Nova Scotia Town Among Two North American UNESCO Urban Heritage Sites

Located just over an hour's drive west of Halifax, Lunenburg is one of Nova Scotia's best tourist gems. This small oceanside community is one of the oldest in Canada and has made a name for itself with its world-recognized historic neighborhoods, earning a place in the hearts of historians seeking to take a close look into one of the Maritimes' most iconic towns.

It is so renowned that its downtown core has been named a UNESCO Urban Heritage Site, one of only two in the continent (with the other being Old Québec in Québec City).

See why Lunenburg is growing in popularity among vacationers looking for a place off the beaten path to travel, and learn a bit about its storied past along the way.

A History of Lunenburg

Founded in 1753, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, stands as one of Canada’s oldest British colonial settlements outside Halifax. Established by a large mix of immigrants, including German, Swiss, and French Protestant settlers under British rule, the town was intended to be a model settlement in the Americas, laid out in a distinctive grid pattern that you can still see on a map of its streets today.

Lunenburg’s connection to the sea has always been integral to its identity, putting it in a strategic position both militarily and economically. Early residents faced challenges, including tensions with the Indigenous Mi'kmaq people and raids related to conflicts like the American Revolution, but the community endured, staying grounded in fishing, shipbuilding, and trade.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its shipyards gained prominence, especially for crafting the Bluenose, the famed racing schooner launched in 1921 which later became a national symbol, even appearing on the Canadian dime.

The town’s economy continued to thrive through fishing, particularly cod, which today still provides a good chunk of the jobs in town besides more modern industries in recent times such as healthcare, retail, services, and manufacturing.

Preservation efforts in the later half of the 20th century recognized Lunenburg’s true cultural value. In 1995, UNESCO designated the entirety of Old Town Lunenburg a World Heritage Site for its dozens of well-preserved wooden buildings and adherence to the town's original layout.

The Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site

Lunenburg’s Old Town is celebrated for its meticulously preserved architecture and significance in early Canadian history, giving it a thriving tourism industry in recent years.

With around 40 buildings listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, it is one of the best hot spots in the country for history lovers to explore up close. Many of the town’s colorful 18th and 19th-century buildings, painted in bold reds, blues, and yellows, add to its distinctive look, while structures like the Lunenburg Academy and St. John’s Anglican Church, highlight a blend of architectural styles, including Victorian, Gothic Revival, and Colonial.

The waterfront remains a classic place to take a stroll, where working docks, historic warehouses, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic showcase the town’s maritime economy and the importance of the fishing industry that continues on in the region to this day.

Lunenburg’s Old Town is not just a preserved artifact however; it’s a real living community where residents still maintain their historic homes and run businesses in structures dating back hundreds of years. Be sure to stop by other eye-catching landmarks such as the Knut-Rhuland House, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Bluenose II Ship parked in the harbor.

With steep streets that climb up from the harbor below, the area also offers you incredible scenic views over the waterfront.

Other Things to See and Do in Lunenburg

Besides simply walking around the Old Town, Lunenburg and its surrounding countryside host a number of other must-do activities for anyone who finds themself in the area.

Haunted Lunenburg Tour

Like most old towns in North America, Lunenburg hosts its fair share of haunted spots, now accommodated by guided ghost tours through its historic quarters.

Considered to be one of the most ghost-infested places in Canada, Haunted Lunenburg is a service situated right in the heart of Old Town that will take you through its streets at night and shine some light on the community's most eerie stories and legends. With an emphasis on teaching you the real history of Lunenburg, you may even come across the ghostly presence of a few of the town's earliest residents.

Hosted from June to October, this is a great activity to embark on for both history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts.

Breweries and Distilleries

It seems like no Canadian town with a strong focus on tourism is complete without a good selection of locally-owned distilleries and breweries. Lunenburg is no different, with its excellent roster of watering holes where you can grab a much-needed refreshment at any time throughout the year.

Housed in a former blacksmith shop, Ironworks Distillery is perhaps the most popular of the bunch. With a picturesque position over the harbor, it is an ideal place to grab a handcrafted cocktail with a view. On the other side of town, you will find The Tin Roof Distillery, a newer arrival that specializes in whiskeys, vodkas, and gins made from locally sourced ingredients.

And in the heart of Old Town sits Shipwright Brewing Company Taproom + Pizza. Just steps from the harborfront, you can grab a cold brew along with a slice or two of some of the best pizzas in the area.

Visit a Park

The landscape around Lunenburg is simply gorgeous, with dense hilly forests and rugged shores peering out to the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you want to go on a hike or camp under the stars for the night, there are a few notable green spaces for you to discover just outside of town.

A quick drive north will land you in Second Peninsula Provincial Park, which sits on the narrow Second Peninsula, known for its extensive pebble beaches and views of the nearby Herman's Island. East of Lunenburg lies the Blue Rocks Common Trail, which weaves around inland ponds, forests, and hidden alcoves on the ocean's shore. At just under 2 miles in length, it makes for an easy yet highly scenic walk.

If you're not looking to stray out of town, the Rous Brook Park Heritage Garden and Park and Sawpit Park and Wharf Lunenburg are two charming urban parks with easily accessible walking paths and picnicking areas.

Accommodations

Lunenburg boasts a variety of nice spots to rest your head for the night, from historic waterfront hotels like the Rum Runner Inn, housed in a bright yellow building that can't be missed, or the Lunenburg Arms Hotel, set high above Old Town. Numerous other options, many of which are also based in historic buildings, can be picked along Bluenose Drive, right where Old Town meets the water.

For something a little more spacious and private, the Lunenburg Oceanview Chalets are situated just east of town, while those who wish to camp during the warmer season can book a site at Lunenburg's Little Lake Campground, a locale that also rents out yurts.