Maritime warmth and hospitality is legendary, providing the perfect backdrop for the region's natural beauty and historic sites. With a 7,400-kilometre coastline, the Maritime province of Nova Scotia is peppered with fishing villages, harbours, inlets and sandy beaches. In fact, you're never more than 35 kilometres from the sea, wherever you are in this province.

Halifax: The hub
Nova Scotia's capital city, Halifax, is home to the oldest farmer's market in Canada, the world's third-largest oceanographic institute, and the world's largest downtown boardwalk (more than 4 kilometres along the harbour). What's happening in and around Halifax this summer?

Canada Day at Fisherman's Cove
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Kick off the summer fun with a fun run, games, face painting and, of course, birthday cake. Located 20 minutes from downtown Halifax, Fisherman's Cove is a great place to walk along the waterfront, shop (check out the Nova Scotia crafts at SeaSpray) and snack (try the Maritime Gourmet Fudge & Ice Cream Parlour).

Sherbrooke Village
One of this province's premier attractions is the historic village of Sherbrooke, where visitors can step back in time more than 100 years. Twenty-five buildings on their original sites and horse-drawn wagons add to the flavour of a long-ago community that depended on lumbering and shipbuilding for its survival.

Sherbrooke Village is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from June to mid-October. $9 for adults and $3.75 for children, or $25 for a family.

Antigonish Farmer's Market
If you like locally grown fresh produce, homemade chocolates, ethnic yummies and baked goods -- and who doesn't? -- the Antigonish Farmer's Market is a must-stop, either to stock up on the week's groceries or for goodies for the weekend picnic. The market features activities for the kids and live music, too.

This farmer's market runs every Saturday (from June to October) from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. There is an on-site picnic area.

Where are you going this summer? Discuss your travel plans with other readers in our forums!

Image courtesy www.phototour.ca.

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Digby Scallops
You've heard of them -- don't miss the chance to try them! Digby, 235 kilometres from Halifax, is home to the world's largest inshore scallop fleet.

Along Water Street, at the Royal Fundy Fish Market, sample “Digby chicks,&" a smoked herring not typically available in area restaurants. The Royal Fundy Fish Market is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (July and August, with shortened hours at other times of the year) and is only a short walk from the Admiral Digby Museum on 95 Montague Row.

The Admiral Digby Museum
This mid-19th-century Georgian home-cum-museum details the maritime history of this town. It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (June 13 to August 31), closed Sundays and Mondays.

HOT TIP: Digby's Scallop Days run during the second week of August.

Chester
Arrr, there be pirates here. Or, at least, there were pirates here. Chester, established in 1759, has a history full of pirates and prohibition-era smugglers. You can also take in a more refined marine experience by checking out Chester Race Week, the largest fixed-keel regatta in Canada.

At the Chester Playhouse, enjoy live local theatre.

If you want to know more about what there is to see and do for families in Nova Scotia, check out some of these sites:

Nova Scotia Tourism
Peggy's Cove
Upper Clements Theme Park
Fort Anne National Historic Site

Where are you going this summer? Discuss your travel plans with other readers in our forums!

Image courtesy www.phototour.ca.

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