Halifax, NS Vacation Planning

[TanithandBenFan]

I'm going to be vacationing for four days in Halifax at the end of the month, and I wanted to see if there are any recommended sites beyond the ones I have so far on my list. I'll be staying at an AirBnB near the Public Gardens and will only have a rental car one day, so I'll be looking for things that are in the area or accessible by public transportation. Here's what I have on my list:

1. Grand Pre' (I have Cajun heritage so I'm really excited about this!)
2. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
3. Canada Museum of Immigration
4. Maritime Museum
5. Fairview Cemetery
6. Public Gardens
7. Citadel
8. Ferry to Dartmouth
9. Government House tour
10. Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral
11. Province House

I'm going to be there on Canada Day, so I'm excited about the epic fireworks that night. I'm not a fan of huge crowds, so if anyone knows a good spot to watch away from the Public Gardens please let me know.

Also, are there any recommendations for good seafood restaurants in Halifax or Dartmouth? Particularly those with good scallops and/or fried clam strips. I've seen John's Lunch in Dartmouth mentioned in a few places.

I'll have the rental car on the day I go to Grand Pre', so if there are any other interesting spots on the way to/from Halifax, I'd love to hear about those, too. Wolfville looks like a convenient place where I could go for lunch?

Thanks so much for any help!!

 

[manhn]

To add to the list, I would check out the new Public Library in Downtown. It was under construction when I was last there, but it looks great now. I'm a big fan of university campuses, so I would recommend a tour of Dalhousie. And for public markets, I would add the Seaport Farmer's Market.

I didn't have seafood in Halifax, but I did have donairs. Halifax is (in)famous for their donairs!

 

[victorskid]

Being a lover of salt air (and sea food), I would always recommend a visit to Peggy's Cove - you could do that as a side trip on your return from Grand Pré. To give you a taste of what it's like, there are two live webcams -

• one of the famous lighthouse: https://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/peggys-cove-lighthouse/ [be sure to stay off the dark/wet rocks - tourists have been swept away by waves]
• the other looking out the inlet from the middle of the small village: https://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/peggys-cove-village/

This live webcam provides views of the landscape of Grand Pré: https://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/landscape-of-grand-pre/ [there are changing views]

The original John's Lunch is beside the parking lot for the Woodside ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth. It is very small and there may be a line waiting outside, either to get a set or to get take-out. A new "related" location has recently opened not that far away. I definitely recommend their clams & chips but they are famous for their fish and chips. The clams are whole clams, not strips. There are definitely lots of options in Halifax for good seafood, I would even recommend the restaurant at Peggy's Cove - they make a great seafood chowder and their warm gingerbread for dessert is yummy

At the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia be sure to visit the Maud Lewis gallery - you will see her actual home, which was reproduced in the film "Maudie" currently being released in the US, as well as many examples of her art.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is definitely worth visiting, especially for exhibits related to two events - the Titanic (and Halifax's role) and the December 1917 Halifax Explosion. The attraction of Fairview Cemetery for most people is the Titanic graves.

 

[smurfy]

Maritime Museum is awesome!
If you can swing it - Peggy's Cove is really lovely (I happen to be there on a perfect sunny day). Car or probably some public transit or bus tour?
I was in Halifax via a cruise - and did a short bus tour that gave a great overview of the city with lots of history/background.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

To add to the list, I would check out the new Public Library in Downtown. It was under construction when I was last there, but it looks great now. I'm a big fan of university campuses, so I would recommend a tour of Dalhousie. And for public markets, I would add the Seaport Farmer's Market.

I didn't have seafood in Halifax, but I did have donairs. Halifax is (in)famous for their donairs!

I had to Google donairs. When I saw beef included I grew hesitant because I'm very picky about meat, and then I saw there are raw onions involved. I'm definitely out!

 

[sk8pics]

What a coincidence! I am going to Brier Island, a few hours from Halifax, in September. I will be taking notes, though I am going to spend most of the time whale watching and birdwatching.

 

[skategal]

Do the Harbour Hopper Tour. It a boat that also has wheels so it does a downtown city tour as well as a dip in the harbour. It also takes you around the Citadel which is nice because it is brutal to walk up there.

If you like gambling, there is Casino Nova Scotia on the waterfront.

The Royal Nova Scotia Tatoo will be in town during your stay. It's a great military performance show that will be at Scotia Bank Place. The Tatoo parade will go down Spring Garden Rd at 10:30 on Canada Day.

Excellent sit down fine dining seafood restaurants include McKelvie's (my favourite!) and The Five Fisherman. Murphy's on the Waterfront is good too for a more casual sit down place.

On the way down to Grand Pre, stop into Grand Pre winery. Even if you aren't a wine drinker, it's a gorgeous place.

The Tangled Garden is also near the winery and they make flower and herb based jams, jellies, and liqueurs.

Fox hill Cheese is also on the way to Grand Pre. Homemade cheeses and gelato....so yummy!


Be sure to stop at some Farmer's Markets along the way for fresh strawberries. There is a bumper crop this year.

Enjoy!

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I had to Google donairs. When I saw beef included I grew hesitant because I'm very picky about meat, and then I saw there are raw onions involved. I'm definitely out!

I didn't Google donairs - I just assumed that they were some combination of donuts and eclairs.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I didn't Google donairs - I just assumed that they were some combination of donuts and eclairs.

I would be very excited if that was the case!

 

[Japanfan]

I didn't Google donairs - I just assumed that they were some combination of donuts and eclairs.

In which case you are in for a surprise.

A well-prepared donair is culinary bliss.

 

[Jenny]

Those with Cajun/Acadian heritage must take the opportunity to try rappie pie as well.

 

[skategal]

I would be very excited if that was the case!

If you like baked goods, Apothecarie Bakery on Barrington Street is a must. They were highlighting sweets from each province for awhile. Not sure if they are finished that now or not. But sooooo good.

Also COWS ice cream (near the Marriott Waterfront) is really good.

 

[victorskid]

Those with Cajun/Acadian heritage must take the opportunity to try rappie pie as well.

There is a location in the Halifax area that regularly serves rappie/rapure pie on Sundays - Café l'Acadie on the Bedford Highway. They may also have it on other days. Otherwise, you might have to travel to the southwest part of the province (my home territory).

 

[TanithandBenFan]

If you like baked goods, Apothecarie Bakery on Barrington Street is a must. They were highlighting sweets from each province for awhile. Not sure if they are finished that now or not. But sooooo good.

Also COWS ice cream (near the Marriott Waterfront) is really good.

I am all about baked goods, so thanks for this! I looked up Fox Hill Cheese last night and saw they have a location now in Halifax, so I will definitely have to check out their gelato. Has anyone been to Choco Cafe near the waterfront? It looks rather yummy.

Is the weather generally cloudy/rainy there? Every time I check the forecast, I don't see much sun.

 

[skategal]

Weather seems to be alternating this week. Rainy.....sunny.....rainy.....sunny.

It's gorgeous today but definitely bring a lightweight raincoat.

 

[victorskid]

As the saying goes, if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change

That means, when packing be prepared for anything!

 

[TygerLily]

You might be quite busy on Canada Day, but the Seaport Farmers' Market is pretty great. It's also open on Sundays, but there are far fewer vendors that day (but also far fewer people so maybe it's more enjoyable then?)

It's in Pier 22, so could work with the visit to Pier 21.

I'll also brainstorm other places that might be of interest re: Acadian culture. There's a lot on Cape Breton, but it'd be more than a day trip and is the opposite direction of Grand Pre.

 

[victorskid]

Hoping to hear reports of your Nova Scotia adventures @TanithandBenFan

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Hoping to hear reports of your Nova Scotia adventures @TanithandBenFan

Will do! I arrive in Halifax at midnight on Wednesday. Was going to wait to go to Grand Pre' on Friday so I could sleep in Thursday morning, but the weather forecast for Friday is . Just changed my rental car to Thursday. I hope the forecast for the rest of the weekend improves. I've had enough rain at home!

 

[victorskid]

Will do! I arrive in Halifax at midnight on Wednesday. Was going to wait to go to Grand Pre' on Friday so I could sleep in Thursday morning, but the weather forecast for Friday is . Just changed my rental car to Thursday. I hope the forecast for the rest of the weekend improves. I've had enough rain at home!

Hope you had a good time in Nova Scotia @TanithandBenFan - looking forward to reports on how much you managed to accomplish

 

[TanithandBenFan]

The trip was great! I made it to everything on my list. The only thing I didn't get to see that I was looking forward to was the Canada Day parade since it was rained out. The weather was kinda gross most of Friday and in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday, but thankfully my sister and I were able to work around it. We did the museums on Friday to avoid the yuckiness. I thought the Maritime Museum was really cool and enjoyed it more than the Immigration Museum, although I did love the video of the immigrant stories at Pier 21.

Grand Pre' was awesome, and one of the girls working there showed us a book with the history of all the families at the settlement. We were able to find the first Comeau to settle there We had lunch in Wolfville and then visited the Luckett and Domaine de Grand Pre' wineries. My sister did the wine tasting at Domaine (I had water since I don't like wine lol). We also stopped at Horton Landing, which was quite interesting to find among the cow pasture.

Food highlights - Krave Burger - YUMMMM!!!! We went there twice. The burgers and poutine were delicious. Had the fried scallops at Evan's Seafood in Dartmouth - excellent! The pizza at Morris East was also a highlight, as was the gnocchi at Ristorante a Mano. Oh, and the chocolate chip scone at Uncommon Grounds coffee shop on South Park Street was one of the lightest, tastiest scones I've ever had. I tried some desserts at Old Apothecary and Choco Cafe and wasn't as impressed.

Our AirBnB was fabulous! I definitely recommend Brady's place at Chapter House if you're ever in need of a place to stay in Halifax. One thing about the city I wasn't prepared for was the steepness of the hills! My things are still burning from all the uphill walks back to our apartment. The sun started to peek out the day we went up to the Citadel, and I had to stop a few times to gather myself lol.

Also want to recommend Driver Dave's taxi service for airport transportation. They were right on time, inexpensive, and very courteous.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I remembered a question I wanted to ask about a road sign we saw a few times on the drive to Grand Pre' - what does the "@" symbol mean on a road sign? Our best guess was a wifi spot.

 

[victorskid]

I remembered a question I wanted to ask about a road sign we saw a few times on the drive to Grand Pre' - what does the "@" symbol mean on a road sign? Our best guess was a wifi spot.

Yes - it's public wifi access; often in a library or tourist information, but sometimes in a business.

Glad you enjoyed your visit and got to see almost everything!