Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the pretty Nova Scotian port town of Lunenburg is best known as the birthplace of the famous Canadian schooner Bluenose, which gained fame after racing undefeated for 17 years in international competitions starting in 1921. But even before carpenters began hammering out Bluenose, the town had a historic start as one of the first planned British colonial settlements in North America (meaning the town's layout and overall appearance were determined and drawn up in England). Though a British settlement, most of the town's original inhabitants came from Germany, German-speaking Switzerland and Protestant areas of France.
The Old Town (also a National Historic Site of Canada) was established in 1753 and remains remarkably preserved; its many wooden homes, public buildings and churches (more than half of which date back to the 18th century), give Lunenburg much of its charm.
Why go to Lunenburg?
The town of Lunenburg itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's rich with history and charm
This is a small town, so although there are several interesting attractions, there's not a ton to do here
Like many of the towns in this region, Lunenburg is scenic, charming and has a unique past
