Last Updated on October 1, 2024
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Halifax is the Capital of Nova Scotia and the biggest city in the province. It’s situated on the second largest natural harbor in the world. It’s a vibrant port city, that is a great mix of modern style and lots of history. There are quite a few things to do in Halifax, as well as fun day trips you can take. So even if you don’t have time for a longer Nova Scotia trip, Halifax is a great city break and weekend destination.
The city is not big and doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s compact and walkable and if you stay in one of the downtown hotels, you can easily walk to all the attractions. A couple of days should be long enough to see all the highlights.
Halifax, like the rest of Nova Scotia, is a foodie destination, especially if you love seafood. There are a lot of great restaurants in the city, as well as breweries. Keith Alexander’s Brewery is the most iconic and best known, but there are other great ones as well.
The main focus in this Halifax guide is on top things to do in the city, but I also included practical information about how to get there, bets time to visit and where to stay.
How to get to Halifax
Flying to Halifax
Halifax is home to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and that’s the easiest and quickest way of getting to Halifax and Nova Scotia too. If you’re coming from Boston or New York, there are direct flights from both (although these short flights can be pricey in the summer).
The airport is 35 km from downtown, which is about a 30-minute drive. There are several ways you can get from Halifax Airport to the city center.
- Taxi/Uber- very convenient but expect to pay 65-70 CAD for the 30-minute ride
- Regional Express bus #320 – this is the least expensive option. The bus connects the airport with downtown (going to Duke Street), and it costs just 4.25 CAD (cash and exact change only).
- Private Transfer – you can also prearrange a private transfer, which is the most convenient, but the most expensive option.
Driving
If you plan on getting to Halifax by car, the good news is driving in Nova Scotia is easy. The roads are in great condition and until you hit the city, it’s not busy traffic wise. Once in Halifax, you won’t need a car. The city is not big, and you can easily explore it on foot.
CAT ferry
The highspeed CAT ferry travels from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth in 3.5 hours. From there, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive to Halifax. If you’re just going to Halifax for a couple of days, this is probably not something you are going to do. But if Halifax is just one of the stops on a longer Nova Scotia Road trip, the ferry is a great way of getting yourself and your car there.
The ferry runs from May to October, with daily departures from Bar Harbor at 3 pm and from Yarmouth at 9.30 am. They often have early booking discounts, so you can save a bit when booking in advance.
Best time to visit Halifax, Nova Scotia
Summer and Fall are best times to visit Halifax and Nova Scotia in general. The weather is nice with lots of sun, so you can enjoy a lot of time outside.
July and August are great months to visit, but being the peak season in Halifax, the city does get busy. Expect to pay more for accommodations as well.
Technically, you could visit Halifax in the winter, but I don’t recommend it. Being that Nova Scotia is mostly a summer destination, a lot of places close for the winter. And then there’s the cold weather, which makes it difficult to be outdoors. Some of the most fun things to do in Halifax include boating, and that’s obviously not happening during winter months.
How many days in Halifax
Plan to spend 2 days in Halifax itself, longer if you plan on doing any day trips like visiting Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. There are definitely enough things to do in Halifax to keep you busy for two full days.
Things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Visit Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
One of the biggest Halifax attractions is the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, often referred to as “the Citadel”. You really can’t miss it, as it’s right in downtown. The star shaped Citadel also sits on the hilltop, so it offers great views of the city and Halifax Harbour.
The Citadel is one of five forts, that make up the Halifax Defense Complex. It dates back to 1749, and you can imagine, that with its hilltop location, it played a huge role in defending the city. Besides that, it also served as home to many soldiers and their families. If you want to get a glimpse into life back then, definitely add the Citadel visit to your Halifax itinerary.
There are several things you can do there. You can just walk around the site on your own, visit the museum, period rooms and exhibitions. Or you can join a guided tour, which happens several times a day and is included in the admission. Just join a group of people when you see it or ask in the Visitor Center when the next tour starts.
The Citadel is like a living museum, there’s always something going on, whether drill or rifle firing demonstrations, or pipes and drums performances. Everyone is in costume, so it really does bring you back in time. Every hour, there’s a sentry change at the front gate, so you can also witness that.
If you happen to visit the Citadel around 12, you can watch the Noon Gun, the firing of the gun by the Royal Artillery to announce noon, which has been a daily tradition since 1856. You can also time your visit just to see that, which is what I did. And if you are not there at noon, but somewhere in downtown Halifax and hear a loud boom, that’s what it is.
Plan to spend a couple of hours at the Citadel, if you want to join the tour, visit all the period rooms and watch the Noon Gun. They also offer a couple of immersive experiences, which you can book for extra charge: a 3-hour Soldier for a Day and the Firing an authentic Snider-Enfield rifle.
The Citadel is open every day from 9am – 5 pm. There’s an entrance fee of 13.25 CAD (kids visit for free)
Stroll the Waterfront
Easily one of my favorite parts of Halifax is its waterfront. It’s always bustling with activity, especially in the summer. There are a lot of restaurants, shops, food stands and attractions to explore.
There is a 2.5-mile (4km) boardwalk that runs along the water, and it’s one of the longest boardwalks in North America. If you want to walk the entire length of it, you can start at Pier 21 and go all the way to Casino Nova Scotia. Along the way, you’ll find many spots to sit by the water and enjoy the views. Colorful chairs, hammocks and plenty of tables as well.
Take a tour of HMCS Sackville
If you are in Halifax anytime from June to October, you have a chance of stepping aboard a naval ship turned museum. HMCS Sackville is the last remaining Flower Class Corvette, which served as a war ship for the Canadian Navy during World War II.
After being used for research for several years, it was then restored to its original configuration and is now docked in Halifax and open to visitors.
To be completely honest, I don’t know much about ships, and I didn’t even know it was one of the attractions in Halifax. As we were strolling along the waterfront one afternoon, the white and blue ship caught our attention, and we decided to take a closer look.
The ship is free to visit, but there is a suggested donation of 10 CAD for adults and 5 CAD for children. Money goes towards the maintenance of the ship, which is not cheap, so be sure to chip in. You can walk around on your own, but there are also guides who are happy to answer any of your question.
You can tour HMCS Sackville from June to October, opening hours are 10 am-4pm. In the off-season, the ship returns to the Dockyard.
Take a Harbor Tour
One of the must things to do in Halifax is to get out on the water and enjoy the views of the city from a different perspective. There are many boat excursions to choose from, with the most popular being a one-hour Harbour Tour. It’s a great way to take a break from walking around the city and spend an hour cruising around the Halifax harbor.
Harbor Tours are really popular and are offered by several companies. One, that stands out is Halifax Harbor Tours, as they are the only company with an all-electric boat. They limit the number of people to 8 and there’s plenty of room for everyone. The tour is narrated, so you can learn more about the city and its history. Tickets are 40 CAD and you can book them online or in the kiosk right in the waterfront.
Go Sailing
If you are looking to spend more time on the water, I highly recommend hopping onto a sailing boat for a cruise around the harbor. They have anything from one or two-hour harbor trips, to dinner and sunset cruises.
We opted for a 2-hour afternoon sail with J Farwell Sailing, and it was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a beautiful summer day. We got to see several of Halifax attractions from the water and got a close up look at George’s Island. It’s a small group tour, so it’s never crowded. The day we went, it was only one other couple with us, so it actually felt semiprivate. But even if fully booked, it’s no more than 12 people.
The Summer Breeze 2-hour sail comes with a welcome drink, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy it along with the spectacular scenery. You can also help with the sailing if you’d like. You can book that same sailing tour here.
They also offer other tours; you might enjoy their Sunset Wine and Cheese Sailing or Moonlight Yacht Cruise.
Visit George’s Island
When standing on the waterfront and looking to you right, you will see a small island with a lighthouse. That is George’s Island, which is part of the Halifax Defense Complex and one of five Historic National Sites.
Even though the island was always there, it only opened to the public a few years ago, making it one of the newer things to do in Halifax. It’s open to visitors from June through October on the weekends from 10am-3pm (in July and August they also open on Mondays and Thursdays). The island is accessible by boat only and best way to get there is by taking the Ambassador Gray line ferry. Your other options are a private boat, kayak or canoe.
We took the ferry, which I highly recommend it. The price of the ferry is 23.69 CAD and it covers the round-trip ride, admission to the island and the tour of the tunnels. The ferry does a scenic ride around the island before docking, which is a nice add on.
The first ferry leaves from Cable Wharf at 10 am, then runs every 40 minutes until 1.20 pm. It’s a quick 10-minute ride. When leaving Halifax, you need a ticket for a specific time, but you can return on any boat going back to the city. When you get off the ferry, there is a schedule on the dock, so I recommend taking a picture of it, so you know when to come back to the dock. You can book your ticket online or get it at the kiosk.
While there you can walk the trail, explore Fort Charlotte and take a tour of the tunnels. The tunnels however can only be visited with a guide (included in the ferry price). Just head over and wait for the next tour to start.
Georges Island is fun to visit not just for history, but also for the amazing views of the harbor and the city.
For the practical tips, be sure to bring water and whatever snacks you might need, as there’s nothing to buy on the island. Also, when booking your ferry, there is an option to add lunch and if you do, they will have it for you when you get on board. Or you can just pack your own and have a picnic with a view on the island.
Hop on the ferry
Here’s a little budget tip. If you want to get great views of the Halifax harbor from the water for just a fraction of what the boat tours cost, hop on the Halifax ferry. It leaves from the Lower Wharf every few minutes and costs just 2.50 CAD.
The ferry is used mostly by locals commuting but can also be an inexpensive way of getting those skyline views. It reminded me of the Quebec-Lévis Ferry in Quebec City. Same idea.
There are two ferries, one goes to Dartmouth, the other one to Woodsfire. If you are going on the ferry just for the views, it doesn’t matter which one you take. But if you’d like to get off and walk around a bit on the other side, Dartmouth is a much nicer place. If you want to just ride the ferry there and back, you still need to disembark. You can’t stay on it, even if you want to head right back to Halifax.
One way ferry ticket costs 2.50 CAD and they ask for exact change. Ticket is valid for up to 2 hours, so you can use it for a ride back, or as many rides back and forth for that matter, as you’d like. As long as it’s within that time frame.
Take a Tour of Alexander Keith’s Brewery
The tour of the Alexander Keith’s brewery is one of the must things to do in Halifax for any beer lover. Founded in 1820 by the Scottish immigrant, this is one of the oldest working breweries in North America, mostly known for its India Pale Ale.
Alexander Keith was quite a fixture in Halifax. Besides being the founder of the iconic brewery, he was also the mayor of the city, not once but three times. When he died in 1873, his funeral was one of the biggest Halifax had ever seen.
The brewery is located right in downtown, just a couple of blocks away from the waterfront. You can visit it on a one-hour tour, which makes it easy to fit into in between other activities. They run them several times a day. During the one-hour tour you walk through a small museum, the actual brewery and end in “Stag’s Head”, a historic pub, where you enjoy a couple of beers accompanied by singing and live music.
I’ve visited several breweries before, but this is probably one of the most fun brewery tours I’ve been on. It’s both entertaining and informative. It also makes for a fun rainy-day activity.
Despite being a bit on the expensive side, Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour is one of the most popular things to do in Halifax and often books up, especially during summer weekends. I strongly recommend booking your tickets in advance.
The price of the tour is 28.95 CAD and includes 2 samples and 2 full size beers (the second one is the choice of your favorite beer).
You can book your Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour here.
Visit a Museum
If you are a museum person, there are a few good ones in Halifax. And even if you’re not, it’s something you can do on a rainy day.
- The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – located on the waterfront, this is one of the most popular museums in Halifax. if you are into Titanic, this museum is a must visit. They have a large collection of artifacts from the sunken ship. The museum is open every day in high season but closed on Mondays between November-April. The admission is 9.55 CAD (May-October) and 5.15 CAD (November-April).
- Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – one of the top-rated museums and the perfect place to learn about the Canada’s immigration history. It’s very well designed, with many interactive exhibits. You can also trace back to your family roots. The museum is well worth the 16.25 CAD admission price. You can book your ticket here.
- Museum of Natural History – small museum with several interesting displays and exhibitions about wildlife. This is a fun stop if you are visiting Halifax with kids. Admission is 6.30 CAD for adults and 4.05 CAD for kids (5 and under are free)
- The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia – must visit for any art lover. The gallery has more than 18,000 works of art of both local and international artists. It’s open every day and the admission costs $12. Every Thursday after 5 pm, you can enter for free.
Stroll the Halifax Public Garden
For a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to the Halifax Public Garden. This beautiful Victorian style Garden, established in 1874, covers 16 acres and has a wide variety of flowers and trees, gazebo, a pond and plenty of benches to rest. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular place for photo shoots.
Naturally, the garden looks best when everything is in bloom, so if you are visiting Halifax in late spring, summer or fall, be sure to take a walk through it. It’s also one of the completely free things to do in Halifax.
In the summer, there are often concerts and other events taking place at the Garden, so be sure to check the calendar before your visit. And from June through October, they also offer a one-hour free tour of the garden at 10.30 am, 12 pm, 1.30 pm and 3 pm.
You can find the Halifax Public Garden on Spring Garden Rd, not far from the Citadel.
Park is open from 8 am – half hour before sunset
Visit the Grave of Alexander Keith
Just across the street from the Halifax Public Garden is the Camp Hill Cemetery, where you can find Alexander Keith’s grave. As I already mentioned, Alexander Keith was not only the founder of one of the biggest breweries, but also a three-time Mayor of Halifax. His funeral in 1873 was a huge event in the city.
Alexander Keith’s grave can be found about halfway into the cemetery.
Check out the Street Art
Halifax has some great street art scattered around the city. A lot of it is the result of the Gritty to Pretty, a program, that gives grants to different artists to beautify Downtown Halifax. You’ll see a lot of it just by walking around.
So, if you love murals and vibrant street art, be sure to grab your camera before you head out. You never know what you can find around the corner.
Have a meal at Bicycle Thief
Bicycle Thief is a very popular Italian restaurant, that is always recommended as one of the best places to eat in Halifax. And for a very good reason. We decided to try it one night based on all the rave reviews, and honestly, this place is definitely worth the hype. Dinner at Bicycle Thief was so good, it deserves its own spot on the list of things to do in Halifax.
Location can’t be any better, the restaurant is right on the Halifax waterfront and has a great outdoor patio. You can enjoy great harbor views along with your meal. We went with Pistachio-Honey Crusted Salmon and Spaghettini Ai Frutti Di Mare and both were excellent.
Somehow, we got lucky with a great table on the patio just walking in, but you should definitely make a reservation in advance. This is a pretty popular and busy place, especially on a beautiful summer night.
Day trip to Peggy’s Cove
Peggy’s Cove is the one of the most popular places in Nova Scotia and being just under one hour away from Halifax, it makes for a perfect day trip. It’s a small fishing village, mostly known for its iconic lighthouse. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the most famous and most photographed lighthouse in Canada.
The lighthouse sits on huge rocks overlooking the ocean and it really is picture perfect. So is the village, so be sure to walk around and see that as well. There are a couple of restaurants there, if you want to stop for a lobster roll or fish and chips.
Being one of the most popular spots in Nova Scotia, Peggy’s Cove does get pretty crowded, especially in high season. If you are there in the summer, try to visit either in the morning or late afternoon. Mid-day the place is packed and despite two parking lots, getting a spot is not easy. It’s even harder to get a picture with no people in it.
Peggy’s Cove is pretty small and won’t take up an entire day. You can easily combine it with a visit to another place nearby like Mahone Bay. This is another beautiful small town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, which is about one hour away from Halifax. Coming from Peggy’s Cove it will take one hour as well.
Mahone Bay has many cute stores and restaurants, but it’s most famous for the view of three churches side by side. It’s one of the most famous photo spots on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. To get that view, go around the Bay to this spot, which is across the street from Rebecca’s Restaurant. Speaking of restaurants, we tried Oh My Cod! for lunch and it was really good.
If you have a car, a day trip to Peggy’s Cove is a piece of cake. If not, there are many organized tours from Halifax you can join. They often combine Peggy’s Cove and a couple of other places for a full day fun.
Day trip to Lunenburg
Another great place just one hour away from Halifax is Lunenburg, which has to be one of the most beautiful places in Nova Scotia. The colorful town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To be completely honest, Lunenburg deserves more than just a day trip, so if you can, try to spend a couple of days there. But if you are short on time and a day trip from Halifax is all you can do, that is better than nothing.
Lunenburg is insanely picturesque, with colorful buildings, charming streets, beautiful waterfront and amazing restaurants. You can spend your day wandering around, taking in the sights, popping into the stores and galleries. stop for lunch. The Savvy Sailor is a cute cafe with a deck overlooking the harbor and they have the best coffee. Sweet Treasures is the place to go for ice cream.
Lunenburg is home to Bluenose II, which is the exact replica of the famous schooner. The ship is not always there as it travels around Nova Scotia, but if it’s in port, be sure to check it out (check the schedule here). You can walk on deck for free, look around and chat with the crew. They also have a couple of 2-hour sailings a day around the harbor, but be sure to book ahead, as they are really popular and fill up quick.
If you love craft beer, you have to visit the Lightship brewery, which is located about 5-minute drive from downtown. It’s located right on the water and has amazing views of the town. Lots of outdoor seating and I hear it’s one of the best places to be at sunset.
Where to stay in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Cambridge Suites Halifax Hotel – centrally located, between the Citadel and the waterfront. Great, comfortable rooms with breakfast included. There is an underground parking garage for extra fee, if you arrive in Halifax by car.
The Sutton Place Hotel – one of the newest and nicest hotels in Halifax. Very centrally located, just a few block from the waterfront and a short walk to many Halifax attractions i.e. Citadel. Ask for a room on the high floor for harbor views (front) and views of the Citadel (rooms in the back). Some of the amenities are a gym, on site restaurant (where also free breakfast is served) and a patio with jacuzzi on the top floor.
The Prince George Hotel – modern hotel in prime location, within walking distance to most of Halifax attractions. Some of the amenities include an on-site restaurant, bar, outdoor patio and a pool.
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