Heron by the Bay Vacation Rental Home

About the Area - Chester, Hubbards, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove

Within walking distance

Along the shore
It's a two-minute walk to Little East River Beach, and just a little further to the big beach. Enjoy nature at its best walking along the shore. Great Blue Herons are frequently spotted fishing for their dinner. Mackerel jump to catch theirs. Sand, seashells, sailboats ... with its many islands and protected waters, Mahone Bay is one of the world's best areas for sailing. The white sails of the boats make walks along the shore even more picturesque.

Along the trail
The former railbeds in the area have been converted into trails for hiking, biking, etc.

The East River Rapids are at the mouth of the East River where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Follow the river upstream by way of the Chester Connection Trail, the former rail line. If you continue on the trail, you will come to Chester at the former train station, now a tourist informaion centre. This is a beautiful hike or bike trip, with scenic views of the lakes and the river. If you turn right at the end of the lake you can hike out to Castle Rock which over looks the Atlantic. In the fall the leaves are beautiful. We like to hike this trail and have a picnic at the top.

The same trail going east is called the Aspotogan Trail, which connects with other Rails to Trails along St. Margaret's Bay and further.

A short drive

Around the Aspotogan Peninsula is a very scenic drive, with fishing villages, fine beaches, and a couple of interesting places to eat along the way.

Within thirty minutes drive are:

• Ten Beaches - Ten of Nova Scotia's finest beaches all within an easy drive each other
• Historic Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The beautiful Town of Mahone Bay
• Four golf courses
• Boat tours (sail or motor)
• Kayaking
• Chester Playhouse
• Peggy's Cove - Nova Scotia's most photographed place, and for good reason.
• Take the ferry from Chester to Tancook Island (see Map) and explore on foot for the day.
• More ideas on our "Children" page - not just for kids!
• Hospitals, pharmacies, shopping centres, supermarkets.

There are many festivals and events to attend. See novascotia.com for information.

There are many useful sites for planning your vacation:

• Ten Beaches - a useful guide to our area
• ChesterBound.com - information on Chester, events, links
• Nova Scotia's official tourism website - novascotia.com
• destination-ns.com
• MahoneBay.com
• www.town.lunenburg.ns.ca
• Peggy's Cove Express - boat tours in Halifax and Peggy's Cove
• Discovery Charters - Sailing adventures
• Shatford's by the Sea - Lobster Pound and more
• ChesterNS.com - Chester Chamber of Commerce, lists marinas, restaurants and more
• A hiking site - trails.com.

The area's hospitals are located in Bridgewater and Lunenburg. Halifax, 45 minutes away, is a regional centre for medical services.