Mahone Bay makes for a great stop if you're doing a self-drive along the Lighthouse Route. Most famous for the panoramic view of its three churches on the bay, this little town is perfect for visitors seeking quiet and homey place to relax. Unless you do some sea kayaking out of the bay from here, you probably won't spend more than an hour or two.
For folks who don't want to self-drive, Gray Line Sightseeing Tours runs a day trip that combines visits to Mahone Bay and Lunenberg.
Shopping: Lunchwise, The Biscuit Eater Books & Cafe is a nice stop - made even better if you're a fan of used bookstores. Suttles and Seawinds is a great place for quilts and stichwork supplies. Amos Pewter is the nifty pewter crafts store with its own workshop - a lot of their goods can be purchased out of Halifax as well.
