Pubnico

Pubnico is a village at the head of Pubnico Harbour near Yarmouth. The surrounding area has strong Acadian tradition and is an excellent place to explore Acadian history and culture.

Understand

A government wharf in East Pubnico against the backdrop of the Pubnico Point Windfarm

Pubnico was founded in 1653 by Philippe Mius d’Entremont. It is the oldest Acadian community still inhabited mainly by Acadians; most of today's residents are descendants of the founder. The name is derived from the Mi'kmaq (Aboriginal) pogomkook of uncertain meaning.

Pubnico comprises three sections:

• West Pubnico, whose people are almost all French-speaking,
• Pubnico, better known as Pubnico Head, whose people are mostly all English-speaking, and
• East Pubnico, the part where the barony is believed to have been located, being occupied by English-speaking people

The rest, up to the Shelburne county line, is occupied mostly by French-speaking people.

Pubnico Point Wind Farm, the first wind farm in Nova Scotia, has 17 1.8-MW Vestas V-80 turbines with a generating capacity of 30.6 MW. Commissioned in 2005 and purchased by NextEra Energy Canada in 2008, the wind farm has one of the largest in generating capacities in the province.

Get in

Pubnico is just off Highway 103, at Exit 31.

See

• Nova Scotia Historic Acadian Village, 91 Old Church Road, Pubnico-West-le-Bas. Jun-Sep: village daily 9AM-5PM; café: M-F 11:30AM-3PM. On a 17-acre site that overlooks the Pubnico Harbour, the historic acadian Village of Nova Scotia invites you to step back in time to discover the heart, life, and culture of the Acadians in the early 1900s. Adults $8, seniors (65 & over) and students $6, youth (6-17) $3, family $20, children (5 and under) free. (updated May 2019)
• West Pubnico Museum & Archives, 898 Highway 335, ☏ +1 902 762-3380. Mid-May to Aug: daily 9AM-5PM; Sep Oct: M-F 12:30-4:30PM. Acadian history spanning more than four centuries. In addition to household items, there are documents and literature dating back to the 1700s. The museum's new wing boasts a fine display of cameras, photographs and associated paraphernalia. There are over 300 cameras spanning one hundred years of photographic history, including a very rare gas operated upright enlarger, circa 1895. Bilingual tour guides. $4, 13 and under free. (updated May 2019)

Do

• West Pubnico Golf & Country Club. Open to visitors. 18 holes, a driving range, putting green and club house with licensed snack bar. (updated May 2019)

Buy

• Sticks and Stones Folk Art, 34 Green Grove Rd, ☏ +1 902 762-0202. Shop and workshop for driftwood carvings. (updated May 2019)

Eat

• Red Cap Restaurant, 1034 Route 335 S, Middle West Pubnico, ☏ +1 902 762-2112. M-Sa 11AM–8PM, Su 10AM – 7PM. Fresh local haddock, lobster, beef, chicken, pork and produce. Burgers, pizzas, pastas, rappie (an Acadian dish). Their specialty is haddock topped with a lobster sauce. Motel rates starting at $108 per night. Mains $12-30. (updated May 2019)
• Dennis Point Café, 214 Dennis Point Road, Lower West Pubnico (at the Dennis Point Fishing Wharf), ☏ +1 902 762-1220. Daily 7AM-8:30PM. A lively atmosphere for local fishermen and visitors. The restaurant purchases its seafood from the neighbouring processing plants. (updated May 2019)

Sleep

• Yesteryear’s Bed & Breakfast, 2775 Highway #3, ☏ +1 902 762-2969. Each room is uniquely decorated in the style of yesteryear and feature a queen-sized bed, antique furniture, en suite bathroom, Wi-Fi. Breakfast included. Single $95, double $105 (taxes included). (updated May 2019)
• Red Cap Motel, see listing under "Eat".

Go next

Routes through Pubnico

END ← Yarmouth ←	W  E	→ Shelburne → Halifax
END ← Yarmouth ←	W  E	→ Shelburne → Halifax