Discover Mahone Bay

Mahone Bay combines local history with maritime craftsmanship and activities on the Rum Runners Trail. This gives you a clear contrast when planning your trip: spend time exploring exhibitions and local history, or enjoy cycling and walking trails.

Culture and Shipbuilding History

The Mahone Bay Museum is a small, free community museum at 578 Main Street. It is housed in the historic Begin family home, built around 1874. Its main exhibits cover Mi’kmaw history, the settlement of the area in 1754, shipbuilding in Mahone Bay, and the Three Churches of Mahone Bay. The exhibit themes are permanent, though individual displays may change. As admission policies may change, check the latest information before your visit.

The shipbuilding exhibit includes various shipbuilding tools, a diorama of the McLean & Sons shipyard, and a list of more than 500 ships built in Mahone Bay. The exhibit thus offers a view of both the work at the shipyard and the scale of local shipbuilding.

For most of a century, the steeples of the Three Churches served as landmarks that ships could use to line up their approach to the harbour. The churches are therefore not only among the museum’s exhibit themes, but also part of Mahone Bay’s maritime history.

Bayview Cemetery is recognized as a Municipal Heritage Property. Its rare collection of upright gravestones includes some with German inscriptions, associated with the first generation of European settlers. The cemetery adds another kind of evidence to the story of local history, complementing the museum’s exhibits.

Rum Runners Trail and Bay to Bay Trail

The 119-kilometre Rum Runners Trail follows a former railway line from Halifax to Lunenburg and passes through Mahone Bay, just inland from Main Street. Its surface is firm, fine gravel; the trail is almost entirely flat and suitable for hybrid bikes and walking. It is also part of Nova Scotia’s Blue Route. As trail conditions may change seasonally, check the latest conditions before setting out.

The Bay to Bay Trail is the southernmost 11-kilometre section of the Rum Runners Trail and connects Mahone Bay with Lunenburg’s UNESCO Old Town. This shorter section connecting Mahone Bay with Lunenburg can thus be distinguished from the longer route from Halifax to Lunenburg.

Getting Around Town and Craftsmanship

Main Street has sidewalks along its entire length. Most shops are accessible at street level, though some historic buildings have a single step at the entrance. The visitor information centre is wheelchair accessible. These differences can help you plan your routes through Mahone Bay.

At Amos Pewter, gifts and souvenirs made of pewter are designed and crafted in an open studio in Mahone Bay. A free tour is available by phone appointment. As visitor programs may change, confirm availability when booking.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chester, Barss Corner, Hubbards, Bridgewater, Western Shore, Lunenburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Lunenburg County.