Premiere Destination
Halifax is the premiere tour and travel destination for Atlantic Canada, offering everything from luxury to discount hotels, spectacular events and world- class attractions. The inclusion of Halifax in your tour itinerary is a must for a Nova Scotia vacation.
Many reputable companies, Ambassatours, Taymac Tours, Tauck World Discovery, Brennan Vacations, Collette Vacations, Grand Circle Travel, Globus and Backroads, just to mention a few, offer excellent Halifax vacation packages.
Order The Greater Halifax Visitors Guide on-line today.
It's all here in Halifax - You should be too.
Some highlights you can't afford to miss:
- Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
- The Public Gardens
- Historic Properties
- Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
- Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery
- Memory Lane Heritage Village
- Casino Nova Scotia
- The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
- Pier 21 National Historic Site
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
- Nova Scotia International Air Show
- Halifax International Busker Festival
- Neptune Theatre
- Grafton Street Dinner Theatre
- Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre
- Discovery Centre
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Canadian Sailing Expeditions
- Murphy's on the Water & Harbour Hopper Tours
- Ambassatours Gray Line
- Nova Scotian Crystal
- TayMac Tours
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography
- Fisherman's Cove
- Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
- Fultz House
- Musquodoboit Railway Museum
- SS Atlantic Heritage Interpretation Park
- Acadian House Museum
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
High above Halifax sits a star shaped citadel, one of the great British fortifications of the 19th century. It's one of the most visited National Historic Sites in Canada. Animators of the 78th Highland Regiment on sentry duty greet visitors as they cross the drawbridge. Don't miss your opportunity to have your picture taken with these animators reenacting life of the 1860's. Be sure to catch the firing of the noon day gun which happens atop the ramparts, every day except Christmas Day.
The Public Gardens
One of the finest original formal Victorian Public Gardens in North America. Enjoy sparkling fountains, historic statuary, a natural pond system teaming with bird life, and summer Sunday afternoon band concerts in the red roofed gazebo. Winding pathways lead past magnificent specimen trees & shrubs and colourful formal floating flower beds in this 17 acre garden. Open May to October.
Historic Properties
Stroll in the footsteps of privateers - licensed pirates who stored their booty in these warehouses. Restored and redeveloped in the early 1970's this area is now the home of colourful shops, pubs, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. It's only a stone's throw from the oldest saltwater ferry service in North America, and the departure point for many of the city's harbour tours.
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
Discover the natural wonders of Nova Scotia's land and sea. See whales, fossils, dinosaurs, birds and even moose. Meet Gus, the 83 year-old tortoise and see live bees at work in their hive, safe behind glass. Each summer catch the magic of live exotic butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion. At the Nature Centre, a naturalist will introduce live displays of local species of fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes and creatures from the seashore. Open year-round.
Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery
Visit Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery and step back in time for a fun- filled history lesson delivered by costumed animators. It's definitely not your run-of-the-mill brewery tour! People of all ages will enjoy visiting the beautifully detailed home & brew house of Alexander Keith, learning about the brewing process, singing a song (or two) in the Stag's Head Pub and, of course, sampling Mr. Keith's finest Ale.
Memory Lane Heritage Village
Located in Lake Charlotte, along the Marine Drive Nature Trail, Memory Lane depicts life in a rural Nova Scotian village from 1940-1950. It was a decade of transition when roads, electricity, and new technologies were changing rural life forever. The village features restored buildings, complete with period artifacts and staffed by costumed hosts. Cookhouse meals available. Local handmade crafts retailed on-site.
Casino Nova Scotia
Located on the second largest natural harbour in the world, Casino Nova Scotia is an exciting venue for gaming and special events. Open 24 hours a day. A five minute stroll north along the Harbourwalk from Historic Properties.
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is among the world's largest annual indoor shows and is held every year July 1st to 9th , in Halifax. Over 2,000 military and civilian performers from around the world take part in this amazing production. Entertainment including pipes and drums, marching bands, comedy, singing, dancing, gymnastics, and competitions will have you dancing in your seats. This event is consistently rated one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association. Special discount packages are available for group bookings.
Pier 21 National Historic Site
Located at the southern end of the Harbourwalk you'll find Pier 21 - "Canada's Ellis Island". From the 1920's to the 1970's, Pier 21 was Canada's 'front door' to over one million immigrants, wartime evacuees, refugees, troops, war brides and their children. Experience the history of this National Historic Site which has been transformed into a testament to Canada's profoundly emotional immigration experience. The sheer impact of the interactive displays, virtual projections and abundance of fascinating images will overwhelm you. Genealogy enthusiasts will marvel at the resource information and library.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Dive into Atlantic Canada's maritime history in the heart of the historic Halifax waterfront. Experience the life of a sailor, learn of the province's ship-building heritage and uncover the meaning behind colourful ship flags. See exhibits featuring the Halifax connection to the Titanic, North Atlantic convoys, Theodore Tugboat, the Halifax Explosion, Shipwreck Treasures, and galleries with Days of Sail and Age of Steam.
Nova Scotia International Air Show
Spectacular acrobatic and ground displays keep thousands coming back every September to Halifax International Airport for the Nova Scotia International Air Show. This is the largest combined Air Show, Armed Forces Day, Aerospace Exhibition and Lifestyle Exhibition in Canada.
Halifax International Busker Festival
Every August Halifax is invaded by highly talented international street performers during this 10 day fun-filled festival. Come and cheer on your favourite performer along the scenic Halifax waterfront as they vie for the coveted "People's Choice Award".
Neptune Theatre
With world class live theatre productions, Neptune Theatre is the flagship professional theatre in Nova Scotia. Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, Neptune's musicals, comedies and dramas provide excellent entertainment and are just a few steps away from the finest hotels and restaurants Halifax has to offer. Open year round.
Grafton Street Dinner Theatre
Musical theatre and comfortable dining await you in the air conditioned theatre. The talented performers are also your waiters and the musical comedies are good clean fun for the young and the young at heart. Located across the street from the Halifax Metro Centre and within walking distance of all downtown hotels, Grafton Street Dinner Theatre takes hospitality to a new level. They feature a three course dinner with three entrée choices. Open year round.
Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre
Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre serves up a full evening of dining and entertaining that is second-to-none. The moment you enter the theatre you are greeted by actors, in character, and whisked into the current show, and an evening of non-stop fun and entertainment. A two-act musical comedy, audience interaction, and fabulous three-course meal make this the best entertainment value in town. Located in the Maritime Centre this is Halifax's most entertaining indulgence. Open year round.
Discovery Centre
Halifax's science centre features over 80 hands-on exhibits that present basic principles of science. Visit the famous Bubble Room, spin on a rotating chair, experiment with magnets, check out the optical illusion of the distorted room and experience the distorted mirrors. Live science demonstrations and fascinating exhibits.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Make art a part of your Halifax vacation! The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, in historic downtown Halifax, offers a spectacular collection featuring over 8,000 works in a permanent collection; historic and contemporary Nova Scotian, Canadian and international art as well as an acclaimed collection of folk art. Let us help you bring art and people together.
Canadian Sailing Expeditions
Canadian Sailing Expeditions is Halifax's premier charter boat operator. The 130 foot sailing vessel, the Silva provides authentic tall ship sailing tours of the Halifax harbour. Tours are available during the day and into the evening.
Murphy's on the Water & Harbour Hopper Tours
There's no better way to enjoy the seaside flavour of Halifax than On The Water! Murphy's is your ticket to Halifax Harbour, the Northwest Arm, and beyond. Tour Halifax under the full sail of the beautiful Mar II, or dance the night away on the Mississippi style stern-wheeler Harbour Queen. The Haligonian III takes you to the Great North Atlantic to view some of the world's largest sea creatures and their fishing boat takes you on deep-sea fishing adventures. Or for something completely different, tour "The Big Harbour" aboard Theodore Tugboat or try the amphibious Harbour Hoppers, which do half of their tours on land and the other half in the Halifax harbour. Tours daily from Cable Wharf on the Halifax Waterfront.
Ambassatours Gray Line
The company with the Kilts! Ambassatours Gray Line operates the best in daily sightseeing tours of Halifax, including such attractions as the Titanic Grave Sites, day trips to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and more. In addition they offer a wide range of tours around Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada from 2 - 14 days in duration.
Nova Scotian Crystal
Canada's only manufacturer of mouth-blown, hand-cut crystal. Each piece is individually made by master craftsmen using time honoured traditional techniques. Located on the historic Halifax waterfront, visitors are invited to visit the glassworks and showroom to experience this truly creative process at work.
TayMac Tours
Experience TayMac Tours, the "PERSONAL TOUCH" company, they can help you and your guests to create memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy a peaceful kayaking tour or sailing on a tall ship. Relive our history by visiting Citadel Hill as a Soldier for a day. Or visit our many galleries and museums. End your day with fine dining and entertainment. The possibilities are endless. Contact TayMac Tours today and let us build your future Halifax vacation memories.
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Canada's largest oceanographic research centre. Enjoy a self-guided exhibition which requires about 45 minutes to visit. Displays, audio-visual presentations and small aquariums, suitable for individuals and small groups await you at BIO. Guided tours are provided in both English and French and include the Sea Pavilion which houses touch tanks and viewing tanks which contain many native marine species. Available by appointment to organized groups.
Fisherman's Cove
Only 20 minutes from Downtown Halifax lies one of Nova Scotia's oldest and newest tourist destination ... Fisherman's Cove. Take a walk along the ocean boardwalk where you can hear the wind whistling through the sea grass, seagulls cawing, the breaking of ocean swells on MacCormick's Beach and the creek of fishing boats at their wharves. Peruse maritime crafts at the village stores or savour local delicacies at a popular eatery.
Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
The first site of its kind in Canada, this museum, cultural and education centre is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and promotion of African Canadian history in Nova Scotia, the birthplace of black culture in Canada. Come and see varied static and audio-visual displays, a library and an amphitheatre where lectures and cultural performances are given.
Fultz House
Located in a house dating back to the 1860s, this museum displays photographs and artifacts relating to Sackville as a growing community. On the property are blacksmith and cooperage shops with tools, and an 1865 horse-drawn hearse.
Musquodoboit Railway Museum
Housed in the former Canadian National Railway Station (c.1918). Exhibits tell the story of Nova Scotia's railway. The collection includes memorabilia, photographs, maps, posters, tickets, artifacts and a small library. Many exhibits are designed for children, with more in-depth material for the serious railway buff.
SS Atlantic Heritage Interpretation Park
This site is a memorial to the worst single vessel marine disaster to occur off the Canadian coast prior to the sinking of the Titanic. In 1873 the luxury steamship S.S. Atlantic ran aground off the shores of Mar's Head, Lower Prospect resulting in a loss of 562 lives. The site includes a seaside walking trail a monument to the victims and an Interpretation Centre.
Acadian House Museum
This site is the closest Acadian community and museum to Metro. The Acadian House was built circa 1850 and the design and layout is typical of the time. Exhibits include documents, photos, garments, tools and artifacts from the late 1700s to the early 1900s.
test test test