Situated on the southern shores of the Bay of Fundy, the Annapolis Valley is house to among the highest tides on this planet. This lovely area, situated in Japanese Canada, within the province of Nova Scotia, is legendary for rocky, windswept cliffs, lush inexperienced hills, and an expansive ocean flooring. Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley is a coastal playground.
The Annapolis Valley was considered one of our favorite locations on a current highway journey by Nova Scotia. We basked in the fantastic thing about the Valley whereas soaking in its historical past and nature and unimaginable meals and wine choices.
In the event you’re on the lookout for a vacation spot in Japanese Canada with nice meals and wine, charming cities, fascinating historical past, and spectacular surroundings, try these issues to do within the Annapolis Valley.
In Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley At A Look
What Is Thought-about Annapolis Valley?
The Annapolis Valley area spans from Digby and the Annapolis Basin within the west to Wolfville and the Minas Basin within the east. Two parallel mountain ridges, specifically North Mountain and South Mountain, shelter the valley from the Atlantic Ocean, making a microclimate and fertile glacial sedimentary soils preferrred for farming. The Annapolis Valley is situated throughout the bay from New Brunswick and boasts improbable Annapolis Valley wineries and award-winning seafood.
What Cities Are In The Annapolis Valley?
The principle cities that make up the Annapolis Valley are Digby, Annapolis Royal, Middleton, Greenwood, Kentville, and Wolfville.
The place Is The Annapolis Valley?
The Annapolis Valley is situated within the western a part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, alongside the shores of the Bay of Fundy and Annapolis River. It’s about 1-hour northwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Historical past of Annapolis Valley
Initially house to the Mi’kmaq nation, Annapolis Valley skilled French settlement early within the Seventeenth century. French settlers quickly established communities and farming areas alongside the Annapolis and Cornwallis Rivers. Finally, the British expelled the Acadians and took over the valley. Later, with the arrival of the railway, giant export markets have been developed, and Annapolis Valley boomed.
Bay of Fundy shore, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
How To Get To The Annapolis Valley, Canada
The Annapolis Valley is definitely reached by automobile, ferry, or airplane. You possibly can drive to the Valley from New Brunswick following Freeway 101, The Harvest Freeway. This route makes up a part of the scenic Evangeline Path.
Another choice is to take the Fundy Rose ferry from Saint John, NB, to Digby. The ferry operates year-round and takes about 2.5 hours. It’s a scenic crossing over the Bay of Fundy.
Lastly, you may fly into Halifax Worldwide Airport and make the 1-hour drive northwest to achieve the city of Wolfville. As a transportation hub in Japanese Canada, Halifax is straightforward to get to from wherever in Canada in addition to from just a few key locations within the US, UK, and different elements of Europe.
Exploring Annapolis Valley with our campervan, Benji
How To Get Round The Annapolis Valley
The easiest way to discover Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley is by automobile. For the reason that communities are small and pretty spaced out, there is no such thing as a public transport within the space. If you’re not touring to Nova Scotia with your individual automobile, we’d extremely counsel renting a automobile in Halifax.
When visiting cities like Digby, Annapolis Royal, or Wolfville, the areas could be explored on foot or by bicycle.
Greatest Issues To Do In Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
From wine tastings to whale watching, listed here are the highest sights within the Annapolis Valley.
Go to The Scallop Capital Of Digby, Nova Scotia
Situated within the western a part of the Annapolis Valley, Digby is legendary for marine life—within the ocean and on a plate.
Strive Native Scallops
You possibly can’t go to Digby with out sampling some scrumptious contemporary scallops at one of many city’s nice eating places. Go for grilled scallops over the fried selection when doable to get the true style of this scrumptious specialty. Higher but, go to in August for the Digby Scallop Days Pageant, which celebrates scallops and the parents that harvest them.
Study Digby Scallops at Digby Waterfront in Annapolis Valley
The most effective scallops in Nova Scotia!
Go to Lovely Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa
Perched on a grassy knoll above the Bay of Fundy, Digby Pines is a phenomenal resort with a great deal of actions. You possibly can keep on the resort, play golf on the on-site 18-hole golf course, go to the spa, or dine on well-known Digby scallops at their on-site restaurant. Simply be sure you save time for a swim within the outside heated pool!
Stroll Downtown
Downtown Digby waterfront is dotted with retailers, eating places, and vibrant fishing boats. Take a stroll to the Digby Pier Lighthouse, and go to the Admiral Digby Museum earlier than settling in for a meal at Churchill’s Restaurant in Digby Pines.
Digby Lighthouse, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Go Whale Watching
In addition to the scallops, whale watching is without doubt one of the hottest Digby sights. Due to its location on the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, the waters surrounding Digby are necessary feeding areas for whales. Whale-watching boat excursions depart from Brier Island, simply 40 minutes southwest of Digby. That is one greatest locations in Nova Scotia to see a number of species of whales and sea birds, so there are a selection of tour operators providing whale-watching excursions in season.
Discover Annapolis Royal
The historic city of Annapolis Royal abounds in seaside surroundings and historic landmarks. There are a variety of Historic Websites in Annapolis Royal itself and some extra throughout the bay close to the city of Granville Ferry.
Discover Nationwide Historic Websites
Previously generally known as Port Royal, Annapolis Royal was as soon as the capital of Acadia and later Nova Scotia for 150 years. It was the location of many battles and raids and has been occupied by the English, Scottish, French, and First Nations folks through the years.
Fort Anne Nationwide Historic Web site is the oldest Nationwide Historic Web site in Canada. The historic grounds function a Seventeenth-century Fortress, a historical past museum, and a lot of interpretive indicators that assist educate guests on the historic significance of the realm. Guided excursions can be found.
Simply east of Fort Anne Nationwide Historic Web site is the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, that are recognized for lovely roses and Seventeenth-century houses.
The ultimate web site is throughout the bay and is a reconstruction of the Port-Royal Nationwide Historic Web site. Right here, costumed interpreters placed on demonstrations to recreate considered one of North America’s earliest settlements. In the event you do enterprise throughout the bay, take into account stopping by the North Hills Museum. This museum is situated in an 18th-century farmhouse that has been fantastically restored.
Seize a Drink at Annapolis Brewing Firm
After brushing up on Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley historical past, seize a tasting flight at Annapolis Brewing Firm. You possibly can strive completely different domestically made craft beers and ciders, from IPAs to pilsners, within the cosy wood-clad taproom.
Annapolis Brewing Firm, Annapolis Royal
Get a Chew to Eat at The Whiskey Teller
The Whiskey Teller is an superior lunch spot situated inside strolling distance of the brewery. The laid-back English pub vibe is the proper backdrop for a creamy lobster dip or a plate of fish and chips.
Catch The Rising Tides At Halls Harbour
No go to to Nova Scotia is full with out a chance to witness the ability of the Bay of Fundy Tides. Over 160 billion tons of water movement day by day out and in of the Bay of Fundy, and in our opinion, there is no such thing as a higher solution to expertise this distinctive phenomenon than at Halls Harbour. This makes Halls Harbour top-of-the-line locations to go to in Annapolis, Nova Scotia.
The native restaurant, Halls Harbour Lobster Pound, is a good spot to see the ability of the Bay of Fundy tides. The restaurant sits proper in Corridor’s Harbour, overlooking a small bay full of fishing boats. The bay empties and fills with the tides roughly each 6 hours.
Seize a meal on the patio or inside their newly renovated eating room that overlooks the bay. Take pleasure in contemporary lobster, lobster rolls, and different seafood dishes, and don’t overlook to look out to the bay to see how rapidly the water rises or falls with the tides. Plan to remain for 3 hours, and if you happen to arrive about 2 hours after excessive tide, you may see the bay go from full to fully empty proper earlier than your eyes. Ensure to take pictures from the identical spot earlier than and after. You gained’t imagine your eyes!
Halls Harbour Lobster Pound has its personal lobster boats and a lobster processing plant and runs an unimaginable operation. Pop into the store on web site to seize some souvenirs and peek into the tanks to see stay lobsters of various sizes. A go to right here was considered one of our favorite issues to do in Annapolis Valley!
Halls Harbour, Bay of Fundy
Eat And Drink Your Approach Round Wolfville
Wolfville is the principle metropolis on the japanese finish of the Annapolis Valley. It’s recognized for being the house of Acadia College and a number of other superb Nova Scotia Wineries. Consuming and consuming are among the greatest issues to do in Wolfville!
Strolling round Wolfville downtown
Go to Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Web site
The Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Web site commemorates Acadian historical past and is a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Web site. The interpretive centre at Grand-Pré is surrounded by walkways and delightful gardens. Go to the grounds to discover Acadian tradition, together with a church and statute of Evangeline, after whom the Evangeline Path is known as.
Grand Pre Unesco Web site, Wolfville, Annapolis Valley
Discover the Cute Downtown
Wolfville’s Essential Avenue is bustling with cafés, retailers, and eating places. It’s a beautiful place to go for a day stroll whereas popping into native boutiques. The buildings ooze historic allure, and the patios that line the streets are particularly inviting on a sunny summer time day.
Go Wine Tasting
Wolfville and the encompassing space are thought of Nova Scotia’s wine nation. Annapolis Valley vineyards make up Canada’s smallest and coolest local weather wine area, producing crisp wines that pair nicely with seafood. The satisfaction of Nova Scotia is the Tidal Bay wine selection, a white wine mix made strictly from Nova Scotia grapes.
Even if you happen to’re spending simply 3 days within the valley, Annapolis Valley wine excursions are top-of-the-line issues to do in Nova Scotia. You possibly can be part of a hop-on-hop-off vineyard tour aboard a British double-decker bus aptly named the Magic Vineyard Bus.
Listed here are our high suggestions for the most effective wineries in Annapolis Valley:
- Domaine de Grand Pré – The oldest farm vineyard in Atlantic Canada. Pattern scrumptious reds and whites simply down the road from The Tangled Backyard.
- Luckett Vineyards – Go to the gorgeous property for a wine tasting, cellar tour, or non-public barrel room dinner within the boutique vineyard.
- Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards – Licensed natural and biodynamic vineyards providing German-style whites.
- Different Wolfville wineries price trying out are Benjamin Bridge Vineyard, Blomidon Property Vineyard, Gaspereau Winery, L’Acadie Vineyards, Sainte Famille Wines, Planter’s Ridge, 1365 Church Avenue Vineyard, and Avondale Sky Vineyard.
Go to Farmers Markets
The Annapolis Valley grows superb contemporary produce. With well-liked markets in Annapolis Royal, Wolfville, and Kentville, locally-grown produce is a part of Annapolis Valley tourism in itself.
Vegetables and fruit like Annapolis Valley apples and candy corn are staples, as are locally-made preserves and baked items. The Tangled Backyard is a tremendous place to get jams, jellies, and preserves, all made in small batches in Grand Pré. There are additionally farm stands all around the space at locations like Noggins Nook Farm Market and Stirlings Fruit Farm.
Although geographically talking, it’s a part of the Avon River Valley, Windsor additionally hosts a superb neighborhood farmer’s market on Sundays.
Be part of A Valley Ghost Stroll
For a distinct tackle the historic cities of the Annapolis Valley, why not be part of a Valley Ghost Stroll. These family-friendly strolling excursions discover the valley’s streets and cemeteries with the assistance of host Jerome the Gravekeeper. Excursions final 2 hours and rotate between communities across the Annapolis Valley. Test the calendar of occasions, and be sure you convey your individual chairs, umbrellas, blankets, and bug spray!
Hike The Cape Break up Path
In the event you’re trying to see the valley from a distinct perspective, a hike on the Cape Break up Path is the proper location. The trailhead is situated in Scots Bay, about half-hour north of Wolfville.
The path is nice however difficult, spanning 12.1 km (7.5 miles) and opening as much as panoramic views of the Minas Basin and Burntcoat Head Park. It’s an particularly superior hike to do if you happen to’re spending fall within the Annapolis Valley.
Cape Break up path, Bay of Fundy
Benefit from the Apple Blossom Pageant
Yearly since 1933, the vacationer season is opened by the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Pageant. Held on the finish of Might, this pageant contains occasions in communities all through the Annapolis Valley. You possibly can watch parades, fireworks, and different organized occasions that convey folks collectively.
Bike the Harvest Moon Trailway
This 110 km path hyperlinks Grand-Pre Nationwide Historic Web site to Fort-Anne Nationwide Historic Web site and is constructed alongside a historic route of the Dominion Atlantic Railway. You’ll go by apple orchards, vineyards, native farm markets, and kilometres of pure areas. This scenic path doesn’t have a lot elevation achieve, so you may have a pleasant leisurely cycle and take all the pieces in.
You can begin from wherever alongside the path, and there are bike leases accessible in Wolfville. The Harvest Moon Trailway is accessible by all seasons, even the winter, offering alternatives for cross-country snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Harvest Moon Trailway Map
The place To Eat: Greatest Annapolis Valley Eating places
Pair your Tidal Bay wine with native bites from proper right here within the Valley.
Troy Restaurant & Grill
Troy Restaurant is in Wolfville and serves up scrumptious Mediterranean meals constructed from native components. The setting is heat and cosy, with a menu full of Mediterranean specialties, dips, kebabs, burgers, and naturally, baklava.
Troy Restaurant, Wolfville
Scrumptious meal at Troy Restaurant, Wolfville
Paddy’s Brewpub & Rosie’s Restaurant
Nova Scotia isn’t any stranger to English-style pubs, and Paddy’s is without doubt one of the greatest. Their welcoming eating room and patio are situated in downtown Wolfville simply throughout the road from the waterfront. The restaurant options consolation meals like sizzling sandwiches and freshly battered fish and chips.
The Church Brewing Co
Church Brewing Co topped the checklist of our all-time favorite eating places in Annapolis Valley. They’ve nice meals, good beer, and a enjoyable patio vibe in downtown Wolfville. The constructing is an outdated church, which provides this spot a number of funky character and sass. The menu incorporates a lengthy checklist of craft beers and Asian fusion dishes, together with tasty classics. Eat contained in the church or take pleasure in a sunny afternoon on their patio!
Founders Home
Situated in a historic Nova Scotia property with beautiful views, Founders Home Eating and Drinks makes a speciality of elevated dishes created with domestically sourced components. The wine, beer, and spirit menus are filled with regionally produced drinks, and an in depth worldwide wine menu can be accessible.
Tasting menus and prix fixe menus can be found with wine pairings for dinner service, whereas Sunday Brunch presents a tremendous a la carte menu. All menus are seasonal and showcase the most effective and freshest components the area has to supply.
The place To Keep: Lodges In The Annapolis Valley
The Valley is house to a number of inns, cottages, and quaint seaside inns.
470 Essential Residences
Within the coronary heart of downtown Wolfville, 470 Essential is a boutique resort that provides suites with views of town. We cherished our keep right here! The spacious rooms have fashionable, luxurious finishes and all of the comforts of house. Our favorite elements about staying right here was the balcony arrange, the spacious kitchen, and the in-unit laundry. Some suites overlook town, and others actually have a water view. Residences at 470 Essential begin at CA $82 per evening.
Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa
For a resort resort expertise, we cherished the appear and feel of Digby Pines Fold Resort & Spa. They provide giant, cozy rooms and multi-room cottages. The property is gorgeous, and the grounds reminded us of a conventional English property house. A good looking spot on the town, this can be a nice location to calm down and unwind on the on-site spa or play a spherical of golf overlooking the ocean. You’ll positively wish to dine at Churchills Restaurant, the place you may savour a plate of well-known Digby scallops. Commonplace rooms at Digby Pines begin at CA $160 per evening.
The Inn At Grand Pré Vineyard
Set amongst vineyards and rolling hills, The Inn at Grand Pré Vineyard is an idyllic keep in Nova Scotia wine nation. The rooms are in-built historic heritage buildings which were renovated to go well with fashionable, luxurious comforts. Keep right here to take pleasure in wine tastings, and meals at Le Caveau restaurant and different close by Annapolis Valley sights. Rooms at The Inn begin at CA $195 per evening.
The Evangeline
Situated in Grand Pre, The Evangeline presents each luxurious non-public suites in Borden Home and cozy motel items on the Inn. All rooms are fantastically outfitted with fashionable facilities and a mix of native artisanal furnishings and mid-century items. There may be an indoor heated pool, infrared sauna, and outside sizzling tub accessible for company, and onsite Longfellow Restaurant presents an amazing number of dishes, together with vegan and gluten-free choices. Rooms on the Inn begin at CA $220, and suites at Borden Home begin at CA $180.
Have you ever been to the Annapolis Valley or one other a part of the Bay of Fundy? What did you consider the altering tides?
Disclaimer: We visited Annapolis Valley as company of the Nova Scotia Tourism Board, however as at all times, all opinions expressed on this article are our personal.