52 FREE things to Do in Nova Scotia This Fall

Broke? Yep.Me too.

However, that doesn’t mean we have to sit staring at the TV all Fall. ( Fall is my favorite time of year )

For the price of a tank of gas (not that THAT’S cheap) or two, there is a plethora of activities and events to enjoy this season.

    Free Things to Do In Halifax

1. Pack a  jacket and a lunch and visit the  Halifax Public Gardens
2. Stroll the Halifax waterfront
3. Learn how injured wildlife is aided at Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth ( 5909 Highway 207, Seaforth, Nova Scotia)
4. Visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia-free on Thursday nights from 5-9pm
5. Explore on of these year round markets in Halifax
6. Take  a free class or workshop at the Halifax Public Library
7. Get some exercise by rollerblading at the Emera Oval (Free entry and free loaner equipment)
8. Listen to some  lunch time music at the Grand Parade .

Free Things to Do In The Annapolis Valley

1. Hunt for fossils at Blue Beach on the ebb tide
2. Stop into a local farmer’s market
3. Borrow a bicycle from Wolfville Recreation  Hub and cycle a section of the Harvest Moon Trail
4. Have a evening bonfire at a Houston beach near Blomidon
5. Make it a bird watching fall. Check out the Red Wing Black Birds at Miner’s Marsh in Kentville and the Chimney Swifts at dusk Robie Tufts Nature Centre  in Wolfville
6. Greenwood Aviation Museum is free to tour
7. Hike the Bohaker Trail at Delaps Cove  and see a waterfall and the above mentioned Bay  of Fundy at the same time.

Free Things to Do in Digby  and Bear River

1. Plan a photo day at Bear River, the tidal community on stilts
2. Hike the Medicine Trail
3. Take a ferry and hike the Balancing Rock in Tiverton-just  short hike but 235 steps  to the Balancing Rock-just over an hour drive  from Digby and then take the short ferry ride (Ferry is free!)
4. Visit Maude Lewis House replica (donations are welcome)

Free Things To Do In Cape Breton

1. Immerse yourself in Acadian Crafts and culture in Cheticamp
2. Explore Sydney’s waterfront and take  a picture of the Big Fiddle
3.  Enjoy nature with a stroll along the Baille Ard Nature Trail in Sydney
4. Hike the 1.2 km round trip to Egypt Falls in Cape Breton
5. Bike the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
6. Catch the sunset over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence north of Cheticamp

Free Things To Do on Northumberland Shore

Melmerby Beach-Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor

1. Spend a day in the sun on one of the Northumberland Strait beaches-warmest water north of the Carolinas.
2. Wander the lavender fields at Seafoam Lavender Company in Seafoam
3. Stroll through an old growth forest or stroll a trail at the Wallace and Area Museum 
4. Hike Rogart Mountain. Beautiful in autumn.
5. Tour the Grohmann Knives Factory Outlet
6. Check out the Antigonish Heritage Museum

Things to Do in Truro and Along the Fundy Shore

1. Take a drive along the Parrsboro shore to Advocate and get out to stretch your legs in Advocate Harbour with a walk down to the lighthouse.
2. Check out Victoria Park and walk to the waterfalls. Climb Jacob’s Ladder. Throw a picnic in the car-you’ll need the nourishment after that
3. Watch the tidal bore down by Truro’s Visitor Centre. Tidal Bore times are here. Please be there 15 minutes early
4. Grab some great views of  Kings, Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Hants counties at Gore Courthouse Hill.
5. The world’s highest tides have been recorded at Burntcoat Head. Explore the shoreline-best done 3 hours after high tide times are here. Bring your lunch so you can ‘dine on the ocean floor’.
6. Check out the short bayside trail in Walton

Free Things To Do on the Yarmouth & Acadian Shore

1. Go for a  short walk at Broad Brook Wetland Park
2. Stroll the waterfront in Yarmouth
3. Walk, cycle or check out the lighthouse at Parc Joseph et Marie Dugas
4. Walk ‘Le Petit Bois’ at St. Anne’s university
5. Check out of the world’s smallest drawbridges at Sandford
6. View the stars from the Starlight viewing platform on the Wedgeport Nature Trail
7. Drive out to Cape Forchu and walk the interpretive trail there.

Free Things To Do on The South Shore

1. Picnic and enjoy a waterfall at Indian Fall’s Park
2. Try your luck catching a feed of mackerel at Graves Island
3. Drive out to picturesque Blue Rocks near Lunenburg
4. Stroll the  beach at Summerville Beach Provincial Park
5. Take in the October Pumpkin Regatta in Shelburne Thanksgiving weekend
6. Explore historic Shelburne and get your picture taken in the Big Red Chair
7. Hike the Hemlock Trail in Kejimkujik. Free entrance this year.
8. Take a hike along the Keji Seaside Adjunct to spot some seals. And maybe some bears. Kidding. Not kidding.