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Chester in Nova Scotia is the kind of seaside village that feels worlds away with its elegant homes trimmed with hydrangeas, sailboats gliding across Mahone Bay, and cafés spilling onto flower-lined sidewalks.
Founded by New Englanders in 1759, this prosperous little town, less than an hour’s drive west of Halifax, has long been a haven for yachting enthusiasts and creative souls.
Chester is only small and may feel like there is not a lot to do there – if you can’t handle slow moments sipping coffee with a lemon tart – but it’s worth a visit for a day trip, especially if you’re driving along the Lighthouse Route on the South Shore of Nova Scotia or visiting the nearby Sensea Nordic Spa, one of Nova Scotia’s most popular.
We spent a lovely day exploring Chester before our trip to the spa on our 7-day Nova Scotia road trip (in partnership with Tourism Nova Scotia). It made a restful day even more restful.
Here’s how to spend a blissfully slow, sensory-filled day in Chester — one of Nova Scotia’s prettiest coastal escapes.
Morning: Coffee, Cake, and Coastal Wandering
Stop 1: Breakfast or morning tea at Kiwi Cafe
Kiwi Cafe
Our first stop was The Kiwi Café, and what a way to start the day. Run by a Kiwi expat, this cheerful spot has become a local institution. Inside, bright yellow walls and quirky artwork give it the laid-back warmth of a beach shack, while the aroma of freshly roasted coffee fills the air.
Breakfast options range from hearty egg dishes and breakfast wraps to fresh-baked pastries and quiches. We had eaten at the nearby Oceanstone Resort before leaving for Chester, so this was our morning tea break. The flat white was so good we couldn’t resist going back for a second cup. (Kiwis rival Australia for best coffee crafters in the world!).
They have a fantastic selection of gluten-free cakes — I devoured a tangy lemon tart that was as good as any I’ve had back home in Australia.
Stop 2: Slow wandering around Chester
From there, to walk off the lemon tart, we set out for a slow wander through town. Chester is compact, so it’s easy to explore on foot. The streets are quiet, lined with historic homes and bursts of colorful blooms, neighbors gathered to chat by the water by Chester Yacht Club or while walking dogs. You got a good sense that Chester was a happy, connected community.
Lido Pool
Down by the waterfront, we paused to watch a group of kids rigging their sailboats for a day out on the bay — a snapshot of small-town joy that felt timeless. Just beside them, the Lido Pool, an oceanside saltwater pool built in 1928, offers locals a refreshing dip with front-row views of the harbor.
Midday: Art, Boutiques, and Local Flavor
Stop 3: Chester Art Centre
Before lunch, we popped into the Chester Art Centre, a non-profit art gallery that hosts exhibitions in the gallery space showcasing the work of local, national, and international artists. It’s a small but vibrant space that captures the creative heart of this community.
We saw a wonderful exhibition, Grounded in the Lost and Found by Audrey Nicholl. Her drawings are rooted in childhood rituals of wandering, collecting, and observing the natural world, and reflect on the fragile, fleeting nature of life.
Stop 4: Go shopping in Chester
Shopping in Chester is delightfully personal — just two small streets, but full of charm. Flinn Market Linen, housed in a repurposed garage, carries breezy linen dresses that perfectly match the seaside aesthetic. The Village Emporium is a treasure trove of artisan goods, from handmade jewelry to nautical décor, while Seaweed Soap Company sells locally crafted soaps that smell like the ocean breeze.
Down on Duke Street, Martin’s Point Mercantile is one not to miss. This general store–meets-boutique stocked with curated home goods and vintage finds, each reflecting Chester’s quirky, coastal personality.
Lunch: Pub Classics or Waterfront Views
Stop 5: The Fo’c’sle Village Pub
The Fo’c’sle Tavern
When hunger called, we headed to The Fo’c’sle Tavern — affectionately nicknamed “Chester’s Living Room,” it’s Nova Scotia’s oldest pub, dating back to 1764.
Inside, it’s all wood beams, low ceilings, and seafaring charm. Let your imagination roam back in time: the dining room was a blacksmith’s workshop, the bar, the mercantile front counter, and the Liar’s Table (in 1960) would have been where the horses were! There are stories to be told within these walls!
One of those modern stories will be how great the elevated pub and coastal local food is. Craig went classic with fish and chips (his favorite of the trip), while I savored my ultimate treat — gluten-free calamari, lightly crisped and perfectly seasoned. Honestly, it was the best I’ve had outside of Australia. Fried battered calamari is one of my favorite foods to eat, and I rarely get to eat it. So, Chester will live as a very good friend in my memories.
If you prefer a waterfront setting, The Rope Loft is another excellent choice I had earmarked (but it was closed). Set right on the harbor, it offers patio dining with sweeping sea views and is the kind of place to linger over lobster rolls and a cold cider as boats drift by.
Afternoon: Pints and Peace at Sensea Nordic Spa
Stop 6: Tanner & Co Brewing Company
Tanner & Co
After lunch, we couldn’t resist stopping by Tanner & Co Brewing Company, a microbrewery tucked away on Duke St.
I love the story behind the owner and master brewer’s mission to create beer that was better than the boring multinational corporation brews. He took wisdom gained from his culinary arts and sommelier training to create unique experiments like Chardonnay Hefeweizen, but also created traditional German beers and those hoppy beers many people love.
Their small outdoor patio is perfect for a sunny afternoon pint. Craig enjoyed a hearty stout, and I tried the mead, light and floral, while chatting with locals about sailing season and the upcoming Chester Race Week,Canada’s largest keelboat regatta. Apparently, it’s the place to be in Nova Scotia, and Chester is bumper to bumper with people and high energy!
Stop 7: Sensea Nordic Spa
And then came the highlight of our day — Sensea Nordic Spa. Nestled in a forest clearing on the edge of a still lake, Sensea is often described as the crown jewel of Nova Scotia’s Nordic spa scene, and it’s easy to see why. Time slows the moment you walk in.
Guests are encouraged to move at their own rhythm through the Nordic hydrotherapy cycle — hot saunas and steam rooms, cold plunges, and quiet rest areas.
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We joined a guided hammam ritual infused with eucalyptus steam, mud masks, and gentle breathwork. Between cycles, we dozed in teardrop hammocks under the trees, soaked in hot tubs overlooking the water, heated up in a private barrel sauna overlooking the lake, and ended the experience with a nourishing meal inside the cozy yurt café. It was deeply rejuvenating and the perfect way to reset after days on the road.
Evening: Stay, Sup, and Slow Down
If you decide to linger in Chester — and you should — check what’s playing at the Chester Playhouse, a beloved local theater hosting everything from live music to professional stage performances. In summer, you might also catch Sunday concerts in the bandstand by the waterfront.
Where to stay in Chester
Oak Island Resort
If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight stay, Chester offers a mix of charming B&Bs and seaside inns.
The Mecklenburgh Inn is a favorite for its historic ambiance and hearty breakfasts, while Oceanstone Seaside Resort and Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre (about 20 minutes away) make for tranquil ocean-view retreats. We stayed at Oak Island after out day in Chester, watching sunset hues spill across the marina with delicious food and live music at the resort’s bar after.
And the two evenings before arriving in Chester, we stayed at the Oceanstone Seaside Resort, home to another fantastic Nordic Spa and only 5 minutes from Nova Scotia’s top attraction, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse.
In the summer, it would be nice to go camping at one of the campgrounds on Graves Island Provincial Park.
Final thoughts
Chester may be small, but it embodies the essence of Nova Scotia’s coastal charm — where salt air mingles with creativity, and relaxation comes as naturally as the tide. Whether you come for the sailing, the art, or the serenity of Sensea Spa, you’ll find that a day here is all it takes to fall under its quiet spell.
Read more from our Nova Scotia Road Trip
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