Attractions in Halifax

Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour

Keith’s is synonymous with beer in Nova Scotia , and has been brewed locally since 1820. The old Brewery was restored and open to the public for tours in 2000. Actors in 19th century dress give you a guided, by times musical tour that ends with a pint.

Farmer’s Market

Saturday mornings sees local farmers, bakers, artisans, and musicians descend upon the Keith’s Brewery building for this long-established market. Things get rolling around 7:00am in the summer, 8:00am in the winter, peak around noon , dying off rapidly by 1:00 . More than a great place to get local, seasonal food, crafts, and hear musicians, the market is a weekly meeting place for Haligonians and the best of Halifax ’s small-town side is evident in the friendly, high-energy atmosphere.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Open May to October, this star-shaped, British fortress was built between 1828 and 1856 and is the fourth version of a major fortification on the site since Halifax ’s founding. Its position atop a drumlin affords it an excellent, erstwhile strategic view of the harbour. The town clock on its eastern slope has been operating since 1803 and is an iconic image of Halifax . Visitors to the fortress are treated to the 78th Highland Regiment, the Royal Artillery, and people representing soldiers’ wives and tradespeople in Mid-Victorian dress. The guards change, and the cannon is fired daily at noon , a tradition that goes unnoticed by locals within hearing distance. The site occasionally hosts concerts and plays by Shakespeare by the Sea.

Halifax Harbour

A functioning, busy port and bustling tourist destination, Halifax Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world. In season, you can tour Halifax by land and sea aboard the Harbour Hopper - a modified amphibious army vehicle, or its competitor Seymour Splash. Theodore Too, a life-size replica of the title character in the popular children’s show Theodore Tugboat also operates tours. Whale watching tours and trips to Peggy’s Cove are available while those who prefer sailing can book cruises on the Mar II, or the Bluenose II when it is docked in town. When you’re ready to return to shore, there are several places to eat and drink along the boardwalk, a couple of museums, the Historic Properties district, and a casino.

Halifax International Busker Festival

For eleven days in the first half of every August since 1987, buskers have come from many countries to perform for the throngs of locals’ and tourists’ spare change. The waterfront is at its busiest during this festival, as several temporary stages have many scheduled shows daily, showcasing everything from jugglers and fire dancers to trampoline artists and bicycle acts.

Nova Scotia International Tattoo

With over 2000 in its cast, this military tattoo is the biggest, annual indoor show in North America and runs during the first week of July in the Halifax Metro Centre. Changing yearly, the Tattoo always includes both military and civilian acts from several countries, ranging from marching bands, to comical gymnasts, to Russian dancers, and, of course, bag pipes. The Tattoo also schedules a sampling of the year’s acts in public performances around the city and an annual parade.

Pier 21 National Historic Site

Pier 21 uses a variety of exhibits to present the stories of departing and arriving Canadian troops, war brides, displaced children, and the more than one million immigrants who arrived in Canada through its doors between 1928 and 1971. Opened in its current incarnation in 1999, Pier 21 has several types of exhibitions and a resource centre with databases for those wishing to do research related to the site.

Point Pleasant Park

This large park is on the tip of the Halifax peninsula, marking the split between the Harbour and the Halifax Arm. There are fort remains throughout the park - especially notable is The Prince of Wales Martello Tower National Historic Site. Built between 1796-7 to aid the protection of British gun batteries, the tower is open to the public from July to the end of August. Though Hurricane Juan devastated much of the park in September 2003, walking the many trails remains an excellent way to enjoy fresh sea air laced with the smell of pine. The re-growth amidst the more devastated areas is itself inspiring. Shakespeare by the Sea performs Shakespeare and some newer works seasonally in various park locations, usually for a suggested donation.

Province House (Nova Scotia Legislature)

“Canada ’s First Legislature,” Province House was opened in 1819. A beautiful example of Georgian architecture built of Nova Scotian Sandstone, the legislature can be toured and has extended and weekend hours in July and August.

Public Gardens

Open May through November, these 17 acres of Victorian style gardens are so popular they attracted over one million dollars in donations towards their renewal following 2003’s Hurricane Juan. The gardens are well kept, the ice cream cheap, the benches plentiful, and the ducks hungry - though the park prefers they are not fed to ensure migration. In the summer there are Sunday concerts in the gazebo. Warm weather also attracts local artisans to sell their wares on the sidewalk on the Spring Garden Road side of the fence.