Welcome to the Town of Lunenburg

As fishermen before you, follow your compass to Lunenburg. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, look for the “Lunenburg Bump” on buildings in Old Town. Reeking of a “salty”, seafaring history and old world charm, traditions and customs have been handed down through generations. Climb aboard the ships alongside the dock at the museum and imagine your own sea adventure. Discover treasures as you “plunder” the shops and walk the hilly streets. Accommodations range from charming heritage bed and breakfasts to restored modern inns. 

Hidden Gems

• St. John’s Anglican Church, the second oldest Protestant church in Canada, was established in 1754. In 2001, it was partially destroyed in a Halloween night fire, but has been completely restored in years since. Come by and take a guided tour of the beautifully restored gothic architecture, or take in one of many Musique Royale concerts throughout the year.

Things to Do

• Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Three floors of displays and exhibits, full-wall aquariums, a touch tank, two fully accessible ships in the Lunenburg Harbour, a theatre and much more await you in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Stop in for a few hours, or spend the whole day exploring Lunenburg’s rich history.
• Halifax-Southwestern Railway Museum. Step through the doors and walk back in time to the world of the railway as it was on Nova Scotia's South Shore in the 1950's. Exquisite scale models and artifacts from the old Bridgewater train station are given prominence in this journey that’s fun for the whole family.
• Knaut-Rhuland House Museum. The only historic home in Lunenburg that is accessible to the public, the Knaut-Rhuland House is akin to walking back in time. Period furniture and finishings, as well as tour guides in full costume, give you a true 18th century experience.
• Bluenose Golf Club/Course. The Bluenose Golf Club is a picturesque, 9-hole golf club, which presents golfers with a challenging game. With small greens and uneven lies, the Bluenose Golf Club offers many great views that overlook the beautiful and historic UNESCO Town of Lunenburg. The full-service clubhouse was originally a family farmhouse!
• Ironworks Distillery. In this workshop at the corner of Montague and Kempt streets, a marine blacksmith by the name of Thomas Walters once produced ironworks for shipbuilders all along the South Shore. Now his old workshop is home to The Ironworks Distillery, which produces spirits in small batches, using only natural ingredients, as fresh and as local as possible, showcasing the remarkable produce of the Annapolis Valley. Come by and watch the process yourself, and enjoy a taste at the end!
• Trot in Time Horse and Buggy Tours. Recently featured on A Network’s Morning Video, the Trot in Time Horse and Buggy Tours take you on a historic meander through the streets of Old Town Lunenburg. Kick back and relax as your tour guide tells tales of days gone by, with some exciting urban folklore thrown in.
• Boat Excursions. Head down to Lunenburg’s working waterfront and book your spot on one of three offshore adventures. Lunenburg Whale Watching offers a three hour excursion on which you can expect to see not just the majestic creatures, but seals, puffins, dolphins and turtles. If you want something a bit more interactive, Heritage Fishing Tours lets YOU decide the length of the voyage, and what you want to do – anything from deep-sea fishing to a picnic lunch onboard the boat. As well, Star Charters offers a day cruise aboard a 48 foot wooden ketch, or a Sunset cruise at night that lets you see the nearby Ovens like never before.
• Eat – Lunenburg’s Historic downtown boasts over 30 restaurants and cafes. Come for fresh off the boat lobster (season dependent), superb Italian dishes, exquisite French cuisine, as well as good old-fashioned Nova Scotian family dining. Whether it’s food on the go, or a three-course meal, visitors will be treated to true culinary delights.
• Shop – The town is home to over 35 different retailers specializing in anything from kitchenwares and clothing to gourmet French chocolate, to nautical themed gift stores. Feel free to wander around and explore the various boutiques and galleries – the town is filled with hidden gems .