Chester

Travel Guide

Chester which includes a house and a small town or village
Chester which includes boating, a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Chester featuring a bay or harbour, a coastal town and boating
Chester featuring a house
Chester which includes flowers

Stay in a beautiful coastal location that delights with its beaches, islands and waterways. Hike, bike and sail through the picturesque area.

Founded in 1759 during the French and Indian War, Chester is one of the oldest communities on the east coast of Nova Scotia. Escape to the scenic shores of this coastal village to relax on its beaches, to sail across its waterways and to explore the neighboring islands.

With cold winters and wet springs, Chester is more of a summer destination. Find a pretty beach in front of the village, just off Peninsular Road. Dip your feet in the cool water and watch as yachts and trawlers make their way to and from the harbor. 

A great way to spend the day is to tour the beautiful islands and waterways of St. Margret’s Bay. Hop aboard the ferry and stop off at Tancook Island. The 50-minute voyage travels to the two parts of the island: Little Tancook and Big Tancook. During your trip you will pass by many of Mahone Bay’s islands and may see porpoises and seals. 

Tancook Island has some interesting beaches, including the “fossil beach” near where the ferry docks on Big Island. Hunt for a precious souvenir of millennia-old life frozen in time. Look for crabs, starfish and other marine creatures in rock pools. Hike or bike across the island landscapes and go bird watching on Big Tancook, where more than 70 species of resident and migratory birds can be seen.

Return to Chester and enjoy an evening performance at the Chester Playhouse. The cultural venue presents live theater and music throughout the year. Bring your day to an end at one of the many restaurants that overlook the bay.

Consider planning your trip to coincide with Chester Race Week. The annual sailing regatta takes place around the middle of August and features teams from across North America. In addition to the spectacle on the water, there is live music and a big party at the end of the week.

You can reach Chester by flying into the international airport at Halifax. From here, it’s about a 1-hour drive south to the scenic coastal spot.

Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Chester
Stay at this vacation home in Chester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tancook Island and St. Stephen's Church are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Awesome Ladies Getaway
"Such a spacious home for our ladies getaway. Loved the little extras, like a variety of Starbucks pods. Lots of seating inside and out. Just a short visually beautiful walk to cafe's, pubs and shops. We will certainly be back!"

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2025

Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Travelodge by Wyndham Bridgewater
Travelodge by Wyndham Bridgewater
2 out of 5
49 North St, Bridgewater, NS
The price is CA $185 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
CA $185
CA $224 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bridgewater. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (717 reviews)
"Location is great Friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Bridgewater
Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel & Convention Centre
Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel & Convention Centre
3.5 out of 5
527 Highway 10 Exit 12, Cookville, NS
The price is CA $238 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $238
CA $271 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Cookville. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (892 reviews)
"We had a good time, restaurant is very nice - lots of veg options."

Reviewed on Jul. 1, 2025

Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel & Convention Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Chester
Stay at this vacation home in Chester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tancook Island and St. Stephen's Church are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Awesome Ladies Getaway
"Such a spacious home for our ladies getaway. Loved the little extras, like a variety of Starbucks pods. Lots of seating inside and out. Just a short visually beautiful walk to cafe's, pubs and shops. We will certainly be back!"

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2025

Family Home In the Heart of the Village of Chester
Black Forest Cabins
Black Forest Cabins
3 out of 5
15 Longhill Rd, Mahone Bay, NS
Stay at this 3-star spa cabin in Mahone Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Mahone Bay Swimming Pool and Have A Yarn ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"Beautiful quiet cabins with local trails to enjoy and explore. The sauna was fantastic and we loved the decor! So easy to access our room. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2025

Black Forest Cabins
Oceanfront Cottage on a Quiet Cove Just Outside Lunenburg
Oceanfront Cottage on a Quiet Cove Just Outside Lunenburg
Lunenburg
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in Heckmans Island. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Ironworks Distillery and Heckman-Morash ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
Lovely
"We would have preferred to be closer to town but the drive wasn't too far. Place was spotless, kitchen well equipped. Setting very pretty on the water but our weather did not allow us to enjoy it fully. Lots of birds to watch, deer, even a fox walked by."

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2025

Oceanfront Cottage on a Quiet Cove Just Outside Lunenburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Chester

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Small and quiet. spent most of our time in Bridgewater and Lunenburg

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Chester is a wonderful place to visit on a trip to the east coast. Friendly people, great food and beautiful landscapes!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Seemed like it was a very quiet town and everything closes very early.