There’s something about Nova Scotia that wraps around you like a warm blanket and a salty breeze.

Maybe it’s the rhythm of the tides or the charm of the small towns.

Maybe it’s the way the light hits the water just so in the early morning...

Or the feeling of peace that comes from knowing you don’t have to be anywhere but here.

Full disclosure I lived in Nova Scotia and returned back 20 years later...

In this blog, I’m taking you along with me as I explore two of my favourite regions: the South Shore and the Annapolis Valley.

They’re perfect for a woman traveling solo (or with a girlfriend or two) and only an hour from the airport!

If you’re over 50, curious about traveling on your own, and wondering where to start, this just might be your place.

You can base yourself in one place and do easy day trips, or stay a few nights in each and give yourself the gift of slow exploration.

Whether you’re...

🌟 Rediscovering your confidence

🌟 Craving some coastal calm

🌟 Finally taking the solo trip you’ve been dreaming about...

Nova Scotia might just be the place your soul’s been calling you to.

🌊 What to See and Do

Ok this blog will turn into a novel if I write about all the things you can see and do. So...

I've provided a few more in-depth and some overviews to give you a really great start to your travel planning 😊

📍 Mahone Bay: A Coastal Gem and my "Go To"

Mahone Bay is my first pick for a place to stay if you want the best of all things Nova Scotia...

From its classic main street that runs around the bay filled with independent shops and cafes with constant stunning views of the water and the bay.

To the three church spires that a picture-perfect frame of the bay and will get you out walking whether you want to or not.

September is a wonderful time to visit from that little bit of crispness in the morning to the warmth of the sun in the middle of the day you just get wrapped up in this gorgeous cosy vibe.

I just love this place to stay as my anchor (pun fully intended) and is perfect if I just want to hang out for the day or a great jumping off point for loads of day trips.

I loved waking up and either making a coffee and sitting on an adirondack chair on the patio of my AirBnB watching the stunning sunrise or...

Wandering down to one of the local coffee shops and slowly waking up to the sound of the hissing of the expresso machine and smell of coffee grounds.

It also great if you are out tripping around during the day.

You get to come home and make yourself a bite to eat or wander down to one of the several places to eat.

🎃 Don’t Miss: The Scarecrow Festival

I happened upon the Scarecrow Festival by sheer luck...

Cruella de Vil stood outside the pet shop. Edward Scissorhands greeted me outside the hairdresser. A firefighter scarecrow scaled a ladder outside the local firehouse.

It was quirky, simply joyful, and yes I took way too many pictures.

You can’t help but smile.

⚓️ Lunenburg & Chester

Historic, colourful, and full of maritime charm.

I could do a whole deep dive on each of these places but I'll leave it to "must do" day trips for the time being.

Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Bluenose II schooner.

Chester is upscale seaside with pretty cottages and boutique shopping...

And the Kiwi Cafe I mentioned above.

🗺️ Chasing Lighthouses

I’m a self-confessed fully certified lighthouse geek, and Nova Scotia fills my cup.

Following the Lighthouse Route gave me the perfect excuse to explore, each lighthouse offering a scenic detour and unexpected discoveries along the way.

And don't worry driving around on your own. At each stop you are more than likely to run into a local who is more than willing to chat and while a way the day 😀

These day trips give you structure, but also freedom. My kind of solo travel!

🍷 Wolfville: New England Small Town Vibe

I have a soft spot for Wolfville, my husband and I once lived here.

It’s a bustling little college town with a main street filled with coffee shops and student hangouts.

But here’s a tip: head just off the main street and you’ll find a local parking lot with plenty of spaces unless it is market day or the weekend and right beside it, Chart’s Café...

It’s cozy, quiet, and just a lovely place to chill out and feel like a local.

Wolfville is also ideal for solo women travelers over 50:

• Stay at the Blomidon Inn, a classic Victorian B&B with character and comfort.

• Explore local wineries in the area (the Annapolis Valley is famous for them now!).

• Take a walk along the Acadian dykes, built centuries ago, and feel like a local. You’ll find dog walkers, bird watchers, and solo strollers soaking in the peace and quiet.

And then—there’s this…

🪴Tangled Garden: A Solo Traveler’s Secret Garden

Just outside Wolfville lies a place built on one woman’s dream: Tangled Garden.

Two decades later, it’s a whimsical oasis with a labyrinth, gourmet jams, herb gardens, and winding paths of through the garden that are just super cute.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to return with more time.

Next time, I’m booking the picnic afternoon tea—and yes, they welcome solo guests.

It’s the kind of slow, thoughtful experience that encourages connection either with others or simply with yourself.

⛴️ Annapolis Royal: Quiet Reflection by the Sea

Want a peaceful escape where you can reconnect with yourself and your surroundings?

Head to Annapolis Royal. Whether for a day or an overnight stay, it delivers ocean views, gentle stillness, and rich history.

Be sure to visit the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

Stroll the paths, sit in the sun, and treat yourself to a homemade scone and steaming cup of coffee from the garden café.

It’s solitude at its truly best!

🦞 Halls Harbour: Tides, Lobster and a Perfect Solo Day Trip

If you’re based in Wolfville and looking for an easy, low-key adventure that still feels oh-so Nova Scotia, then Hall’s Harbour should absolutely be on your list.

You can also make this a day trip from Mahone Bay.

Set right on the Bay of Fundy, this tiny harbor is world-famous for experiencing some of the highest tidal changes on the planet.

You don’t need a plan—just drive out, find a spot to park, and take it all in.

And when you’re ready for lunch? Head straight to Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound.

You’ll find fresh lobster cooked to order, casual seating right on the water, and warm, welcoming hospitality that makes you feel right at home—whether you’re with friends or flying solo.

It’s the kind of stop that feels special without trying too hard.

☀️ Solo Travel Tip: This is a great spot for some reflective time by the ocean.

Bring your journal, your camera, or just sit quietly and enjoy the view.

If you’re traveling solo over 50 and wondering if these places feel “okay” to walk into on your own the answer here is a resounding yes.

You’ll be welcomed with a smile and likely leave with one too.

Let's not forget some of the basics now that you're chomping at the bit to visit...

📌 Travel Basics

💵 Currency & Credit

Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are plentiful—even in small towns.

And for our US and European visitors at the time of writing this the exchange rate is very favourable to you so you really do get value for your dollar or euro.

🗣️ Language

English is the primary language in Nova Scotia. French is also an official language of Canada so don't be surprised when you see road signs and park signs in both languages.

🔌 Power

Canada uses 120V with type A/B plugs (same as the U.S.). If you’re coming from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or other 220V countries, bring a plug adapter and possibly a converter or make sure your appliances are dual voltage.

🌡️ Weather

Forget what you’ve heard about Canada being a land of endless snow.

Nova Scotia has beautiful summers and absolutely glorious autumns.

I visited in late September and enjoyed days in the high teens to low 20s (Celsius)—that’s high 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit.

Morning fog adds a soft, moody charm to the coastline—just pack layers so you’re ready for anything.

🌞 Need a hand with what to wear? Download my Ultimate Packing Guide here and check out my blog on building the perfect travel wardrobe.

✈️ Airports & Ground Transport

Fly into Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

The bonus for my American readers?

On your way home you will clear U.S. customs at the Halifax airport before your flight home, meaning you land stateside as a domestic traveler. Win!

To truly explore Nova Scotia, rent a car. You’ll want to meander coastal roads, visit lighthouses, and stop whenever you feel like it.

A visit to Nova Scotia is all about slowing down and being present... It’s part of the charm.

🏡 Where to Stay

You’ll find Airbnbs, Inns, and B&Bs across the South Shore and Annapolis Valley.

For a warm, intimate experience perfect for solo travelers tay in a locally run B&B or historic inn.

You’ll meet fellow guests, connect with your hosts, and never feel lonely.

The hospitality of Canadians is known to be warm and generous but I give the prize to my Atlanta Province hosts for being incredibly friendly, helpful and fun.

🛏️ My Pick: Mahone Bay

This is quintessential Atlantic Canada, right on the water, lined with colourful homes, and anchored by the iconic three church spires overlooking the bay.

It’s walkable, peaceful, and full of charming shops.

And... if you are going to splurge I would find an airbnb like I did right on the water.

Waking up each morning to these stunning sunrises was a very special experience.

🐟 Where to Eat

Nova Scotia nails fresh, local, and feel-good food.

You’ll find seafood straight from the ocean...

Family-style diners, farm-to-table bistros, and cozy coffee shops...

And don't forget you will also find wonderful local markets with fresh vegetables and fruit right off the farms.

🍽️ A few of my favorites:

• 🦞 Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound – Lobster with a view.

• ☕ The Barn Coffee & Social House – Mahone Bay

• 🐟 Oh My Cod – Mahone Bay – Deliciously cheeky and tasty.

• 🥪 Charts Café – Wolfville

• 🥗 The Kiwi Café – Chester

⏰ Note: In smaller towns, restaurants may close by 8 or 9pm—plan your meals accordingly.

💛 Final Thoughts

Nova Scotia isn’t flashy.

It doesn’t shout for your attention.

Instead, it gently invites you in like an old friend and wraps around you with salt air, warm smiles, and space to just BE.

For women over 50 traveling solo, it offers:

• Safety

• Walkability

• Kind-hearted locals

• A sense of calm and quiet confidence

You can linger in small towns, chase lighthouses down winding roads, wake up to ocean sunrises, or treat yourself to afternoon tea in a garden maze.

It’s restorative, beautiful, and incredibly easy to do on your own—or with a dear friend.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to plan that solo trip?

This might be it.

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way on your next travel building lasting memories.