Digby, Nova Scotia

Built by New England loyalists, and on a rich scallop fishing industry, the small town of Digby is Nova Scotia’s gateway to Canada’s most prestigious waters. The populated town of about 2,200 overlooks the Bay of Fundy, Digby’s entryway to the rest of the world since the town’s beginning in 1783. Digby’s tides are among the highest in the world, helping create some of the most captivating waterside scenery and earning Digby the title of The Most Romantic Place in Canada.

Standing at the foot of the Annapolis Valley, Digby’s deep heritage is made up of small town values. The town prides itself on its tourism and making visitors feel welcome. That’s Nova Scotia.

Get Around

By car
The small village of Digby is readily accessible from almost all points.

By ferry
Briar and Long Island are accessible by two separate 24-hour ferries near the end of the Digby Neck and are part of the Digby Neck and Islands Scenic Tour. 

Attractions

 • Admiral Digby Museum, 95 Montague Road. (902) 245-6322. Inspired by 1800 Georgian architecture, the Admiral’s décor grabs your attention. Historical paintings, furnishing and other artifacts from Digby’s beginning offer a glimpse into the lives of those who founded the town. Admission by donation; genealogy research $5. Open Jun 15-Oct 15 (STC), Tue-Sat 9am-5pm (Tue-Fri in Sept-Oct; O/S Wed & Fri, Sun 1-5pm)
 • Lady Vanessa, 34 Water Street. 1-866-445-4950. Get behind the wheel of this 28M (92-ft.) scallop dragger and imagine riding the open sea. The vessel rests alongside Digby’s boardwalk and was restored into a private museum to highlight how the local fishery drives Digby’s economy. Admission $2 (children 5 and Under FREE)
 • Trinity Anglican Church, 109 Queen Street. (902) 245-6744. This National Historic Site was built in 1878 and is thought to be the only church in Canada built entirely by shipwrights. The silver bell, which still peals before each service, was a gift from Admiral Digby himself. 
 • Digby Art Gallery. 68 Montague Road. 245-6992
 • Queertiques: A unique styling of paintings and crafts original to this small town are on display. The gallery also ships worldwide. 9 Water Street. 245-4312
 • Japanese art and Antiques Gallery: Offers Japanese woodblock prints and antiques, located just outside of Digby at 8121 on Highway #1, Barton. 245-2347
 • Point Prim Lighthouse, Lighthouse Road. Unless you’re traveling by boat, finding this lighthouse can be tricky. Take route 303 North in Digby, past the intersection with Route 217, hang a left on Lighthouse Road and take your first right. Grounds are open to the public and serve as the perfect vantage point for a Digby sunset. It’s not called the Most Romantic Town in Canada for nothing.
 • Annapolis Basin Lookoff, On your way to the lighthouse, why not stop and peer over the Annapolis Basin. Don’t forget your camera.
 • Savary Provincial Park, Plympton, Highway 101. A beachcomber’s dream, Savary picnic Park overlooks the St. Mary’s Bay just south of Digby on the main highway. 
• Seal Cove: Located on Brier Island (see Ferries) offers a unique viewing of Seal Colony

Dining

Budget
 • Thistle Down Country Inn, 98 Montague Row, (902) 245-4490 or 800-565-8081. Built in 1904, this colonial inspired Inn overlooks the Annapolis Basin and Digby’s fleet of fishing boats. Wicker furniture fills the rooms along with the great smell of fresh Atlantic seafood, served nightly for dinner at 6:30. Closed Nov-Apr. $8-$12.
 • Coastal Inn Kingfisher, 111 Warwick Street, (902) 245-4866 or 800-401-1155. Be dined and entertained at one of Digby’s best-kept secrets. A seemingly endless of scallop dishes fills a menu that won’t bite you in the wallet. Get a local spin on how Digby’s prepares its biggest export. $8-$12.

Mid-range
 • Fundy Restaurant, 34 Water Street, (902) 245-4950. This family restaurant has six distinct indoor dining rooms and three outdoor patios that sit on the harbor’s edge. Live lobster, fresh scallops and steak are some of the meals offered at reasonable prices. A children’s menu is also available. $8-$25.
 • The Captain’s Cabin, 2 Birch Street, (902) 245-4868. After celebrating its 10^th anniversary just last year, the Captain’s Cabin continues to be a popular spot for steak and seafood lovers alike. The comfortable atmosphere and candlelit tables create for an enjoyable meal. $11-32.
 • Admiralty Room, Admiral Digby Inn, 441 Shore Road, (902) 245-2531 or 800-465-6262. Located on the grounds of the Admiral Digby Inn, this restaurant serves traditional Digby scallops and steamed Atlantic lobster. Open May-Oct. $11-$30. 

Splurge
 • Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, 103 Shore Road, (902) 245-2511 or 800-667-4637. Enjoy a quiet, relaxing meal where local seafood is served with a French twist.  This casually elegant spa, hotel and golf course is en route to the Princess of Acadia ferry, making for a perfect stopping point for visitors entering or leaving Nova Scotia. Closed Oct-May. 

Drink

Being Canada’s Most Romantic Place can mean only one thing: warm fireplaces, two glasses of wine and the highest tides in the world. OK, so three things. But Digby is more for the romantic than energetic.

Lodging

Lodging in Digby is very consumer friendly. Expect bang for your bucks and a side of toast depending on where you stay. 

Budget
 • Digby Campground and Fun Park, 230 Victoria Street, (902) 245-1985 in season, (506) 693-0205 off season or 800-565-0000. Walk the waterfront or sit poolside before a round of mini-golf. With almost 50 sites, the campground can handle RVs, tents and camping trailers. Dumping stations, water and electricity are available. $18-$26. Seventh night is free. 
 • Summer’s Country Inn, 16 Warwick Street, (902) 245-2250. Centrally located in Digby is the historical Summer’s Country Inn. Built in 1830, and later restored, the Inn consists of 16 rooms, each with a privet bathroom, and intimate dinner settings. $59-$89. Includes full breakfast.
 • Thistle Down Country Inn, 98 Montague Row, (902) 245-4490 or 800-565-8081. Thistle Down Country Inn is a comfortable stay displaying Digby’s heritage and prestige.
 • Bayside Inn, 115 Montague Road, (902) 245-2247 or 888-754-0555. A “Million Dollar View” comes pretty cheap at Digby’s only surviving Inn from the 1800’s. Location wise, it’s a steal for its price. Book two couples traveling together and pay only $58, full hot breakfast included. $58-$98. Wireless internet included. Private rooms and baths.
 • Harmony Bed and Breakfast, 111 Montague Road, 1-800-890-4637.
 • Ocean Hillside Bed and Breakfast, Shore Road, (902) 245-5932 or 877-766-1689. You could spend your time in the colorfully decorated rooms, or sit on the patio overlooking the water. Take a walk around the grounds where stopping to smell the roses will tickle your senses. Full breakfast included. $60-$75. 

Mid-range
 • Nova’s Bed and Breakfast, 82 Queen Street, (902) 245-6987. Breakfast included. Intimate, yet inexpensive, this quaint B&B is perfect for weekend getaways. With only three rooms in total, your privacy is ensured along with your comfort. Breakfast included. $80-$90.
 • Costal Inn Kingfisher, 111 Warwick Street, (902) 245-4747. Not a bed and breakfast fan? Then this is your spot. An adjoining restaurant serves up Digby’s world famous scallops. Ask about special packages. $105-129.
 • Scotia Bay Motel, 9066 Highway 101, Brighton, (902) 245-5698. A cozy motel minutes away from Digby. Three of the 10 rooms have kitchenettes, full kitchen and living room. $49-$90.
 • Seawinds Motel,90 Montague Row, (902) 245-2573. Enjoy a view of the Annapolis Basin then book a whale watching tour without leaving the grounds. Standard and cabin rooms with cooking facilities are available. From $90.
 • Dockside Sweets, 34 Water Street, (902) 245-4950 or 866-445-4950. Adjacent to the Fundy Restaurant is where quality beats price. Escape in one of six unique suites. Try an ocean view, private, or family oriented suite. Kitchenettes are available. $119-$139 off-season, $139-$159 peak season.
 • Mountain Gap Inn, Highway 101, Exits 24 & 25, (902) 245-5841 or 800-565-5020. Explore the nature trails or tie the knot in one of Digby’s most original Inns. Choose from standard rooms, family cottages or one with a view, whatever works for you, MGI has it. $79-$340.  Children under 18 can stay free in same room as parents.
 • Admiral Digby Inn, Shore Road, (902) 245-2531 or 800-465-6262. Seconds from the Princess of Acadia ferry, this Inn and Restaurant is the perfect overnight pit stop for any family or visitor. A dinning room adjacent to the Inn will have you back on the road in no time. $120-$175.

Splurge
 • Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, (902) 245-7701 or 800-667-4637. Pamper yourself or host a weekend getaway for your employees, it doesn’t matter, Digby Pines can accommodate both. A golfing oasis sits in the heart of the grounds. The 18 hole, 72 par course was designed by famous Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. Green fees June 15 – Sept. 15: $53-%63 (18 holes),  $28-$34 (9 holes). Carts and clubs available. Rooms $160-$175.
 • Rose Wind Cottage, Smith’s Cove, 5 minutes West of Digby, (902) 638-3265. A two bedroom cottage with two bathrooms and two decks feet away from your own private beach. Open  May 1 – Oct. 31. $895/week. No pets.
 • Family Maritimes Vacation Home, 13 Maiden Street, (416) 848-7028. This oceanfront cottage is surrounded by a beautiful sandy beach and adjacent garden. Space is limited. The home has only six bedrooms and three bathrooms. Oct.-May: $550/week. June-Sept.: $900/week. July-Aug.: $1350/week.

Resort hotel of Digby Pines, Nova Scotia, Canada

Get in

By air
Halifax International Airport is located two hours to the northeast of Digby. Located 2 ½ hours away, the airport is accessible by private shuttle services.

By train
Via Rail service the northern part of the province but service stops in Halifax, about two hours north of Digby. Busing or rental cars are your best bet from there.

By car
Highway 101 (or route 1) runs connect Digby with the rest of Canada. The town edges the scenic Annapolis Valley. 

By bus
Acadian Bus Lines connect the province of Nova Scotia with Greyhound from New York and Voyager from Montreal. The main hub is located in Amherst, about six hours north of Digby.

Events

 • Digby Scallop Days, various locations. Already world-famous, Digby’s scallops are so popular they’re awarded their own festival. Events featured range from fun runs to fireworks and dockside entertainment but also include, you guessed it, a scallop shell skipping contest. Aug 10-13.

 • Wharf Rat Rally: Atlantic Canada’s fastest growing motorcycle rally. Besides being a bike rally, events include Heavyweight Highland Games. Kilted heavyweights compete in games like the Caber Toss and Hammer Throw (games originated from Scotland in the 12^th century) A jet Ski Stunt team will also perform including musical guest Studebaker Pie. Aug.31-Sept 3, 2007.

Activities

 • Golf: Digby offers some of the best golf in Nova Scotia. Annual tournaments are held there featuring NHL Hockey Players and national celebrities.

 • Whale watching: Can be found everywhere around Digby and surrounding Islands. Most tours run from June to September and last between 3-4 hours. Types of whales include finback, minke and humpback, along with Atlantic white-sided dolphins and sometimes even endangered North Atlantic right whales.

 • Digby Neck and Islands Scenic Drive: Follow route 217 along the narrow ribbon of land between the waters of the Bay of Fundy and St. Mary’s Bay, along Digby Neck to Long Island and Brier Island.

Shopping

Shopping in Digby should be reserved for local arts and crafts. Most shops and boutiques are found on Water Street. There is a mall in Digby but just has your general shops and what not.

Get Out

Take highway 101 West to Halifax or East to Yarmouth.

Smoking fresh fish at Gulliver's Cove, Digby County, Nova Scotia