​​Old Town Lunenburg

Lunenburg looks like a living museum from the 18th century with its beautiful and colorful historic homes. It is a great example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. Most of all, the people of Old Town Lunenburg have managed to preserve the city’s identity throughout the centuries —and it has retained its original layout with a rectangular grid pattern. 

Lunenburg’s harbor-side streets are filled with unique shops and restaurants. You’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of this village and its rich history. With that, it is famous for ship-building, fish processing, fishing, and market gardening. 

While you’re in Lunenburg, take some time to visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic where you’ll discover the maritime heritage of Nova Scotia. The museum features wharf-side vessels, an outstanding aquarium, and a real-life replica of the famous Bluenose II— the world-famous schooner.

Lastly, visit the Lunenburg Academy; a National Historic Site, and the South Shore Public Libraries. Wherever you go in Lunenburg, you’ll find many wonders to marvel at!

 

What to Know

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg’s vernacular architectural style showcases the historic charm of the city. You can take a walk around the town or the Harbor, it’s simply a beautiful place. The area is fairly compact and is located along the waterfront with lots of steeply inclined streets. Also, you will find lots of colorful homes that are almost 100-plus years old. You can find a lot of historic buildings in this place including Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. John’s Anglican Church, and more. 

If you are in the Old Town Lunenburg, you don’t want to miss the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. It operates seasonally from May through October. The museum pays tribute to the Atlantic Coast of Canada’s fishing heritage. Once a former fish processing plant, it is now a historical monument.

In the museum, several galleries tell different stories including the stories of Mi’kmaq Fishery, Inshore Fishery, the Banks Fishery, and whatnot. The Marine Life Gallery shares and explores what lies beneath the sea. Another interesting feature is the QR codes on the exhibits to gain more insights about the museum and its history.

The building of the museum is painted with bright red color, along with that there are floating vessels at the wharfside. Moreover, the museum offers plenty of attractions to see including a maritime gift shop and a restaurant.

Moreover, an important fishing port in this village was the home of Bluenose. You might be wondering if Bluenose was a person or what? For your understanding, Bluenose does not refer to a person but rather to a famous schooner (a type of sailing ship). 

Bluenose won many international schooner races and is also famous as the undefeated North Atlantic Fishing Fleet champion. Sadly, in 1946, it was lost on a reef off Haiti.

The significance of Bluenose II is so enduring that you can see it on the Canadian Dime. Also, its trophies can be found in the Lunenburg Fisheries Museum further making its legacy unforgettable.

Apart from fish processing and fishing, the town has many economic activities including but not limited to shipbuilding and market gardening. Every year, in September, there is the Nova Scotia Fisheries Exhibition and Fisherman's Reunion, held publicly. 

You can spend a full day easily at Lunenburg and enjoy the beautiful views. Stroll through the streets filled with colorful houses and buildings. But if you really want to know everything about Lunenburg's culture, then plan to stay for a few days or a week. 

 

How to Get There

You can drive from Halifax to Lunenburg, it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. But if you don’t have your car, you can always take a bus that departs from Halifax Shopping Center and arrives at Lunenburg Esso. The total distance is about an hour only. The services operate daily once and cost around $20. 

 

Best Time to Visit 

It is always a great time to visit the Old Town because the weather is moderate on the south shore of Nova Scotia, where Lunenburg is located. However, if you’re looking for an ideal time to visit this place, then June to September are great months to visit this place. Or you can say summer is a great time to be in the Old Town Lunenburg. The winter in this place is not that harsh but still, the temperature from December to March is below zero degrees Celsius. 

 

Features and Highlights 

- Pay a visit to the oldest St, John’s Anglican Church in Canada and marvel at the Gothic Revival Architecture.

- Dive into Lunenburg's maritime heritage at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

- Tour the legendary Bluenose II, a replica of the famed schooner which is situated in this fishing village.

- Indulge in the delicious fish and chips and lobster rolls at the South Shore Fish Shack.

- Features an annual Lunenburg Folk Harbor Festival.

- The Nova Scotia Fisheries Exhibition and Fisherman's Reunion is held every year in September. 

- Features gorgeous colorful buildings and houses from the early 18th century.

- A 42’ fishing vessel (sailing ship) for catching lobsters.

- Witness the beauty of the humpback whale.

- Visit different wineries and sample their delicious blueberry and currant wine.