If you are planning a trip to Nova Scotia, chances are you are more than likely traveling into Halifax. This darling Canadian city is full of friendly locals, great eateries, and a perfect blend of 18th and 19th century architecture. Great for exploring on foot, you can discover museums, galleries, libraries, and take in the views along the waterfront. If a Nova Scotia trip is in your future, make sure you allow for at least two nights to see all this brilliant capital has to offer!
The Best Things to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia:
Day 1 in Halifax Nova Scotia
Check In: Arrive in Halifax and check into the Westin Nova Scotian. Recently renovated and offering luxurious suites, this hotel is located in the heart of the Halifax Seaport District. Within walking distance to everything this modern hotel offers all the comforts you need to explore the bustling city.
Lunch: Once settled in head across the street to The Henry House, a National Historic Site of Canada. This cozy English stone house is a pub with moody tones, and brick fireplaces, offers a menu variety of local beers and English style ales, along with delicious pub grub. I opted for a seat by the fire and the crab cake special.
Afternoon: Directly behind the Westin is The Halifax Farmer’s Market – this is the oldest farmer’s market in North American. Although the farmer’s market is busier on weekends {boasting over 140 vendors} it is worth walking through to see the local fare any day of the week.
Next door is Pier 21, the Canadian Museum of Immigration {our version of Ellis Island}. This museum has bright interactive displays appealing to kids, and adults, of all ages. It goes through the history of immigration in Canada and how it shaped Canada’s culture and lifestyle. They also have people on hand that can track your ancestors if you have a Canadian background.
I am part French Canadian, and I was shocked to find that my first french ancestor came over in the mid 1600s. He was apart of the first Acadians in the maritimes. This history is something I will definitely delve into more, and it only took 20 minutes for them to find the information.
Across the way from Pier 21 is Garrison’s where you can grab a Halifax craft beer. Halifax has created quite the reputation for their craft brews so I highly suggest you give them a try while visiting.
Dinner: Enjoy your first dinner at Elements on Hollis, inside the Western Nova Scotian. The menu consist of fresh global dishes with an emphasis on seafood and wines from the Nova Scotia region. The chef is as delightful as her dishes and they are more than accommodating when it comes to rearranging sides or other menu items. Since I knew I would be eating all the seafood I opted in for the beef tenderloin over a bed of collard greens and mushroom risotto – perfect for a cold Canadian night!
Day 2 in Halifax Nova Scotia
Breakfast: Choose to sleeping in and enjoy breakfast in bed from Elements On Hollis, or opt to head down to the dining room to enjoy an amazing breakfast buffet, or choose from the menu. The buffet offers a large selection of breakfast items from meats and cheeses, to eggs, bacon, and hash browns, to pastry treats! They also have an omelet and a waffle bar. The waffles are insane!
Morning: The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a national landmark showing Halifax’s role as a key naval station in the British Empire. Sitting on a large hill you can gain impressive views of the city while learning about the city’s history with Britain. In the summer there are concerts on the hill with some impressive artists, it’s worth checking the schedule if you are in town.
Discover the Halifax Central Library. Designed to look as a stack of books this bright and cheerful library was named one of the Top 10 most beautiful libraries on earth by WIRED.
Stroll down Spring Garden Road, a lively street full of shops and cafes. Explore the locally owned shops while enjoying people watching.
Lunch: I stepped into Sushi Nami Royale, a highly recommended sushi bar on a side street off Spring Garden Road. Warm up with a bowl of miso soup and order a roll or two for lunch.
Afternoon: Make your way to the Halifax Waterfront and step into the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Meet Merlin, the museum mascot, a spectacular macaw full of life. He has a webcam that you can check in and watch his playful antics on a live webcam any time of day! Hint: Parrots sleep 12 hours at night so I would check during the daylight hours.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has an intriguing exhibit on the Titanic, featuring the world’s finest wooden artifacts from Titanic. Halifax was the closest major port to the Titanic sinking and all the artifacts, and bodies recovered, were brought to Halifax.
You can also learn the story of the Halifax explosion, which nearly wiped out the city in this devastating man made disaster.
Nearby is the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, where you can see a wide range of exhibits unique to the region, including the Maud Lewis collection. The museum even has her tiny house that Maud painted almost every piece in bright, bold, colorful paintings.
Hop on the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry and head to Alderney Landing. This is the oldest saltwater ferry in North America and the second oldest in the world! Once in Alderney gaze upon the glittering skyline of Halifax {try to time this an hour before sunset for optimal lighting and colors}. The ferry is $2.50 each way in cash and departs every 15 minutes. Stay and explore the Dartmouth area, or head back to Halifax for dinner!
Right next to the ferry terminal is the Nova Scotian Crystal shop. The owner hails from Waterford, Ireland and started his business In Nova Scotia. They create gorgeous crystal pieces worth looking at. If you are deterred from buying because you are scared you’ll break the beautiful piece at some point in time, don’t worry! They offer warranties on every piece!
Dinner: Walk up to Barrington Street and enjoy a delectable bite to eat, paired with a Canadian wine, from Chives: the Canadian Bistro. The menu is full of artisanal dishes, but I opted for their scallop and lobster special: Seared scallops + butter poached lobster with corn + pepper salsa some lardons – fresh peas corn purée and saffron sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?
Day 3 in Halifax Nova Scotia
Breakfast: Take part in Elements on Hollis breakfast buffet and be on your way to discover what else Nova Scotia has to offer!
Alternative: Staying another night in Halifax at the end of your Nova Scotia trip? Enjoy your last night in Halifax being pampered at The Prince George Hotel. Start your last evening at the Obladee Wine Bar with a wine flight, and then dine at the stylish Gio, within the Prince George.
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