Chester, Nova Scotia Travel Guide

Chester is a short drive off Route 103 and has the feel of a moneyed summer colony somewhere on the New England coast back in the roaring '20s. That’s because wealthy families have been retreating here since the late nineteenth century. The town was first settled in 1759 by immigrants from New England and Great Britain; today it has a population of about 1,600. Chester is noted for its regal homes and quiet streets, along with the numerous islands offshore. The atmosphere here is uncrowded, untrammeled, lazy, and slow—the way life used to be in summer resorts throughout the world. There’s not really a public beach, but the views and boat rides are more than enough to compensate.

The Chester Visitor Information Centre (tel. 902/275-4709) is inside the old train station on Route 3, on the south side of town. It's open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm.