by KATE POCOCK
Family Travel InkNova Scotia's Top Ten Family Vacation Experiences
Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island: the largest historical reconstruction in North America offers a realistic glimpse of daily life in 1744 with costumed soldiers and settlers, including kids, strolling the grounds and living in the houses. Kids can see a cannon being fired, examine model boats and do crafts at the Children’s Interpretive Centre.
Mining Experience at Ocean Deeps Colliery, Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island: take a computer simulated mine ride, then let former miners guide you on an underground adventure from the Glace Bay Miners Museum. A realistic voyage to below ground.
Halifax City Adventure: visit the shipwreck exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, explore Pier 21 (Canada’s “Ellis Island”), take a tour of the harbour, and discover an old fashioned brewery (serving lemonade to kids). The Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia is dedicated to preserving and promoting Nova Scotia’s Black history and culture.
Digging for Fossils, Joggins: the Fossil Cliffs here are famous for their 300 million year old fossils of sea creatures and plant life. Ask a guide at the nearby Joggins Fossil Centre to identify your kid’s finds. At nearby Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, check out rare fossils, gemstones and minerals. Parrsboro is headquarters for rockhounds. Look for zeolites and semi-precious stones on the beaches and in the cliffs, see specimens as well as dinosaurs at the Fundy Geological Museum.
Canadian Sailing Expeditions Tall Ship Adventures, Halifax: Take a sail and even help to raise and lower the sails
Ride the Tidal Bore at the mouth of the Shubenacadie River: experience the incredible power of the Bay of Fundy in a zodiac. See the nesting bald eagles, then stay overnight in a housekeeping cottage on the bay.
Take a Titanic Tour, Halifax area: Many don’t know that many of the Titanic victims were rescued by Nova Scotians and buried in graves in Halifax, including one J. Dawson, who many think was played by Leonardo de Caprio in the movie version. Sit in a replica of a Titanic deck chair at the Maritime Museum, and visit other Titanic-related sites.
The Halifax Citadel: at this most popular National Historic Site in Canada, meet soldiers from the 18th century, hear the noontime daily cannon and explore the fortifications.
Fort Anne National Historic Site, Annapolis Royal: take a candlelight tour of the graveyard, see a cannon loading demonstration, and explore the 1797 fortifications. At the nearby Tidal Power Project, watch the only saltwater generating station in North America turn the Fundy tides into hydro-electric power.
Pier 21 (Canada's Ellis Island) in Halifax, especially if your ancestors came through Halifax. |
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