The sparkling blue waters and wide sandy beaches of the Northumberland Strait make this a vacation paradise. The Northumberland Shore offers more warm-water ocean beach parks than anywhere else in Atlantic Canada – 15 to be exact! Relax with a picnic and enjoy some local fare. Freshly caught lobster found along the shore, wild blueberries from Oxford and maple syrup from Sugar Moon Farm are just a few of the delicacies found in this region. Sample some award-winning wines while you enjoy the lush vineyards at Jost Vineyards in Malagash, renowned for their warm hospitality and perfectly chilled ice wine.
Zip lining from atop MacGrath Mountain provides a bird’s-eye view of the forest, while kayaking the estuary of Antigonish Harbour brings paddlers face to face with eagles and osprey. The trails of Cobequid Mountain provide the perfect hike, and there are more than 168 species of birds to enjoy along the Wallace Bay Wildlife Trail. Book a tee time at one of the lush golf courses that dot the Northumberland shore.
Rich with history – from the landing place of the first Scottish immigrants, there are museums and heritage sites aplenty in this neck of Nova Scotia. The Scottish culture with its kilt-swirling, caber-tossing, pipe-skirling is also alive in unique attractions and festivals like the Hector Festival and the Antigonish Highland Games. The Pictou Lobster Carnival and the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee are sure to get fingers snapping and toes a tapping as they celebrate our unique Nova Scotian culture.
Explore Our Scenic Drives
The Sunrise Trail guides visitors through gently rolling farmlands, country roads, timeless towns and villages, along sandy beaches and tidal salt marshes, along the Northumberland Shore all the way from Amherst to Auld’s Cove and the Canso Causeway, the entry point to Cape Breton Island.