Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl

When you think of great Canadian winter travel destinations, what comes to mind?  Skiing in Whistler?  Skating on the famous Rideau Canal in Ottawa?  The Bonhomme Carnival in Quebec?  Snowshoeing in Banff? When it comes to winter travel in Canada, Nova Scotia isn’t always at the top of the list.  But it should be!  Aside from authentic sugar shacks and incredible winter hiking, Nova Scotia’s got something truly unique that nowhere else in the world does.  Enter the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl!

What is the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl

The Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl is a month-long festival in February that runs along Nova Scotia’s south shore from Barrington (the Lobster capitol of Canada) to Peggy’s Cove.  It’s a foodie’s paradise with events ranging from intimate tasting events to full-blown beer fests and everything in between.  Whether you’re a visitor looking for a unique Nova Scotia winter travel idea or a local ready to explore your own backyard in the winter, we’ve got you.

9 Reasons to Attend the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl

1. Lobster Rolls

If there’s one BIG reason for any foodie to experience a Nova Scotia winter, it’s Lobster.  Specifically, south shore lobster!  More than 15 restaurants along Nova Scotia’s south shore are serving up lobster rolls this season.  I can tell you from experience, you’ll want to try them all.  I had the pleasure of sitting on the judging panel for the inaugural year of the Nova Scotia lobster crawl and got to sample them all!  If you want to know my favs, leave a comment and I’ll spill the beans.

2. Lunenburg Lobster Getaway

(Book Your Package Here)

There are plenty of overnight packages available during Lobster crawl month but this one is extra special.  This is a full-day experience that capture’s the essence of Lunenburg during a magical time of year.  

Seaweed Tour to Blue Rocks (11AM)

Your day begins with Seaweed tours’ and takes you to beautiful Blue Rocks, an authentic fishing community.  You’ll listen to lobster tales from a retired sea captain & enjoy the magnificent beauty of this hidden gem.  Your guide, Nancy, is a doll.  You’ll love her!  She’s so passionate about Lunenburg and will entertain you with stories of Lunenburg and what makes this UNESCO heritage site so special.

Museum of the Atlantic (2PM)

The next stop is to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic where you’ll view the gallery and participate in a heritage skill activity.

Lunenburg Walking Tours (4PM)

You’ve heard us talk about walking tours before.  We think walking tours are one of the most underrated experiences you can have in any community!  You’ll earn even more about the historic Lunenburg waterfront while you walk the UNESCO heritage district.

Spirited Crustaceans (6PM)

You simply can’t visit Lunenburg without a trip to Ironworks Distillery.  The last stop on this Nova Scotia lobster crawl tour takes you to a private tasting event in the new barrel room at Ironworks.  You’ll enjoy music, appetizers from Dorey Mates and cocktail pairings all inspired by…you guessed it…lobster!

Lunenburg Arms Inn

Your accommodations for the night are at Lunenburg Arms.  This was our first stay here and it was lovely!  You’ll also enjoy a lobster themed meal by Chef Conrad to round out your experience along with dessert.  We absolutely loved this entire package and can’t wait for you to experience it too.  

3. Lobster 101 with the Kilted Chef

(Learn more about the Kilted Chef here)

If you haven’t heard of the Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse…where have you been?  We’ve seen his lobster 101 workshop many times and it never gets old.  Learn the tricks of the trade so you can tackle lobster like a pro.  We also happen to know that Chef Alain is a top-notch human!  If you have the chance to meet him, you should.

4. Lobster Crawl Craft Beer Fest

(Get your tickets here)

20+ craft breweries, lobster bites, music and more.  Need I say more?  Seriously though, any excuse to attend a craft beer festival and we’re all in.

5. Tanner & Co’s Brewery Taps & Traps

(Get ticket info here)

Chef Nathan Guggenheimer, Chef Rebecca Wentzell & brewmaster Dan Tanner have teamed up on this one to bring you lobster canapes paired with local brews.  We’re getting a sneak peek of this package this week and will update you as soon as we get back (this week!)

UPDATE: We went, we ate and we were extremely impressed!  Dan is taking is Sommelier background and creating some truly unique brews while the Chef’s are brilliantly pairing lobster inspired dishes to compliment the drinks.

If you have an opportunity to attend either of these events, the Cheers to Lobster dinner or the Taps & Traps tasting, you should.  You won’t be disappointed.

Note: There are only two seatings for this experience in February so grab your tickets ASAP.

6. Lobster Crawl Escape Room

(To book, call (902)307-2250)

Have you tried your hand at an escape room yet?  Assemble your team and put your heads together to unlock clues, figure out cryptic messages and escape before the 60-minute clock runs out.  Pro Tip: put your team together wisely!  We’ve done several escape rooms and they’re so fun!  We’re also found that having a team of people who all think differently is key to unlocking the clues in time.

7. Best Lobster Roll Challenge

Nova Scotian’s take their lobster very seriously.  And, when it comes to lobster rolls, they’re even more vehement about what makes the perfect Nova Scotia lobster roll.  To settle the debate, the best of the best come together on the south shore to face off in front of a panel of judges to determine who, in fact, has the best lobster roll. 

This event is hosted by The Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse and is open to the public to attend.  You also get to ‘taste’ the rolls yourself and vote for the people’s choice award!

Here are some highlights from previous years to whet your appetite…

8. Spirited Crustaceans 

(Book your spot here – limited dates)

Yes, we’ve already covered the spirited crustaceans event (in the Lunenburg Lobster Get-Away package) but we thought it needed a second look.  Dorey Mates’ Seafood Shop & Ironworks Distillery have teamed up to bring you an exclusive tasting event in the new Ironworks barrel room.  You’ll sample lobster inspired bites paired with unique cocktails.

Pro Tip: Bring your camera!  The new still at Ironworks is a stunner and the barrel room makes for perfectly instagramable photos (you’re welcome).

9. Winter Surfing Lessons at Whitepoint Beach

Yes, I said WINTER surfing.  Nova Scotia is known around the world for it’s winter surfing and Whitepoint is a popular place to try your hand at the sport.  Book a lesson with one of their experts and find the “flow” that surfers around the world swear by.

We’d also highly recommend the Romance Package at Whitepoint.  We experienced this package last year and absolutely loved our stay.

If those weren’t enough reasons to embrace a Nova Scotia winter and attend the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl, there are more!  You can find full details and listings of all the lobster crawl events HERE.  We’ll be there – as we have been every single year since it’s inception.  Nova Scotia’s south shore is truly a special place to us and we love sharing it with you.

We really hope this has inspired you to visit Nova Scotia in the winter and experience some of what the “off-season” has to offer!