Caledonia

View of Caledonia

Caledonia is a village of about 1500 people in the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

Understand

• Caledonia Visitor Information Centre, 9874 Hwy 8, ☏ +1 902 682-2470. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Information, advice and locally-made blueberry juice. (updated May 2019)

History

In 1798-99, 40 years after the founding of nearby Liverpool, settlers began to look toward the "North District", an area rich in timber, waterways and potential farmland. A century of settlement and development in this once primarily Mi'kmaq (Aboriginal) area ensued and the early 1900s farming, lumbering and gold mining were flourishing.

Caledonia was settled in 1817 by six Scots and two Irishmen who were attracted by the good farmland on the drumlins.

A mainstay of the area for almost two centuries, the health of the lumbering industry was attributed to the variety and abundance of timber available. Farming is still very important in the area and the establishment of the Queens County Farmer's Market in the summer is a popular draw for locals and visitors alike.

A gold rush in the late 19th century, caused a boom in the area of which evidence can still be seen today in some of the storefronts and buildings.

Get in

Caledonia is about 45 minutes north of Liverpool and about an hour from Annapolis Royal on Highway 8, also known as the Keji Scenic Drive.

Get around

Calendonia is very much a rural community, with no public transport. A fantastic base for touring the inland of Nova Scotia, a car is required to get around to all the sights and activities.

See

• 1 Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada. One of the main attractions of the area. With 381 square kilometres of protected forest, Keji provides the ultimate wilderness experience for the naturalist. 80% of the park is only accessible by canoe or hiking trails. Deer, porcupines, beavers, coytoes, martens and black bears are among the many species of wildlife you will find. Dynamic interpretive programs are offered all summer long. Pack a copy of The Tent Dwellers by Albert Bigelow Paine in your knapsack and relive the tale over 100 years later. Paine started his journey from Jakes Landing, which is still a point of departure at the heart of the National Park. Adult $5.80, senior $4.90, youth or child free. (updated Jul 2019)
• 2 North Queens Heritage House Museum, 25 West Caledonia Rd, ☏ +1 902 682-2989. Jun-Sep: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. In an 1854 farmhouse, this museum houses a wide variety of artifacts from North Queens as well as published and unpublished genealogical resources. It is furnished with turn-of-the-20th-century artifacts with displays of logging history, a general store, archives on North Queens, and local genealogy. By donation. (updated May 2029)

Do

Events

• Take in one of the many events at the fairgrounds including the Queens County Fair held every year in mid-September. First held in 1800, the fair is a popular event, with ox-pulls, equestrian programs, concerts and vendors.

Buy

There's a building centre, a pharmacy, and a government liquor store (the NSLC), but not much else.

Eat and drink

• Hollow Log Cafe, 9902 Highway 8, ☏ +1 902-682-2086. Th-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-7PM, Tu W 9AM-2PM. Diner food, great desserts, cocktails, beer, wine and sometimes live music. One of the Top restaurants in Caledonia. (updated May 2019)

Sleep

• B&B Art of Germany, 9865 Hwy# 8, ☏ +1 902 682-2114. Full, vegetarian and gluten-free breakfasts available. From $72. (updated May 2019)
• Whitman Inn, 12389 Highway #8, ☏ +1 902 682-2226, toll-free: +1-800-830-3855. 8 themed rooms and one self-catering apartment. Cooked breakfast and dinner and packed lunches available. $70-130/night, $414-780/week.. (updated May 2019)
• Kejimkujik National Park Camping. Mid-May to October Unserviced site $25.50, serviced site $29.50, rustic cabin or yurt $70, glamping tents $100 ($120 with pets). (updated Jul 2019)

Go next

Routes through Caledonia

Annapolis Royal ← Kejimkujik N.P. ←

N  S

→ Liverpool → END