There’s so much to discover on the East Coast...
… and here, we’re trying to make it easy for you to find your ideal setting.
We’ve collected together some observations about noteworthy areas of each province, including established communities and up-and-comers. Consider this an opportunity to whet your whistle, as it were. These are the places we love. We’re also featuring some of our favorite photographers, who capture the most beautiful images of this region!
You know you’re in the friendly Maritimes when…
You say hello to someone, and they say hello back, with a smile!
Someone in a Home Depot store offers assistance even though they don’t work there. (They might even carry your stuff to your car.)
A driver stops in the middle of the road and waves for you to cross the road…even though there’s no crosswalk.
Someone shovelled your walkway.
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Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is ranked one of the most scenic drives and has won many awards, titles and accolades. The initial route was completed in 1932 and today runs 298 kilometres through the Cape Breton Highlands.
Halifax “pub crawl” anyone? There are more pubs per capita here than any other city in Canada.
Halifax boasts the second largest ice-free natural harbour in the world after Sydney, Australia.
Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland. The province was named by Sir William Alexander who was given the land by King James VI of Scotland in 1621.
Featured Photographer - Matt Hayes
Matt Hayes is a professional photographer living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He shoots everything from aerials to real estate to people.
What got you into photography? Instagram! I got the app in 2013. I remember looking through the photos, and not believing that they were even real places on this Earth. I could not believe the amazing images I was seeing, and I could not wait to get started with photography. I bought my first camera that year.
What do you love about capturing images? The process. I often scope out locations months in advance, using Google Maps and sunset trackers to figure out the angle I am looking for. Seeing the result — that is just like what I set out to capture — is an incredible feeling!
What makes a great image? The right lighting can make or break a photo, changing the look of subjects completely. I love shooting landscape photos during golden hour for that exact reason.
What are your favourite subjects to photograph? Landscapes and cityscapes at sunset! Nova Scotia has such a variety of these, that I almost always have something to shoot. I am constantly exploring the province, looking for new angles and new locations, as Nova Scotia has so many to offer.