Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia – Out and About

Annapolis Royal

Annapolis Royal is a wonderful waterfront community on the western side of the beautiful Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia and is referred to as the “Cradle of our Nation”. It was once the capital of Nova Scotia and is steeped in history with a number of tourist attractions to keep you busy for a few days or more.

The beautiful farms in the Annapolis Valley

Welcome to Annapolis Royal

Waterfront boardwalk in town

More of the boardwalk

Along the boardwalk

Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

There is a lovely 17 acre garden in town which showcases a large variety of plants and flowers. It sits along a tidal river valley and includes some walking trails. It is known for its Victoria Gardens, an Acadian house, and its wonderful rose garden. The word on the street is that spring was about 3 weeks behind schedule so many of the plants had not really gotten into their full summer swing yet but it was beautiful none the less.

The gardens are located right in town

Tulips were on full display

Tulips

Bloom starting

More tulips dispersed throughout the gardens

Another bloom

Driftwood display

Rhododendrons throughout the park

Magnolias just finishing their peak of blooming

An Acadian house on display

Pine cones standing straight up

And even more tulips

Port Royal National Historic Site

This area is in a beautiful, sheltered harbor and was settled by Samuel de Champlain in 1605. A reconstruction of this 17^th century French habitation is available to be toured and is known as one of the earliest European settlements in North America. This is now a National Historic Site run by Parks Canada and is a great example of life in the 1600s.

The habitation

Champlain and the Red Chairs

More Red Chairs pics

The waterfront

The entrance

Inside a house

Typical Acadian shoes

The dining area – I want more food!!!

The cooking fireplace

Cannon and cannon balls

Looking out the door onto the water

Fort Anne National Historic Site

First fortified in 1629, this four star fort preserves what is left of over 400 years of military protection of the harbor of Annapolis Royal. It has a museum, an 18^th century gunpowder magazine, and officers’ quarters which can all be toured. It has 4 remarkable tapestries in the museum depicting the four centuries of existence. Due to its strategic location it became one of the most attacked spots in Canadian history. The fort sits right in town along the river.

Entrance

Walking grounds around the fort

The Fort

The cannons and the Red Chairs

18th century gunpowder magazine

Timothe Pieere du Guast, Sieur de Monts

And more Red Chairs

Annapolis Tidal Generation Plant

This plant, which opened in 1984, is the only tidal generating station in North America and produces 20 MW twice daily with the change of tides. It makes use of the large tides in the Annapolis Basin which are part of the Bay of Fundy. It houses a visitors centers along with tours of the plant.

Entrance – Visitor’s Center

Tidal Generating Plant

Plant and observation area for visitors along the river

Salt water and fresh water mix and cause foam

Observation deck for visitors

Along the river at the tidal generating station

Bear River – AKA “Village on Stilts”

The Bear River is a tidal river where the water level changes by about 25 feet twice per day. The community, also called Bear River, sits along the river and many of the homes were built on stilts more than a century ago to allow many of the 5 shipyards to be located close to their work areas. When the ships were finished they would be floated down the river to the Annapolis Basin and Bay of Fundy on the outgoing tides. Today the area has a few shops, cafes, and artists studios along with a few vineyards which can all be visited.

Welcome to The Tidal Village of Bear River

Bear River at low tide

House on stilts at low tide

Tall sips on stilts (tavern)

Buildings on stilts

The village

Low tide

The Tidal Village

Digby

Nope, we didn’t make it to Digby even though it was on our list of places to go and see. We especially wanted to vist the Maud Lewis Replica House since we missed the art exhibit and her actual house while in Halifax. Oh well, just another reason to return.

Signs in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has some of the best highway signs we have ever seen. We were so enthralled by them that we starting photographing them to keep a collection and thought we would share them.