(about Yarmouth, NS Canada, last edited on Oct 09, 2007)
Yarmouth can strike a visitor a couple of ways, depending on what you expect and what you like. Some might find it small and lacking vitality others might find it too big to exude a small town charm. Thing is the place is not considered a big draw and tourists merely stop here on their way to bigger attractions. Efforts are made to attract tourists and the waterfront has been improved by renovations and by adding more venues were tourists can linger longer and maybe take their time to explore the town.
Tourists do arrive in town so the problem of luring them here is solved, but it is more difficult to make them stay as they see it as a destination to pass by, they just get off the ferry and stretch their feet a bit before continuing their journey. Despite the local’s efforts to improve the touristic side of the town they will hardly be able to transform it into a top destination overnight, and I don’t think they aim so high anyway but their efforts are to be appreciated as there has been a lot of restoration going on at the waterfront making it a pleasant place to stroll along. Maybe if all those tourists that come by ferry stopped here for at least a day will boost the local tourism.
Anyway you can’t deny that Yarmouth has a pleasant atmosphere and besides having a nice stroll along the waterfront and take in some pubs and clubs among the things you can do here is having a meal in a local restaurant, maybe try some traditional dishes and look at the historic architecture dating from the golden age of seafaring. You can cover everything there is to see in a few hours as the major attractions are within walking distance.
You can explore the town on your own, but getting the walking tour brochure covering downtown Yarmouth from the Yarmouth Visitor Centre might come handy especially if you are an architecture enthusiast as you’ll find useful information on the major architectural styles and the histories of the significant buildings.
History buffs and children will love to explore the Firefighters Museum of Nova Scotia. They will sample some old and interesting firefighting equipment, uniforms, badges, helmets, and pennants.
You can start your tour with downtown then continue with Cape Forchu and the Yarmouth Light. Getting here on foot might be a bit too much as they are 2 km away from the visitor center but you can choose to get some means of transport. Anyway the ride is worth making as the scenery is beautiful and at the end of the road you will get to see a beautiful concrete lighthouse dating 1960s at the beginning of the harbor. It is worth having a look inside, but it does not require more than a few minutes. The park surrounding the lighthouse is nice for a picnic.
Despite the quiet atmosphere of the town the locals do know how to have fun and the festivals held here are a vivid proof to that. There is the Truro's, the Apple Blossom Festival and the Scotia Festival of Music all being great opportunities for entertainment.
Food and live entertainment abounds at each of them. Of course at the Tulip Festival you will sample some nice plants while at the Apple Blossom Festival you will sample a variety of delicious apple based specialties. The Scotia Festival of Music will enchant you with high quality chamber music.
If you happen to be in Yarmouth during these festivals you will see it with different eyes and from a different perspective and maybe it will look more appealing.
Even if you can’t consider Yarmouth a touristic destination on its own it makes for a pleasant stop at least for a day and because it is a quiet town you will find your stay very relaxing and charge your batteries before continuing your journey.
