Return to a less-hurried time at a place that the wealthy once claimed as their playground. Whales frequently swim offshore, as this is part of their feeding grounds.
At the mouth of the Bay of Fundy running between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is the town of St. Andrews. Walk leisurely down the streets of this picturesque town and breathe in the refreshing salt air. The preserved heritage has earned its status as a national historic district.
The stately architecture of many buildings reveals that the area attracted the wealthy and influential. Stay at the Tudor-style Algonquin Resort, one of the largest full-service resorts in eastern Canada. It has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. Tee off at the world-class 18-hole Algonquin Golf Course overlooking watery vistas of the Passamaquoddy Bay.
The marine-oriented St. Andrews by-the-Sea, as it’s fondly called, has plenty of fascinating family activities and unique experiences. Visit the Bay of Fundy with the world’s most extreme tide levels. Some areas measure a difference of over 52 feet (16 metres), or taller than a five-story building, between low and high tides.
Drive your car on the ocean floor at low tide to Ministers Island. At this historic site, visit the 50-room house where railway baron Sir William Van Horne once lived. Board a boat at St. Andrews’ main pier to witness the awe-inspiring magnificence of gentle ocean giants on a whale-watching cruise.
Enjoy a white-sand beach at Katy’s Cove. Shop for locally crafted items at numerous stores, boutiques and art galleries along Water Street. Find serenity in the 27-acre (11-hectare) Kingsbrae Garden, with a café offering light meals on the terrace, overlooking the bay and Ministers Island. The garden is open from mid-May to mid-October.
Plan daytrips, including a ferry ride to Roosevelt Campobello International Park in Maine, where U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt had a cottage that he adored. His affection is understandable, with the magnificent natural scenery in the 2,800-acre (1,100-hectare) park. Keep your camera ready for the St. Andrews Lighthouse at Pendlebury across from Navy Island.
