Overview

Yarmouth (pop.7, 781), originally settled in 1761, is situated at the southwestern end of Nova Scotia. It has the province's largest seaport west of Halifax. Yarmouth also has a great shipping tradition. Yarmouth is a full-service community with shopping areas, accommodations, restaurants, an RCMP detachment, an international airport, tourist information centers , and bus and ferry terminals. The unique 19th-century residential areas feature many styles and blends of architecture. Ask at the tourist bureau for an historic walking tour brochure. Seafest, a week of festivities, is held in July, and the Western Nova Scotia exhibition is held during August.

Yarmouth's impressive shipping tradition is reflected in the exhibits of the Yarmouth County Museum, which includes one of the largest collections of ship paintings in Canada as well as exhibits on the Acadian and English settlements of the area..

Visit Canada's only provincial firefighter's museum, which contains a variety of vintage firefighting equipment and displays on firefighting tools and techniques. The Yarmouth Arts Center (Th'Yarc) features a variety of entertainment in its 390-seat theater on Parade Street. The 120-m (396-ft.) ferry, Bluenose, operated by Marine Atlantic, runs year round between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine, and accommodates 1,000 passengers and 250 vehicles. Reservations may be made through Marine Atlantic or any travel agent.

The M.S. Scotia Prince, operated by Prince of Fundy Cruises, offers trips between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, from early May to the end of October. The vessel accommodates 1,500 passengers and 250 automobiles. Reservations may by obtained from Prince of Fundy Cruises or through travel agents.