Annapolis Royal

Welcome to Nova Scotia's oldest, tiniest and some would argue, prettiest town. Annapolis Royal was founded over four hundred years ago, and there are buildings around this beautiful tiny-wee Annapolis County town (population 491) that are more than twice as old as Canada.

The Mi'kmaq called this area Nme'jaqunek, meaning place of bountiful fish. Here you'll find Fort Anne, a fortress fought over for almost one hundred years, changing hands between the French and British seven times before it ultimately fell to the British in 1710. By then there was a large and flourishing Acadian community in the surrounding area, who weredeported by the British in 1755. Later settled by Black Loyalists and New England Planters, the town was incorporated in 1892. 

View of the Annapolis River Basin from Fort Anne

I visited Annapolis Royal on July 15th, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie – Grabbed a photo in front of the town's welcome sign, where Route 8 becomes St. George Street.

2. Visitor’s Centre - The town's VIC is located in Nova Scotia Power's Annapolis Royal Tidal Generating Station Interpretive Centre on Prince Albert Road. There a very friendly and knowledgeable gentleman gave me tons of information on the town.

3. Museum – There are several museums in this historic tiny town, and I chose to explore the Fort Anne National Historic Site, Canada's oldest national historic site. The site offers a wealth of information on the area, and there you'll find a beautiful room- sized tapestry depicting scenes of the town's history. It took over 100 volunteers (including Queen Elizabeth II) thousands of hours to complete. The result is stunning.

4. Food – There is no shortage of restaurants here, but as the FIFA World Cup was being played out I decided to check out Old Town Pub where I enjoyed some chicken fingers and fries while I watched the game with some enthusiastic fans.

Annapolis Brewing Company on St. George Street

 5. Drink – I popped into Annapolis Brewing Company's St. George Street location to pick up a few Blockhouse Blonde Ales. Annapolis is also home to Still Fired Distilleries, which produces a line of flavoured spirits.

6. Public Space – There are a few parks and trails around town, and I chose to take a stroll on the scenic boardwalk. This walk links to trails surrounding Fort Anne, past an outdoor amphitheatre and along the river parallel to St. George Street. From here you will find beautiful views of the Annapolis River Basin and the nearby community of Granville Ferry.

7. Art – Annapolis Royal is an artist's dream, and it's no wonder this beautiful place has inspired some amazing works. I particularly enjoyed the two dozen or so inuksuit constructed on the rocks by the boardwalk.

8. Swag – Bought an “Annapolis Royal” multi tool (including an ever-important corkscrew) at Loose Ends Trading Company on Saint Anthony Street.

When should you go? Check out the Horticultural Weekend in May, FODAR (Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal) in August or the Candlelight Graveyard Tours (June to October). 

A little bit of trivia: Rose Fortune, a black Loyalist, came to Annapolis Royal in 1784 where she became a successful businesswoman and North America's first female police officer. Two hundred years later, her decendant, Daurene Lewis, became the first black female mayor in Canada.

Up next: This town is known as “The Apple Capital of Nova Scotia” - find out where on Sunday!