I’m going to go out on a limb and assume (hope?!) people visiting Nova Scotia are as intrigued by lighthouses as they are by beaches.
Lighthouses hold a special place in our family’s heart — here are my personal top five!
#1 — Peggy’s Cove
No surprises with Number One! This lighthouse has earned its place as the most iconic destination in Nova Scotia. (I’ve written a whole post about Peggy’s Cove.) If you’re coming to Nova Scotia, pinky promise me you’ll visit this lighthouse.
The rugged coastline, charming village, and a lighthouse perched on the rocks create a picture-perfect scene. Truly breathtaking and our absolute favourite place in the province.
Of course we took Kyria when she came to visit!
#2 – CAPE SABLE
Cape Sable is magical. Located at the southwestern-most tip of Nova Scotia, it’s remote and beautiful, offering peace, quiet, and some of the best coastal views in the province. (Check out my previous posts about this spot if you’re craving more details: here and here.)
#3 – TERENCE BAY
We think of Terence Bay as a mini version of Peggy’s Cove. It offers a similar charm…with none of the tourists! It’s important to know there is no “official” public access. A small path runs between homes, and depending on the current owners, you might find a sign restricting access. Don’t worry — you can still park at the nearby lot and take a beautiful walk along the shoreline to the lighthouse.
We took some casual family photos here one year (for our Christmas photocard) and some of you have seen the results many times (my go-to striped jacket photos).
#4 – LOUISBOURG
It’s a bit of a trek to reach Louisbourg — located in Cape Breton — but if you’re heading that direction, it’s well worth the time. The lighthouse is not only a historical site but also offers gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean. There’s an adjoining hiking trail but we didn’t get a chance to explore it, so that’s on my radar for another time.
#5 – MARGARETSVILLE
This is a great little community lighthouse.
There’s a wharf where you can buy fresh seafood, and an impressive local art cooperative on site (The Art Shack Gallery). At some points in the summer, the interior of the lighthouse is open for tours. We’ve seen all sorts of aquatic life from the shoreline, there’s a small waterfall, and a boardwalk with picnic tables.
We regularly take people visiting us to Margaretsville as it’s fairly close to our home.
And that’s a wrap.
Your turn.
- If you were visiting me and we could only go visit two of these lighthouses, which would you choose?
- Have you ever been inside a lighthouse?
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Tobia | craftaliciousme
I’d be up for a visit at PEGGY’S COVE and MARGARETSVILLE.
Lighthouses have some magical feel to it. Imagine every time the lights passes over you and at a specific date or star constellation it would be possible to travel time. That would be a novel I would love to read. Has anyone wrote that yet?
PS It seems like all the comment emails get through.
mbmom11
Oh, they’re all interesting! Let’s say Cape Sable and Margaretsville. Though traveling to Cape Breton to see Louisbourg would be cool if I had a long stay in NS.
I have been in a lighthouse once that I can remember-Barnegat State Park in NJ on the East Coast of the US has one that you can go in. No lighthouses near me in the corn fields – there are amber waves of grain (not ocean waves).