Are the hot, sticky days of late summer getting you down? A simple day trip or a quick overnight staycation might be just the remedy, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or pricey. If you are travelling as a family, consider using the 2021 travel guide, 25 Family Adventures in Nova Scotia as your inspiration. (Don’t forget the sunscreen and healthy road snacks!) If you’re exploring without kids, the same rules apply: make a plan, pack healthy snacks – and have fun!

Bask on a sandy South Shore beach
Nova Scotia’s South Shore beaches are the ideal place beat the heat this summer, and there are some especially lovely beaches in the Queens County Region. While Carter’s Beach and Summerville Beach each have spectacular scenery, Beach Meadows Beach Park, eight kilometres east of the town of Liverpool, is a well-kept secret with soft white sand, shallow water, ample parking, a wooded picnic area, fire pits, a playground and boardwalks.

Enjoy fish and chips (and fighter jets) at Fisherman’s Cove
The charming community of Fisherman’s Cove is an easy day trip from Halifax. Meander along the boardwalk, and browse in charming boutiques for candy, ice cream or souvenirs. Stroll along MacCormacks Beach for a new perspective on Halifax Harbour. On the way home, stop in at the nearby Shearwater Aviation Museum, which has a thrilling display of helicopters and jets.

Stress-free camping in Cape Breton
There are few places in Canada as spectacular as the Cape Breton Highlands, and getting there is easy. From the mainland, zoom across the causeway, head for the Cabot Trail, and plan to spend two or three nights camping, hiking and playing on the beach. No tent? No problem! Four Parks Canada campsites, including the new Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground, offer comfortable oTENTik camping – just bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and flashlight.

Bike your way around the Valley
Beat the summer heat (and enjoy the free air conditioning!) as you ride your bike in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. The Harvest Moon Trailway is a 110 km rails-to-trails route that runs from Annapolis Royal to Grand Pré National Historic Site. Pick a section to cycle and you’ll enjoy passing through historic villages, apple orchards and open fields, with options to visit local shops, cafés and wineries along the way.

Discover hidden gems (literally!) at the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark
The Cliffs of Fundy Global Geopark is the only place on earth where geologists can find evidence of both the assembly of supercontinent Pangea 300 million years ago and its breakup 100 million years later. Learn from experts at the Fundy Geological Museum, which offers a range of guided tours throughout the summer. Discover dinosaur fossils at Wasson Bluff, or hunt for sparkling gemstones and minerals on the shores of Wa’so’q (Partridge Island). For an affordable overnight stay, The Sunshine Inn is one of the best motels in the region, with comfortable rooms and a fabulous breakfast.

What’s your favourite late-summer summer getaway? Let us know in the comments!