Originally titled Annapolis, Annapolis Royal was founded in 1605 by Samuel de Champlain. The town endured a century of battles via the British and New England colonists throughout the 1600s. Annapolis Royal is the oldest continuous European settlement in North America, north of Florida. In 1710, the French couldn't endure further battles, and lost their grip on Annapolis. Annapolis Royal was the new city, named after Queen Anne and was the first capital of the Colony of Nova Scotia in 1710, until Halifax was founded in 1749. Annapolis Royal consisted of Fort Anne, an army base used to defend against foreign troops. Today, most of this fort is intact

In the 1980s, Annapolis Royal undertook an ambitious self-restoration to revitalize the town after changes in the industries that had declined. A 2021 documentary looks at the lasting impact of the revitalization project. CBC Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia Rural Renaissance

Beyond history, Annapolis Royal offers canoeing and kayaking (warning: tides average 6.5 m/21 ft.) bicycling, hiking up scenic trails and even walking right in town, or in nearby wetlands encompassed with limitless ducks, great blue herons, muskrats and foxes. Annapolis Royal is 197 km (122.4 mi.) west of Halifax.

Annapolis Royal accommodations include bed and breakfasts, inns, motels, lodges, cabins and cottages.