Don't go to Mahone Bay, N.S.

Seriously, they don't want you there. And if you do go, don't wear tube socks with sneakers, a dopey hat, a fanny pack or a camera around your neck.

The Nova Scotia community has launched a tongue-in-cheek anti-tourism campaign, in hopes people will defiantly show up and spend their tourist dollars in a town that pretends not to want them.

Located on the south shore of Nova Scotia, less than an hour from Halifax and Dartmouth, the small town of Mahone Bay sits on the edge of a picturesque harbour busy with sailboats, and rimmed by sandy beaches. The town of 943 residents also features great restaurants, historic architecture and 161 kilometres of hiking trails in the area. But don't tell anyone that.

The community's website recently added a list of "26 reasons why you should never, ever visit Mahone Bay," with spectacular photos accompanying boring descriptions.

"All the houses are so dull and grey," one description says, accompanied by a photo of several colourful homes surrounded by trees.

"The sun gets in your eyes," says another description, accompanied by a spectacular image of a sunset. Another image shows three churches surrounded by trees with red, orange and yellow leaves, along with the caption: "Why does the fall have to be so colourful?"

The town lists 10 reasons to visit on another page of its website, but those reasons are clearly outnumbered by the reasons "not" to visit.

Because honestly, who cares about having fun, sailing or taking pictures in the summer?