When it comes to shopping in Nova Scotia, you can have the best of both worlds. Halifax is the largest shopping destination in Atlantic Canada, offering malls and big box stores as well as speciality shops. Venture outside of Halifax and you’ll find a mix of regular outlets and unique local stores, artisan shops and boutiques in towns such as Mahone Bay, Wolfville, Truro, and throughout Cape Breton Island.

Unique Nova Scotian Treasures

Throughout Nova Scotia you will find unexpected treasures in the many local shops, galleries, and boutiques. Take a piece of Nova Scotia home with you – whether it’s a maritime keepsake, a one-of-a-kind creation from a Nova Scotian artisan, or traditional, hand-crafted quilts.

Halifax Shopping Locations

Halifax’s charming Spring Garden Road is lined with a wide assortment of restaurants, coffee houses, and more than 200 retail stores including many independently owned, specialty shops. The Spring Garden Road area consists of nine city blocks, a block of which borders on and includes the main entrance to the Historic Public Gardens. The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site are located just minutes from this shopping district.

In Halifax’s North End, the Hydrostone Market is a European-style, historic collection of shops, restaurants and services with local cuisine and unique boutiques. You will find everything from custom, hand-built furniture and hand crafted jewellery to artisan breads, flavoured oils and vinegars and cuisine from around the world.

The Halifax waterfront offers many unique shopping experiences

• The popular Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market is the oldest in North America. The market has everything from fresh baked bread to leather and wood crafted products, jewellery, fresh flowers, homemade crepes, musicians, and much more.
• NovaScotian Crystal is both a shop and a crystal making studio. An audience can often be found watching master glass blowers creating beautiful crystal works of art in the traditional Irish method handed down over generations.
• Bishop’s Landing is known for its fine dining restaurants, wine, jewellery, clothes and decadent chocolates.
• Just down from Bishop’s Landing, another Halifax favourite, Historic Properties is famous for its waterfront patios, Nova Scotia giftware, fun atmosphere, and charming boutiques.

Popular Halifax Shopping Centers

There are many shopping malls and districts in and around Halifax and across the Halifax Harbour in the smaller city of Dartmouth.

Dartmouth Crossing is the newest addition to shopping for Nova Scotia’s urban center. This new shopping district is located close to the Mic Mac Mall and is connected to the Burnside Park making it convenient for those who want to make the most of their shopping trip. Stroll along the sidewalks of Dartmouth Crossing to visit a unique mix of boutiques, big box stores and outlets. After a day of shopping, relax and enjoyrelax and enjoy a delicious meal before catching a show at the multiplex theatre.

The Mic Mac Mall, located in Dartmouth, is three stories high with 160 shops and services to enjoy. With a major department store at each end and all of the best name brand stores in between, you will find everything you need all under one roof.

Bayers Lake shopping district is located just minutes from downtown Halifax and is the largest retail business park in Atlantic Canada with more than 400 businesses including outlets, restaurants, big box stores and an 18 screen theatre.

The Halifax Shopping Centre is the largest multi-building shopping centre in Atlantic Canada. With more than 200 stores in this convenient shopping complex, you will have access to all of the shops and services you need to enhance your Nova Scotia vacation.

Shopping Along the South, Yarmouth and Acadian Shores

The oceanside towns of Mahone Bay and Chester, both located along Nova Scotia’s south shore both have many unique shops and boutiques. Further along the south shore, historic Lunenburg, Bridgewater, and Yarmouth offer many artisan shops as well as some larger stores.

Shopping in Central Nova Scotia and in the Northumberland Region

Central Nova Scotia is home to many shopping areas, Amherst (near the New Brunswick border) and Truro (at the 'hub' of the province between Amherst and Halifax), both have charming downtown areas, as well as larger stores and malls located near the main highways.

The Highland Square Mall in New Glasgow and the Antigonish Mall in Antigonish are located near the main highway. Both towns also have central shopping, including cafes, galleries, and boutiques in the downtown areas.

Shopping in the Fundy Shore and Annapolis Valley Region

The Fundy Shore and Annapolis Valley Region is home to a wide range of shopping opportunities, from the modern shopping hub of New Minas to boutique shops in the historical buildings of Bear River. The valley is also the agricultural heart of Nova Scotia and, as such, it is home to a number of wineries that sell their products on site, including Domaine de Grand Pré, Annapolis Highland Vineyards and Gaspereau Vineyards.

If you’re looking a truly timeless shopping experience, visit the Green Crow Gift Shop at Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Named after one of the old mines in Joggins, the gift shops sells both educational and decorative items, including books and children’s dig activities on fossils, and finely crafted jewellery and pottery made from local rocks and minerals.

Shopping Areas through Cape Breton Island

Sydney is the main shopping area in Cape Breton, and the Mayflower Mall is one of the largest in the region. Along the breathtaking Cabot Trail there are also many cafes, shops, galleries, and even tea-houses, most with a traditional Cape Breton charm.

MacIsaac Kiltmakers in St. Peter's, Nova Scotia is a family business but also one of Canada’s largest kiltmakers. Their kilts and other Celtic products are made by hand and shipped around the world. Arts North is located just off the Cabot Trail in Cape North, on Cape Breton’s North Shore. The gallery sells unique works of art inspired by the natural beauty of the island, including pottery, jewellery, wood carvings and fused glass pieces.