Halifax Waterfront
You can easily spend a day – or if you have just a few hours you can make a shorter version of this inexpensive way to enjoy the Halifax harbour and its many attractions. It has something for everyone young or old.
Along the Halifax Boardwalk
The Boardwalk on the Halifax side of the harbour stretches from Pier 21 on the South end to the Casino on the North end. As you walk along you will enjoy the view of the boats and ships on this largest xx … Many visitors to Halifax arrive via cruise ships and to boardwalk is a great way to experience the historical side of Halifax, enjoy the harbour views and have many places to drop in and shop or enjoy a meal. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and dress in layers even on a sunny day.
The Farmer’s Market near Pier 21 is open daily and has a huge selection of produce but also arts and crafts, baked goods and much more. Great place to browse or buy.
There is a large Tourist Information Centre with lots of brochures, maps and
Halifax Waterfront
friendly people to advise on where to go and what to see throughout Nova Scotia. It’s a great place to help in planning your visit.
If you are interested in history, Pier 21 is the Museum of Immigration. So many people entered Canada through Pier 21 and the exhibits are interesting to give us a view of our history. The Maritime Museum includes both small and large craft, boat building, sailing, the Titanic explosion in Halifax.
There is plenty of shopping and browsing along the route if you are so inclined. Nova Scotia crafts, salt water taffy, t-shirts and souvenirs.
The restaurants and snack places are dotted along the route with upscale dining, and family style restaurants as well as take outs if you wish to enjoy your lunch out of doors along the boardwalk. The small parks along the way have seating or you can perch on the wooden
Ferry Trip
One of my favourite things to do is to take the ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth. This is the poor man’s harbour cruise. For $ 1.50 (senior) or $ 2.50 (adult) you can buy a ticket that takes you from the Halifax Ferry terminal to Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. Sit up on
Halifax McDonald Bridge at night from the ferry - Time lapse photo
the upper deck and enjoy the activities in the harbour, see the two bridges spanning and joining these two cities. The ferry system is part of the Halifax Metro transport system. So you can even use your ticket to get on a bus on the other side. Or you can enjoy walking around the Alderney Landing area, have a snack or browse and then hop back on the ferry within a 2 hour limit and use the same ticket!
Nighttime also gives a spectacular view of the skyline of Halifax and the bridges. Best on a clear night and be sure to wrap up warmly.
Dartmouth Waterfront
The Dartmouth side of the harbour gives you a great view of the Halifax skyline. On the weekend you can visit the Farmers Market. The Alderney Landing Library is just a few steps away and you can drop in to relax and read a magazine or look at the views of the waterfront from the upper floors.
Alderney Landing Dartmouth
If you are in the mood for more walking take a right from the Alderney Landing along the waterfront and follow the path. This leads over a small bridge which is the beginning of the Shubenacadie Canal. There are several museums and heritage sites in the vicinity well worth visiting including Evergreen House – the Dartmouth Heritage Museum. They have “high tea” several afternoons a week. Check their website for timings.
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Map
Click on the map to get bus transit details and to zoom in on the route. The route shown uses Lower Water street – but just head towards the water to get on the boardwalk at any point.
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(all ages) Small enough to fit in a knapsack yet huge on ideas, this guide has more than 100 suggestions for fun-filled family activities in Halifax, Nova Scotia. By Catherine Buckie of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.