Kentville

Tucked in the heart of the Annapolis Valley lies my next destination. Arriving in the town I was greeted by tree lined streets and a large beautiful baronial style building that looked like something right out of Hogwarts. This was the Cornwallis Inn, and it was built in 1930, replacing a smaller wooden hotel. Once a 90 room hotel, today it houses a number of businesses and apartments, and looks pretty darn impressive to the unsuspecting tourist.

Cornwallis Inn

The Mi'kmaq called this area Pinoek, meaning “at Pineau’s place”. The area was once settled by Acadians, and after the expulsion in 1755 the area was then settled by loyalists from New England, who named it Horton Corner. The town was later renamed for the Duke of Kent, who visited the area in 1794, and it was incorporated in 1886. Today this ever expanding agricultural town has a population of 6,271 and is the professional centre and county seat for Kings County.

I visited Kentville on June 24th, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie – Took a pic with the lovely Kentville sign at the town's entrance on Main Street.

2. Visitor’s Centre – Located on Park Street just off the downtown core. Plenty of info, maps and friendly, helpful staff – the usual Visitor's Centre stuff but it still rocked.

3. Museum – I was looking forward to checking out the Kings County Museum at the old Kings County Courthouse but unfortunately it was closed on the weekend. Poopie.

Paddy's Pub & Brewery and Rosie's Restaurant

4. Food & 5. Drink – Knocked both of these items off my list by dining at Paddy's Pub & Brewery on Aberdeen Street in downtown Kentville. A perfectly respectable Irish pub, I enjoyed a spinach salad and a glass of their Blueberry Ale. Delicious!

6. Public Space – Kentville has a number of walking trails, and I took a stroll along Miner's Marsh, located behind the current courthouse. Home to many ducks and other funky fowl, I was surprised and delighted to find the trail mercifully clear of mosquitos.

Along Miner's Marsh Trail

7. Art – While stolling along the marsh trail I came across a happy little metal fellow. Always nice to find art in unexpected places.

Art in unexpected places

8. Swag – Bought a Kentville postcard bearing the town's “A Breath of Fresh Air” slogan at the Visitor's Centre.

When should you go? Check out the Apple Blossom Festival (late May), Devil's Half Acre Motorcycle Rally (June) and the Pumpkin People Festival (October).

A little bit of trivia: The annual Apple Blossom Street Parade is one of the largest parades in Canada, with almost 100,000 visitors lining the streets from New Minas to Kentville to watch.

Up next: Originally called “Mud Creek” this town lies in the heart of Nova Scotia's rapidly expanding wine industry. Find out where on Sunday!