Nova Scotia's offerings include culture and lobster

History,culture and lobster. That is what tourism officials are using to lure Americans and other visitors this summer to Nova Scotia.

"They (tourists) can jump on a quick flight - there are six airlines flying from most East Coast gateways - and be in Halifax in less than two hours," say tourism officials.

Among attractions: The $6.8 million heritage site at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, overlooking the Bay of Fundy, which opened on May 17. Here, the Joggins Fossil Centre features the world's largest collection of 300-million-year old fossils. It's said to be the "finest example of terrestrial tropical ecosystems from the Earth's Coal Age."

The Centre's architecture mimics the natural attraction of the cliffs with sandstone cladding from a nearby quarry, while the wooden siding evokes the area's coal mines.

For adrenaline-seekers, right outside of Halifax, in Lawrencetown, it's Malibu East as surfers and boogie boards abound. Here, the One Life Surf School - Eastern Canada's first women's surf school - offers instruction, surf camps and leadership training along with massages, yoga and reiki therapy.

For the entire family, there's tidal bore rafting in zodiacs on the Roller Coaster Rapids of the Shubenacadie.

For the best culinary experiences, visitors should look for restaurants and inns that display the Taste of Nova Scotia insignia. This year, Lobsterpalooza promises 35 days of "feasts and fun," including lobster suppers, whale watching tours and Gaelic music.

Wine is another attraction. One of the first grape-growing areas in North America - Nova Scotia - now has eight wineries producing award-winning vintages in several distinct regions.

Two new golf courses are set to open on Cape Breton in 2009. The Lakes Golf Club in Ben Eoin will be a five-star, Graham-Cook designed course set along the shores of the Bras d'Or Lakes. And in the tradition of the great seaside course of the British Isles, Cabot Links has been envisioned as a world-class Scottish links-style course with ocean views from every hole.

From June to August, Nova Scotia will also commemorate the 250th anniversary of Louisbourg's second siege. The Fortress of Louisbourg will host a series of encampments - with North America's first nighttime siege re-enactment - and military displays (July 25-27), complete with fireworks, parades, chowder cook-offs, street dances, concerts and quilt displays.