EXPLORER 2013 Official Visitors Guide Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada & Area Stroll Through the Centuries Port-Royal and Fort Anne National Historic Sites (Parks Canada/C.Reardon) MAPS ATTRACTIONS RESTAURANTS LODGING SHOPPING FESTIVALS DIRECTORY Port-Royal National Historic Site (Parks Canada) Town Crier, Peter Davies, and His Lovely Escort, Valerie Davies Something Fun for Everyone’s Taste! (Fry) Kejimkujik (Parks Canada/C.Reardon) Bohaker Falls (Fry) Historic Gardens (Fry) MAPS ATTRACTIONS RESTAURANTS LODGING SHOPPING FESTIVALS DIRECTORY (Historic Gardens/Fry) Scallop dragger moored on the scenic Annapolis River (Melanson) he scenic Annapolis River has been an important waterway for centuries. Colourful Annapolis Royal/Port-Royal Area has been welcoming visitors T since 1604. In fact the Order of Good Cheer, North America’s first social club, was started here in 1606. The same attributes that Champlain saw over 400 years ago continue to make this a “must see” destination for discerning travelers. Although quite safe and peaceful today,Annapolis Royal holds the distinction of being the most fought over tract of land in Canada. With over 130 registered heritage properties and 4 National Historic Sites, picturesque Annapolis Royal is one of Canada’s largest National Historic Districts. It is also one of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America. EXPLORE ~ Canada’s Roots Imagine over four centuries of history coming to life before your very eyes. The Mi’kmaq, Scottish, French, British, Acadian, Loyalist, New England Planter and African Canadian cultures intertwined to form a colourful mosaic unparalleled in the nation. Canada’s roots are deep here. The area served as colonial capital for both the French and British before Louisbourg and Halifax. Even our province’s name, Nova Scotia, (Latin for “New Scotland”) is attributed to the Scottish attempt to colonize our area (1621-1632). The Scots also gave us our Nova Scotia Flag and Coat of Arms and built Charles Fort on the grounds where Fort Anne is located today. The rich Acadian (”Cajun”) story also started here when French families settled on our scenic shores in the 1630s. The Annapolis Royal/Port-Royal Area is known as the cradle of Acadie, and there are over 3,000,000 Acadian descendants worldwide. EXPERIENCE ~ The Best of Both Worlds Couple the rich cultural heritage with a moderate climate tempered by the Gulf Stream, then add spectacular scenery, gardens, lakes, rivers, wilderness trails, numerous eco-tourism adventures and the world-famous Bay of Fundy with the highest tides on earth – you get an explorer’s paradise. The region is also part of UNESCO’s Southwest Biosphere Reserve in recognition of its globally significant ecological and cultural landscape and commitment to sustainable development and conservation. (There are only 16 such regions in Canada.) Escape into nature, relax, and invigorate your body, mind and soul. Whether you prefer petals, pedals or paddles, are a history buff or nature lover, the Timeless Annapolis Royal Area offers the best of both worlds and a bouquet of adventures for all ages. ENJOY ~ Award-Winning Hospitality & Amenities Let the EXPLORER be your guide to award-winning accommodations, unique shopping experiences, an array of artists and craftsmen, delightful dining, colourful gardens and art galleries, interesting museums, lively theatre, waterfront boardwalk, a multitude of fun-filled tours and attractions plus stately homes set amidst scenic vistas. Designated as one of the “Cultural Capitals of Canada” and winner of and the “World’s Most Liveable Small Community” (endorsed by the United Nations), Annapolis Royal has also won numerous Provincial, National and International “Communities in Bloom” awards. The area truly blooms in more ways than one - our gardens bloom, but so do our arts, our heritage, our community spirit and our hospitality. Come explore Annapolis Royal, and let your spirit blossom. It’s the perfect place to stop and smell the roses. What are you waiting for? After all.....“Good Cheer” started here! EXPLORER GUIDE ~ follow us! Durline Melanson, Editor EXPLORER Strolling Through the Centuries since 1995 IN THIS ISSUE Explore Annapolis Royal 2 How Do I Get To Annapolis Royal? Explorer’s Welcome 3 How to Get to Annapolis Royal 4 5 Annapolis Stroll Through the Centuries Royal Tapestry & Tours 6 Fun for all Ages 7 Bay of Fundy Festivals & Special Events 8 10 Digby Eco-Tourism Adventures 11 Halifax Design Destination Things to See & Do 12 Yarmouth Maps 14 16 Atlantic Ocean NOVA SCOTIA More To See & Do Artists’ Studios Tour 18 Annapolis Royal is located in Nova Scotia on Canada’s East Coast. It is 200 Explore the “Fun”dy Coast 19 kilometers (120 miles) from the Halifax International Airport and 32 Business Quick Links 20 kilometers (20 miles) from the ferry in Digby. For Information contact Town Business Locations Map 22 Hall, 285 St. George Street, P. O. Box 310, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0. More Maps & Magnolias 24 Phone: (902) 532-2043, Fax: (902) 532-7443 Kidz’ Fun Zone & More Tours 24 Historic & Scenic Circle Tour 25 Comment se rendre à Annapolis Royal? Fun for All Seasons 26 Upper Clements Parks 27 Annapolis Royal est situé en Nouvelle-Écosse sur la côte est du Canada; à 200 Historic Gardens & More 27 kilomètres (120 milles) de l’aéroport international d’Halifax, 32 kilomètres (20 Scenic Annapolis River 28 milles) du traversier de Digby. Pour des renseignements addressez-vous à l’hôtel de ville, 285 rue Saint George, C.P. 310, Annapolis Royal, N.-É., B0S 1A0. Published Annually By Téléphone: (902) 532-2043, Téléc: (902) 532-7443 TRANS WORLD Durline Melanson Alan Melanson Visitor Information Centre Editor Historian The Annapolis Royal Area Visitor Information Centre, open seasonally, is Don & Jeannie Allen, Peter Wyman operated by the Annapolis Board of Trade. It is located on the causeway in Explorer Consultants Annapolis Royal inside North America’s only Tidal Power Generating Station. Trish Fry/Historic Gardens Annapolis Board of Trade, P. O. Box 2, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0. Ryan Scranton/Annapolis Heritage Society Phone: (902) 532-5454 C. Reardon/Parks Canada Deb Ryan/Annapolis County Recreation Follow the Explorer Guide! Wally Hayes/Nova Scotia Tourism Primary Contributing Photographers The Explorer Guide is your Year-round, 24 / 7 Information Destination for the Annapolis Royal Area. “Like” Us on Facebook for all of the latest info. PARTNER WITH US www.facebook.com/ExplorerGuide Ph: (902) 532-3035, Fax: 532-2911 [email protected] www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com www.annapolisroyal.com No portion of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the Explorer. www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com Contents © Copyright 2013. EXPLORER, 2013 Official Visitors Guide, Page 5 Fort Anne National Historic Site (C.Reardon/Parks Canada) Stroll Through the Centuries One of the oldest permanent In 1607, the settlers built North Port-Royal & Fort Anne Enjoy a delightful blend of lighthouse, delicious dining European settlements in America’s first water-powered National Historic Sites panoramic scenery and culture and gracious accommodations Canada, Annapolis Royal is grist mill. Many other very as you stroll through over 400 await you. From the Farmers’ Fort Anne opened in 1917 also one of the country’s largest important “firsts” in the country years of history. Festivals and and Traders’ Market, boat haul- and is the oldest continuously- National Historic Districts. It also took place at Port-Royal. special events, King’s Theatre, up and Fort Anne, to the operated National Historic Site was a Mi’kmaw encampment Artsplace, the O’Dell House Historic Gardens, Port-Royal site 3,600 years before the The Struggle in Canada. The exquisite Fort and Sinclair Inn Museums plus Habitation, Tidal Power Plant arrival of Europeans. During the 105 year struggle Anne Heritage Tapestry, on a host of eco-tourism adventures and Bay of Fundy, the colourful display in the Officers’ Quarters Port-Royal for control of the continent, the offer fun-filled entertainment Annapolis Royal Area makes area changed hands between Museum, was stitched by over options for all ages. Unique the perfect weekend getaway In 1605 the area was settled the French and English seven 100 volunteers during a four waterfront shopping with its or vacation destination. by a small group of French times. In the 1640s the French year period. This large mural scenic boardwalk and historic Explore Annapolis Royal! explorers two years before constructed the first of four forts tapestry features highlights of Jamestown, Virginia, three years on the site that is now Fort Anne. the past 400 years. before the founding of Quebec, The Scots erected the first fort The original Habitation at and fifteen years before the (Charles Fort) on the site in 1629. Port-Royal was burned down Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, by the British in 1613. It was Massachusetts. Led by Samuel Annapolis Royal reconstructed in 1939 using de Champlain and Sieur de Champlain’s original drawings. Mons, the French named the In 1710 the British captured Port-Royal and renamed it It is the first reconstruction of a new land Port Royal and built National Historic Site in Canada. the Habitation as a center for Annapolis Royal to honour Queen Anne. It remained the operations in Acadia. A Timeless Treasure In 1606 this creative group capital until Halifax was started formed the “Order of Good in 1749. The star-shaped Today Annapolis Royal is Cheer,” North America’s first fortifications are among the the quietly dignified home of social club. For entertainment, country’s best examples of about 481 people and the site of a young Parisian lawyer, Marc Vauban earthenworks. As the another very interesting “first,” Lescarbot, wrote and produced seat of government for both North America’s only tidal “The Theatre of Neptune”, the French and British regimes, the power generating station.