Port Royal National Historic Site, Annapolis Royal

Disclosure: Our family received a family pass to visit Port Royal. Just means we have more great stories to share with you. All opinions are our own.

I remember visiting Port Royal with my family when we were kids. I had great memories of being there and couldn’t wait to take the boys.

Here’s what the website says

Port-Royal National Historic Site features a reconstruction of the Habitation, where, in 1605, Samuel de Champlain helped establish one of the earliest European attempts at settlement in North America.

Costumed interpreters will help you understand the challenges faced by the French as they carved out a new settlement.
Let your imagination soar as you walk the shore of the Annapolis Basin, and gaze at the same horizon Champlain would have seen. As it was for him, it is a new horizon.

Our Visit

Daniel does the best job of talking about our visit to Port Royal in his YouTube video.

When we arrived at the Park, the first thing we did was sign up for the Xplorers Program.

This is a great activity for kids to do as they visit any National Site in Canada. There are questions and activities to complete throughout the site, and if they complete enough of them, they will receive a prize and a certificate at the end. The program is geared towards ages 6-11 and we find it’s a great way to keep the kids engaged and focused on our visit.

We also picked up a brochure of the site that is clearly labeled and has a great map. As you go around the complex you can read about each place you are visiting. A number on the map corresponds to the information pamphlet for details about each location. It’s fabulous!

On our self-guided tour we saw a rope loft, the governor’s quarters,

a chapel, the kitchen and the wine cellar and so much more!

The key attraction here at Port Royal, though is the Common Room where the Order of Good Cheer began.

The Order of Good Cheer is a social club instituted by Champlain in the winter of 1606-07.

The Order of Good Cheer provided good food and good times for the men to improve their health and morale during the long winter. Although it lasted only one winter, the society was a great success. Every few days, supper became a feast where, on a rotating basis, everyone at the table was designated “Chief Steward.”
This person had the duty of taking care that all around the table were well and honourably provided for.
Learn more.

Overall

We had a great day visiting Port Royal.

Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit. This will give you lots of time to explore the nooks and crannies and to go through all the buildings.

This is a great place to bring kids of all ages, and especially multiple times, because with each visit, you will be able to do and learn more!

Definitely take the time to explore one of North America’s earliest European settlements!

Hours and Admission

Port Royal is open from Victoria Day weekend in May until Thanksgiving in October from 9am to 5:30pm.
A family pass is only $9.80 (subject to change).
Daily fees can be found here.

Location

Port-Royal is located just west of Annapolis Royal and Granville Ferry. Take Exit 22 off Highway 101 and continue north on Route 8 to Annapolis Royal. At the traffic lights, turn right on Route 1, and cross the causeway. Take the first left and follow the signs indicating Port-Royal (10.5 km).

Melanson Settlement

On the road towards Port Royal, you will see a sign for the Melanson Settlement, another National Historic Site.

It is free to visit this site, and only takes less than 30 minutes to do so.

Here’s what the website says:

An archaeological survey undertaken in 1984 on quiet farmland on the banks of the Annapolis River in 1985 unlocked the key to the history of the Acadian settlers who lived here throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Melanson Settlement revealed a system of dykeland farming unique among Acadians living in North America which involved families and neighbours cooperatively working the land.
Stroll the path and take in the view over the marshlands and fields.

Annapolis Royal and surrounding area is so rich with history that can be found nowhere else in Canada. Take time to explore it with your family!