Annapolis Royal

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Annapolis Royal is idyllically situated between mountain and sea, offering a stunning waterfront shopping area, with a selection of restaurants, world class accommodations, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and plenty of outdoor activities.

This welcoming waterfront community embraces thousands of years of Mi’kmaw heritage and its over 400 years of French, Scottish, and British history.

It is home to the first European Settlement in North America and Canada’s oldest National Historic Site, Fort Anne. There are also over 135 registered heritage properties in Annapolis Royal, plus a charming streetscape that has been designated a National Historic District.

Don’t-Miss Activities in Annapolis Royal

A costumed museum interpreter at Port-Royal waves to museum guests.

Port-Royal National Historic Site

Port-Royal was one of the first European settlements in North America
The site features a reconstruction of the settlement’s early 17th century buildings, including the distinctive, closed-in quadrangle known as the Habitation
Learn about Mi’kmaw culture by visiting the wigwam and immersing yourself in the tales, songs, and legends of the Mi’kmaq

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Historic Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal photographed through the arch of a cobblestone bridge.

Fort Anne National Historic Site

Situated on 15 hectares (37 acres) of land in what remains of a long line of forts first erected by the Scots, then the French and lastly taken over and re-built by the British
Step inside the Officers’ Quarters to explore exhibits and discover the relationships between the Mi’kmaq, French, British, Acadians, and African Nova Scotians who have called this place home
Take the White Glove Tour for a behind-the-scene look at the museum’s plentiful artifacts and archives

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Harvest Moon Trail

A 110-kilometre (68 miles), mainly smooth surface trail, featuring 15 trailheads
Beginning in Annapolis Royal, you will travel along the Annapolis River and pass over two iconic railway bridges, farmers’ fields, apple orchards and the picturesque towns of Berwick, Kentville and Wolfville.
The trail ends in the Landscape of Grand Pré UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic place of remembrance of the Acadians.

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Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

Beautiful 17-acre Historic Gardens, rated as Canada’s 2015 Garden of the Year, situated in a tranquil setting overlooking a tidal river valley
Showcasing gardening methods, designs and materials representing more than four hundred years of Canadian history
Featuring the largest rose collection in Eastern Canada

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Candlelight Graveyard Tours

Tour the oldest English graveyard in Canada by candlelight with an internationally acclaimed heritage interpreter
Hear stories of the meanings behind some of the tombstones in the graveyard and the lives these people led
Tours occur at Fort Anne National Historic Site

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