Halifax TourismHalifax tourism is easily helped by the fact that the city is comfortably explored on foot, with its manicured streets, international restaurants, galleries, libraries and museums. Downtown Halifax mixes the past with the present - stately 18th and 19th century architecture side-by-side with modern skyscrapers of steel and glass and concrete.
The waterfront and historic settings in the busy downtown area, serve as a backdrop to the busy harbor, with its never-ending world-wide ocean traffic. Halifax has been a significant port city ever since its founding in 1749 by the British forces, who were looking for a defendable alternative to the nearby French stronghold of Louisbourg in Cape Breton. The Halifax Citadel, an award-winning National Historic Site of Canada, is an excellent place to begin a tour of downtown Halifax. Built between 1828 and 1856, the massive star-shaped Citadel was one of the largest British fortresses on the continent, and its hilltop setting provided a commanding view of the city and harbor. The downtown waterfront continues to be a hot spot for Halifax tourism, showcasing some of the city’s best entertainment and replete with historical landmarks. Starting on Marginal Road, follow the harbor’s edge through historic sites and waterfront attractions, winding up the walk to Pier 21, the last remaining immigration shed in Canada. Here a million immigrants, began their lives as Canadians. Their stories are kept alive in multimedia presentations and genealogical records. At the corner of Salter and Lower Water streets, take a tour of Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery, where you’ll get to learn about the beer, the brewery and life in Halifax in the 1860’s all led by actors in period costume.
The building also becomes a farmers’ market on Saturdays, where live music, international foods and a selection of the area’s best produce and crafts are available for purchase. Across from The Brewery, meet up with the waterfront boardwalk, which hugs the old seawall as it borders the harbor’s waters. On Lower Water Street at the foot of Prince Street, you will find the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. It charges an entrance fee of a little less than $ 9.00 per adult, and through its collections and various exhibits, commemorates the city’s important relationship with the marine life of Nova Scotia. Further north, you’ll come across Cable Wharf with all its restaurants and shops, and where you’ll find the manufacturing site for Canada’s only mouth-blown, hand-cut crystal. You will be able to watch the artisans at work in the display room, as they shape and form these works of art. At the foot of George St, on the Cable Wharf on is also the departure point for Murphy's On The Water, Halifax's largest tour boat and restaurant operator, which offers a variety of harbor tours, nature tours, deep-sea fishing trips, and a ferry ride to pretty McNab’s Island, which sits in the middle of Halifax Harbour. These boat tours serve Halifax tourism well. Continue on the waterfront boardwalk ‘til you come upon the area known as the Historic Properties. Stretching over three square blocks, these timber-frame buildings and stone warehouses were originally built in the late 1700s and early 1800s to safeguard the stolen treasure captured by privateers. During the day, the Historic Properties is filled with shoppers drawn to the merchandise offered for sale in these picturesque buildings and tiny boutiques. By night, it serves as the city’s center of entertainment. Whether you’re strolling the waterfront, eating at a local restaurant, sipping ale at a pub or trying your luck at the harbor side casino, you’ll find Halifax tourism just humming with activity.
At the corner of George and Hollis streets, just above the waterfront, you will come across the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. It has an entry fee $ 10 per adult, and has an impressive collection of over 10,000 pieces of contemporary Nova Scotian, Canadian, British and European artwork. A walk up Spring Garden Road to South Park takes you to an attractive shopping district in Halifax. Well-appointed shops offering the latest fashions, fine art, crafts and gifts sit side-by-side with stylish bistros and rooftop cafés. Across South Park Street you’ll find quiet refuge in the Halifax Public Gardens. Since it was established as a garden in 1867, it has been a haven of meandering pathways, sparkling fountains, lively duck ponds and formal Victorian-styled flower beds. A short stroll from the Gardens is the Museum of Natural History on Summer Street. This popular museum features displays on the area’s plants and wildlife, as well as the geological history, ranging from dinosaurs to eagles and life on the ocean floor. Throughout the year you can enjoy music festivals, live theatre, outdoor concerts, and symphony performances. These scheduled activities serve both Halifax tourism and local entertainment well. Listed below are just some of the seasonal events.
The air-show features aerobatics by the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, the CF Snowbirds, SkyHawks and CF-18 Hornet Demo Team. Numerous flybys of civilian and military aircraft are also planned to be featured.
The Dragon Boat Festival is an organized fundraiser in support of the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund created to help increase participation in sport by supporting amateur athletes. Teams of 20 people, plus a drummer who keeps the beat of the stroke, will paddle Dragon Boats down the lake in a series of fun and friendly races.
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The Nova Scotia International Tatoo
consists of an assembly of military bands, pipes and drums, choirs, gymnasts, dancers, military displays and competitions that offer entertainment over nine days. It is normally held in the month of July.
The Nova Scotia International Air Show
is usually held in September and bills itself as a celebration of aviation that takes place at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.