Broke? Yep.Me too.
However, that doesn’t mean we have to sit staring at the TV all summer.
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.
I know for a fact there are more free things to do in Nova Scotia-this is a starting point.
It’s important to note there are many great activities in Cape Breton that are not listed here-they are within Cape Breton Highland National Park which requires an entrance fee- therefore not free. But please check them out. the same goes for Kejimkujik National Park-lots to do-but entrance fee.The fee for the National Parks this year can be found here
Here we go:
Free Things to Do In HRM
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- Pack a lunch and visit the Halifax Public Gardens
- Stroll the Halifax waterfront
- Learn how injured wildlife is aided at Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth
- Visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia-free on Thursday nights
- Take a free guided tour of Halifax (tips are welcome)
- Watch a free movie at the Public Gardens
- Take a free class or workshop at the Halifax Public Library (click on ‘What’s On’)
- Get some exercise by rollerblading at the Emera Oval
- Listen to some lunch time music at the Grand Parade Wednesday to Friday
Free Things to Do In The Annapolis Valley
Along the Harvest Moon Trail in Grand Pre - Hunt for fossils at Blue Beach on the ebb tide
- Borrow a large inner tube and tube the Gaspereau River- check to see if the water is up here.(Rent a tube for $5 at King of the River tube rentals)
- Stop into a local farmer’s market
- Borrow a bicycle from the Wolfville or Berwick regional library-first come, first serve-and cycle a section of the Harvest Moon Trail
- Have a evening bonfire at a Houston beach near Blomidon
- Make it a bird watching summer. 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
- Greenwood Aviation Museum is free to tour
- Check out our awesome Bay of Fundy at both high and low tide
- Hike the Bohaker Trail at Delaps Cove and see a waterfall and the above mentioned Bay at the same time.
- Plan a photo day at Bear River, the tidal community on stilts
- Don’t miss out on the Balancing Rock in Tiverton-just short hike but many steps
Free Things To Do In Cape Breton
Big Fiddle Sydney - Immerse yourself in Acadian Crafts and culture in Cheticamp
- Explore Sydney’s waterfront and take a picture of the Big Fiddle
- Enjoy nature with a stroll along the Baille Ard Nature Trail in Sydney
- Hike the 12 km round trip to Egypt Falls in Cape Breton
- Stomp to the music of a Cape Breton Ceilidh-free Sunday concerts at Granville on the Green on Port Hawkesbury
Free Things To Do on Northumberland Shore
Melmerby Beach-Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor
- Spend a day in the sun on one of the Northumberland Strait beaches-warmest water north of the Carolinas.
- Take a free guided tour of Crombie House in Abercrombie -available Wednesdays in the summer.
- Wander the lavender fields at Seafoam Lavender Company in Seafoam
- Stop ‘baaa’ and visit the lambs and sheep at Lismore Sheep Farm
- Stroll through an old growth forest at the Wallace and Area Museum
- Visit Carmichael-Stewart House Museum in New Glasgow
- Learn about local sports heroes at the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame
Free Things To Do Along the Bay of Fundy & Truro
Court House Hill - 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.
- 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
- Watch the tidal bore down by Truro’s Visitor Centre. Times are here. Please be there 15 minutes early
- Grab some great views of Kings, Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Hants counties at Gore Courthouse Hill.
- 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’.
- Climb up to the top of a lighthouse in Walton
Free Things To Do on the Yarmouth & Acadian Shore
- Watch the ferry go by at Cape Forchu
- Go for a short walk at Broad Brook Wetland Park
- Stroll the waterfront in Yarmouth
- Dig for clams at Parc Joseph et Marie Dugas
- Walk ‘Le Petit Bois’ at St. Anne’s university
- Check out of the world’s smallest drawbridges at Sandford
- View the stars from the Starlight viewing platform on the Wedgeport Nature Trail
Free Things To Do on The South Shore
- Picnic. hike and enjoy a waterfall at Indian Fall’s Park
- Try your luck catching a feed of mackerel at Graves Island
- Drive out to picturesque Blue Rocks near Lunenburg
- Lie in the sun at Summerville Beach Provincial Park
- Explore historic Shelburne and get your picture taken in the Big Red Chair
- Take a hike along the Keji Seaside Adjunct to spot some seals. And maybe some bears. Kidding. Not kidding.
- Jump in for a swim at Glenwood Provincial Park
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Here’s a PDF you can take print out to take with you!
52 Free Things to Do In Nova Scotia
