Lunenburg Waterfront and Old Town

Old Town Lunenburg is a small port on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, about 100 kilometres southwest of Halifax, and one of the best-preserved colonial planned towns in North America. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site for that reason, and the historic district is also recognised nationally as a National Historic District. The town climbs a steep hill from the harbour, and its grid of straight streets, laid out in the British manner when it was founded in 1753, still follows the original plan.

The first settlers were so-called Foreign Protestants, mainly German-speaking, along with some Swiss and French families, brought in by the British Crown. They built wooden houses, and many of the buildings still standing are timber frame, painted in bright colours. One local detail to look for is the Lunenburg bump, a window projecting from the front of the house above the door, which is characteristic of the town. The waterfront facing the harbour has working wharves, former fish plants, and the masts of schooners, which complete the picture of a fishing community.

The harbour opens onto the Atlantic Ocean and is closely tied to Atlantic Canada's sailing history. The famous racing schooner Bluenose was built in Lunenburg in the 1920s, and a replica, Bluenose II, was launched in 1963 and sails from the port, operating as a sailing ambassador for Nova Scotia. Visitors may find it alongside the wharf in season, though it is often away on tours. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic stands on the waterfront and tells the story of the fishing industry through aquariums, vessels moored at the wharf and displays on the lives of fishing families. The Lunenburg Academy, a large wooden school on the hill, is a landmark visible from many streets.

Lunenburg is easy to explore on foot. Streets such as Montague and Lincoln are lined with galleries, craft shops, restaurants and small inns, and the seafood in local restaurants, especially lobster, scallops and chowder, is a reason to stay for dinner. Harbour cruises and boat tours run in the warmer months, and the town hosts music and food festivals in summer.

The best time to visit is from late spring to early autumn, when the waterfront is lively and the days are mild, though the town is quiet and atmospheric in winter. Allow a full day, or stay overnight to see the harbour at dusk. Lunenburg suits history lovers, photographers and food lovers, and it works well as a base for exploring nearby coves and villages along the Lighthouse Route.