Amherst offers several distinct themes for a stay: red sandstone shapes the townscape along Victoria Street, while the museum and local crafts showcase cultural history and contemporary creativity. A central park hosts community events, and walking opportunities and the golf club round out the outdoor options. You can focus your explorations on architecture, history, crafts or outdoor activities.
Red sandstone and regional history
Along Victoria Street, churches, banks, public buildings and commercial buildings form a collection made from locally quarried red sandstone. The shared material gives the different types of buildings a common architectural reference point. The Cumberland County Museum and Archives in Amherst, by contrast, focuses on the natural and human history of Cumberland County, particularly its industrial and social history. Its timeline stretches from the pre-colonial period to the early 20th century. In Amherst, the visible townscape and a museum focused on regional history come together.
Crafts and workshops
The Amherst Artisan Gallery showcases unique handmade products by more than ninety local artisans. The Amherst Farmers’ Market combines locally handcrafted items with locally grown and produced meat, poultry, produce, preserves and other products. The gallery and market have different emphases: handmade work by local artisans at the gallery, and a mix of crafts and food at the market. The market schedule may change seasonally; check the current market days when planning your trip.
The Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio in Amherst offers rug hooking workshops. This adds an opportunity to learn the craft technique itself to the selection of finished handmade products. Visitors interested in textile design will find another distinct theme for their stay alongside the gallery and market.
Parks, events and outdoor activities
Havelock Park is a green space in downtown Amherst. The Town of Amherst brings it to life year-round with community events. These include the popular Live on the Lawn series, featuring live music, local food and family-friendly activities. Esther Fest is a festival in Amherst celebrating the paranormal, inspired by the Great Amherst Mystery. Check the specific dates in advance for both events, as dates may change.
For a longer walk, consider the Amherst Marsh Trail. The Amherst Golf Club offers a different kind of outdoor experience: it is set in a rural landscape and offers views of the Tantramar Marsh. A PGA of Canada golf professional also provides professional lessons there. These offer distinct options for a longer walking experience, scenic views and golf instruction.
Cumberland County as a regional setting
The wider destination of Cumberland County offers landscapes ranging from the shores of the Northumberland Shore to the Bay of Fundy. Other regional attractions differ from those in Amherst: Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash is a National Historic Site of Canada and offers tours about the history and significance of the historic site. The Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro displays 200-million-year-old dinosaur skeletons, local gemstones and minerals, and an interactive Pangaea time machine. Its trail is maintained year-round.
Cape d’Or Coastal Park adds to this regional perspective with hiking trails and panoramic views over the Minas Channel and Minas Basin. The park also includes Cape d’Or Lighthouse and the former lighthouse keeper’s residence. These examples broaden the view of Cumberland County to include history, geology and coastal scenery, without conflating them with the attractions in the town of Amherst.
Explore more destinations: Wentworth, Folly Lake, Parrsboro, Springhill, Wallace.
Back to the main travel overview: Cumberland County.
