Halifax Things to Do Tips by tvor

Halifax has a restored military fort called the Citadel which is on a hill in the center of the downtown area. There are some tall buildings that get in the way of the view of the harbour but there are restrictions in place as well. The fort is actually quite interesting and they have free walking tours around the site. There is an Army Museum on the second floor of the historic barracks building that's well worth a look. Lots of interesting things to see. There's a coffee shop and a gift shop as well.

There is an entry fee and a small parking lot at the top of the hill with more parking at the base of the hill. The view from the walls and the hill surrounding is pretty good. At noon every day, a small cannon is fired off to mark 12:00, aka "The noon gun" and you can watch the procedures if you're inside the fort.

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Also on the hill is the old town clock, built at the turn of the 19th century.

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Address: Citadel Hill, center of downtown. Can't miss it
Directions: You can drive up or climb a staircase off Brunswick street which is on the east side of the hill.

The waterfront of Halifax has been the center and heart of the city since it was founded. The city's shipping and naval heritage contributed to the growth of Halifax significantly. Part of the waterfront contained many warehouses that were used to store and distribute good shipped in and out. In the 1960's the old buildings in disrepair were saved from destruction and renovated. They revitalized the waterfront with offices, shops and restaurants in the old buildings, now well preserved. There are about 8 buildings covering several blocks from the waterfront and back several streets, some interconnected and some free standing. A couple of newer structures added to the mix over the years that have only enhanced the area further.

In this area you will find local crafts, books, and souvenirs, art and galleries of prints, maps, good food and and buzzing night life.

Highly recommended for food and a great view is Salty's restaurant.

Christmas by the Sea and a shop selling antique and new maps and prints and travel books are particularly interesting.

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Address: Lower Water Street, Halifax
Directions: Go down to the water. You can't miss it. Start at the Casino Hotel and wander around. Don't forget some of the buildings in the streets behind the waterfront.
Website: http://www.historicproperties.ca/

This could be a must see or a tourist trap depending on your point of view. Certainly thousands of tourists visit this small working fishing village every year, by the busload. They mainly come for the scenery, rough and rocky, huge granite rocks by the sea with a picturesque lighthouse. There's a restaurant right there as well with several gift shops and parking lots along the short road into the village. People actually live and work here and the secenery is lovely though the restaurant is a bit pricey. The gift shops do offer nice local crafts but there are a lot of little shops equally nice along the Prospect road drive. Take care driving there though, the road is winding and a bit narrow.

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A really good museum about Nova Scotia's relationship with the sea. There's also a good exhibition about the Titanic with some artifacts like a deck chair. There are a few hundred of the Titanic victims buried in two cemeteries here, Fairview and the Jewish Cemetery (sorry, can't think of the proper name for it just now). There is also a detailed exhibit on the Halifax Explosion that happened in 1917. (see general tips)

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Address: Lower Water Street, Halifax
Directions: On the Halifax Waterfront
Website: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/

In the heart of Halifax are several acres of formal Victorian gardens. It was first created in 1836, the oldest public gardens in Canada. There is a gazebo that was built in 1887 where there are concerts in summer. There are many beds of flowers and trees, fountains and a large duck population. It's a lovely place to wander, sit in the sun and read or laze on the grass though there's only one spot you are allowed to do that. It's situated a few blocks up Spring Garden Road which is THE best street in Halifax.

The Public Gardens closes it's gates from Mid November to Victoria Day weekend (third Monday in May)

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Directions: circled by Spring Garden Road, South Park Street, Sackville Street and Summer Street.

My favourite street in Halifax. Spring Garden Road is posh, funky, and alive with people. It's near the hospitals and universities and the Public Gardens. There are lots of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and shops along the road and the cross streets. St. Mary's Basilica guards one end across from the Old Burying Ground and the other end stops at Robie Street and then becomes Cobourg road past that.

Don't miss the cross streets and courts like Birmingham Street and Queen Street as well. there are some wonderful shops there like Woozles, a children's book store. You can buy designer wear in Park Lane and Spring Garden Place, also in Mills Brothers, Winchesters and Winsby's for shoes.

There are movie theatres in Park Lane and the Halifax Main Branch Library is a gathering place for many people. There's Bud the Spud's and Bill's chip trucks that park outside the library most of the year besides the dead of winter. The street is serviced by public transportation and really is the life and buzz of downtown Halifax

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Pier 21 is a museum about Canada's Immigration history. From 1928 to 1971 ships bringing in new immigrants landed at pier 21 in Halifax as a starting point for their new lives. They would often take the train westward from here. During WWII the troops were shipped out from here and the War brides arrived here.

The museum is excellent with exhibits and also some research facilities if you are looking for geneology information as well. It's well worth a visit and if you are arriving in Halifax on a cruise ship, it's on your ...er... doorstep so to speak.

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Directions: Pier 21 is about a 15 minute walk or so from downtown, south along Barrington Street to the Westin Hotel, go down South Street to behind the hotel and keep walking south.
Website: http://www.pier21.ca/

The Halifax Farmer's market is the oldest in North America. Currently it lives in a restored 19th century stone building on the waterfront. The building used to be a brewery belonging to the company that made Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale, the most popular beer in NS. There is a brewery back in the building again now and they do tours. The market takes place on saturday mornings and has lots of fresh produce, meat, fish and cheese, much of it organic, as well as plants and herbs, crafts and food ready made.

There is a bright and skylighted center courtyard where sometimes there is a string quartet playing. Follow the labyrinth of narrow stone walled corridors to all the little hidden nooks and crannies filled with stalls and shops and kiosks. The brewery is very popular and is usually crowded so bring your patience with you. It's worth it!

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Address: Lower water street, Halifax
Directions: South on Barrington to just before Spring Garden Road. Go down towards the waterfront on Salter Street and it's just there on the right.
Website: http://www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com/mainmenu.htm

St. Paul's Anglican church, on the Grand parade, is the oldest church in Halifax and the oldest protestant church in Canada. It was built the year Halifax was founded, 1749. The building of course has been upgraded and changed a bit over the years but there are still services held in it on Sundays. It's open to the public as well.

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Directions: Grand Parade Square, downtown Halifax on Barrington Street.
Website: http://www.mikecampbell.net/stpaulschurch.htm

located in a historic Victorian building, the AGNS has been hosting some really fabulous shows over the last few years including a couple of Impressionist shows. Upcoming in 2005 is a retrospective of Rodin. Features many local and East Coast artists and folk artists, with a lovely shop and really elegant cafe, the AGNS is really worth a visit.

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Address: 1723 Hollis Street
Directions: Corner of Hollis Street and George Street, one block up from the waterfront.
Website: http://www.agns.gov.ns.ca/