Lunenberg
This UNESCO World Heritage site enchants visitors with its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant harbor, and rich maritime history. Experience authentic seafaring culture in one of Canada's most beautiful coastal towns.
Top Highlights
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
Interactive museum showcasing Nova Scotia's fishing heritage and maritime culture.
Lunenberg Harbor Tours
Scenic boat tours of the historic harbor aboard traditional sailing vessels.
Old Town Lunenburg
UNESCO World Heritage site with colorful Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets.
What to Do & See
Restaurants
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The Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar
🍽️Seasonal upscale dining with award-winning chef Martin Ruiz Salvador creating elegant dishes from premium local ingredients. Features a summery atmosphere above Lunenburg Harbour perfect for intimate gatherings.
Menu Highlights:
- Fine dining
- seasonal
- local ingredients
- waterfront views
- chef-driven
Salt Shaker Deli & Inn
🍽️Stunning harbor views with chef Martin Ruiz Salvador's expertise. Famous for smoked seafood chowder, fishcakes, hand-rolled thin crust pizzas, and signature lobster rolls on homemade bread.
Menu Highlights:
- Waterfront
- seafood
- deli
- casual dining
- harbor views
The Old Fish Factory Restaurant
🍽️Iconic Lunenburg landmark in a former fish processing plant with stunning wharf-side ocean views. Seasonal operation (June-October) offering truly Nova Scotian culinary experiences.
Menu Highlights:
- Historic
- seafood
- waterfront
- museum dining
- seasonal
Explore
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Bluenose II Sailing Experience
🎯Sail on an exact replica of the famed racing schooner Bluenose, Canada's most famous ship. Experience the authentic sights, smells, and sounds of traditional sailing on this 2-hour harbour cruise.
What to Experience:
- sailing
- maritime history
- harbor cruise
- schooner
- working vessel
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
🎯Explore Nova Scotia's fishing heritage with working vessels and hands-on exhibits. Features actual fishing vessels you can board, including the Theresa E. Connor schooner and Cape Sable lightship.
What to Experience:
- maritime museum
- fishing history
- working boats
- interactive exhibits
Historic Walking Tours
🎯Discover Lunenburg's UNESCO World Heritage architecture and stories. Explore the colorful "Old Town" with its distinctive British colonial grid pattern and preserved 18th-century buildings.
What to Experience:
- architecture
- history
- UNESCO
- guided tours
- colonial heritage
Shops
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Bluenose II Company Store
🛍️Official merchandise for Nova Scotia's famous sailing ambassador. Proceeds support the ship's operations and preserve maritime heritage.
What to Find:
- nautical gifts
- maritime heritage
- official merchandise
- Bluenose souvenirs
Laurie Swim Gallery
🛍️Textile artwork by internationally recognized artist Laurie Swim. Features one of Lunenburg's most striking historic buildings with works from notable Nova Scotian artists.
What to Find:
- textile art
- historic building
- international artist
- seasonal gallery
SEEK GIFTS & HOME DECOR LTD
🛍️Gifts, paper goods, housewares, and decor items. Established in 2019 in the heart of historic Lunenburg.
What to Find:
- home decor
- paper goods
- gifts
- housewares
Tours
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Lunenburg Walking Tours - Essential Lunenburg
🚶Over 30 years of operation with expert local guides who bring the UNESCO World Heritage Site to life with captivating stories and folklore. Highlights 18th-century and Victorian architecture.
Tour Highlights:
- Historic architecture
- UNESCO heritage
- local stories
- walking tour
Bluenose II Harbour Cruises
🚶Sail aboard Canada's sailing ambassador, the iconic Grand Banks fishing schooner Bluenose II. Experience the authentic sights, smells, and sounds of traditional sailing on this 2-hour harbour cruise.
Tour Highlights:
- Historic schooner
- sailing experience
- maritime heritage
- iconic vessel
Sights & Spirits Package
🚶Combines walking tour, boat tour, and rum tasting in one comprehensive experience. Explore by foot and by boat, then enjoy local spirits for a complete cultural immersion.
Tour Highlights:
- Multi-experience
- rum tasting
- walking and boat tour
- cultural immersion
Hikes
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Gaff Point Trail
🥾Coastal hiking experience combining beach terrain and Acadian Forest, stunning Atlantic Ocean views, steep cliffs, and rocky peninsula. Well-marked with yellow markers and incredible ocean vistas.
Trail Highlights:
- Coastal hiking
- beach terrain
- Acadian Forest
- ocean views
- moderate difficulty
Hirtle's Beach to Gaff Point Trail
🥾Coastal route connecting Hirtle's Beach to Gaff Point. Family-friendly trail suitable for children, best experienced at low tide or over the hills. Bears and ticks present in the area.
Trail Highlights:
- Coastal route
- family-friendly
- beach hiking
- moderate difficulty
- scenic views
Lunenburg Kayak Rentals & Tours
🥾Kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals with guided tours by canoe, kayak, or motor boat. Eco-tourism focused on environmental preservation and inclusive ocean experiences with local operators.
Trail Highlights:
- Kayaking
- canoeing
- SUP
- eco-tourism
- guided tours
Attractions
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Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site
🏛️One of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995). The town preserves 70% of its original 18th-19th century British colonial buildings with colorful architecture and original grid layout.
Key Features:
- UNESCO
- historic preservation
- colonial architecture
- walking tours
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
🏛️Located in historic red waterfront buildings that were once fish processing plants. Features three floors of exhibits including the famous Bluenose exhibit, International Fishermen's Cup displays, and the last salt bank schooner that fished from Lunenburg.
Key Features:
- Maritime heritage
- fishing history
- museum
- waterfront
Bluenose II Schooner
🏛️The legendary racing schooner depicted on the Canadian dime, with Lunenburg as its home port. Offers two-hour sailing tours twice daily when in port.
Key Features:
- Iconic vessel
- Canadian symbol
- sailing tours
Events
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Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
🎉Nova Scotia's longest-running music festival and one of Canada's oldest. A small-town festival with a big reputation featuring intimate venues including 4 indoor spaces and 2 outdoor stages like the iconic Wharf Stage overlooking the harbor.
Event Features:
- Music
- Folk
- Heritage
- Waterfront
Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival
🎉35th Annual festival featuring lively art, music, and culture at the Lunenburg War Memorial Arena. Showcasing local artists and craftspeople.
Event Features:
- Art
- Crafts
- Local Artists
- Cultural
Lunenburg Christmas Craft Festival
🎉Popular holiday craft festival featuring local artisans and seasonal celebrations in the heart of Lunenburg.
Event Features:
- Holiday
- Crafts
- Christmas
- Local Artisans
Points of Interest
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Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site
✨One of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, representing the best surviving example of British colonial urban planning with 70% original colonial buildings preserved.
Featured Items:
- UNESCO
- historic architecture
- colonial settlement
- walking tours
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
✨Premier waterfront museum showcasing Nova Scotia's maritime heritage through wharf-side vessels, aquarium exhibits, and the famous Bluenose II schooner.
Featured Items:
- Maritime history
- Bluenose II
- fishing heritage
- aquarium
Bluenose II Schooner
✨Replica of the world-famous racing and fishing schooner, serving as Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador with tours and sailing experiences.
Featured Items:
- Tall ship
- sailing heritage
- Canadian icon
- waterfront