Things To Do In Wolfville: Eat, See and Drink

Wolfville Nova Scotia, less than an hour away from Halifax is a small university town with lots to do! Being that my husband and several friends graduated from Acadia University, I’ve spent a lot of time there. Here are my favourite things to do, eat, and see in Wolfville.

Wondering why it’s called Wolfville? Thankfully it’s not because it’s overrun with wolves! When the English came (more on them later…) the town was named Mud Creek, but in 1830 the name changed to Wolfville in honour of Elisha DeWolf, who was the town’s postmaster.

How To Get To Wolfville

Wolfville is in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia, which is on the Bay of Fundy.

From downtown Halifax you’ll take Highway 102 to exit 4B, then Highway 101 to exit 10. It will take about an hour from downtown Halifax.

If you’re coming from the South Shore like Liverpool or Lunenburg, the quickest way is to take Highway 103E to exit 9 and then take Trunk 12-N. It will take about an 1 and 20 minutes from Lunenburg.

Where To Stay

You may want to stay for more than a day, because there are so many things to do and delicious things to eat! We have stayed at the Blomidon Inn twice, and have been very happy both times. It is a historic building, it was a sea captain’s mansion. The rooms are lovely and the gardens are beautiful. Your stay includes a continental breakfast and also afternoon tea.

Blomidon Inn Website
195 Main Street, Wolfville NS

Things To Do In Wolfville

Wolfville is a fairly small town with one main street, so some things are walking distance, or at least along the main drag. Some things are a short drive away, but everything is pretty close together!

Grand-Pre National Historic Site

If you’re coming from Halifax, make your first stop at Grand-Pré National Historic Site to learn about the Acadian people who settled this area. It is open daily from mid May to mid October, and costs $7.90 for an adult, free for youth 17 and under.

You’ll learn about the Acadian people who settled the area around Wolfville and Grand-Pré, who were later deported by the English because they would not declare allegiance to them during the Seven Years War.

Grand-Pre Website
2205A Grand-Pré Rd, Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia

Tangled Garden

Just a few minutes outside of Wolfville, Tangled Garden is a beautiful place for a stroll. It costs $8, and there is also a lovely tearoom for an afternoon snack. You can also pick up some jams, jellies or herb oils to bring home with you.

Tangled Garden Website
#11827, Hwy 1, Grand Pré, Nova Scotia

Farmer’s Markets and U-Picks

The Annapolis Valley has always been the agricultural area of Nova Scotia, and as such you can find many farmer’s markets and U-Picks in the area, depending on the season.

We have picked apples many times at Elderkin’s Farm Market, and they also have strawberry, blueberry, pears, peaches and cherries depending on the time of year you go.

Elderkins Farm Market Website
10362 Hwy 1, Wolfville, NS

We have enjoyed the Corn Maze at Noggin’s Corner Farm, which is just a few minutes outside Wolfville. They also have Pumpkin and Apple U-picks in the Fall season.

Noggins Farm Website
10009 Hwy #1, Greenwich, NS

About 15 minutes outside of Wolfville, we have gone blueberry picking at Blueberry Acres in Centreville. I’ve heard their restaurant is great but we haven’t eaten there yet!

Blueberry Acres Website
1225 Middle Dyke Rd, Centerville, NS

If you’re not into picking anything yourself, The Wolfville Farmers Market happens every Wednesday and Saturday near the waterfront park. On Saturdays you’ll find 70+ vendors with lots of local produce, meats, baked goods and handmade items.

Wolfville Farmers Market Website
24 Elm Ave, Wolfville, NS

Shopping

There are plenty of locally owned stores along Main Street in Wolfville, selling all kinds of home decor, books, and vintage clothing.

Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens

Part of Acadia University is the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Even though it is part of the University, anyone can visit. Inside you can see where university students are experimenting, and outside in the gardens there is plenty to explore. We love that the plants are labeled so you know what you are looking at!

KC Irving Centre Website
32 University Ave, Wolfville NS

Blomidon Look Off Provincial Park

The look off is exactly what it sounds like – a great look off point. The views of the Annapolis Valley are beautiful. It can be easy to drive by as it is just a small parking lot on the side of the road but it is worth the stop!

Blomidon Provincial Park website
3374 Hwy 358, Arlington, NS

Hike Cape Split

Once you’ve stopped at the Look Off, keep driving until you get to Scots Bay, so you can hike Cape Split. This is one of my favorite hikes in Nova Scotia (not just because we got engaged here!). It is a 6.5km hike and will take about 4-5 hours. It can be challenging in spots, but the views at the end are so worth it! Take a picnic lunch and enjoy.

Read more about Hiking Cape Split

Parks Nova Scotia Website
999 Cape Split Road, Scots Bay, NS

Where To Eat & Drink

Eating and drinking are two of my favorite things to do, and Wolfville has no shortage of options for both! Here are a few of my favorite spots.

Winery Tours

The land around the Annapolis Valley is also great for growing grapes, and there are several wineries around and close to Wolfville. To make a day out of it, I suggest booking a tour through Magic Winery Bus Tours, which start and end in Wolfville, and take you to 5 different wineries on a hop on hop off double decker bus! You’ll have time to spend about an hour at each stop, so you can have a glass of wine and get that perfect Instagram selfie!

If you wish to drive yourself (with a designated driver of course) or just visit for lunch, my favorites are Lightfoot & Wolfville, which serves amazing woodfired oven pizzas along with their wine. Lunch at Luckett’s Vineyards is also delicious, plus you can get your photo with a red phone booth straight from England.

Magic Winery Bus Website
Starts at 11 Willow Ave, Wolfville, NS

Annapolis Cider Company

Cider is my favorite alcoholic drink, and the Annapolis Cider Company doesn’t disappoint! The apples are grown at closeby orchards, and the cider is made onsite. Get a tasting flight and enjoy class and more adventurous flavors. When I last visited I really enjoyed the cherry-coriander option!

Annapolis Cider Company Website
388 Main Street, Wolfville, NS

Church Brewing Company

As the name would lead you to believe, this restaurant and brewery is located in an old church! I love the atmosphere in here. The patio is great on a nice summer or fall day, and the food is fantastic! Heads up, there’s usually a wait to get in on weekends, and sometimes the food takes a while to come out of the kitchen. Have a beer and relax, it’s worth the wait.

Church Brewing Website
329 Main St, Wolfville NS

The Library Pub

This place will always hold a special place in my heart. I would visit with friends that lived in Wolfville going to University, and we would eat here! It’s not very big, but I’ve always loved the food and atmosphere. It feels like you’re eating in a British library! Make sure to get the flatbread fingers.

Library Pub Website
472 Main Street, Wolfville NS

Naked Crepe Bistro

Definitely my favorite place in town to grab breakfast or a light lunch. The Naked Crepe makes amazing (and filling) crepes and thin crust pizzas. There’s also usually a wait on weekends, but they will text you when your table is ready so you can enjoy nearby shops.

Naked Crepe Website
402 Main Street, Wolfville NS

Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op

You always need to be able to find a great cup of coffee, wherever you go! We usually stop at Just Us! on the way in to town, but there is a location on main street as well. Just Us! is Canada’s first fair trade coffee roaster, and it is roasted right here in the Annapolis Valley! They also have fair trade and organic teas and hot chocolates.

Just Us! Website
11865 Highway 1, Hortonville & 450 Main Street, Wolfville, NS

The Real Scoop – Ice Cream & Espresso Shop

Is it any surprise that an ice cream shop has found its way onto this list (and into my heart)?! I was so excited to finally stop in this fall, and it did not disappoint! The ice cream is made fresh on site and they have vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. If you’re more adventurous you can choose mix-ins – they have 30+ to choose from! The homemade waffle cones make the experience even better. For those that are dairy free, they have many sorbets to choose from as well. I can’t wait to go back.

The Real Scoop Website
10 Gaspereau Ave, Wolfville NS

Final Thoughts

If all that isn’t enough to convince you to visit Wolfville then I don’t know what will! It really is one of my favorite places in Nova Scotia and even though I’ve been many times I always look forward to visiting again. Have you been to Wolfville? What are your favourite things to do there?

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