Things to do
Just an hour from Halifax, Ravens Rest Retreat offers the perfect home base for exploring Nova Scotia. Nestled close to local attractions, dining, and activities, it blends coastal beauty with small-town charm, providing you with both convenience and tranquility in one destination.
Map of Attractions
History and Sightseeing
Food and Drink
Adventures
Ravens Rest Retreat
Shop Local
Essentials
Adventures
Bay of Fundy Guided Tours with ShoreGirl Adventures
Join your local guide Denise with ShoreGirl Adventures for a unique mix of adventure, nature and heritage along the iconic Bay of Fundy coastline.
Explore dramatic coastal cliffs shaped by the world’s highest tides, hike forested trails, filled with native plants used traditionally by the Mi’kmaq, the original inhabitants and stewards of Nova Scotia, and walk along the ocean floor, at low tide, to discover what the Bay of Fundy leaves behind.
Step back in time on a historic walking tour through Maitland, Nova Scotia’s first Heritage Conservation District, where shipbuilding stories and preserved architecture come to life.
Tidal Bore Rafting
Image credits: Fundy Tidal Bore Adventures
Experience the thrill of nature's power highest tides in the world with a tidal bore rafting adventure!
The water from the Bay of Fundy gets funneled into the shallow Shubenacadie River channels to create a surge of water. The front wave of this surge is known as the Tidal Bore. There are very few places in the world that have a tidal bore and even fewer that can compare in size! After the tidal bore goes by the river reverses direction and starts flowing inland at nearly 30km/hr. It is because of the huge volume of water forcing its way into the shallow waters that creates our rapids ranging from 4-12ft standing waves!
Skydiving
Image credits: Atlantic School of Skydiving
Start things off right with this introduction to Skydiving. Take in the views from 10,000 feet with an experienced instructor, as a passenger on a parachute built for two.
David Williamson, owner and team leader, has been skydiving for over 40 years and has more than 10,000 skydives. He shares his passion for the sport with all who would like to experience, learn, or talk about skydiving.
Guided Tour of the Ocean Floor
Image credits: Burntcoat Head Park
Guided tours at Burntcoat Head Park offer an immersive experience exploring the ocean floor of the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. During low tide, knowledgeable guides lead visitors across the exposed seabed, showcasing unique rock formations, tidal pools, and marine life while sharing insights about the area's geology, ecology, and history. These tours provide a rare opportunity to walk where the ocean flows just hours later, making it a memorable blend of adventure and education.
Horseback Trail Tours
Image credits: Evangeline Trail Rides
Be ready to experience the beauty of an incredible location with Evangeline Trail Rides. No two rides are the same as they explore many trails and features. This could mean any combination of riding Eagle Ridge where we often see bald eagles, or ride along the scenic tidal Kennetcook River, ride through fields, or ride alongside the historic Stanley airport runways or explore some of our many trails that intertwine throughout the area.
Food and Drink
Escape to a serene haven nestled amidst the rolling hills and lush vineyards of Avondale Sky Winery. Our charming farmhouse, lovingly restored to blend rustic elegance with modern comforts, offers a unique retreat for wine enthusiasts and tranquility seekers alike.
Relax in a comfortable atmosphere overlooking the scenic Kennetcook River. Home-cooked meals are made using ingredients from local suppliers. Stop in after a day on the trails. Meet up with friends. Make new memories.
Their local food offering is seasonal and our cafe options change daily to allow us to feature what is being harvested daily by our farmers and producers and to account for our use of whole animals.
A favourite place to stop and grab a bite to eat as you travel down the shore. They are conveniently located on the tour route for Snowmobile, Motorcycle, ATV, and Antique Automobile groups.
Savor Canadian flavors at Mud Slide Café. A culinary journey awaits. Stay tuned!
An adventure, or a wrong turn, leads you to Meander River Farm & Brewery. Nestled beside the twisting river it’s named after, the Farm provides an agritourism experience like no other.
Bay Bites and Tidal Treats is a family run food truck offering quick serve fries, hotdogs and ice cream.
John and his family started off with a small hop yard in 2016, fell in love with the farm and all it had to offer. Starting off with small Brews at home, John has had the opportunity to perfect his beer.
History and Sightseeing
Lawrence House Museum
Come explore this bright Victorian home, featuring photographs, exhibits and the Lawrence family’s heirlooms. Discover the era of shipbuilding and hear tales of the Golden Age of Sail in Maitland; Nova Scotia’s first designated Heritage Conservation district.
Image credits: Lawrence House Museum
Lower Selma Museum & Heritage Cemetery
Image credits: East Hants Historical Society
The Lower Selma Museum is found in the former Lower Selma United Church. This church, which is now a designated Municipal Heritage Property, was built in 1865 as the Lower Selma Presbyterian Church.
In 1925, the Church amalgamated and became part of the United Church of Canada. In 1967, at the age of 102, the Church closed its doors and remained vacant until 1981, when the dream of the East Hants Historical Society became a reality and the museum opened.
Fundy Tidal Interpretive Center
Image credits: Nova Scotia Tourism
Learn about the world’s highest tides and discover the rich heritage of the Bay of Fundy. The Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre is a great place to learn about the world-famous tidal bore, enjoy nature and take in some East Hants history. From educational displays to breathtaking views of the Shubenacadie River, visit us to learn something new and be captivated by the power of nature.
Walton Harbour Lighthouse
Image credits: Nova Scotia Tourism
The Walton Lighthouse, located in Walton, Nova Scotia, is a historic wooden lighthouse built in 1873 overlooking the Minas Basin. Known for its role in guiding ships through the Bay of Fundy’s challenging tides, it now serves as a museum and viewpoint, offering stunning coastal vistas and insights into the region’s maritime history.
Blue Beach Fossil Museum
Image credits: Blue Beach Fossil Museum Facebook
Blue Beach, Nova Scotia, a world-class and even world-famous fossil site, has long been known by Paleontologists and Geologists for its unique treasures and evidence for the invasion of the land by the first vertebrates (creatures with backbones) to dare to leave the sea. The fossil trackways were first discovered in 1841, making Blue Beach the official birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in Canada!
Shop Local
Beyond the Wharf Artisans
Image credits: Nova Scotia Tourism
An emporium of locally handcrafted items, including collectibles, pottery, stained & fused glass, and all-natural body care products. Fibre arts such as rug hooking & felting, weaving, knit & crochet, up-cycled mittens and wool socks. You'll also find art cards and wooden decor along with delicious Nova Scotia oatcakes, jams, pickles & jellies, local honey and beeswax-related items.
Homestead Lavender
Image credits: Homestead Lavender
Their farm is home to self grown Lavender plants in seven different varieties. All of our varieties are English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), including the two hybrid varieties Grosso and Phenomenal. Lavender is great for promoting the bee population, butterfly attraction and mosquito deterrence.
Riverview Herbs
Image credits: Riverview Herbs
River View Herbs is a year round family-run greenhouse operation specializing in fresh-cut culinary herbs as well as over 150 varieties of herb transplants. They produce their own brand of basil pesto, as well as a line of specialty greens. Their products are available to the public every Saturday throughout the year at the Alderney and Seaport Markets.
Essentials
XTR Energy, Kennetcook
Anthony’s Grocery Kennetcook
Frieze & Roy General Store, Maitland
Coastal Tires, XTR Energy, Densmores Mills
Guardian Pharmacy, Kennetcook
Esso, Kennetcook
Walton Variety Store, Walton
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, Kennetcook
XTR Energy, Walton