This Is The Friendliest Small Town in The Maritimes
Canada's Maritime provinces are renowned for their rugged natural beauty set against such dramatic backdrops as the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as for being home to some of the friendliest folks on the planet. The town of Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia embodies this welcoming spirit in its national historic sites, where the story of the country's first European settlement begins, and in its festivals that honour and celebrate the region's heritage, culture, and creativity. Home to just under 500 full-time residents, this tight-knit community in the Annapolis Valley supports a vibrant farmers' market that attracts weekly visitors from across the province, a local theater that hosts world-class live performances throughout the year, and a lovingly preserved historic district where independently-owned bakeries and coffee shops are a source of hometown pride.
Four Centuries of History
Annapolis Royal's story actually began in 1605, when a group of French explorers, including Samuel de Champlain, established a settlement on the shores of the basin they named Port Royal. Constructed on the north shore, the "Habitation," as it was called, became one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Canada and one of the earliest colonial settlements north of St. Augustine, Florida.
It was here that Champlain founded L'Ordre de Bon Temps (the Order of Good Cheer) in the winter of 1606. As much as the continent's first social club was a means of preventing diseases such as scurvy, these weekly gatherings succeeded in keeping morale high and people healthy through the often-brutal Maritimes winters. In the process, it sowed the seeds of traditions that carried on as the settlement changed hands repeatedly between French and English control (with the Mi'kmaq remaining as the region's Indigenous inhabitants throughout) before it fell permanently to the British Empire in 1710. Renamed in honour of Queen Anne, the town became the capital of Nova Scotia before the capital moved to Halifax in 1749.
A Site of National Importance
The community's military stronghold, Fort Anne, became Canada's first National Historic Site in 1920. Consisting of star-shaped earthwork fortifications designed by French military engineers in 1702, preservation efforts have saved the original Officers' Quarters, built in 1797. On-site exhibits detail the complex relationships between the Mi'kmaq, Acadians, French, and British who shaped the region. The Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry, stitched by local volunteers to chronicle 400 years of local history, even includes several stitches added by Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit in 1994.
A 15-minute drive around the basin brings visitors to Port-Royal National Historic Site, a faithful reconstruction of Champlain's 1605 Habitation. Itself close to a hundred years old, it was built using a duplicate set of original plans discovered in France. Costumed interpreters demonstrate period cooking, fur trading, and daily colonial life, while a Mi'kmaq wigwam and interpretive displays highlight the thriving Indigenous culture prior to the arrival of the Europeans.
Other Attractions in Annapolis Royal
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is another must-visit in this friendly Maritimes town. Spread over 17 acres along the tidal Allain River valley, hundreds of plant species and cultivars are set in historically themed sections. Most notably, the Rose Garden is the largest in Eastern Canada with more than 2,000 rose bushes. Other highlights of this top-notch attraction include a reconstructed 1671 Acadian home, a formal Governor's garden, and a Victorian garden. The seasonal Elm Tree Café is a popular spot for a light lunch or snack.
The town's main thoroughfare, St. George Street, is a destination worth exploring. The King's Theatre, restored during the town's 1970s heritage revival, hosts live music, theatre productions, and the Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal (FODAR), Atlantic Canada's only summer contemporary dance festival. To meet friendly local growers and crafts folks, the Annapolis Royal Farmers & Traders Market fills the town square with local produce, handmade goods, and plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with the locals. For a real treat, enjoy fresh pastries at ARCH&PO Bakery, named for its home in the former Annapolis Royal City Hall and Post Office, and a cup of locally-roasted coffee at Sissiboo Cafe.
The Community That Celebrates Together
Annapolis Royal's community spirit and the welcoming nature of its locals are most apparent during Natal Days. This four-day celebration in August literally transforms the town into one big neighbourhood party. In addition to a parade down St. George Street, there's live music on the waterfront Oqwa'titek Amphitheater, as well as classic Maritime "Kitchen Parties" featuring local musicians performing traditional East Coast folk and fiddle tunes in small venues across town, like the Annapolis Royal Brewing Company.
Another popular and well-supported community event is Paint the Town, a plein air art celebration that's been going on for over twenty years. Taking place on the third weekend of August, artists set up easels throughout the downtown, the Historic Gardens, and along the waterfront, and afterward auction off their work. The town's Canada Day celebrations are another excuse for the community to let their hair down. Taking place on July 1, highlights include live music, family fun and games, and the traditional Canada Day birthday cake in the town where it all began.
The Friendliest Town in the Maritimes
Annapolis Royal certainly proves that a town doesn't need to be big to leave a lasting impression. With a sprawling National Historic District, a chock-full events calendar, and local folks who have dedicated their time to the community, this is a place where a warm welcome is all part of the culture.
