Annapolis Valley in winter: A Nova Scotia winter getaway

When winter hits, don’t hibernate. Get out and explore instead! Winter can be a wonderful time to reveal a side you haven’t seen of many Canadian destinations. Take Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley in winter for example. This agricultural heart of the province is very popular during the summer and autumn. But visit in winter and you’ll discover fireside retreats, serene escapes, and glimmering snowscapes along the Bay of Fundy.

Many of the Annapolis Valley’s top attractions are open year-round. Since winter is a quieter time of year, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and more intimate experiences. The Annapolis Valley in winter makes for a unique road trip. Read on to find out why this cozy Nova Scotia winter getaway belongs on your bucket list.

We took this road trip in the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, check out our guide to exploring Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley in summer instead. Have questions about planning a Nova Scotia winter getaway? Join our Facebook community!

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Annapolis Valley in winter: What to know before you go

Most visitors arriving for a road trip through the Annapolis Valley in winter from outside Nova Scotia will fly into Halifax Stanfield International Airport. We recommend beginning your stay in Halifax and then driving into the Annapolis Valley from there. It takes approximately an hour to drive from downtown Halifax to Wolfville. The destinations highlighted in this article are shown in order as you would reach them when traveling from Halifax in an east to west direction.

Some travelers may choose to arrive to the Annapolis Valley by car instead. Depending on your starting point, it may make sense to take the Saint John to Digby ferry if you’ll enter the region from New Brunswick. Apart from its biannual refitting period, this ferry runs year-round. If you’re starting from Digby, you’ll encounter these destinations in the opposite order, so start at the bottom of this article and work your way up.

As with most places in Canada, winter weather in Nova Scotia can be unpredictable. This road trip is a great chance to take a slower approach and leave plenty of extra time in your itinerary. If you’re driving your own car into the region, be sure you’ve followed these steps to get your car ready for winter road trips. If you’ll be renting a vehicle, check with the rental company ahead of time to ensure winter tires will be installed.

Experience winter in Halifax

Halifax is a great city to visit at any time of year, including in winter!

Many of Halifax’s most popular attractions are open year-round. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is one of Canada’s national museums, and the Discovery Centre is a can’t miss spot for families with kids. Alexander Keith’s Brewery tours are available every weekend during the winter months. The Halifax Seaport Farmers Market is the longest continuously operating market of its kind in Canada and runs every Saturday morning.

And while Halifax Citadel National Historic Site operates most of its services during the summer, the traditional noon gun fires every single day but Christmas Day. Visitors are welcome to view the cannon firing from the Cavalier Building verandah.

On top of these year-round attractions, Halifax has some great winter-centric events. The annual Downtown Dartmouth Ice Festival blends ice carving with a street festival atmosphere. Sip & Shuck is an event hosted by Taste of Nova Scotia in Halifax each winter and highlights the province’s seafood, beer, wine, and spirits. And outdoor skating is always free at Halifax’s Emera Oval, skate rental included!

Take a look at some of the coolest things to do in Halifax in winter >

Take a road trip to explore the Annapolis Valley in winter

Did you know the very first European grape vines in North America were planted in Nova Scotia? The French established a hillside vineyard in 1611 in Bear River, 40 kilometres from their settlement at what’s known today as Port-Royal National Historic Site. With a winemaking history spanning more than 400 years, the Annapolis Valley is Canada’s original wine region.

Explore that and much more as your tour the Annapolis Valley, the agricultural heart of Nova Scotia. On top of more than a dozen wineries, you’ll also find cider producers, distilleries, family-owned farm markets, and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at every turn. Here’s what you can look forward to on a road trip through the Annapolis Valley in winter.

Map out an Annapolis Valley wine tour

If you love white or sparkling wine, the Annapolis Valley is your dream wine touring destination. One fun way to explore what Nova Scotia wine is all about is to sample some Tidal Bay. This is Nova Scotia’s appellation wine, which means you can only find it here. Most wineries in the Annapolis Valley produce a version of this blend, which must follow a strict set of attributes — including that it’s required to pair well with seafood!

Some Annapolis Valley wineries close during the winter, but the ones that are open go above and beyond to provide special experiences.

When you book the Winter Vineyard Adventure at Benjamin Bridge, you’ll be invited to hike down to the Gaspereau River where a roaring campfire awaits. Enjoy a cocktail in a glass made of ice, then sip on Benjamin Bridge’s signature Nova 7 wine while making s’mores by the riverside.

Stop in at Domaine de Grand Pré to try freshly melted raclette alongside your wine tasting. At Bent Ridge Winery near Windsor, sit fireside in their enclosed patio with some wine and wood-fired pizza. And don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville, where you can dine and watch the sun set over the vines and the Bay of Fundy. For a unique experience, check out their elevated take on a traditional Nova Scotian Sunday ham dinner.

Planters Ridge Winery in Port Williams offers both a winter tasting room and a cozy accommodation. The Stay at Planters Ridge is a three-room converted farmhouse that makes an ideal home base for exploring Wolfville and the surrounding area.

Read more about these Nova Scotia wineries offering year-round experiences >

Remember to road trip responsibly. If you’ll be wine touring, please do so with a designated driver.

Wolfville and Kentville are at the heart of the Annapolis Valley

When you’re planning your road trip through the Annapolis Valley, set aside at least two days to exploring Wolfville and Kentville. These two towns are a hub of activity all year long. Schedule your time here for Fridays to Sundays to enjoy the best experience during the winter months.

In downtown Wolfville, stop in at the Annapolis Cider Company to sample a variety of ciders made with Annapolis Valley apples. Their Earl Blue, a cider enhanced with blueberries and Earl Grey tea, is a fan favourite.

Church Brewing Company is a fantastic spot for craft beers and delicious pub fare, all produced and served in a beautiful and historic former Presbyterian church.

If you’re in town on a Saturday morning, don’t miss the Wolfville Farmers Market. This year-round market is packed with local farmers and artisans. Try locally made foods with international inspiration, and browse the many unique products. You’re sure to find a special treasure to take home.

In Kentville, Maritime Express Cider Company houses a cidery and restaurant inside a historic former railway hotel. It’s a fantastic spot to enjoy a tasting of cold-fermented ciders made with 100% Annapolis Valley apples. Top off the experience with some very tasty traditional pub fare.

Check out the farm markets on the Evangeline Trail

The main road that runs through the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia Trunk 1, is called the Evangeline Trail. It’s named after a fictional character from a poem of the same name, which describes the plight of the Acadians who were expelled from this land by the British in the late 1750s.

Follow this road between Wolfville and Kentville to find three traditional family-owned farm markets, all open year-round and located one after the other. Each market has its own specialty worth exploring.

Elderkin’s Farm Market is based on a farm that’s been in the Elderkin family since 1760. Tree fruits are the focus here, including apples, peaches, cherries, and pears. Try the ciders, made in-house by Aaron Elderkin — the crabapple cider is a unique standout — and pick up some fresh baked goods. The farm also offers fruit picking during the harvest season.

Stirling Fruit Farms has multiple locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick today, but this location in the rural community of Greenwich is the original. The Stirling family has been growing apples here for more than 100 years across four generations. You’ll find apples and other fresh produce here year-round as well as seasonal u-picks and a wide variety of products from throughout the Maritimes.

Hennigar’s Farm Market is the store for a family farm that’s been operating since 1921. The market itself was built in 1948 and offers fresh produce, baked goods, house-made fudge, cider (both alcoholic and not), and an extensive gift shop. Visitors can also explore the garden centre, farm animal park, and 2.5-kilometre hiking trail during the warmer months.

Practice self-care at Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness

Located roughly 25 minutes north of Kentville on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness offers a year-round self-care experience. Hot tubs, saunas, a steam room, a cold plunge pool and bucket shower, and rest stations with add-ons such as Himalayan salt scrubs, facial masques, and premium moisturizers let you complete the traditional Nordic spa circuit at your own pace.

Saltair also offers guided classes, where you can experience these cycles and other wellness practices such as breath work and mindful movement, all while nurturing a sense of community.

Winter is a wonderful time to experience a Nordic spa, and Saltair is no exception. All the pools here are outdoors, meaning you can soak in a hot tub while the breeze cools your face and you watch the world’s highest tides change on the Bay of Fundy.

Read more about Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness and other Nova Scotia Nordic spas >

Experience winter in Annapolis Royal

At the far west end of the Annapolis Valley, the town of Annapolis Royal stands today as one of the oldest continuously settled communities in North America. The atmosphere is much quieter here during the winter months, which lends itself to a more intimate experience.

The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is a well-known and beautifully cultivated 17-acre garden that’s in full bloom during the summer months. But what you may not know is that the gardens are open year-round!

Access the pathways in winter by making a donation at the garden shop. These aren’t maintained when there’s snow on the ground, so be sure to wear quality boots, or do as the locals do and bring some snowshoes along. You’ll spot holly and witch hazel along the trails and hear chickadees and blue jays as they flit between the treetops. It makes for a scenic and serene winter nature walk.

Before you leave town, stop into the Annapolis Brewing Company and East Coast Cider Company. These two taprooms are housed in the same facility and are open year-round. The cider is made entirely from Annapolis Valley apples, and unique limited-edition flavours are often featured alongside longstanding favourites like apple-ginger, ambrosia raspberry, and hopped varieties, among others.

Relax with the Fondue & Fireplace Cottage Getaway at Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa

From Annapolis Royal, head to the other side of the Annapolis Basin to wrap up your Annapolis Valley winter road trip with a special experience.

With a history spanning back all the way to 1903, Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa has long been a famed Nova Scotia summer destination. Today, the resort is open year-round. While the golf course and pools are closed in winter and the spa operates only on weekends, there’s a new package available that’s turning Digby Pines into a premier Nova Scotia winter getaway, especially for couples.

You’ll arrive to your very own private cottage. Some even have views of the Annapolis Basin directly from their expansive picture windows. Light a fire in the wood-burning fireplace and get settled in. When you’re ready, a full cheese fondue dinner will be delivered directly to your door, along with a bottle of Nova Scotia wine plus melted chocolate and fruit for dessert.

This cozy retreat is a perfect way to wrap up a wonderful winter road trip through the Annapolis Valley!

Explore more road trip destinations in Nova Scotia >