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Halifax

No reviews yetCity Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaThe Halifax Citadel is a star fort on a hill above downtown, Nova ScotiaThe Halifax boardwalk follows the waterfront for about four kilometres, Nova ScotiaThe museum covers the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion and the region's seafaring past, Nova ScotiaPier 21 processed nearly one million immigrants and is now a museum, Halifax, Nova Scotia

About Halifax

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, sits on one of the world's largest natural harbours and has been a naval and trading port since its founding by the British in 1749. Its compact downtown climbs a hill from the waterfront to the star-shaped Citadel, and universities, a busy port and a strong music scene keep it lively. The city mixes heritage stone buildings with modern towers.

The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site crowns the hill, with costumed interpreters and a daily noon gun. Below it, St. Paul's Church, Canada's oldest Protestant church, faces the Grand Parade, near the Old Burying Ground. The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk runs along the harbour past restaurants, tour boats and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which covers the Titanic recovery and the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Pier 21, now the Canadian Museum of Immigration, tells the stories of arrivals through its doors, and the Seaport Farmers' Market is nearby. Province House, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Victorian Public Gardens and wooded Point Pleasant Park round out the city.

Halifax makes a natural base for day trips to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. The ferry to Dartmouth offers inexpensive harbour views. Summer and early fall are the most popular times.

Best seasonJune through early October, with warm days, festivals and active waterfront life.
Ideal stayThree days covers the city, with extra days for the South Shore.
ArrivingHalifax Stanfield International Airport is the main gateway, with VIA Rail service from Montreal.
Halifax Nova Scotia Citadel Hill and Harbour BoardwalkWiserMap travel guideHalifax Nova Scotia Citadel Hill and Harbour BoardwalkPlan Halifax with Citadel Hill, the harbour boardwalk, Pier 21, the Public Gardens and Peggys Cove, plus donair, seafood, transit and seasonal advice.Read the guide

12 Best Things to Do in Halifax

History 4

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Crowning the hill above downtown, this star-shaped stone fort was completed in the 1850s as the fourth fortification on the site s...
Province House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Province House

Opened in 1819, Province House is the oldest legislative building in Canada and still the working home of the Nova Scotia House of...
St. Paul's Church (Halifax), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

St. Paul's Church (Halifax)

Founded in 1749 and built the following year from timber shipped from New England, St. Paul's is the oldest surviving building in...
Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Fairview Lawn Cemetery

This quiet cemetery in the north end holds the graves of 121 victims of the Titanic, more than any other cemetery in the world. Th...

Landmarks 1

Halifax Town Clock, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Town Clock

Set on the eastern slope of Citadel Hill, the Old Town Clock has kept time for the city since 1803. It was commissioned by Prince...

Museums 3

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

On the downtown waterfront, the oldest and largest maritime museum in Canada tells the story of Nova Scotia's long relationship wi...
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Between 1928 and 1971 about one million immigrants, war brides, refugees and evacuee children entered Canada through this harbourf...
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The largest art museum in Atlantic Canada fills two historic buildings on Hollis Street, and its best-loved treasure is the tiny p...

Parks 2

Halifax Public Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Public Gardens

Opened to the public in 1867, the year of Canadian Confederation, the Public Gardens are among the finest surviving Victorian gard...
Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Point Pleasant Park

Covering the wooded southern tip of the Halifax peninsula, Point Pleasant Park is a much-loved escape of forest paths and rocky sh...

Outdoors 1

Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk

Several kilometres of wooden boardwalk trace the harbour edge from the casino area south to Pier 21, linking museums, wharves, res...

Food and Drink 1

Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market

The Halifax farmers' market traces its roots to 1750 and claims to be one of the oldest continuously operating markets in North Am...

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