Hants County: Museums, History and Trails

Hants County brings together cultural history, agricultural traditions and outdoor activities. Its varied attractions include museums and historic buildings, the Hants County Exhibition, trails along Lake Pisiquid and a guided low-tide tour at Burntcoat Head Park. When planning, the fair dates, summer tours and tide levels may all play a role.

Museums and Historic Sites

Clifton Museum Park is a Hants County museum in Windsor on the banks of the Avon River. One wing of Clifton Museum houses the Birthplace of Hockey Museum, whose collection includes 200 years of hockey history and artifacts. Clifton Museum Park was also the home of Nova Scotia writer Thomas Chandler Haliburton, who lived there from 1836 to 1856.

Fort Edward and Shand House represent different chapters in architectural history. Fort Edward was built in 1750; its blockhouse is the oldest in Canada. Shand House is a Queen Anne-style home built in Windsor in 1890. The West Hants Historical Society Museum explores domestic, industrial and maritime technologies from a bygone era.

At the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s headquarters, visitors can see props and puppets from numerous productions. The theatre combines puppets and performers in reimaginings of traditional and contemporary classics for children. In Hantsport, the McDade Heritage Centre makes preserved records and memorabilia from the shipyards and industrial businesses accessible to tourists. Every summer, the Hantsport & Area Historical Society offers tours there led by student guides and researchers.

Agricultural Traditions and Event Dates

First held in 1765, the Hants County Exhibition is the oldest continuously operating agricultural fair in North America. Its program includes show jumping, tractor pulls, cattle shows, numerous 4-H events and rides. It takes place every year in September over two full weekends. As the exact dates may vary from year to year, check the current event dates if you’d like to plan your stay around it.

Trails and Outdoor Experiences

A 2.2 km accessible trail runs along Lake Pisiquid and is used year-round by residents and visitors. Near Fort Edward, a 1 km gravel-and-dirt trail is accessible to wheelchairs and scooters. The trails differ in length and surface, among other things: the Lake Pisiquid trail is considerably longer, while the Fort Edward trail has a gravel-and-dirt surface.

Burntcoat Head Park has a historic lighthouse, trails, picnic areas and interpretive panels. At low tide, a knowledgeable guide leads visitors from the lighthouse to the ocean floor, past tidal pools and intertidal life. Your visit must coincide with low tide for this tour. The trails and interpretive panels also help visitors find their way around the park, while the picnic areas and lighthouse add to the experience.

The Wider Region

In the wider region, Hantsport, Windsor and West Hants around the Avon River make up The Avon, Land of Plenty region. This name refers to the larger region, not Hants County alone. The Avon River is the geographic reference point for finding your way around the region.

Discover more destinations: Windsor, Cumberland County.

Go to the main travel overview: Nova Scotia.