A Landsby Spotlight on Halifax

Last Updated: 17 August 2022

Written By: Landsby Editorial Team

Photo by Tourism Nova Scotia / Patrick Rojo

Beautifully set along one of the largest natural harbours in the world, Halifax is a charming place to visit. Whether you’re looking for urban exploration or fun in nature, Nova Scotia’s capital city delivers. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean on the province’s southern shores, Halifax is the largest urban area in the Maritimes. You’ll find cultural spots — art galleries, museums, music venues and theatre — in abundance, as well as superb dining and shopping throughout the city. And all of it just steps away from gorgeous beaches and spectacular natural areas.

Busker’s Festival. Photo by Tourism Nova Scotia / Scott Munn

What’s there to do in Halifax?

Visit the Harbourfront

Without a doubt, Halifax’s most popular attraction is its stunning waterfront. Whether you visit in warm or cold months, the waterfront in Halifax is always the beating heart of the city.  In the summer, you’ll find street performers entertaining crowds along the boardwalk and restaurants serving fresh seafood and locally brewed beer on patios. In the winter, grab a hot beverage, stroll along the scenic path and visit some of the many local artisans that set up shop along the way.

Fisherman’s Cove. Tourism Nova Scotia / Acorn Art & Photography

Check out Fisherman’s Cove

Located just 20 minutes from downtown Halifax, Fisherman’s Cove is a resorted 200-year-old fishing village in the Eastern Passage that is quite popular with visitors. Here you will find a boardwalk with shops that sell arts and crafts and souvenirs, as well as plenty of spots for beautiful photographs.

Kayaking in Halifax Harbour. Photo by Tourism Nova Scotia/Len Wagg

Get out on the Water

While strolling the boardwalk or dining al fresco by the water are all quintessential Halifax experiences, you really need to get out on the water and see the city from a different viewpoint. There are many options — from boat tours to kayaking adventures. Or you can simply hop on the ferry: you can take the Alderney Ferry from Halifax to Alderney Landing in downtown Dartmouth or the Woodside Ferry from Halifax to Woodside, which is slightly south of downtown Dartmouth. You could also take a ferry from the Cable Wharf to explore Georges Island National Historic Site, a small island at the centre of Halifax harbour.

Related: Looking to visit the beach while in Nova Scotia? Take a look at our top picks for the Best Beaches in the province. 

Argyle Street in Halifax. Photo by Scott Munn/Tourism Nova Scotia

Explore downtown Halifax

Halifax has a thriving downtown that can easily be explored on foot. From shopping to dining, you’ll find it all here. Start with a stroll along Argyle Street and see where the journey takes you. Step back in time at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, which has stunning views of the harbour, or take a break to experience the beauty of the Halifax Public Gardens, one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian Garden in North America. The gardens offer 16 acres of tranquility right in the heart of Halifax.

Tourism Nova Scotia / Acorn Art & Photography

Our weekly 2022 Summer Spotlight series has short introductions to Canada’s 14 capital cities (10 provincial, 3 territorial and 1 national) and was created to inspire us Canadians to explore more of our own country. For more details on each province or territory, visit our Experiences page or search our Journal by location. Better yet, reach out to us! We’d love to tell you more about these great places and create travel itineraries for you to explore them.