Halifax

Halifax, located in Nova Scotia, was founded in 1749 and was the first British town in Canada. It is an area of picturesque sandy beaches, rocky shores and natural beauty. Halifax has the buzz and liveliness of a capital city that is rich in culture and history, it also has the rural charm for which Nova Scotia is known. You will find many attractions such as art galleries, museums, historic sites, music festivals, theatres and much more waiting for you in this magnificent region.

Attractions

The major landmark of Halifax is the Citadel, this old stone fortress and is a national historic site that attracts many visitors each year. The fortress was completed in 1856 and is located on a hill overlooking the harbour. It was used in the British Empire to defend Halifax and has some excellent 19th century defence features such as ramparts, defensive ditches and signal masts. For further information visit www.regimental.com.

The Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour is a major attraction for all the ale fans out there. It is located in The Brewery Market on Lower Water Street. The tour starts at the brewery where you can see how Keith’s Indian Pale Ale has been made and produced since the 1820’s. You are then taken to the Stag’s Head Tavern where you can sample the finished product.

A popular place to relax and enjoy the beautiful greenery is the Halifax Public Gardens, located on Spring Garden Road. Visitors can relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounding of colourful flowers, trees, fountains, ponds and animals. The garden has remained almost completely unspoilt since 1867, when it was first opened. It is a great place to have a picnic, feed the ducks and enjoy the gardens wonderful Victorian character. Also on the lively Spring Garden Road, you will find many fascinating shops, bars and restaurants that are worth checking out.

Halifax is home to some stunning architectural designs, including Saint Mary’s Basilica, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Canada. It is wonderful in appearance and contains a museum where you can learn about the history of Saint Mary’s Church. You could also take a tour of the site or attend the daily mass celebrations.

An extremely popular place to visit in Halifax is the Waterfront, locals and tourists can enjoy the harbour and visit the numerous shops, restaurants and attractions. The waterfront holds many festivals throughout the summer and you can explore attractions such as the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. This museum has many collections, preservations and exhibitions where you can learn all about Nova Scotia’s marine heritage.

Shopping

There is a diverse range of shops in Halifax, selling anything from traditional arts and crafts to named brand clothing. The main area for shopping is the pedestrian-only Playa del Carmen's. The vicinity can be enjoyed throughout the day and night, as it not only contains many shops, but also many bars, restaurants and hotels.

There are many shopping centres in Halifax, the major one being the Halifax Shopping Centre located on Mumford Road. The centre has over 170 shops and services mainly focusing on clothing.

There are many antique shops and markets around Halifax. Finer Things Antiques & Curios is the city’s largest group of antique shops with over 1,200 square feet of collectables from around the area. You will find everything from 19th century furniture to 1960’s retro items. Many of the arts and crafts shops around Halifax sell fascinating products centred on the marine heritage of the area. You will find fascinating collections made at places such as the Art Sales and Rental Gallery located on Hollis Street, and Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia located on Spring Garden Road.

Nightlife and Eating Out

There are many excellent culinary sources in Halifax to suit all tastes, whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or going for a family feast. There is a wide variety of restaurants available, serving food from all over the world. You can find many American restaurants in Halifax, as well as Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean and many more. There are also many contemporary Canadian restaurants in the area, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the harbour whilst feasting on traditional Canadian food.

There are numerous pubs in Halifax, many of which serve food. The Stag’s Head Tavern is located near the Alexander Keith’s Brewery and specialises in Keith’s Indian Pale Ale, for all the ale fans out there. There are also many Irish pubs in the city, including O’Carroll’s Irish Pub located on Upper Water Street, and the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse located on Prince Street.

There are many nightclubs in Halifax and the surrounding areas, providing a wide range of drinks and music. You can hear live bands, relax in a wine bar or dance the night away to the latest tunes. The Bitter End is a wine and martini bar located on Argyle Street, here you can enjoy casual dining as well as the many spirits that they have on offer. The Dome is one of the most popular nightclubs in Halifax, where you can dance to music played by the top local DJ’s in the area.

Tourist Information

• Hubbards Visitor Information Centre, 103 Hwy 3, Hubbards, NS B3N 1K8
• Telephone: +1 902 8573249

• Tidnish Tourist Bureau, Tidnish Bridge, Stewiacke, NS B0N 2J0
• Telephone: +1 902 6612703

Airport

Halifax has one airport located 35km north of the city. The airport was opened in 1960 and now flies about 3 million people each year. The airport is open 24 hours a day, and offers daily flights to 38 destinations, with easy access to the rest of Canada, the US and Europe. Flights are provided by many airlines and the airport operates over 160 departures a day. Halifax Airport also has many excellent facilities including long and short-term parking, good travel links with the city, plus eating, shopping and luggage services.