For anyone visiting for the first time: lighthouses are our family “thing.” (Which is why Kae’s suggestion to incorporate a lighthouse into my new header was especially brilliant – it represents shining an optimistic light into the proverbial pessimist darkness and the fact that I actually visit a lot of lighthouses!)
We’ve gone to dozens in our beloved home province of Nova Scotia and it seemed fitting to offer a round-up of some of our favourite (lesser-known) lighthouse adventures. I’ve dedicated an entire post to Peggy’s Cove (the most iconic lighthouse in Canada and our personal favourite), and probably have fodder for at least two more of these “lesser-known” posts.
Until then, for your viewing pleasure:
MARGARETSVILLE
Standing tall in black and white, the lighthouse in Margaretsville is a lovely coastal destination. Walk along the shore and you’ll discover a little waterfall. (Warning: explore too long and you might just get caught by the tide. This happened to my little crew back in 2020 – though wet shoes are quickly remedied, it’s a not-so-subtle reminder that we boast the world’s highest tides)!
There are plenty of designated areas for ocean-side bonfires (complete with picnic tables and a boardwalk), fresh seafood for sale, and an incredible art collective nearby. One of our favourite places to take visiting guests, Margaretsville has something for everyone!
CAPE GEORGE + ARISAG
Cape George and Arisaig are hidden gems in the lighthouse department. Neither came across my radar without lots of searching, but they’re both worth a visit.
Overlooking St. George’s Bay, the views at Cape George are especially lovely – look one way and you’ll catch a glimpse of Prince Edward Island and the other way leaves you staring straight at Cape Breton.
Arisaig Lighthouse is also located on the Northumberland Strait. While we didn’t get a chance to check out all the regular amenities (we visited during summer 2020 and COVID restrictions were in full swing), under normal conditions there is a dockside café known for its seafood dishes that sound absolutely delicious.
Belliveau’s Cove
When we first visited this tucked-away wharf, the lighthouse had fallen into major disrepair. But it still had lots of charm and was a great example of a spot that has a completely different flair depending on the tidal cycle. (I’m partial to high tide when this place is especially gorgeous.)
This first time we visited at low tide and the exposed ocean floor was littered with oyster shells – which the kids collected with wild abandon – and wooden remnants of a long-abandoned dock.
We’ve since gone back at high tide, sunset (gorgeous), and various other states in between.
Black Rock
A favourite of close friends, somehow we didn’t reach Black Rock for years after first hearing about it. While the lighthouse structure itself is relatively minimalistic, the kids couldn’t get enough of exploring the shoreline.
Our first visit was a blustery, cold day in March. We opted to picnic in the backseat of the still-warm car but, sufficiently sustained by food, we braved the elements in snow gear. It was worth the dip in core temperature.
Great climbing opportunities abound; we found a little stream and the kids launched the requisite twigs and followed their winding path to the ocean. We took turns trying to throw rocks into a tidal pool (I’m not going to win any free-throw competitions) and wandered along the coastline. As always, the kids manage to find ways to entertain themselves on “nature’s playground.”
Gilbert’s Cove
This last lighthouse is pretty unassuming. We visited it on a sunny spring day during the early stages of COVID and after weeks of being homebound, the kids stretched their legs and enjoyed some temporary freedom. Most years there is a functioning craft store and tea room in the bottom of the lighthouse. Want to hear the (maybe silly) reason I think of this lighthouse so frequently? Whenever I hear the name it reminds me of Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables – and that’s enough to make me smile every time.
Okay! That’s enough lighthouses for today; there are plenty more where that came from.
Your turn. First (tangent alert), are you a fan of the Anne of Green Gables books? Do you enjoy visiting lighthouses? Has anyone NOT ever been to a lighthouse? I realize many people live in land-locked areas where lighthouses wouldn’t be common like they are in coastal Nova Scotia! Is their a particular piece of clothing from your childhood – or, if you have kids, theirs – that makes you especially nostalgic?
Shelly
Beautiful photos!
Well this post had me googling light houses here in Manitoba. We do have a few and I know I’ve been to one. We have some large lakes, one of them being the 10th largest in the world. So event though in the south we are land locked the lighthouses we have are on the large lakes.
Elisabeth
Of course – there are lighthouses on lakes!! I should have thought of that (my parents live on a lake and have a lighthouse nearby)! Thanks for the reminder that we can find lighthouses in-land as well!
mbmom11
I went to Barnegat Light house in New Jersey (USA). (The East Coast of the US has its share of lighthouses.) I am pretty sure I went to a lighthouse in Nova Scotia ages ago, visiting my sister. How could a tourist go to Nova Scotia and not see some lighthouses? However, that was many years ago (anything before I had kids is a blur). I did love Halifax though – though my second visit was during a Christmas with tons of snow and frigid weather. No lighthouses that time!
I had a jacket – handed down from my sister’s friend – that every one of my kids wore – toddler size so some might have worn it with sleeves rolled up. It’s a little battered now, but I still have it in my basement. I see it and think of every squishy, snuggly toddler day. Also, a Halloween dress a sister made for my oldest daughter – all girls wore it many times. I see it and think of the girls at 3 -4 years old (wonderful age!) and of my sister who loves my kids so much. She made me Halloween costume when I was young, so it’s really special that she made this dress for my girls.
Thanks for the Sunday post – I love surprises like this!
Elisabeth
Yes! We went to Cape Elizabeth a few years ago and it was beautiful – such an iconic spot.
Lighthouses are everywhere in this province; we have an incredible amount of coastline for such a small land area.
Aww. How sweet that ALL your kids got to wear the same jacket. I can see why you would keep that and treasure it! And that Halloween costume sounds priceless; what a special gift from your sister.
Nicole MacPherson
As usual, Nova Scotia Tourism should hire you! These photos are great, Elisabeth, and I love that they are lesser known!
Elisabeth
Ha! I do a fair bit of promotion for Nova Scotia pro bono…but that’s okay. This place is just gorgeous.
So (SO!!!) many hidden gems in this province.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Thomes lighthouses are all so cute. I think I liked the white-red one under Cape Gorge the most. Couldn’t quite figure what it was called.
I have seen lighthouses but it has been some time when I really visited/saw one. At least I count make a list and I do not think I have any photo. So this was fun.
I am wondering though is red a thing for lighthouses for visibility reasons? Probably.
Elisabeth
There are lots of black and white lighthouses too? But the red does seem like it would show up better from a distance (giant red objects aren’t generally natural)…
J
I’ve been to a couple of lighthouses, though never inside one. The shoreline is always such a beautiful place to visit, I absolutely love it.
Beautiful pictures and descriptions, I’m glad you woke up wanting to post on a Sunday!
Elisabeth
Thanks, J. We’re so fortunate to have so many lighthouses within easy driving distance from our home. Definitely a perk of living in a coastal province.
Jenny
I was a little surprised to see a post from you today, and also surprised you were up at 5 am (what is going on??) These are beautiful! I can see why this would be your “thing.” I live on the coast and I know there are lighthouses I could visit, but I never do! Maybe I should look into this…
Elisabeth
I know – 5 am is unacceptable for me. But I woke up, couldn’t get back to sleep and figured I might as well just start my day. I did end up taking an afternoon nap though…so we’ll see how I manage to sleep tonight?
You should do a lighthouse trip, Jenny! Or if I ever make it down to visit you in Florida, I’ll make sure to research the lighthouse options and drag you along <3
ccr in MA
What lovely pictures! Yes, of course I know and love Anne of Green Gables: that’s why I’ve been to PEI multiple times, and on one trip did the point-to-point challenge and saw both lighthouses.
My favorite lighthouse story is one I heard when touring the Hemingway House in Key West. Apparently, when Ernest had had too much too drink, he would use the lighthouse to navigate his way home, as it was past his house. Land navigation for the win!
Elisabeth
There are SO many lighthouses on PEI (I think we went to 8 or 9 in two days…the perk of being such a small province).
What an interesting story about Hemingway…smart!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Wow, what a cool lighthouse! I really like lighthouses; they have such nice views too! I love that it has a little knob on the top as if you could open it and pour out tea or something! I used to go to lighthouses with my grandma, who lived near Boston. There are so many cool ones along the Maine coast as well.
You would love this; we actually have a lighthouse here that is on an island and you can apply to be a caretaker of it (only couples, apparently, what’s up with that) for a year (I think). That would be an interesting job, eh?
Elisabeth
That would be such a cool job. #RetirementGoals?
Ally Bean
Your photos are gorgeous. Such clear and charming vistas. I’m a fan of Anne of Green Gables books, but don’t think I’ve ever visited a lighthouse. I am that one person.
Elisabeth
Lighthouses are so situational – I just happen to be in a location with A LOT of them. They really are charming!
NGS
I’m originally from Michigan, which is a state surrounded by the Great Lakes. After my dad died, my mom admitted that she’d never seen any of the Michigan lighthouses and my sister and I went on a couple of epic road trips around Michigan with her where we looked at lighthouses. It was so much fun.
Thank you for this look into some of the lesser known lighthouses in your area. You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
Elisabeth
That road trip sounds so lovely – what a memorable time with family. Aside from the small (forgettable) lighthouse on the lake where my parents live, I think I’ve only seen ocean-side lighthouses? A new goal for our family should be to find some lake lighthouses!
Melissa
I have many photos with lighthouses in them. Lighthouses are usually photogenic themselves but also often surrounded by spectacular scenery. Your part of the world is stunning. There is a lighthouse only 10 minutes walk from my parent’s house and we go past there heaps when we’re down there. You can see it from all around as well.
I loved the Anne of Green Gables books when I read them.
Elisabeth
What a great point – yes, lighthouses are themselves beautiful, but are almost always in close proximity to some grand landscape!
I re-read the Anne series a few years ago and the first few books were like sinking into a long, happy hug.
Lisa’s Yarns
You live in such a charming and gorgeous area. We have light houses on Lake Michigan in northern Minnesota. But it’s a 3+ hour drive so we rarely see them! I really really want to visit you eventually!
Elisabeth
Yup – I think we need to plan a blogging retreat in Nova Scotia sometime?! Though I get the sense most of us are introverted, so a SMALL retreat? Or maybe just everyone needs to come up to see me on a rotating basis. Every few weeks having someone come visit me sounds fun (but also like a full-time tourism operator job :))
Sophie
I’ve always loved Anne of Green Gables, one of my favourite childhood books. I’d love to visit Prince Edward Island (and Canada generally one day!).
I love visiting lighthouses and exploring the coastline around, yours in Nova Scotia are so beautiful. We also have some great ones in parts of Australia, I grew up in Victoria, and dramatic coast lines, lighthouse walks and stories of shipwrecks fill my childhood memories of holiday trips.
Elisabeth
PEI is beautiful – actually everything in the Maritimes is pretty awesome (New Brunswick isn’t nearly as picturesque as the other Eastern provinces in my opinion, but it’s still lovely).
Darlene Cardillo
I am obsessed with lighthouses… I visit them whenever I can.
I don’t travel that much so it’s a few Florida (and yes Jenny you live a few), in Maine, NY and even in NYC.
I guess I should go to Nova Scotia.
Elisabeth
Nova Scotia has A LOT of lighthouses. We have a lot of coastline (it sort of zigs and zags out) so there are a lot of places that need guiding lights.
What is it about lighthouses that are so magnetic?
San
Beautiful photos, as always, Elisabeth, and yes of course the lighthouse is such a fitting logo for your blog.
I love lighthouses and do try to visit them when I am anywhere near one on the coast. I think the last one I visited was when my family was here last year when we went to Point Reyes.
I think I need to plan a trip to Nova Scotia sometime. These look all delightful.
Elisabeth
I think you would LOVE Nova Scotia. There is a half, full, and ultramarathon in our town this weekend (every Canadian Thanksgiving weekend). It’s a beautiful place to visit in the fall AND you could get a timed run under your belt?!
Emily
Years ago I visited Prince Edward Island and your lighthouse posts have me wanting to go explore Nova Scotia!
Elisabeth
Nova Scotia has gorgeous lighthouses (though so does PEI!).