13 Ultimate Things to do in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia
If you’re looking for a hidden gem of a destination in Nova Scotia, I highly recommend Parrsboro! This adorable small town is located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Parrsboro is best known for being home to the highest tides in the world! This among other unique features make it the perfect place to visit for those who enjoy outdoor adventures and exploring historic sites. After falling in love with this gem of a town, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Parrsboro to inspire you to add it to your next road trip in Nova Scotia.
In this guide to Parrsboro, I’m sharing all of my favourite places to visit. You’ll discover top sights, like Joggins Fossil Cliffs where you walk amongst fossils as well as where to experience the tides. I’m also sharing where to find dinosaur footprints, epic viewpoints as well as where to eat and sleep. But one thing to note is that Parrsboro is a very seasonal town. Many attractions and tours only run from spring through the fall.
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Experience the Tides
The coolest thing to do in Parrsboro is experience the tides! When many think of the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy, they think of New Brunswick. But there are a number of incredible places in Nova Scotia where you can experience the Bay of Fundy tides. And one of those places is Parrsboro!
Throughout my road trip I visited some cool places to experience the tides. But I was blown away by all the different locations and environments that I was able to see the tides in Parrsboro. Many free and easily accessible.
During my visit to Parrsboro I was able to see the tides come into the Minas Basin twice a day. As the tides occur every 12 hours, I saw them in the early morning and at night. It is so incredible to see high tide in the morning and then in the middle of the afternoon low tide. In some areas there was little to no water a low tide.
A few cool places to watch the tide in Parrsboro:
- On Main Street downtown at the Tidal Park
- The beach beside the Harbour View Restaurant, overlooking the lighthouse
- From the Two Islands Road bridge
Insider Tip: Various locations, like the Fundy Geological Museum, offer pamphlets with the current tidal charts. Every year the tide changes, as do the pamphlets with updated days, times and water levels. It’s important to remember to be safe when looking for places to experience the tide. If you want to get out on the beach, I recommend doing so with a tour.
Fundy Geological Museum
In addition to taking in the tides, one of the top attractions in Parrsboro is the Fundy Geological Museum. Inside you’ll find a variety of interactive exhibits and displays, as well as a working fossil lab for scientists.
This small museum is great for kids and adults alike – who doesn’t love dinosaurs! Before visiting the museum, I had no idea that the Parrsboro area was such a hot spot for dinosaur fossils!
Turns out, some of the oldest dinosaur bones found in the country were found here! One of my favourite exhibits include the world’s smallest dinosaur footprints. While there’s a heavy focus on dinosaurs, the museum also features other fossils as well as minerals and gems found in the area.
The museum runs a number of guided tours around seeing the fossils in their natural environment. There’s a beach walking tour and one that takes you on horseback. These tours are dependent on the tides only run during the summer months.
Insider Tip: There’s a lovely footpath behind the museum that offers great views of the tidal basin.
Ship’s Company Theatre
I love going to the theatre, so I was thrilled to take in a performance at Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro. As one of the best live theatres in Nova Scotia, they showcase Maritime writers.
Ship’s Company Theatre puts on a variety of performances that include everything from musical theatre to kid-friendly shows. They also host a number of events throughout their summer season, like Picnic Plays. These outdoor plays are fun for the whole family. So check their listings to see if one is on during your visit.
One of the coolest features of this theatre is the front lobby space, which is open-air and has a massive ship. The ship is said to be one of the longest-serving ferries in Canada, the MV Kipawo. Also within the lobby is a small café and a few tables where you can grab a refreshment and snack before the show.
Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the view of the tides in action from the parking lot, it’s a stellar one!
Eat at Harbour View Restaurant
When it comes to Parrsboro restaurants, the one with the best view is Harbour View Restaurant! For decades, this restaurant is a staple for locals and visitors alike.
Family owned and operated; Harbour View offers views of the Parrsboro Lighthouse as well as the twice daily tides. The menu is full of seafood options, with one of the most popular dishes being the seafood platter. It comes stacked with Five Island clams, shrimp, scallops, a lobster roll, and more!
The family is dedicated to sourcing locally as much as possible, which includes the lobster that comes straight from the Bay of Fundy! Along with the seafood, they are well known for their incredible homemade pies. So, be sure to save room for dessert!
Ottawa House Museum
I’m a sucker for charm, history and views! So, when I visited the Ottawa House Museum in Parrsboro I loved it, since it ticked every box.
The Ottawa House Museum is a stunning grand building that sits on the coast. Right from the parking lot you’ll find one of the best coastal views in Parrsboro!
Built in 1770 of hand-hewn timber, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Nova Scotia! Originally it was the summer home of Sir Charles Tupper, a father of the Confederation and the 6th Prime Minister of Canada.
Now it’s a museum that’s full of period pieces and exhibits about shipbuilding and life in the area. Plus, they have a small café inside with drinks like tea and coffee as well as treats. Many locals recommended we grab an ice cream and enjoy it on the veranda.
Check out Art Downtown
Whether you love the arts or are on a budget, if you’re looking for free things to do in Parrsboro, take a wander along Main Street. Lining the street is a variety of garbage and recycling bins that are in the shape of lighthouses.
Yes, Parrsboro’s bins are a fun attraction! Each are painted by artists and depict scenes that inspired by Nova Scotia. My favourite is the one with a map of Nova Scotia. Another one showed a scene of a girl flying a kite along a beach.
There are other art installations throughout downtown Parrsboro too! One piece, is a metal sculpture with what appears to be water rising, that reminded me of the tides, is on the corner where the bandstand is.
Another large piece, which is called the Parrsboro Mosaic Garden, is comprised of 7 pillars that are created by local artists. Plus, in between the buildings are whimsical doors and one building has a massive blue mural covering it.
Insider Tip: Look closely at the road signs downtown. I was beyond charmed when I noticed they were hand painted!
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
One of the most unique places to visit in Nova Scotia is near Parrsboro. That place is Joggins Fossil Cliffs! Located 40 minutes north of Parrsboro, this is a must for those visiting for a few days.
This nearly 100-foot cliff, that stretches for roughly 15 km, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the many places in Parrsboro where you can experience the highest tides in the world.
The cliffs are rich with fossil deposits and more are exposed regularly due to erosion. While the site is free to visit, there’s a museum on site. The museum has a large fossil collection and a variety of exhibits that discuss the history of the site, it was a coal mine, as well what makes this location unique.
A great way to experience the site is on a guide tour. Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre runs seasonal beach tours daily, where you’ll learn about newly discovered fossils and more!
Parrsboro Lighthouse
With the most of any other province in Canada, it’s no surprise that one of the many lighthouses in Nova Scotia is in Parrsboro.
The Parrsboro Lighthouse, originally built in 1852, is located at the end of a sand spit in the harbour. After 100 years of wind, rain and eventually a hurricane, a new one was built in 1980.
The safest way to see the lighthouse is from the beach beside the Harbour View Restaurant. However, if you time the tides right, you can walk out to it.
Two Islands Brewery
Main Street is home to Parrsboro’s very own craft brewery, Two Islands Brewery. The brewery is a fun spot to enjoy one of their craft beers inside or on the patio.
I love the creative names of their beers, that include By the Bay Blonde, Parrsboro Porter and Fundy Fog American Pale Ale. In addition to grabbing a beer, you can also enjoy a bit to eat. They have a small menu that includes oven baked nachos, which are a crowd favourite, and chicken wings.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, be sure to pop into Two Islands Brewery. They have live music every Saturday.
Art Lab Studios and Gallery
One of my favourite things to discover in the places I travel is a local artisan market. Downtown Parrsboro is home to one such place, Art Lab Studios and Gallery.
You can’t miss this vibrant yellow building! Inside are a collection of artists where you can see them create in real time. Along with housing their studios, there’s also a gallery and event space where they run various workshops.
The best part is that you can purchase items directly from the artists. There’s everything from paintings to fabric art. A piece from Art Lab Studios makes a wonderful souvenir.
More Places to Visit in Parrsboro
Five Islands Provincial Park – A must-visit near Parrsboro is the Five Islands Provincial Park. East of town, this sprawling park’s highlight is the 300-foot-tall cliffs that offer epic views of the Bay of Fundy tides. Visitors can camp at the park as well as hike. One of the best trails is the Red Head Trail that features a few views of the islands and beyond.
Fundy Ocean Research Centre – For those looking for unique places to visit in Parrsboro, head to the Fundy Ocean Research Centre. The visitor centre overlooks the Bay of Fundy and is home to a museum with an array of exhibits that educate you on how the tides work and how they are used to generate renewable energy.
Partridge Island Hiking Trail – The best hiking trail in Parrsboro is the Partridge Island trail. This 3 km trail includes steep inclines to start but takes you to views Blomidon, Cape Split and Spencer’s Island.
Where to Stay in Parrsboro
The Maple Inn
I absolutely loved my stay at the Maple Inn. This charming boutique hotel has 8 distinct rooms. Two rooms that stand out are the Black Velvet Room, with its bold black and white wallpaper, and the Boles Suite, which is pretty in pink and features French provincial antiques.
Built in 1893, the building has been lovely remastered and is full of art, and has a lovely room with games, books and a popcorn machine. It’s only open seasonally, from April through October. However, when it comes to places to stay in Parrsboro, NS, I think the Maple Inn ticks all the boxes.
The Maple Inn is a short 5-minute walk into downtown. And they serve incredible breakfasts! The 3-course breakfast uses locally sourced ingredients, from eggs to meat. They make all the baked goods in house and I loved my banana bread waffle that comes in a shape of a maple leaf and topped with maple bacon.
Directions to Parrsboro Nova Scotia
Depending on where you are travelling from. Here are two popular routes to Parrsboro:
When travelling from Halifax to Parrsboro, take Highway 102 north to the Trans Canada Highway west and exit at Glooscap Trail. It takes approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.
Insider Tip: Take your time on Glooscap Trail. This scenic road is full of incredible views and fun hidden gems before Parrsboro.
For those travelling from Cape Breton Island to Parrsboro, take the Trans Canada Highway west and exit at Glooscap Trail. This drive is about 4 hours.
Insider Tip: I recommend breaking up the drive by making stops in Antigonish and Truro.
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In conclusion, Parrsboro, has a mix of stunning natural landscapes, a wealth of history and an incredible arts scene. Whether you’re marveling at the world’s highest tides, walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs, or taking in a performance, Parrsboro will wow you! This hidden gem offers a unique blend of adventure and history, making it a must-visit spot in Nova Scotia.
Looking for More Nova Scotia Guide?
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