It’s cold outside. It may be snowing, but that’s no reason to hibernate for the winter. Here are five ways to spend a winter day on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, or better yet, make a weekend out of it!
Coffee and Antiquing in Mahone Bay
The way the road wraps around the bay gives you the feeling of being in a snow globe. Stop in to Eli’s Espresso for coffee to warm your body and friendliness to warm your heart.
Have a yarn with Eli or his wife, Trixie – they love getting to know their customers. The walls are rimmed with surprisingly affordable antiques for sale: copper cookware, porcelain dishes and decorative figurines. The espresso is smooth, the treats (made by German-born Trixie) are heavenly, and the atmosphere is warm and hospitable.
Walk through an enchanted forest in Liverpool
Wander around the otherworldly hidden sculpture garden, Concrete Creations, made even more magical by snow. Tucked in behind Cosby’s Garden Centre lies a trail of Ivan Higgins’ stately masterpieces.
Dragons perched on hills ready to leap, tortoises trekking through the forest and intricate sculptures of the human body tumbling, falling and leaping are peppered through a meandering trail in the heart of an old growth pine forest.
This intriguing display will inspire children, adventurers and art lovers alike.
White Point in the Winter
Stop in for lunch or treat yourself to a weekend at White Point Beach Resort. This place is just as lovely in the winter as it is in summer. Enjoy the constants of the resort: feeding bunnies, relaxing by the fire and soaking in the hot tub with panoramic ocean vistas.
White Point always has something going on in the winter. This year, you can go lobster fishing on a local boat and watch that strong winter sun rise on the vast horizon, or take winter surf lessons along their sandy shores. When there’s snow, the golf course makes a great coastal route for snowshoers and skiers.
Visit the one-of-a-kind LaHave Bakery
This place is truly special. Take the ferry over from the Lunenburg side for the complete experience — it’s free to walk on. Get yourself a loaf of their divine homemade bread, or enjoy their comfort-food lunches, coffee and sweet treats.
There’s also a charming bookstore downstairs, Homegrown Skateboards upstairs (a funky skate shop complete with a skate bowl) and striking views of the broad, briny LaHave River. The historic building that houses these charismatic local businesses is impressive in itself. It was originally built in 1896 as LaHave Outfitting Company, operating as a ship's chandlery, fish processing plant and general store.
Play Outside in Chester
There’s no shortage of outdoor fun to be had in Chester. The municipality has a series of guided hikes throughout the winter, including a Graves Island stargaze hike complete with chili to warm up, and an owl prowl hike.
If conditions allow, ski or snowshoe the Chester Connection trail or Aspotogan trail with stunning brooks, rivers, lakes and of course dazzling views of the Atlantic. Snowshoes are available for loan by the Municipality of Chester.
There’s no need to fly to the warm, sunny south to escape the winter. Instead, embrace it and head to the South Shore to play in your own backyard this year.
