Hear tales of old sea voyages, see humpback whales, navigate waterways and appreciate the traditional architecture of this old port town.
Located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Lunenburg is a port town with a past that stretches back more than 250 years. Explore the history of the town's fishing industry, see historic architecture and embark on a whale-watching cruise.
Lunenburg was a British colonial settlement founded in the middle of the 18th century. During the following century, the coastal community became a major fishing center, which still flourishes today.
Learn about Lunenburg’s fishing heritage at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Browse exhibits and explore ships moored on the dockside. Step onto Canada’s oldest salt bank schooner and listen to retired fishermen and captains tell stories of their voyages. The museum also houses one of the most extensive aquariums on the east coast of Canada. Among the animals you will see here are eels, crabs and giant lobsters.
Walk into the center of town to see more of Lunenburg’s history. Look at the well-preserved old wooden buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century. Step inside Knaut-Rhuland House, built in 1793. The old wooden residence is now a museum dedicated to the early history of the town. See period furniture, Victorian artifacts and early 19th-century fireplace surroundings.
While you are in Lunenburg, spend some time on the water. Set sail for a maritime adventure by going on a boat cruise. From the deck of your vessel, enjoy the view of the town's brightly painted buildings and the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. From June to October, head out to sea on a whale-watching tour and marvel at the pilot and humpback whales that pass by the area on their migration.
Lunenburg is approximately a 2-hour drive southwest of Halifax, where there is an international airport. Give yourself at least a few days to enjoy the town’s scenic beauty, history and waterways.