Top Things to do in Halifax
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Halifax, Halifax Region
Travelers say Halifax is best seen on foot, so park the car and start walking. Immerse yourself in Halifax's rich history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and be sure to survey the city from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site. Then walk into any of Halifax's great bars and restaurants and catch some live music to round out your day.
Restaurants in Halifax
1. Halifax Central Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,108 reviews
Reviewed By RDHiscott - Lion's Head, Canada
This modern new building replaces the old Halifax Memorial Library on Spring Garden Road – it is a large building with open glass walls with great views of the city, along with a rooftop terrace with some spectacular paroramic vistas of the Halifax waterfront. Check out the modern art design of an entire wall devoted to cards from the library card catalogue of another era … some of us still remember doing library searches that way! Very impressive architecture, beautiful building!
2. Province House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Oldest provincial Parliament building still in use in Canada; a visit to its legislative library is recommended.
Reviewed By beaucaboo - Montreal, Canada
We were two adults that visited this site on August 23, 2019. We had the choice of doing the tour on our own or doing a guided tour. We opted for the guided tour . We only had to wait 5 minutes. Our tour guide was Binta. She was excellent, informative & told us interesting facts, stories & tidbits!! This place is crawling with history. It is also full of many original paintings. Our favourite was visiting the legislature, where laws are proposed, debated and either passed or defeated. Excellent. The library was also fascinating. After the tour, you are free to visit on your own, which we did. We saw two beautiful rooms on the ground floor. One room is called the Veterans' Room and the other room is directly opposite. Province House is well worth a visit!! Please note that you need a photo ID to enter. Also you need to go through a security check, similar to what happens at airports.
3. St. Paul's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Built from timbers brought by sea from Boston in 1749, this historic site was the cathedral of the first Anglican bishop of Nova Scotia.
Reviewed By yankeefan730 - Burlington, Canada
We just happened to be in Halifax during that city's Doors Open program, and so took advantage of the opportunity to visit St. Paul's Church which dates back to 1749. As a church with so much history, including a constant reminder of the Halifax Explosion, this church blends that history with a testament to its roots with numerous tablets situated around the walls. A colourful brochure helps guides visitors through the sanctuary while providing interesting details including the fact that it is the oldest building in Halifax..
4. Point Pleasant Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
Have a picnic with sweeping ocean views or hike through 186 acres of forest in one of Halifax's most cherished parks.
Reviewed By nroe - Brackley Beach, Canada
Halifax residents should be very proud of this gem of a green space at the tip of the city. Wonderful walks, great vistas, lots of parking, Dog friendly and lots of off leash areas for the furry pals. Bouncing back nicely from the hurricane damage of Juan.
5. Fairview Lawn Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 781 reviews
The final and noteworthy resting place for many of the victims of the Titanic.
Reviewed By championam - Paducah, United States
I have wanted to visit this cemetery since I was a small child and learned of its existence. I am not 47 years old and I will tell you that young kids that don't LOVE the Titanic won't have much fun here. It is nothing but 4 rows of 121 passengers of the RMS Titanic. There is not much to give you a clue as to whom the folks are so you may want to brush up on the names before you go. Buried here is a trimmer by the name of J Dawson (Joseph), a member of the band (John Hume), Sidney Goodwin who was the unknown child and James McGrady (the last body pulled from the Atlantic).
6. Old Burying Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Established in 1749, this is Halifax's first cemetery.
Reviewed By cheryljenn - Red Deer, Canada
I remembered going to this graveyard when I was a kid doing a school field trip and on this visit to Halifax we visited it again. This will be on our “must do” while in Halifax list for years to come. We visited on a mild December day and spent a good 40 minutes just walking around looking at all the headstones. You could definitely spend more or less time here depending on how interested you are/how much time you have to spend. It is free entry but you may have to pay for street parking pending when you visit. There are a lot of very very old graves and they are interesting to check out. Some of them are so old you can’t even read what they say anymore. This would be a great outing for any age as long as you have good mobility. If you are in a wheelchair or have a stroller you will most likely have to stay on the gravel paths. Can not wait to visit again.
7. Halifax Public Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,989 reviews
Welcome to Halifax’s greatest natural and national treasure and most visited site in Halifax, Nova Scotia– a timeless oasis in an ever changing world. A beautiful Victorian-inspired garden open to the public since 1867. 16 acres in the Victorian Gardenesque style; Scroll beds shaped in an E for the reigning monarch, Serpentine beds, raised carpet beds and a profusion of colour through the artistry of our Gardeners. The Victorian Gardens were all about symmetry and there is grand harmony throughout. The majestic trees, 240 varieties, nurture and shelter and many are original. The Victorians were all about education and introduced many new species to Nova Scotia. Check our What's Blooming on our website to discover the highlights of each month. Horticultural Hall, circa 1837, the original meeting place of the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society houses a coffee shop Due to COVID-19, events are limited, our Information Desk and daily tours are not operating. Please Social Distance.
Reviewed By thevellas2019
relaxing place to walk and or sit on a bench, quiet and beautiful, ponds and ducks galore with the flowers in full bloom, so pleasant and totally unexpected in the heart of the city, across from Lord Nelson hotel which made things very convenient for me, also only a 15 min walk to the harbour front,
8. St. Mary's Basilica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By 476jael - Long Island, United States
During our “10-Day Canada and New England” cruise aboard Caribbean Princess ship, we visited St. Mary’s Basilica in Halifax, a National Historic Site of Canada. From outside the basilica, its Gothic façade and tall spire looked somewhat unusual, because they were all built with white granite. When we entered the basilica, we were pleasantly surprised by so elegant nave, which gave us such a warm feel, unlike typical Gothic cathedrals’s oppressive feel. Simplistic and, yet, very elegant nave had pristine decors with white columns and beautiful stained glass windows. In spite of high Gothic style vaulted ceiling and tall columns, we felt as if we were inside a warm Renaissance style nave. The pipe organ was also placed in an elegant way. We were so fortunate to witness a wedding ceremony for a lovely couple taking place during our visit. We quietly sat down in the back of the nave, and watched the ceremony in a beautiful setting for a while before quietly leaving the nave. We had such a memorable and pleasant time visiting this basilica. We highly recommend visiting this basilica during your visit to Halifax.
9. Emera Oval
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By newf1946 - Halifax, Canada
This is a great free outdoor skating area that makes its own ice. It is part of a large historical Commons. Great for walking in the city, also amateur sports on parts of it in the summer. Very close to the Historic Citadel and the downtown of Halifax.
10. Hemlock Ravine
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