Page 2, EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide, Page 3 I would like to congratulate the Explorer for doing an outstanding job of welcoming visitors to the Annapolis Royal area for 23 years. I hope you enjoy the natural beauty, cultural richness and historic uniqueness as much as your predecessors who came to Annapolis Royal to explore and often returned to raise a family or retire. Enjoy your visit and please come again. Sincerely, Stephen McNeil, MLA Annapolis Premier Nova Scotia Stephen McNeil MLA, Annapolis 291 Marshall Street Phone: (902) 825-2093 Fax: 825-6306 Suite 2 P.O. Box 1420 Toll Free: 1-800-317-8533 Middleton, NS, B0S 1P0 [email protected] Page 4, EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide EXPLORER Strolling Through the Centuries since 1995 Take The Cat Premier’s Welcome Tours, Tapestry & Fundy Rose Editor’s Welcome Location Map & Annapolis Royal Fun Festivals & Special Events Eco-Tourism Adventures History & Naming of the Area Mayor’s Welcome Design Destination Warden’s Welcome Things to See & Do Map of Business Locations Map of Area Attractions Map of Walking Trails & Recreation Port-Royal 75th Anniversary Andrew Tolson Andrew Tolson Artists’ Studios Tour Explore the “Fun”dy Coast More Special Events Member of Parliament’s Welcome VIDEO Business Directory Area Map & Scenic Drives Historic & Scenic Circle Tour Fun for All Seasons Upper Clements Parks Historic Gardens Where History Meets Opportunity Durline Melanson Alan Melanson Editor Historian Don & Jeannie Allen, Peter Wyman Explorer Consultants Primary Contributing Photographers Trish Fry/Historic Gardens Dan Froeze, Scott Munn, Ron Garnett and Chris Reardon/Parks Canada Andrew Fraser Tolson, www.paulillsley.com Natal Days Encampment (Melanson) Deb Ryan/Annapolis County Recreation Wally Hayes/Nova Scotia Tourism As you read the 2017 EXPLORER VISITORS GUIDE, be on the lookout Alan Melanson/Tour Annapolis Royal VIDEO for this Video Symbol on some of the photos. When you discover one, click on it and Explore Annapolis Royal! Ph: (902) 532-3035, Fax: 532-2911 [email protected] www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com www.ExploreAnnapolisRoyal.com www.annapolisroyal.com No portion of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the Explorer. Contents © Copyright 2017. EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide, Page 5 Men’s & Women’s Leather Jackets Shearling Coats Tilley Hats Socks Scarves Gloves Hats Handbags Wallets BOOKS: The unique Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry, designed by Kiyoko Sago, was stitched by over 100 volunteers. Local & Best Sellers Special Orders Annapolis Royal 2 hrs. from Halifax Kentville Fort Anne’s Heritage Tapestry How Do I Get To Annapolis Royal? Exit 22 depicts 4 centuries of history in Halifax three million delicate needlepoint Annapolis Bainton's stitches out of 95 colours of wool. It Royal MAD HATTER BOOKSTORE Tannery measures about 18’ in length and 8’ Yarmouth Outlet in height, and was a labor of love over 4 years in the making. It is a Digby work of immense proportions, but Annapolis Royal is a community Halifax with an epic story to relate. Yarmouth NOVA SCOTIA tripadvisor TM Don’t miss Annapolis Royal’s The Cat Ferry in Yarmouth 90 Minutes Candlelight Tours of Nova Scotia’s Fundy Rose Ferry in Digby 35 Minutes oldest English graveyard – one of Halifax International Airport 120 Minutes Canada’s most popular tours! Kejimkujik National Park & NHS 45 Minutes Winner of TIANS’ Golden Hospitality Award and recommended Phone: (902) 532-2043, Fax: (902) 532-7443 by The New York Times, MacLean’s Magazine, CBC and Rediscovering www.annapolisroyal.com Canada TV, this tour has been enjoyed by thousands including Prime Minister Paul Martin. Seven nights a week in July, Your Year ‘Round, 24/7 Aug. and Sept. Four nights in June and Oct. 1-15 (Sun., Tues., Wed., INFORMATION DESTINATION and Thurs. and First Fridays.) Tour for the Annapolis Royal Area! CELEBRATINGCELEBRATING always starts at 9:30 p.m. (rain or Follow Us Like Us Visit Us shine). Meet at the parking lot of Fort Anne. Proudly sponsored by 2626 YEARS!YEARS! The Historical Association of Andrew Tolson Andrew Tolson Annapolis Royal since 1992. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 youth (13-18) and $3 children (12 and under). 902-532-3035. No reservations. www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com Settled in 1605, 2 years before Jamestown, 3 years before the founding of Quebec and 15 years before Pilgrims landed, Annapolis Royal is one of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America. This colourful area has a nationally-significant story to tell. Join Candlelight Graveyard Tour’s Alan Melanson for a Stroll Through the Centuries in one of Canada’s largest National Historic Districts. Tour departs Annapolis Royal Lighthouse at 2 p.m. every Mon., Wed. & Thurs., late-June through early-Sept. $10 Adults, $5 (13-18), $3 (12 & Under), 532-3035 www.TourAnnapolisRoyal.com The Historical Association was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Ten Organizations for preservation and presentation of heritage by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Page 6, EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide VIDEO Annapolis Royal from Granville Ferry (Melanson) he colourful Annapolis Royal/Port-Royal Area – one of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America – has been welcoming visitors 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. ~ 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. ~ The Best of Both Worlds Combine the rich, cultural heritage with access to the world-famous Bay of Fundy only 10 minutes away, and you’ll discover an Explorer’s paradise! Eco-tourism adventures abound amidst spectacular scenery, gardens, lakes, rivers, wilderness trails and a moderate climate tempered by the Gulf Stream. The region is also 1 of only 18 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada in recognition of its globally significant ecological and cultural landscape and commitment to sustainable development and conservation. 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 Annapolis Royal Area offers the best of both worlds and a bouquet of adventures for all ages. ~ Award-Winning Hospitality & Amenities Let the EXPLORER Visitors Guide introduce you 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. Home of Canada’s 2015 Garden of the Year, designated as one of the “Cultural Capitals of Canada” and winner of the “World’s Most Liveable Small Community” (endorsed by the United Nations), Annapolis Royal has won numerous Provincial, National and International “Communities in Bloom” awards and was named by MacLeans’ Magazine as 1 of the” 10 Places You’ve Got to See in Canada in 2014”. Come explore Annapolis Royal and let your spirit soar. What are you waiting for? After all.....“Good Cheer” started here. Sincerely, Durline Melanson, Editor EXPLORER, 2017 Official Visitors Guide, Page 7 self-appointed policewoman along the waterfront. The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal has nominated Rose for recognition by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and she is the subject of the play Fortune by New York playwright George Cameron Grant. You can learn more about the inspirational Rose Fortune when visiting Annapolis Royal by taking one of Alan Melanson’s Candlelight Graveyard Tours at Fort Anne National Historic Site. There are three ways to reach Bay Ferries’ MV Fundy Rose Nova Scotia by boat: The Cat is named after the world-famous with service from Portland, Bay of Fundy which she crosses Maine to Yarmouth, NS; the daily from St. John, NB to Holiday Isle from Wood Islands, Digby, NS and in honour of Rose PEI to Caribou, NS; and the CAMPGROUND & COTTAGES Fortune – a Loyalist who came Fundy Rose from St. John, NB to Annapolis Royal after the War to Digby, NS. To plan your of American Independence and memorable Maritime adventure transported goods with a contact Bay Ferries at 1-877- wheelbarrow while serving as 762-7245, www.ferries.ca On Bay of Fundy 15 minutes north of Annapolis Royal Oceanview Cottages Tent & Trailer Camping Heated Pool, Playground Saturday Fireworks Minigolf, Arcade Famous Delaps Cove Wilderness Trail Upper Clements Park & Whale Watching Discounts Seeking a scenic spot to start Colourful shops, boardwalk, scenic your new life together or looking vistas, special restaurants, gracious (902) 532-7711 for an ideal retirement community? hospitality, unique accommodations, 1-877-519-CAMP (2267) Searching for a romantic area to amenities, recreation and attractions propose, get married or honeymoon? galore create an Explorer’s paradise.