Historic Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Visit the Home of the Bluenose II and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nov 18, 2008

Lunenburg lies on Nova Scotia's South Shore, welcoming visitors to a historic town filled with fishing boats, vibrant arts, fresh seafood, and heritage accommodation.

Lunenburg remains one of Nova Scotia’s top places to visit due to its strong heritage and lively culture. From quilters to fiddlers, the region’s local residents offer plenty of character while the local darling, the schooner Bluenose II, tours visitors when she is in her home port.

Walking through town and along the waterfront, gorgeously preserved and colorful heritage buildings line the hilly streets and boats sit moored at the wharfs.

In 1992 Canada made Old Town Lunenburg a National Historic District and in 1995 Lunenburg earned the title of World Heritage Site. Important to this legacy of cultural and natural heritage are buildings like the Lunenburg School, which was built from 1894-5 and still welcomes students to its classrooms daily, and the fishing trawlers that tie up along Lunenburg’s waterfront to off-load the catch-of-the-day.

Museums and Galleries Give a Taste of Lunenburg Arts and Culture

The must-visit Lunenburg museum is the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. The Fisheries Museum offers a variety of hands-on exhibits and displays that explore the economic past of this fishing town. Tour, too, the schooner Theresa E. Connor and the trawler Cape Sable—both are moored outside the museum and visitors can climb on board.

A stroll through Old Town Lunenburg reveals a strong local arts community as well as many heritage buildings. Explore the World Heritage Site on foot or drive by in style with Trot In Time Buggy Rides. Many eclectic shops and an occasional gallery are clustered along Montague, Pelham, and Lincoln streets. Find an online map of heritage buildings and local services here.

Best Festivals in Old Town Lunenburg, NS

Lunenburg loves to host a good party and does so with a variety of annual festivals celebrating all facets of the Nova Scotia town’s history. Each August the Folk Harbour Festival gets toes tapping and skirts swinging to a great selection of local and visiting musicians, while the Folk Art Festival (also in August) celebrates the bright and quirky creations of local artists.

Then in September, arguably the best month for Lunenburg weather, the Waterfront Seafood Festival brings locals and visitors alike together over the love for the Maritime specialties of lobster, scallops, and mussels. Traditional races of fishing dories complement the skill and technique applied during scallop shucking and fish filleting competitions.

With so much seafood on its doorstep, Lunenburg restaurants take great pride in serving up the freshest of local ingredients. The award-winning Fleur de Sel cooks up finely crafted plates from a bright and airy historic building at 53 Montague Street. Scrumptious specialties include Elk carpaccio, smoke salmon, and local scallops.

For the classic lobster dinner, pick out a “pounder” at the Dockside Lobster and Seafood Restaurant at 84 Montague Street. Or head to the quirky Magnolia’s, 128 Montague Street, which serves some of the best food in town at extremely reasonable prices. Be prepared for a wait, however: the restaurant does not accept reservations.

With dinner, look to complement the meal with one of the award-winning Nova Scotia wines from wineries such as Jost Vineyards and Domaine Grand Pré. After dinner, be sure to venture downhill for a waterfront stroll to watch the sunset and the boats resting quietly at their moorings in Lunenburg Harbor.

A number of friendly proprietors run Lunenburg bed-and-breakfasts from restored Heritage Homes. They include:

Lunenburg lies 125 km (78 miles) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital city. The shoreline drive of the Lighthouse Route travels through Hubbards, Chester Village, and the picturesque Mahone Bay before reaching Lunenburg. Traveling north from Yarmouth, where The CAT ferry docks, drive 200 km (124 miles) north.

When arriving in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, the network of one-way streets will seem confusing at first but they will quickly become as familiar as your hometown. Venture out, sample the seafood, meet the locals, and make sure to catch some live fiddle tunes on your trip to Lunenburg.

The copyright of the article Historic Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in Nova Scotia Travel is owned by Chloë Ernst. Permission to republish Historic Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.