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October in Nova Scotia is full of fall colours, crisp weather, and festivities. Fall leaves bathe the province in shades of gold and red, making for an excellent sightseeing backdrop. Whether you are out on the coastal roads, grazing on local seafood or celebrating a cultural festival, there is no shortage of things to do in Nova Scotia in October. Outdoor activities are more pleasant in cooler temperatures, and with fewer tourists, you can experience a peaceful environment. From popular hiking routes to ghost tours, Nova Scotia in October is an ideal destination for those interested in nature and history.
10 Things To Do In Nova Scotia In October
On your autumn trip to this beautiful place this year, explore things to do in Nova Scotia in October.
1. Take The Cabot Trail Fall Drive
Photo: chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons
In October, the Cabot Trail is a must-see, and it’s one of the most beautiful drives in Canada. It is 298 kilometres long and runs through the rugged landscape of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Autumn leaves are in full bloom, the whole yard turning red, orange, and gold. Along the way, visit lookouts such as MacKenzie Mountain and French Mountain for breathtaking views of the Gulf of St Lawrence. You’ll love the Skyline Trail, a leisurely trail that offers sweeping views, especially at sunset.
Location: Cape Breton Island
Nearby Attractions: Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Margaree Valley, and Baddeck
2. Explore Halifax’s Ghost Walks And Spooky Events
Photo: Dominuz / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Every Halloween, Halifax becomes a ghost town filled with spooky stories and scary adventures. Follow guided ghost tours of the city’s streets and explore its haunted history, from unseen shipwrecks to ghosts. On the way, they often visit the Old Burying Ground and St Paul’s Church, where terrifying tales are narrated by the guides. The Halifax Citadel also has kid-friendly Halloween events, including pumpkin carving, reenactments, and costume displays. In case you are after the spookiest thrills, the city’s haunted houses and escape rooms offer spine-chilling fun.
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nearby Attractions: Halifax Citadel, Pier 21 Immigration Museum, and Halifax Public Gardens
3. Visit The Annapolis Valley For Apple Picking And Wine Tours
Photo: Sharingknowledge / Wikimedia Commons
Fall means apple season in the Annapolis Valley, which is an ideal time of year to visit farms and celebrate the harvest. At orchards such as Dempsey Corner and Noggins Corner, you can pick your apples, ride on a hayride, go to a pumpkin patch and eat fresh produce. For example, wineries like Domaine de Grand Pré and Benjamin Bridge offer tours and tastings that highlight Nova Scotia’s emerging cool-climate wine reputation. Enjoy fresh whites and sparkling wines under the full canopy of fall colours. With fresh apples, wine and a scenic backdrop, the Annapolis Valley is a fall classic.
Location: Annapolis Valley
Nearby Attractions: Grand-Pré National Historic Site, Wolfville Farmers’ Market, and Blomidon Provincial Park
4. Go Whale Watching Along The Bay Of Fundy
Photo: Jaroslaw Binczarowski / Wikimedia Commons
The Bay of Fundy, a place known for its high tides, is another place that whale watchers head to in October. This is one of the last months to see humpbacks, fin whales and minkewhales before they leave. Digby and Brier Island tours whisk tourists along a boat ride through the bay’s crystal-clear waters, usually with seals and other sea life. The fall brings crisp, clear days to see wildlife and admire the magnificent coastal landscape. Knowledgeable guides will tell you about the animals that live there and the bay’s unique ecology, making it as educational as it is majestic.
Location: Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
Nearby Attractions: Digby’s scallop dining, Brier Island hiking trails, and the Fundy Geological Museum
5. Attend The Celtic Colours International Festival
Photo: Targaryen / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Celtic Colours International Festival celebrates Cape Breton’s Celtic heritage in a colourful way. It runs for nine days in October and offers live music, storytelling, dance and workshops around the island. There are multiple venues at the festival, from small church halls to larger arenas — and each show is unique. The festival coincides with the peak fall foliage, so it is both an artistic spectacle and a cultural learning opportunity. Guided hikes and arts and crafts are offered during the day, and toe-tapping and ballads enliven the night.
Location: Various locations across Cape Breton Island
Nearby Attractions: Glenora Distillery, Bras d’Or Lake, and Inverness Beach
6. Hike Kejimkujik National Park
Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons
October turns Kejimkujik National Park into a sanctuary of peace and serenity. The park’s varied trails feature vibrant fall foliage caught in the placid lakes. Kayaking the park’s rivers gives you an entirely different view of the beauty of nature. As a Dark Sky Preserve, Kejimkujik is also ideal for stargazing and can provide an unparalleled view of the Milky Way. Wildlife enthusiasts might spot deer, foxes and even a few birds. With fewer visitors in October, the park offers a calm oasis for outdoorsy persons seeking to escape to Nova Scotia’s natural world.
Location: Kejimkujik National Park
Nearby Attractions: Kejimkujik Seaside, Annapolis Royal, and Bear River Vineyards
7. Indulge In A Seafood Feast
Photo: karendotcom127 / Wikimedia Commons
October is a wonderful time to taste Nova Scotia’s signature seafood, lobster. Most seafood restaurants along the coast serve harvest-season plates of locally caught shellfish. The Shore Club in Hubbards serves up classic lobster dinners, while places such as The Canteen in Dartmouth do something a little different. Try it with a crisp white wine from a nearby vineyard or provincial craft beer. Chowders, scallops and oysters are also offered in shacks and markets along the coast. A seafood meal is not just a dish but a culinary exploration of the maritime heritage of Nova Scotia.
Location: Various coastal towns across Nova Scotia
Nearby Attractions: Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival, and Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site
8. Discover The Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival
Photo: Shawn M. Kent / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Scarecrow Festival, held every October, is an entertaining mix of art, community and holiday fun in Mahone Bay. The small town is lit up by hundreds of whimsical scarecrows hanging in the streets. From iconic characters to unique designs, the festival highlights the town’s artistic creativity. You can stroll through the colourful streets, hear live music, and visit craft markets. The festival coincides with fall foliage, so there is an added aspect of natural beauty at the time. Kids will enjoy activities like face painting and pumpkin carving. It is a noisy celebration of the arrival of autumn.
Location: Mahone Bay
Nearby Attractions: Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site, Oak Island Interpretive Centre, and Blue Rocks coastal village
9. Explore Peggy’s Cove At Sunset
Photo: Shawn M. Kent / Wikimedia Commons
Peggy’s Cove is a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but it is in October when it is quieter, and the sunsets are spectacular. A photographer’s paradise, the place has a lighthouse silhouetted against crashing waves and ember-clad autumnal skies. The weather is cooler, making it a more pleasant experience to walk along the rough coastline, and the less traffic makes it a more peaceful experience. Explore the small village, visit the craft markets or grab a bite of seafood at the restaurants around town.
Location: Peggy’s Cove
Nearby Attractions: Swissair Memorial Site, Polly’s Cove hiking trail, and Chester village
10. Paddle Through The Shubenacadie River Tidal Bore
Photo: Verne Equinox / Wikimedia Commons
On the Shubenacadie River, there’s one adrenaline rush that’s quite distinctive to Nova Scotia: tidal bore rafting. October is a great time to see this phenomenon because the incoming tides from the Bay of Fundy generate waves which come rushing upriver. Guided raft tours give you a soaked and wild ride up the rapids among the season’s colours. Even for those who are not into rafting, it is intoxicating to gaze upon the tidal bore from the riverbank. Visitors regularly see bald eagles and other wildlife swimming along the river, so it is an idyllic mixture of adventure and nature.
Location: Shubenacadie River
Nearby Attractions: Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre, Mastodon Ridge, and Burntcoat Head Park
Autumn in Nova Scotia is an exhilarating journey that is rich with landscapes, cultural festivities, and food. Whether you are trekking through tranquil national parks, or feasting on seafood, the fun is guaranteed, and you just can’t miss out on these things to do in Nova Scotia in October this autumn. Enjoy the beauty of this time of year, and plan a trip with TripXL to this coastal paradise.
Cover Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons
