Points of Interest

Within Digby County

The Admiral Digby Museum is located in a Georgian-style building, which was constructed in the mid 1800’s. One of the oldest structures in the Town of Digby, it is named in honour of Rear Admiral Robert Digby, Officer in the Royal Navy, who was in charge of arranging vessels and captains for the distribution of Loyalists from New York in 1783-1784.

Spread over two floors, the museum exhibits period rooms containing artifacts & archives relating to the history, heritage and culture of Digby Town and County. Of particular interest is our Marine Room which displays ship models and navigational equipment and the Costume Room which exhibits vintage clothing. Also check out our temporary exhibit titled “Digbys’ Men & Women at War” (2014).

Researching your Digby County Roots? Check out the Archives located on the 2nd floor. Small fees applied for Archival/Genealogical research.

The Admiral Digby Museum, which is located just two buildings up from the WRR Headquarters, will be open the week of the Rally (Monday to Friday) with admission by donation (closed daily 12-1).

The Trinity Anglican Church in Digby Nova Scotia dates back to 1783 when a number of United Empire Loyalists arrived and established a church. Many had been escorted from New York under the command of Admiral Digby, who later gave funds to the church’s construction, as well as a silver bell. This bell hung in the first church, and was later to moved to the current one. Lt. James Foreman, a member of the congregation, founded Digby’s first day school, as well as North America’s first Sunday School. Many of the first Loyalist settlers are buried in the graveyard.

By 1878, the original Church was found to be too small, and the present church began construction under the plans of Stephen Earle, an architect from Massachusetts. The church, described as neo-Gothic in wood, is widely admired and has been designated as a National Historical Site, as well as Provincial Heritage property. Local shipwright and church warden, M.L. Oliver, supervised construction, and left his mark on the building in the laminated arches, which are comparable to the beams in a ship’s hull.

Trinity Anglican Church was designated a National Historic Site in 1990.

The church is beautiful and the people are warm, friendly and inclusive. Join them for worship on Sunday at 11:15 am – 113 Queen Street, Digby.  Find out more on their website:  http://anglicanpdw.ca/

The current Point Prim Lighthouse is the fourth in a succession of lights built on this location that date back to 1804. The 1804 light lasted just four years before burning in 1808, and it wasn’t until 1817 that its replacement was built. The second Point Prim Lighthouse was a square dwelling, painted white with red vertical stripes on its northern and two adjoining sides. The third Prim Point Lighthouse, built in 1874, was a square wooden tower with sloping sides built into the northern end of one-and-a-half-story dwelling with a gabled roof. Red vertical stripes adorned the tower to continue the station’s daymark. The fourth lighthouse on Prim Point was built in the familiar form of a square tower rising from one corner of a one-story, flat-roofed building. (Taken from novascotiawebcams.com.  Check out the view from the Webcam on the lighthouse!

Follow signs toward the Ferry but at the intersection of Racquette Road and Victoria Street, go uphill (toward the Digby Pines Golf Course) and make your first quick right turn. That is Lighthouse Road and will take you through a subdivision and straight to Point Prim Lighthouse. Enjoy the great view of Digby Gut, Victoria Beach and the Bay of Fundy.

Travel time: about 10-12 minutes each way from downtown Digby.

At exit 25 on Highway 101, you’ll find Bear River, a tidal village of 800 straddling the dynamic Bear River. Its amazing to see the river run so high with some of the downtown buildings on stilts and then watch it drain out to empty over six hours with the fundy tides.  (www.bearriver.ca)

The original peoples of Bear River are the Mi’kmaq who lived here for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. (www.bearriverfirstnation.ca)  Now Bear River is also home to many artisans from far and wide, drawn by the beauty and uniqueness of the area.  Check out the shops and studios, visit the museum and vineyards, and the Bear River First Nations Heritage Centre located just 1.5 kilometers inland from the village.

Travel time: about 15 minutes each way.

The Balancing Rock Trail travels through the woods on a mostly level path with boardwalks provided for the boggy areas. The hike is 1.25 km into the Rock from the road. The trail climbs as you get closer to the coast, but once there it quickly descends down a well-built staircase to the water’s edge.

The platform here provides a beautiful view of St. Marys Bay in front of you and Balancing Rock to your right. For thousands of years this rock has stood teetering on the edge of the ocean, providing quite a sight for all visitors to the trail.

Directions:  From Digby take Highway 217 to Digby Neck. Take the ferry from East Ferry to Tiverton on Long Island. Continue on Highway 217 until you see the parking lot on the left.

Travel Time:  Travel time: about 1- 1.5 hours each way.   The ferry is $5.25 per vehicle but if there is a group, inquire about a punch card, especially if you’re continuing on to Brier Island as there is a second ferry ride. The return ferry ride is no charge.

If you’re going to the Balancing Rock, consider taking in a whale watching trip while you’re out that way!

NOTE:  A guided tour to Brier Island is offered on Sunday and includes the ferry fees.  This tour leaves at 10 am from the big Tim Horton’s on the corner of Warwick and Victoria but please register ahead of time either online here (link) or at the 2nd Canadian Army Veterans’ tent on Admiral’s Walk so we know how many guides and how many ferry tickets we need. These tours don’t stop at the Balancing Rock or offer enough time to take a whale watching cruise. There is time for lunch on Brier Island but the cost of lunch is borne by participants.

In Adjoining Annapolis County

Idyllically situated between mountain and sea, Annapolis Royal offers a stunning waterfront shopping area, an enviable selection of restaurants and world class accommodations plus a street scape that has been designated a National Historic District. Important heritage sites, an exciting arts community, and theatre,  as well as exceptional dining opportunities make a visit to Annapolis Royal a must for Wharf Rat Rally attendees! Find out more at: www.annapolisroyal.com

Step foot onto one of the most hotly contested pieces of land on the entire continent which became Canada’s first administered National Historic Site in 1917: Fort Anne. The land on which Fort Anne now stands is part of the traditional homeland of the Mi’kmaq. In recent centuries, a succession of Scottish, French, and English settlers clashed over this prize on the banks of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis River, often drawing the Mi’kmaq into their conflict. Fort Anne was the site of thirteen attacks, seven change of hands, and the ratification of the Treaty of Boston.

Today, visitors can walk the earthen walls, explore the 1797 Officers’ Quarters Museum and soak up thousands of years of Canadian history. Learn more

Fees:  Free for youth 17 and under.  Click here for fees.

Distance:  Located in Annapolis Royal just 20 – 25 minutes from Digby at exit 22.

In a beautiful setting overlooking a tidal river valley, the Historic Gardens is a premiere Nova Scotia attraction showcasing gardening methods, designs and materials representing more than four hundred years of local history. (www.historicgardens.com)

photo ops at the history gardens for wharf rat rally attendeesAnd the Historic Gardens is part of the Wharf Rat Rally too! From Bike Photo Opps (yes, you heard right!) in the Gardens, to creative motorcycle-inspired displays, to special discounts for Rally participants, staff and volunteers at the Gardens are rolling out the red carpet to welcome riders!

In 2009, staff at the Historic Gardens thought it would be an “off the wall” idea to allow Wharf Rats to roll into the grounds for the greatest photo opp ever! The Courtyard area took on a cycle theme, and groups of riders had a ball posing with their bikes amongst the flowers! The event created quite a buzz, so the Gardens is once again offering the opportunity to go ‘Hawg Wild in the Gardens’.

Fees:  Free for children 6 and under.  Click here for fees.

Distance:  Located in Annapolis Royal just 20 – 25 minutes from Digby at exit 22.  Click here for directions.

The first permanent European settlement in North America north of St. Augustine, Florida, was established at Port Royal in 1605. Visit a reconstruction of the original Port Royal Habitation, a French fur-trading post built by the company of Sieur de Mons and Samuel Champlain on the Annapolis Basin. Costumed interpreters bring Port Royal to life with demonstrations of life in the fort offered regularly.  Minimal fee applies. (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/portroyal/visit.aspx)

NOTE:  A guided tour to Annapolis Royal and Port Royal is offered on Sunday. This no-charge tour leaves at 10 am from the big Tim Horton’s on the corner of Warwick and Victoria but please register ahead of time either online here (link) or at the 2nd Canadian Army Veterans’ tent on Admiral’s Walk so we know how many guides we need. This tour stops in the downtown area of Annapolis Royal for shopping and lunch and allows time to visit the Historic Gardens for Hawg Wild in the Gardens where you are invited to take your motorcycle amongst the shrubs and flowers for unique photo opportunities. This tour also passes directly by the Lequille Country Store. On your way back, a quick jaunt will take you to Action Jax Fun Park (http://www.actionjax.ca) for Go Karts and outdoor fun.

Action Jax has something for every member of your group.  Practice your golfing technique or just have fun on our 300 yard driving range, challenge your family and friends to a round of mini putt, practice you swing with their batting cages, battle with water bombers and bubble spheres, or play indoor arcade and carnival games.  Find out more at: http://www.actionjax.ca

The year 2013 marks the 275th Anniversary of Free Masonry in Canada and the first Lodge was in Annapolis Royal. The Sinclair Inn, built in 1710, is the oldest surviving example of Acadian construction techniques open to the public.  In 1738, the building was used by Erasmus Phillips as the first meeting hall of the Masonic Lodge in Canada. The site offers a fascinating insight into construction techniques spanning nearly three centuries, from the Acadian clay walls to modern wood paneling. 232 St. George Street; Ph: (902) 532-7754 (http://annapolisheritagesociety.com/sinclair-inn-museum/)

The Lequille Country Store has something for everyone – baloney, bullets, and gas is what they say here.  They stock an incredible selection of hunting and fishing equipment, and are the exclusive full line Browning dealer in Nova Scotia.  Be sure to try their locally made jerky and pepperettes, or pick up some local Still Fired Distillery moonshine on your drive back to Digby.  Find out more: http://lequillecountrystore.com/

The Acadian Shore

Located on the shore of St. Mary’s Bay in Church Point, St. Mary’s Church is the largest wooden church in North America. Be sure to drop in to check out the depiction that some people call the Biker Jesus on the ceiling.  Find out more:  http://www.museeeglisesaintemariemuseum.ca/en/

Distance: About 35 minutes from Digby

Fees:  A recommended minimum donation of $2 per person

On the campus of Nova Scotia’s only totally French-speaking university, Université Sainte-Anne, Rendez-vous de la Baie is a cultural centre and a tourism destination that introduces visitors to the rich culture and heritage of the Acadians of Clare. The Acadian Interpretive Centre, a state-of-the-art museum featuring bilingual display panels, rich artifacts and interactive multimedia exhibitions allows visitors to experience the fascinating history and culture of the Acadians of Clare/Baie Sainte-Marie. (https://rendezvousdelabaie.ca/en/)

Distance:  35 – 40 minutes from Digby on Hwy 1 in Church Point

Fees: Since 2012, the interpretive centre has been open to the public for free! A donation box and a corporate sponsorship program replaced the admission fees.

Yarmouth & Acadian Shores is renowned for its vibrant and unique music. Many famous Canadian musicians come from this area, and musical expression is seen as a cornerstone of local culture. Maritimers are known for fiddles romancing us with soft melodies and then exploding into jigs and reels that shake up the desire to dance, sing, or pick up an instrument and join in the fun. In fact, Acadians have their own special word for this–a good party with lots of music is referred to as a “tyme.”  Click here to find out more including this year’s schedule.

Distance:  Dependent on location – up to two hours

Fees:  There is no cover charge to take in a Music of the Bay performance, but a meal must be purchased. Advanced reservations are always recommended, as performances quickly sell out.

Local Wines & Spirits

Located at 2635 Clementsvale Road in nearby Bear River, Casa Nova Fine Beverages is an award-winning producer of ciders and wines. Join them for a tour of the property and a complimentary taste testing. The Nova Scotia government now allows wines to be shipped out of the province so you can have your purchase sent out, so it’ll be waiting for you when you arrive home. Some products are in plastic bottles too!

Distance: About 15 minutes from Digby

Perched on Chute Road on the shore of the Bear River, this award-winning winery offers magnificent views of the town below. Dating to 1883, the ambiance of the building mirrors its wines. Stop in at any time for a complete tour: learn the art of wine making and discover the power of the sun.  Learn more at: http://wine.travel/

Distance:  About 15 minutes from Digby in Bear River

Nova Scotia is becoming more and more well known for award-winning wines.

In the Windsor/Falmouth area, visit Sainte Famillie Wines Ltd and Avondale Sky Winery. Nestled around Wolfville, choose a number of wineries located nearby (Map HERE) or Muir Murray Estate Winery.

There’s a possibility the Magic Winery Bus will operate on Wednesday and Thursday of Wharf Rat Rally week out of Old Orchard Inn – for a flat fee, hop on and hop off as the bus winds its way through the wineries of the eastern Valley.

Some great suggestions to experience Nova Scotia wines: