Georgetown: Harbour, History and Nature Experiences

Georgetown brings together several points of interest to help you plan your trip: a harbour with a distinctive history, the A.A. Memorial Gardens, trails for outdoor activities and a sailing tour with seal watching. If you’re looking for a hotel in Georgetown, consider which side of the town you’d like to shape your stay—maritime history, a distinctive garden landmark, or time on the water and trails.

Harbour and Shipbuilding History

Georgetown has the first harbour built on the Atlantic coast and one of the deepest harbours in North America. The town’s past is also shaped by the sea: Georgetown was once an important shipbuilding centre. The harbour and shipbuilding history therefore give the destination two interconnected historical points of interest. Travellers interested in the development of harbour towns can explore Georgetown through both its harbour and its former role in shipbuilding.

A.A. Memorial Gardens and the Ship’s Wheel

The A.A. Memorial Gardens cover 3.8 acres and were created in honour of Andrew Archibald Macdonald. Among the gardens’ distinctive features is Canada’s largest ship’s wheel, measuring 12 feet in diameter. The dedication and the maritime object offer different points of interest: the gardens commemorate a person by name, while the ship’s wheel reflects the connection to seafaring. For your trip planning, this is a specific cultural and historical highlight in Georgetown, alongside the harbour and shipbuilding history.

Walking Trail, Cycling and Sailing

The Georgetown West Street Beach Walking Trail is a day-use park with a picnic area, play area and lookout. It also provides access to cycling and hiking on the Confederation Trail. This lets you choose between the day-use park’s facilities and activities on the named trail for your time outdoors. Facilities may change over time, and conditions on the Confederation Trail may also vary seasonally.

On the water, Tranquility Cove Adventures offers a two-hour sailing tour with seal watching and views of the historic Panmure Island Lighthouse from the water. The duration gives you a specific time frame for this activity; seasonal availability may vary. If you’d like to include the tour in your trip plans, check availability for your intended dates.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Kings County

Beyond Georgetown, the wider destination of Kings County offers a variety of nature and culture experiences. Greenwich has three hiking trails ranging from 1.25 to 4.5 km. The Greenwich Interpretation Centre features more than 20 exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Greenwich. The trails and exhibits offer different ways to explore: spend time outdoors or learn about the area’s history and nature.

East Point Lighthouse is known as “Canada’s Confederation Lighthouse” and offers guided and self-guided tours. From the top, there are panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This destination combines tours with views of three named bodies of water.

At the Roma at Three Rivers historic site, visitors can take part in a herb and food foraging hike along the site’s trails. Early French cuisine is also served there, including bread baked in an outdoor oven; food offerings may vary seasonally. These themes—hiking, history and cuisine—expand the range of experiences in the wider Kings County area, distinct from the attractions in Georgetown.

Discover more destinations: Cardigan, Morell, Souris, Murray Harbour, Montague.

Back to the wider travel guide: Kings County.