Amherst: Sandstone, Crafts and Nature

Amherst combines distinctive sandstone architecture with opportunities to explore history, crafts, events and outdoor activities. When planning your stay, you can choose from a range of interests, from the historic streetscape to workshops, walking opportunities and golf.

Sandstone, History and Crafts

Along Victoria Street, locally quarried red sandstone is a defining feature of downtown. The sandstone buildings include churches, banks, public buildings and commercial buildings. The variety of building types gives the street its diverse architectural character.

The Cumberland County Museum and Archives in Amherst presents the natural and human history of Cumberland County. One focus is industrial and social history, spanning the period from before colonization to the early 20th century. This places the history of the region alongside the buildings in downtown.

Local crafts take two different forms. The Amherst Artisan Gallery showcases unique handmade products by more than ninety local artisans. The Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio offers rug-hooking workshops. When planning, you can decide whether you are most interested in handmade products or a workshop on the subject.

Green Spaces, Golf and Walking Opportunities

Havelock Park is a green space in downtown Amherst. The Town of Amherst brings the park 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. Event dates may change, so check current dates if you’re including an event in your travel plans.

The Amherst Golf Club offers a different setting: it is in a rural area and offers views of the Tantramar Marsh. The club also offers professional instruction from a PGA of Canada golf professional. For a walking option, the Amherst Marsh Trail offers a longer outing. The park and the trail thus offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors: a green space in downtown and a longer walk.

Market and Events

The Amherst Farmers’ Market offers locally handmade crafts as well as locally grown and produced goods. These include meat, poultry, produce and preserves, as well as other products. Since market hours may change seasonally, it’s a good idea to check the current schedule before visiting.

Esther Fest is an Amherst festival celebrating the paranormal, inspired by the Great Amherst Mystery. If this theme interests you, check the event dates for your planned stay; individual dates may change. This allows you to consider the festival alongside the year-round community events at Havelock Park without confusing the two event offerings.

Discover more destinations: Wallace, Parrsboro, Wentworth, Folly Lake, Springhill.

See the broader travel overview: Cumberland County.