Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route, craggy Route 3, is one of Canada’s most scenic drives.
Wandering along the south shore is ideal for a road trip to explore quintessential fishing villages and take in picturesque ocean-front views.
Leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia’s oldest and capital city, my first stop down Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route was the town of Chester, where wealthy 19th-century American families went for summer getaways.
It’s home to the Fo’c’sle Tavern, the oldest pub in Nova Scotia, known as Chester’s “living room.” In 2019, the Fo’c’sle Tavern won the first-ever Lobster Chowder Chowdown Showdown, receiving the Golden Ladle Trophy.
After lunch, my next stop was the picturesque town of Mahone Bay, where The Three Churches of Mahone Bay created a scene that the New York Times described as “pretty as a picture.”
After my photo opportunity of Mahone Bay’s three churches standing side-by-side along the waterfront, I continued my pursuit of lobster: more specifically, lobster beer.
Next, I continued down Route 3 to Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Nova Scotia’s first British village outside Halifax.
After a walking tour of Old Town Lunenburg, it was time for some refreshments. Ironworks Distillery is an artisanal micro-distillery featuring hand-distilled spirits using only natural fresh ingredients.