Amazing Day Trip from Halifax to Lunenburg: Everything you need to know

Lunenburg, an iconic colourful village on the water, is about an hour west of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of two communities in North America with this designation). 70% of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries are still there today. Have you seen Locke & Key on Netflix? It was filmed here! Read on for your perfect Day Trip from Halifax to Lunenburg! There are a number of things to do in this small, charming village, besides the colourful wharf.

Where is Lunenburg?

Lunenburg is located in Nova Scotia, Canada. The drive from Halifax (a major city) to Lunenburg is about an hour. You can rent a car in Halifax, or you can book a tour from Halifax to Lunenburg. I love having a car to stick to your own schedule, but tours are a great option for people who don’t drive (or don’t want to drive on a vacation!)

Get Your Guide Day Trip to Lunenburg from Halifax

Day Trip from Halifax to Lunenburg – What to do in Lunenburg?

Walking Tour

The walking tour in Lunenburg is a must! You’ll learn about the history of the houses/inns/stores, and the importance of the colourful village. The Lunenburg Walking Tour company offers three different tours: Essential Lunenburg, Haunted Lunenburg, and Tastes of Lunenburg. The Essential Lunenburg tour takes approximately an hour to tour the village and give you a bit of a history lesson. The Haunted Lunenburg tour is what it sounds like! The guides will tell you stories of hauntings, hangings, and ghost sightings! The Tastes of Lunenburg is about 3-4 hours, and brings you to some of the best culinary spots in the village.

Gift Shops in Lunenburg

Like every tourist town, you’ll find plenty of gift shops! We love shopping local on Passportunities, and there’s plenty of small businesses to support!

Food and Drink

The Tastes of Lunenburg tour would be a great way to taste some of the best culinary spots in the village. However, if you’re just in the mood for some seafood, this is definitely the place to eat! There are plenty of restaurants serving everything from lobster rolls, to fish and chips, and everything in between! There are non seafood options, especially for those with allergies! The Ironworks Distillery is located in the heart of Lunenburg. You can do a tasting tour, starting from $25!

Take photos of the colourful buildings

Head to Tannery Road or Cove Road to take photos of the village. During low tide you can head to the Little Island to look across at the buildings (and it gets you a bit closer). You could also rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and take some photos from the water!

Bluenose II, Lunenburg NS

If the Bluenose II is docked, you can see it in Lunenburg. The original Bluenose was launched as a Grand Banks fishing and racing schooner on 26 March 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia! Unfortunately the vessel struck a reef in 1946, so the Bluenose II was constructed and launched in 1963. The Bluenose II sails out of Lunenburg to various ports in Nova Scotia and North America, but it’s so special to visit it in it’s hometown.

Bluenose Golf Club

The Bluenose Gold Club is located just across from the colourful village of Lunenburg.

Read more: Ultimate Halifax Weekend Itinerary

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Stays

If you feel so inclined, stay at the Sail Inn Lunenburg or the Smugglers Cove Inn Lunenburg!

Can you do Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg in One Day?

Absolutely! I did when I visited in 2019. It’s approximately a 3 hour round trip (total driving time). I recommend driving to Lunenburg first, and then heading to Peggy’s Cover and the Lighthouse for sunset.

If you don’t have a vehicle, there’s a great South Shore Adventure tour from Halifax. You’ll get to visit both Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove, with a few other spots to explore.

Read more: Amazing Day Trip from Halifax to Lunenburg: Everything you need to know