Self guided walk of Annapolis Royal
Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia is a quaint historic town. It’s small enough to walk to all the major sights, yet there is a lot to see. Coming in from Highway 8 you will already pass most of them on your way to the parking lot. They are conveniently located along the same street. The street will curve right and just across the promenade you will see a large parking lot. Signs lead the way.
Sieur de Mons promenade
A boardwalk along the shoreline offers some panoramic views of the water, a little lighthouse and local artists’ work. It’s named after the first European settler here, who founded then Port Royal. Interpretive boards along the way tell his story.
Historic Town Center
As you come back up to the street at the end of the boardwalk you will find yourself amongst shops, restaurants and galleries. A good time to have a break and some chowder, if you like seafood.
Fort Anne
Just a little further along the same road you will reach Fort Anne. It is run by Parks Canada and there is no admission fee. Learn about the military history of this strategically important fortress. There are also public restrooms at the entrance.
Historic Gardens
If you like flowers, check out the Historic Gardens. They are just a few more minutes walk along the street, past a German Bakery that offers delicious sweet snacks. The gardens feature a unique assortment of flowers and plants including some Asian species that grow here thanks to similarity in climate. Allow about 1h to 1h30min to see them.
We came on a Saturday and were lucky enough to be there in time for a little market with live music. It was located adjacent to the parking lot described above.
Bonus: Habitation
A few minutes drive past the tidal power plant, you will see signs for the Habitation on the left. This is a recreation of the original settlement from 400 years ago. Annapolis was the first European settlement in North America, north of Floria.
I hope you’ll have fun exploring Annapolis Royal!
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