Bridgewater: Trails, Parks and Culture

Bridgewater offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a stay: trails through the centre, parks with streams and ponds, the LaHave River, and local culture and history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bridgewater, these local highlights can help you plan your days around your interests.

Trails and Parks in Bridgewater

The 8-kilometre Centennial Trail runs through the centre of Bridgewater and is suitable for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing. It offers several activities along one route. For a different trail setting, the Glen Allan Park Trail winds along a stream through woodland and over four bridges.

The parks also each have a distinct character. Woodland Gardens Park covers 24 acres, with nature trails, passive-use park areas and a pond. Riverview Park, at the northern end of Bridgewater, has mature stands of Weymouth pine and spruce. While Woodland Gardens combines trails, open park areas and a pond, the older trees shape the character of Riverview Park.

Along the LaHave River

On the west bank of the LaHave River, at the southern end of town, Shipyards Landing offers shaded picnic spots. You can also watch boat traffic on the river from there. A boat launch is available for visitors who want to launch their own watercraft. Picnicking, river views and launching your own boat are different reasons to include this riverside spot in your plans.

Culture and Getting Your Bearings

Pijinuiskaq Park is in downtown Bridgewater. An interpretive panel overlooking the park was installed in 2022. It explains how the name was chosen, what it means and how to pronounce it, and also describes the park’s founding. The self-guided Pleasant Street Tour starts at the corner of Pleasant Street and Phoenix Street in Bridgewater and offers another way to explore local history.

The Wile Carding Mill Museum is on Victoria Road in Bridgewater. The area where it is located was considered an industrial centre in the 19th century and was locally known as Sebastopol. For information about other local offerings, consult Explore Bridgewater’s visitor directory, which features local shops, restaurants, attractions and services throughout Bridgewater.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Lunenburg County

The wider destination of Lunenburg County also offers distinct nature and culture experiences. The Holden Lake Wilderness Area protects about 1,700 hectares of mature mixed forest in the Gold River watershed, surrounding much of Holden Lake. The area includes 10 km of shoreline along Holden Lake and about 4 km along the Gold River.

Rissers Beach Provincial Park offers camping and swimming at a sandy beach; interpretive panels and a boardwalk lead through a salt marsh. If you plan to visit, check the park’s current operating conditions in advance. In Lunenburg, the red buildings of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic stand on the historic waterfront. They formerly housed a fish-processing plant. The museum’s exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of Nova Scotia’s fishing industry, particularly its connection to Lunenburg County.

Discover more destinations: Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Chester, Western Shore, Barss Corner, Hubbards

Go to the wider travel overview: Lunenburg County.