Liverpool, Nova Scotia is under two hours by car from Halifax on Nova Scotia’s south shore at the mouth of the Mersey River. The town of about 2,600 people has a long history of privateering and rum running but today its better known for its beautiful natural landscapes and culture. This is the home of country music star Hank Snow who helped discover Elvis. That Elvis. You’ll find lots to do in and near Liverpool including visits to white sand beaches, trips to see several lighthouses, and hikes in both local parks and nearby Kejimkujik National Park Seaside. History lovers can do a deep dive into the past via several museums while those of you who love theatre and music plan can plan to visit when there’s a performance or attend one of its international festivals.

Below you’ll find a guide to Liverpool, Nova Scotia based on what I discovered over three full days in the area. One of the hidden gems is Cosby’s Garden Centre. Don’t leave Liverpool without visiting. I’ve included some places to eat and stay as well. I think you’ll find like me that it’s worth including a trip to Liverpool when you visit Nova Scotia. You can also watch my Instagram reel to get a feel for the area.

Summary of things to do in Liverpool area

• Walk the trails in Pine Grove Park.
• Visit three lighthouses in the area.
• Admire the gigantic concrete creations as you wander the gardens at Cosby’s Garden Centre – one of the top things to do in Liverpool.
• Stroll the beaches in the area including Beach Meadows, Summerville, Carters, White Point Beach, and the ones in Thomas Raddall Provincial Park and in Kejimkujik National Park Seaside – when the piping plovers are gone.
• Take a beautiful hike on one of two trails in Kejimkujik National Park Seaside.
• Visit a handful of museums including the Hank Snow Hometown Museum, Perkins House Museum, Queens County Museum, and the Rossignol Cultural Centre.
• Start your day with a coffee and delicious baked good made onsite at the Main & Mersey Coffee Shop.
• Stop in for a beer at Hell Bay Brewing Company.
• Visit the Riverbank General Store – and café on the banks of the Medway River.
• Order a lobster roll in the Privateer Dining Room.
• Enjoy a meal with a beach view at the Quarterdeck Resort and from the Elliott Dining Room at White Point Beach Resort.
• For pub style food wander into the Route 3 Taproom & Grill. You can bowl here too.

Pine Grove Park

Fifty-four acre Pine Grove Park, in Milton, just outside of Liverpool, is an ideal place to go year-round for a nature fix and easy hike on roughly 3 km of looped hiking trails. There are beautiful stands of pine trees, and a colourful understory in June when azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons bloom. October is also a lovely time to visit when the fall colours put on a display.

Enjoy benches along the trail and a scenic stop overlooking the Mersey River. If you rest at the duck pond, be prepared to have a dozen quacking ducks show up in a matter of seconds, probably because of a duck breeding program put in place in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited.

osby’s Garden Centre Concrete Creations

Cosby’s Garden Centre is a delight. The front part of Cosby’s looks like your typical garden centre with lots of interesting plants for sale. But wander behind and a whole other world unfolds. Trails wind through a mix of pine forest and gardens filled with rare flowers. But the biggest surprise is the gargantuan size and sheer number of concrete creations made by owner and artist Ivan Higgins that are scattered throughout the garden.

Allow an hour to walk all the trails, marvel at the sculptures and enjoy the variety of plantings. New trails and art continue to be added so the landscape is everchanging. You can visit year-round and I am told that it’s worth visiting in all the seasons. Entrance is by donation only.