Nature, culture, food – pleasures galore

Location : Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Port-Royal, Fort Anne and Grand-Pré National Historic Sites, NS
Distance: 435 km roundtrip from Halifax, NS

Adventure awaits on this 3-day cultural getaway from Halifax! Gaze at the stars in a Dark-Sky Preserve, observe ancient Mi’kmaq petroglyphs, visit Parks Canada’s first historic site, and experience the flavours of Nova Scotia food.

Day 1

Location : Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Maitland Bridge
Distance: 168 km from Halifax

Begin your day with a guided tour of the Mi’kmaw petroglyphs and discover 4,000 years of history.

Hop aboard a giant Mi’kmaw-style canoe and head off into the sunset. Paddle amongst the islands that dot Kejimkujik Lake, pulling the same waters as the Mi’kmaq and early settlers.

Grab a star finder and binoculars and watch thousands of stars twinkle in Nova Scotia’s only Dark-Sky Preserve. See if you can locate constellations, or let your imagination run wild and create your own!

Recommended accommodation: Rustic cabin, Jeremy’s Bay campground

Day 2

Location : Port-Royal National Historic Site, Port-Royal
Distance: 60 km from Maitland Bridge

Explore a replica of Samuel de Champlain’s home at Port-Royal National Historic Site. Kids can dress up in period costumes complete with wooden shoes, as they learn what life was like for the early settlers.

Location : Fort Anne National Historic Site, Annapolis Royal
Distance: 13 km from Port-Royal

Pick up a perfect Parks Canada picnic and treat yourself to a breathtaking view of the water while you taste the locals’ food specialties.

Discover the Officers' Quarters and explore four centuries of history in an immersive exhibit in Fort Anne National Historic Site. Tour the cemetery by candlelight and learn about those buried here.

In the evening, help yourself to some seafood chowder and fresh-cooked local lobster on the Lobster Trail or Chowder Trail. Visit the area’s craft brewers, distillers and winemakers on the Good Cheer Trail.

Day 3

Location : Grand-Pré National Historic Site, Grand-Pré
Distance: 115 km from Annapolis Royal

Uncover the tale of Le Grand Dérangement through an engaging multimedia show. Discover the landscape of Grand-Pré, a UNESCO World Heritage site and admire the statue of Evangeline, the heroine of an epic Longfellow poem.

Want a snack before heading home? Visit the quaint village of Port Williams and enjoy local treats from farmers or a tasting at a distillery or microbrewery.

Distance: Return to Halifax, 95 km