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.
Elisabeth
Maybe that means YOU should write the book, Tobia 🙂
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).
Bijoux
I’ve been to the top of the desert view watchtower at the Grand Canyon, but I don’t think I’ve ever been to the top of a lighthouse. The only lighthouses I remember visiting were along Lake Erie, but we do have some beautiful ones. Peggy’s Cove looks amazing and I think my parents visited there on their trip to NS.
Elisabeth
Peggy’s Cove is a must-see spot in Nova Scotia and definitely attracts A LOT of tourists.
Birchie
You know that I am here for this. Sign me up for Peggy’s Cove! Let’s go with Margaretsville for #2, since it has a bonus waterfall.
I lived in Ohio for 30 years before I learned that we have lighthouses here, all within 1-2 hours of my home. I can’t change the past but I sure changed the future.
I’m lucky that a few of my “local” lighthouses” are open during the summer months. My two picks are Marblehead and Fairport. One of my top travel delights last year was finding out that NY lighthouses are still open for tours in the fall, so I got to go on an unexpected lighthouse binge when I went to Rochester at the end of September.
Elisabeth
Let’s do it! Can’t wait to show you lighthouses LATER THIS YEAR!
Jenny
Obviously your goal is to lure as many people to Nova Scotia as possible, and it’s apparently working (I know you have several bloggers heading your way soon!) I have been inside a lighthouse, thanks to you! You inspired me to visit a local lighthouse last year and I loved it.
Btw I just commented on your previous post, which I initially missed, ironically because I was inundated with blog posts to read and comment on from the Weekly Rundown linkup yesterday.
Elisabeth
Ha! I’m chuckling at luring which has a rather sinister connotation. Instead of trying to attract unsuspecting victims with candy, I’m showing them lighthouses.
And YES! There are several blogging meetups scheduled right here in Nova Scotia this fall. I am anxiously anticipating them.
PS. Love the irony 🙂
Michelle G.
I would like a tour of Peggy’s Cove, please! I went to the top of a lighthouse in Washington when I was in high school, and I loved it. There’s something magical about them.
Nicole MacPherson
SIGH. So beautiful. I love all your photos so much!
Well, I would love to choose two lighthouses but alas, I cannot. I want them all. Hashtag: greedy.