Kentville
Around Kentville
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Town and around · Nova Scotia · 26k people
Kentville
Locals say Annapolis Valley · “Heart of the Valley”
Where the apple blossoms bloom and the tides roll in.
Acadia University goldAcadia University blue
Welcome to the Annapolis Valley, where the orchards meet the sea and every season brings something to celebrate. Whether you're here for the wine, the trails, or the friendly towns, you'll find a community that feels like home.
Clubs for Kentville
No clubs for Kentville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kentville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kentville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Acadia University Historic university with beautiful grounds and gardens
- The Lookoff Panoramic views over the Annapolis Valley
- Kentville Farmers Market Local produce, crafts, and food
- Wolfville Main Street Charming downtown with shops and cafés
- Grand Pré National Historic Site UNESCO site with memorial gardens and views
- Cornwallis River River with walking trails and wildlife
- Outdoors Hiking the Lookoff and North Mountain trails
- Outdoors Cycling the Harvest Moon Trail
- With kids Visiting the Kentville Farmers Market
- With kids Apple picking at local orchards
- Evenings Live music at Wolfville pubs
- Evenings Wine tastings at local wineries
- Locals love u-pick orchards
- Locals love cider houses
Through the year
- Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival May Spring celebration of the apple harvest
- Devour! The Food Film Fest November Food and film festival
- Deep Roots Music Festival September Roots and folk music
- Annapolis Valley Exhibition August Agricultural fair
- Valley Harvest Marathon October Road race through the valley
The Annapolis Valley has a mild maritime climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is pleasant. Best: Late spring to early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- The Annapolis Valley region
- “The Lookoff”
- The scenic viewpoint on North Mountain
- “Blomidon”
- Cape Blomidon, a nearby landmark
Getaways
- Halifax City life, waterfront, and dining
- Truro Gateway to the North Shore
- Moncton Tidal bore and magnetic hill
- Saint John Bay of Fundy and reversing falls
Local flavour
Teams
- Acadia Axemen/Axewomen U Sports (AUS)
- Valley Wildcats Maritime Hockey League
Also rooting for Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Eat and drink
- Apple cider Fresh pressed from the many local orchards
- Apple pie Classic dessert made with Annapolis Valley apples
- Nova Scotia wine Local white wines from the region's vineyards
Where people go
- Orchards Apple orchards that define the landscape
- Wineries Vineyards and wineries along the Evangeline Trail
- Farmers markets Local produce and crafts markets
Heritage and traditions
The Annapolis Valley is proud of its deep agricultural roots, especially its apple orchards and vineyards, and its vibrant community life centered around Acadia University and the charming towns of Wolfville and Kentville.
This time of year in Kentville
- Harvest season Fall Apple picking and cider making.
- Bird migration Spring/Fall The valley is a stopover for migratory birds.
Say it like a local: “Deek” — Look or peek
Festivals
- Acadian Day August 15 Celebrates Acadian culture with music, food, and ceremonies at Grand Pré.
Landmarks with a story
- The Covenanter Church A historic church in Grand Pré, built by Scottish settlers in the 19th century.
- The Kings County Museum Housed in a former courthouse in Kentville, showcasing local history.
- The Randall House Museum A Victorian-era home in Wolfville, now a museum of local heritage.
- The Prescott House A Georgian-style home in Starr's Point, built in the early 1800s.
- The Old Burying Ground A historic cemetery in Wolfville with graves dating back to the 1700s.
Food traditions
- Fiddlehead foraging In spring, locals gather fiddleheads from riverbanks, a Nova Scotia delicacy.
- Strawberry picking and shortcake June brings strawberry harvest, and shortcake is a classic dessert.
- Hodge podge A creamy vegetable stew made with new potatoes, beans, and peas, a Maritime comfort food.
- Blueberry grunt Stewed blueberries with dumplings, a traditional Acadian dessert.
- Rappie pie A hearty Acadian dish of grated potatoes and meat, popular in the region.
Music and arts
- Folk music scene The valley has a thriving folk music community, with venues like the Wolfville Farmers Market.
- Acadia Performing Arts Acadia University hosts classical concerts, theatre, and dance performances.
- Visual arts galleries Local galleries like the Acadia University Art Gallery showcase regional and national artists.
- Literary tradition The valley has inspired writers like Buckler and continues to foster a strong literary culture.
A little history
- 1600s Acadian settlement
- 1755 Deportation
- 1760s New England Planters
- 1800s Apple industry
- 1838 Acadia University founded
Rivalries
- Acadia Axemen vs St. Francis Xavier X-Men University sports rivalry
- Valley Wildcats vs other Maritime Junior Hockey League teams Junior hockey rivalry
- Game day Acadia Axemen hockey games
- Game day Curling bonspiels
- Outdoors Hiking the Lookoff and North Mountain trails
- Outdoors Cycling the Harvest Moon Trail
- With kids Skating at the Kentville Centennial Arena
- With kids Swimming at Aylesford Lake
People in the Annapolis Valley speak with a gentle Maritime accent, often using 'eh' and dropping 'g' in -ing words. They have some Acadian French influence and unique local expressions.
Only here
- The Bay of Fundy's highest tides – the world's highest tides occur nearby, with a range of up to 16 metres.
- Apple blossom season – in May, the valley's orchards bloom in a sea of pink and white.
- The Lookoff – a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the valley and Minas Basin.
- The Harvest Moon Trail – a 110-km cycling and walking trail connecting Wolfville and Grand Pré.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the weather: it's mild but wet, so keep a raincoat handy.
- A car is essential for exploring the valley's rural communities.
- Try the local cider and wine – the valley is known for them.
- In May, don't miss the Apple Blossom Festival – it's a big community celebration.
- Learn about Acadian history at Grand Pré – it's a UNESCO site.
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Nearby
Every areaAnnapolis ValleyNova ScotiaOrchards, vineyards, and the world's highest tides.South ShoreNova ScotiaWhere the Atlantic shapes every day.HalifaxNova ScotiaA harbour city with a big heart.North ShoreNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the hills, and the welcome is warm.Shediac–SackvilleNew BrunswickWhere the marshes meet the seaTruroNova ScotiaTides, trails, and true Maritime charmMonctonNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the welcome is warm.Saint JohnNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the sea meets the soul.
Kentville. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.