weaves along a gravel walkway with views of the harbour and peninsula opposite (where the gold club is) and then along charming neighbourhoods until you reach the old town and waterfront.
Lunenburg waterfront walkway
8. Visit one of the three Lunenburg book shops
I love a good bookshop or library on my travels, so of course I had to stop into one of the bookshops in Lunenburg!
Lunenburg Bound, Block Shop Books and Elizabeth’s Books are all worth a visit, especially if you’re in need of new reading materials - you’ll be supporting a local business!
Lunenburg Bookstore
9. Check out the local artisan stores and businesses
Speaking of local businesses, Lunenburg is full of them!
From bookshops to artisan craft stores to local confectionery shops, local tour companies and historic industries related to fishing, shop building and wharf work.
The local restaurants and food shops are an easy way to sample the local businesses, but don’t miss the artisan craft stores for a local souvenir - most of them can be found in the Old Town Lunenburg area.
Lunenburg Old Town
Downtown Lunenburg
10. Sample locally produced spirits at the Ironworks Distillery or the Tin Roof Distillery
When Prohibition started in the 1920s, Lunenburg turned its hand to another lucrative industry: rum running.
The experienced sailors used their knowledge of the ocean, the coasts and shipping routes to run alcohol down to the USA and it definitely was a lucrative business!
There are plenty of stories and legends about rum running and the tricks of the trade used by sailors to evade capture by the US authorities and you’ll hear about them on your tour in Lunenburg. But my favourite is that when Lunenburg boats were approached by authorities, they would tie bottles of alcohol to a bag of salt and throw them overboard. When the authorities boarded and checked the boat they would find nothing and leave. Then sailors would go back to where they threw the bottles overboard and wait for the salt to dissolve in the water, then the bottles would float back to the surface and they could continue on their journey.
Anyway… spirits are part of the history of Lunenburg and there are a couple of places to try locally produced spirits in the town.
The Tin Roof distillery produces whisky and rum locally and they also ship internationally if you’d like to take some home.
The Ironworks Distillery also produces rum and offers tours and tastings.
Tin Roof Distillery
11. Enjoy craft beer with a view of Lunenburg at Lightship Brewery
If you’ve visited my website before you’ll know that I’m a big fan of craft beer and I will always try to find a brewery or taproom on my travels. This is because I love craft beer but it’s also because breweries are usually locally owned, independent businesses, so you’re supporting local and when you chat to people in there, they always have great, local recommendations!
All this to say, there are two breweries in Lunenburg and Lightship Brewery is located on a small jut of land on the other side of the harbour but close enough that you have a direct view across the harbour of Lunenburg’s waterfront. I’d go so far as to say that this side of the harbour is the best view of Lunenburg waterfront because you get the total perspective of all the colourful houses in the town lined up the hill that you can’t see when you’re standing on the waterfront itself.
The brewery space is extensive, they have a huge outdoor area (to enjoy the view) and a kitchen/grill area so you grab food too.
They also hold regular events like comedy nights, live music and quizzes. They were setting up for a live music night on the day I was there and it was a VIBE!
The beer garden at Lightship Brewery
12. Try some of the best seafood you’ll ever have
Well, where do I start…? With only two days, I couldn’t try all the restaurants in Lunenburg, but I can share my tips and also some insight from a local into the best places to eat in Lunenburg.
For an incredible chowder in the lobster bisque that I mentioned is on the food tour, you’ll find that at Bluenose Lodge.
If you like a chowder then the Grand Banker is where you need to know for a chowder that’s PACKED with seafood without too much liquid.
Get the best fish and chips in Lunenburg at The South Shore Fish Shack.and find oysters next door at The Half Shell.
If you’re looking for a quick lunch or for food to take on the go, the sandwiches at the Salt Shaker deli are what you need - the chicken sandwich was delish!
The Old Fish Factory Restaurant also has a classic and extensive seafood menu - this stop is the last stop on the food tour, just so you know and don’t end up eating there twice!
13. Grab coffee and breakfast at No9 Coffee
I stopped in here for breakfast and coffee on my first morning and it’s such a cute spot!!
It’s a very homey, welcoming coffee shop that’s decorated like (and feels like!) you’ve walked into someone's home. There’s also a really cute patio out the back.
The range of baked goods, pastries, cookies and the cinnamon buns are a must try!
no9 Coffee Lunenburg
14. Go on a Lunenburg whale watching tour
I wish I’d had time to go whale watching in Lunenburg but unfortunately I didn’t have a chance on this trip.
Lunenburg Whale Watching Tours are located on the waterfront, but you need to book your tour in advance here. Sailings are only available May-October.
15. Enjoy sunset on the harbour
One of the things I loved about Nova Scotia generally is that Adirondack chairs are EVERYWHERE and you can just chill, take a seat and enjoy the (plentiful) views.
Lunenburg’s waterfront is no different.
Walk beyond the main harbour area along the road and past a couple of red warehouses, then there’s a path to the right (you’ll see some public toilets there) then you can walk down onto the dock, take a seat in one of the many chairs and enjoy the view looking back at the harbour, the docked boats, the colourful town and the sun setting behind it.
Lunenburg Sunset
16. Head out for a day of golf at Bluenose Golf Club
I am not a golfer and I did not go golfing in Lunenburg, but a few people I met and spoke to were there to golf.
The setting of the golf course is gorgeous and if you’re a golfer, this is definitely something to add to your Lunenburg itinerary.
Bluenose Schooner with the Bluenose Gold Course in the distance
Bluenose Lunenburg
17. Book a scenic sailing tour
Of course you’re on the water so you have to get out on it!
If a more active watersport like kayaking or canoeing isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of other options for getting out on the water.
If the Bluenose II is in Lunenburg, then as I mentioned you can book a sailing with her here.
There are also other companies including Ransom Lunenburg Retreat which offers Zodiac tours, Lunenburg Ocean Adventure which offers fishing trips or Star Charters offering heritage harbour tours and scenic sailings.
18. Don’t miss the picturesque St John’s Anglican Church
I actually spotted the spire of this church when I was flying my drone and thought, “is that a black and white church?”
This unique church looks so perfect it’s like it’s been hand-drawn! An all white church with black trim, it really is a striking building to visit and enjoy both inside and out.
St John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg
19. Try your hand at bladesmithing classes
This is something that I’m sure if I had longer and I had my husband with me then I would have found this included in my Lunenburg itinerary!
Rick Marchand owns Wildertools and has been crafting blades for years and has quite a following for custom knives all over the world! He offers bladesmithing workshops, classes and experiences so you can try the centuries-old traditions and designs of bladesmithing.
20. Grab a drink at Shipwright Brewing
Located on the main street in Old Town Lunenburg and looking right onto the waterfront with a view of the docks, this is a great spot for a casual evening drink and even a meal.
They have an extensive beer menu and several sours which are my favourite kind of beer - they also have a sour red called Port Side Sour Red, definitely something I’ve never tried before!
They also have a vast menu with everything from bao buns with every filling you could want, delicious seafood dishes including chowder and incredible fried haddock, through to an extensive deep-dish and thin crust pizza menu.
Shipwright Brewing
21. Visit one of the local art galleries
Being a town of crafts and artisans, of course art galleries are one of the must-do Lunenburg activities!
Peer Gallery, Power House Art Gallery, Laurie Swim Gallery, Waves and Light Gallery, Lunenburg Art Gallery Society are just a few you can visit.
In particular, Lincoln Street in downtown Lunenburg is lined with art galleries that are worth taking a look at for unique, local works of art.
22. Book a canoeing or kayaking tour
Canoeing or kayaking in Lunenburg is one of the best ways to get out on the water and enjoy the coastline up close. It is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Lunenburg.
Pleasant Paddling is a canoe and kayak company based in Blue Rocks and you’re in a prime position to explore the beautiful coastline around Lunenburg and the small, uninhabited islands which make canoeing and kayaking here so safe and sheltered.
The tours offer local knowledge, safety on the water and a variety of tour options from a full day paddle to a sunset paddling tour. There are wildlife paddling trips where you can see seals and full moon paddling adventures. They also offer multi-day tours and inn-to-inn tours.
Some tours are in high demand so an alternative is the tour company I used called Cape LaHave adventures, they’re around 45 minutes drive south from Lunenburg and I went on their nighttime sea kayaking tour to see bioluminescence!
Bioluminescence is only visible when it’s as dark as possible so these tours usually only happen once or twice a month when there is a new moon, meaning the sky is at its darkest.
This was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever been lucky enough to take part in, being out on the sea and seeing the water sparkle around me was like nothing else I’ve ever seen before!
Sea kayaks in Nova Scotia
23. Get ice cream from Sweet Treasures
Without a doubt this is THE place to go for ice cream in Lunenburg.
There are a variety of flavours including seasonal ones, the Moon Mist and Mariner’s Sea Salt flavours are a must try.
24. Look out for local events in Lunenburg during your visit
If you’re trying to plan what to do in Lunenburg Nova Scotia, make sure you check the tourism board website and local event pages to see what’s happening during your visit.
The first evening when I arrived, there was live music and dancing happening on the boardwalk with a live band and such a fun atmosphere. Couples and families were joining in and the event felt so joyful, authentic and welcoming, even to those who weren’t local.
Event in Lunenburg
25. Hire a bike
If you’re planning lots of things to see in Lunenburg Nova Scotia then hiring a bike is a great way to get around.
Lunenburg Bike Shop in old town Lunenburg offers bike rentals for a full day, weekly or even monthly! It’s a great way to explore Lunenburg and the coast with a bit more pace than just walking - perfect if you’re short on time!
Things to do around Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
I wanted to include a few things to do near Lunenburg NS too, since part of the attraction of Lunenburg is also how well located it is for so many incredible experiences and activities.
Visit Blue Rocks
I’ve already mentioned Blue Rocks a couple of times and while it’s a very small village, the setting is gorgeous, the harbour and coastline are well worth a visit (even if it’s just a short drive out there) or you can join a Pleasant Paddling canoe or kayaking tour to see more of the coastline.
Blue Rocks is probably the place that felt most rustic to me along the South Shore. A lot of the architecture also felt very Scandinavian and I loved the more wild and remote feel of the village.
Blue Rocks
Hiking The Ovens
This is one I so badly wish I’d had time to do on my visit to Lunenburg!
The Ovens Park is about a 20 minutes drive from Lunenburg along the coast. It’s most famous for the incredible sea caves and dramatic cliff hikes. Tied to legends and stories around rum running, the gold rush and the history of the region.
You can visit for day walking, visiting the caves or stay overnight at one of their cabins or campsites. The park is privately owned so there is a fee to visit even just for a day trip ($12 CAD as of 2025).
Find out more about visiting or book your stay here.
Visit Mahone Bay
If you’re looking for things to do near Lunenburg Nova Scotia then I definitely recommend a drive to the town of Mahone Bay - just 15 minutes from Lunenburg.
Mahone Bay is most famous for its iconic 3 churches that sit next to each other along the shore.
It really is a thriving town with a popular main street packed with cute coffee shops, tea rooms, restaurants and independent stores and businesses as well as being picturesquely located on the bay.
If you decide to visit, don’t miss:
- The Three Churches of Mahone Bay
- Famous Town Pie Shop
- The Barn Coffee and Social House
- Saltbox Brewery
- Betty’s at The Kitch
Three Churches Mahone Bay
Drive the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route
Chances are that if you’ve driven to Lunenburg then you’ve probably arrived via the famous Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route. But just to make sure…
The Lighthouse Route runs from Halifax to Yarmouth along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, covering 585km. While this isn’t the quickest route from Halifax to Lunenburg, it is definitely the most scenic (don’t miss stops like Peggy’s Cove, Chester and Mahone Bay).
But the Lighthouse Route also continues on from Lunenburg further south to Yarmouth, right at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia.
If your itinerary allows, driving this incredible route and enjoying the South Shore scenery is well worth it.
Peggy's Cove Harbour
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove
Take the LaHave Cable Ferry and visit LaHave Bakery
Okay, a niche suggestion but I took the LaHave Cable Ferry over the river when I went to my kayaking tour in Dublin Shore and it was so fun but I also spotted a bakery that I came back for the next day for breakfast, so I actually took the cable ferry three times!
The LaHave cable ferry is free and runs every half hour in each direction except between 11pm-5am when it’s on-demand. It only takes 5 minutes to cross over the river and is a pretty unique experience if you’ve never been on a cable ferry before.
LaHave Bakery is just 30 seconds from the ferry once you get off and it’s so much more than just a bakery!
Inside you’ll find a large cafe and dining area, the bakery itself as well as lots of other locally produced goods available for purchase. Towards the back of the building you’ll find a large craft area with products made by local artisans and craftspeople. At the back is a stunning bookshop with new and secondhand books that leads out onto a gorgeous wooden deck overlooking the water. Upstairs is also an art gallery - not your average bakery for sure but a great stop if you’re looking for places to eat and things to do near Lunenburg!
Lahave Bakery
Lahave bakery interior
Sea kayaking and bioluminescence night tour at Dublin Shore
I’ve mentioned this already as there are several different types of canoe and kayak tours available along the coastline around Lunenburg and the South Shore generally.
However Nova Scotia is one of the few places in the world where you can experience bioluminescence in the water - these are tiny micro-organisms in the water which release light when you agitate the water and the water seems to sparkle with blue-white sparkles of light.
I did the bioluminescence tour with Cape LaHave Adventures where we went out sea kayaking at night to see this. They can only do this tour once or twice a month during the summer as you need the warmest water conditions for the micro-organisms and you also need the darkest conditions possible to see the bioluminescence, so they only run tours on the new moon when the sky is darkest.
You’re out on the water from around 8.30pm until 10pm so be prepared and make sure you wear appropriate gear (they’ll give you info about this once you book).
Note: it is almost impossible to capture the bioluminescence on a boat, you need a long exposure on a camera and to stay still for that long exposure - neither of which are very possible when you’re in a kayak on the sea! But it is such a stunning experience, seeing the water sparkle like that is something I’ll never forget!
Bioluminescence Tour
Sea Kayaking
Summary: top things to do in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
I hope this guide has given you plenty of ideas for things to see and do in Lunenburg Nova Scotia.
It’s a place that I instantly fell in love with, from the colourful architecture to the great food and the range of incredible activities - you could spend a week in Lunenburg and still have plenty to do!
I hope this inspires you to add Lunenburg to your Nova Scotia travels or maybe to swing by during your bigger Canada trip, let me know if you visit!
