I'm taking my 78-year-old mom to see the Bay of Fundy in mid- to late August and need some advice about driving between Truro and Digby (or between Digby and Truro - not sure which way we will do that route yet). I'm wondering, basically, over which stretches is it worth taking the scenic route rather than the highway? More specifically, it looks like taking 101 and 102 is roughly an hour faster than taking 1 and 215/236, but undoubtedly it is less scenic.

Following 236/215 between Truro and Windsor (if indeed 215 has coastal views) seems like it would be preferable to driving 102.

Highway 1 looks like it hugs the Annapolis River, which again might be a prettier drive. But over which stretches is 1 really preferable to 101? Does it make sense to hop on and off highway 1 for the best parts?

We will need to make several stops along the way (for Mom to stretch her legs), so am wondering which places would make for the most interesting breaks. She likes quaint towns and shops, gardens, and historic sites.

Annapolis Royal seems like it will be worthwhile regardless of the route we take.

There is no way Mom can do the Cape Split hike, so that is out.

Any recommendations beyond those two?

Also - depending on the order and direction we do things, we can either take the ferry between Digby and St. John (if we do Digby after Parrsboro/Truro) or take the highway through NS (if we do Truro/Parrsboro after Digby). Either way, we are not doing the ferry St. John to Digby (we are either going Halifax-Digby-Truro or Halifax-Truro-Digby for this part of the trip). Is there any scenic advantage to the ferry? It does mean 3 hours I would not be behind the wheel, but it also looks like it costs $150 or so.

Taking the ferry to save driving is not the issue - it's whether crossing the Bay of Fundy is worth the cost of the ferry, We do plan to take a whale watch cruise out of Digby Neck.

Thanks!