I knew I was going to like Halifax from the moment I booked my flights to Nova Scotia. I was so excited to finally step into Atlantic Canada, and Halifax was my gateway to it. With a packed itinerary, I planned to spend one day in Halifax, before starting my road trip around Nova Scotia.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, the second smallest province in Canada. Founded in 1749 by the British, Halifax has played an important role several times in history, from being an important naval base during the American Revolution between 1775-1783, to a key military outpost in both World Wars.
After the wars, Halifax continued to grow and evolve as a major economic and cultural centre in Atlantic Canada. Today, it is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic sites, and as a key port city.
I landed in Halifax late in the evening, after a smooth flight from Montreal and I looked very forward to exploring the city the following day.
About This One Day in Halifax Itinerary
I have put together this one day in Halifax itinerary based on my own experience in the city. I had a few ideas of the places I wanted to visit, such as the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, but I also gave myself plenty of time to explore the city and discover it on my own. This is how I stumbled upon the Historic Properties of Halifax, but also the pretty Argyle Street. As Halifax is relatively a small city, I could see quite a lot of things in a relatively short time. I enjoyed strolling along the waterfront, as well as taking in the peaceful greens of the Garrison Grounds.
How to Get from the Airport to Downtown Halifax
Because I was doing a road trip around Nova Scotia, I picked up a hire car from Hertz, from the airport and drove to Halifax. The drive is easy and takes around half an hour – most of it on the motorway. I parked the car at my hotel, which allowed me to check in early and went exploring. You can read more about the hotel at the end of this article.
If you are travelling to Halifax by public transport, you can take the Regional Express 320 from the front of the terminal all the way to downtown Halifax. The price of a one-way trip is $4.25, and the exact change is required. The bus runs from 5:45 am until 12:15 am. You can click here for the most up-to-date timetable.
If your flight arrives late, you can either stay at the Alt airport hotel or take a taxi which will cost close to $70. Click here to book a private airport transfer.
Have Breakfast in the Farmer’s Market
I started my day in Halifax with breakfast in the Farmer’s Market. Whilst it wasn’t a full market day, there were still plenty of stalls selling fresh food, artisanal products, and handmade items. I got a coffee from the Laughing Whale and a croissant from the European Bakery, and enjoyed my first buzz of caffeine of the day in the rhythms of a busker playing the guitar at the entrance of the market.
Visit Pier 21
Pier 21 hosts the Canadian Museum of Immigration. More than one million people in search of a better life for themselves and their children, passed through this pier, moving to Canada, between 1928 and 1971. Some of these people were refugees who fled a broken Europe, after the Second World War. Hours after they would arrive at Pier 21, the immigrants would be placed on trains, with destinations all over the country. They worked hard jobs, in mines or forestry, contributing over the years to Canada’s multicultural diversity. The museum tells their story through first-person accounts, photographs, and personal objects.
Stroll Along the Halifax Waterfront
The waterfront is Halifax’s liveliest area. Stretching for 2.5 miles, from Pier 21 to Casino Nova Scotia, the waterfront is home to plenty of restaurants and cafes, museums, tour companies selling tickets for harbour cruises, colourful Adirondack chairs, and plenty of artwork. During my visit, there was even a handmade market taking place on one of the public piers.
I enjoyed taking my time and strolling all the way to the end of the waterfront, taking photos and chilling on a chair, gazing at the water, when I got tired. As many of the attractions in this guide are along the waterfront, I kept coming on and off it during the entire day. Which was very nice, as I discovered some great street art, as well as intriguing art installations like the Rise Again sloped roof with its unique tidal beacon.
Visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
I could have spent hours at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Whilst most people come here to see the remains of the Titanic, the museum is so much more than this. Spreading on two floors, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has ten permanent exhibitions, as well as several temporary galleries.
After I bought my ticket, I was greeted by Merlin the Macaw, the mascot of the museum. He is a very talkative parrot, who loves to say “peek-a-boo” and “crackers”. I am not going to lie, I spent quite a bit of time being entertained by him, before heading into the exhibition themselves.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic hosts interactive talks about the different exhibitions, and I was lucky that I could join two: the Titanic and the Halifax explosion. The latter wasn’t on the schedule for the day, but because the public requested it at the end of the Titanic presentation, the museum guide decided to hold one ad hoc.
The Titanic exhibition tells the story of the unsinkable ship, highlighting the role Halifax played in the disaster. I got the chance to see how the cabins for each class used to look like, read letters sent from the last harbour the Titanic passed through before beginning its journey across the Atlantic, and even look at an original deck chair recovered from the wreck. But the Titanic is not the only ship that sunk in the ruthless waters of the Atlantic, close to Halifax. There is a separate exhibition that highlights the shipwrecks and the artefacts found in the waters around Nova Scotia.
The Halifax Explosion gallery explains what happened on the fateful day of 6th of December 1917, showcasing the events on an interactive installation. The museum has a collection of original objects that tell the story of what happened and the aftermath of the explosion.
“How Unique We Still Are” is Another great gallery where I have learned a lot about the Mi’kmaq, the First Nation people indigenous to Atlantic Canada. As a European visiting Canada for the first time, I was not familiar at all with the First Nations inhabitants of Canada and North America, so this exhibition was eye-opening to me and provided me with a lot of context for my upcoming road trip. I actually changed some of my itinerary to include more historical places in Nova Scotia, to learn more about the land and its people.
Upstairs there is a very large collection of model ships from different centuries.
In the harbour, moored in the back of the museum, sits CSS Acadia, a museum ship that survived both world wars and the Halifax Explosion. Visiting it is included in the ticket for the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which costs $9.55.
Get On Board HMCS Sackville
As I couldn’t visit CSS Acadia because it was closed on the day I visited Halifax, I went to the ship moored on the parallel dock, HMCS Sackville, which was open. Access on board is free, but donations are highly encouraged for the maintenance of the ship. And it’s well worth it, as I spend around one hour on board, exploring all corners both on and below deck.
HMCS Sackville is the last surviving Flower-class corvette which was built in Canada, commissioned in 1941 that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. It was used during the Second World War and sailed by the Allies forces, in the War of the Atlantic. The ship has been restored to its wartime configuration and has a very eager crew who act as guides on board.
The moment I stepped on board I was greeted by a young lady who explained how the armament used to work – and yes, there are machine guns and even missiles on board, though I’m sure they are only for the public’s entertainment.
Under the deck, the ship has been transformed into a museum, showcasing how life on board used to be during the war. I spent so much time exploring the different parts of the ship, learning different things, such as the fact that ships used to have cats on board, to prevent mice and rats.
Please note that you can only visit the HMCS Sackville ship museum between spring and autumn. In winter, the ship is moored to a naval dockyard to be kept safe from the bad weather.
Lunch at Pickford & Black
I stopped for lunch at Pickford & Black, a restaurant in a Historic Property with a lovely terrace over the water. As the weather was absolutely glorious, sunny without any clouds in the sky, I chose to sit at a table outdoors.
I was so excited to taste my first proper meal in Nova Scotia. I heard so much about the fantastic seafood here, so I completely ignored anything else from the menu and focused on the fish section. Whilst I almost decided on the seafood fettuccine, one of the waitresses passed by with a steamy bowl of chowder, for a nearby table. The alluring aroma of the chowder made me change my order immediately.
“I want what they are having, I laughed, pointing at that table”. I couldn’t resist ordering a few fresh oysters as well. To drink, I went for a pint of Gahan lager, from the nearby Prince Edward Island.
The oysters were so big, served with lemon, horseradish, mignonette sauce and a small bottle of Tabasco. To be fair, they didn’t need anything but a touch of lemon. They tasted incredibly fresh.
The chowder was the star of the day. That first spoonful of creamy broth, smoked fish, scallops, potato and raw celery bites sent me to a joyful, very happy place. The world around me all of a sudden became blurry, with only me and my bowl of hot chowder in prim plan. If this is what food heaven looks like, I’m in it, I thought to myself. When I finished, there was nothing left on the plate.
Stroll Along the Historic Properties
The Historic Properties of Halifax are a series of warehouses dating from the Napoleonic wars, built to store the goods seized from the American ships. The area became an important commercial centre for trade. Today, these warehouses host shops and restaurants.
Just behind the Privateer’s Wharf, as the Historic Properties are also known, there are very some beautiful, well-preserved Victorian houses, leading to the City Hall, which stands on the site of the old Dalhousie College building.
See the Clock Tower
After I explored the back streets around the City Hall, I headed up the hill to see the Clock Tower which overlooks Halifax. It is one of the most iconic landmarks and one of the oldest buildings in Halifax and definitely worth seeing on your day trip here. It has been keeping time for over 200 years, since 1803 when it was installed.
The clock itself is a three-tiered, turret-style structure with a white face and black Roman numerals. It features four clock faces, each measuring 5.5 feet in diameter. The timepiece has undergone renovations and repairs over the years, with the current clock mechanism being installed in 1912.
Visit the Citadel
The Citadel is the only site on my itinerary for one day in Halifax that I didn’t get to visit. By the time I reached the top of the hill, the ticket booth was already closed, and the last tour was preparing to finish their visit. So, if you want to visit the Citadel, make sure to arrive before 5 pm.
I still enjoyed a stroll around the citadel, noticing its star-shaped walls, and trying to peek over the mounds of the moat. The path around the Citadel is dotted with plaques highlighting different historical events and the role the Citadel played during these times.
The Citadel of Halifax stands as a reminder of the colonial and military past of Canada. Completed by the British in 1856, the Citadel was built as part of a system of defence, and to protect the port which grew to become one of the most important naval stations in the British Empire.
Because it is so high above the city, I could enjoy a beautiful, panoramic view over parts of Halifax from all sides of the Citadel. From the front, I was able to see all the way to the “Narrows”, the area where the Halifax explosion happened. In front, I could spot George Island and the Scotiabank Arena, home to the Halifax Mooseheads hockey team. The back of the citadel opens up to the former Garrison Grounds.
Watch the Sunset From the Citadel
A great place to watch the sunset, at the end of your day in Halifax, is the former Garrison Grounds. The North and South Commons were once forests, which the British cleared in order to prevent enemies approaching the city from the ground, from hiding.
Today, the grounds are a popular place for recreation. There were quite a few couples and groups of friends sitting on blankets, watching the sun go down, so I joined them for a while, finding a spot on the grass. I noticed how quiet and peaceful the atmosphere was. You wouldn’t think that once, in the past, this was a war ground.
Grab a Halifax Donair for Dinner
You can’t end your day in Halifax without trying the famous Halifax Donair. The famous late-night snack was brought to Halifax in the ‘70s by a Greek immigrant, who adapted the gyros to the local taste. This is how the Donair was born, which has since become the official food of the city.
The Donair is sold by most of the pizza shops and takeaways in the city and around Nova Scotia. It consists of pita bread rolled around spit-roasted shaved beef, slices of raw onions and tomatoes, and an intriguing sweet, garlicky sauce. It’s delicious!
Spend the Night at the Westin Nova Scotian Halifax
The Westin Nova Scotian is a historic hotel opened in 1930, which soon became the place to be in Halifax due to its elegant rooms, beautiful tea room surrounded by a rose garden, as well as the grandiose Ballroom. Some of the most famous guests of the hotel were Queen Elizabeth II, who stayed at the hotel twice, and Prince Charles and Diana, who attended a state dinner in 1983.
I arrived at the hotel quite early. I was planning to drop off my bags and my car and go explore Halifax. However, my room was ready, so I could do an early check-in. I also received complimentary valet car parking because I had to reverse from the porte cochere, as a van with bikes was struggling to get out. I didn’t see this as an inconvenience at all, but the valet apologised and offered me his complimentary services.
The room was large and elegant, with a very large wardrobe. I later found out that these were built on purpose, back in 1930. Back then people used to travel for longer times with trunks and trunks full of clothes, and they needed somewhere to hang all of them. I loved the huge bed with its crisp sheets and perfect mattress, which offered me a fantastic good night’s sleep. I also appreciated the signature lavender balm which made my sleep even better.
I was welcomed into the room with a Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge wine, a bar of Nova Scotian blueberry Peace by chocolate and a handwritten note, which was such a nice touch.
My stay at the Westin Nova Scotin Halifax was perfect, and I wished I could have stayed longer, to experience all the facilities and restaurants of the hotel. After a full day in Halifax, I came back to the most perfect bed for the night. I treated myself with the wine, before tucking into bed and going to sleep.
You can click here to see the latest rates, or here to read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Or At Alt Hotel Halifax Airport
If you are landing late or have an early flight in the morning, consider staying at the Alt Hotel at Halifax Airport.
On my first night in Halifax, as I landed late, I stayed at the Alt Hotel, just across the street from the terminal. I had a lovely room on the corner, with direct views of the runway straight from the bed. It was amazing to wake up in the morning and see the planes take off. I was actually in bed, watching the plane I came on with, by the time it took off to its next destination. I liked that there was a Nespresso coffee machine in the room, for a good cup of coffee in the morning.
The decor of the room was modern, with a big bed and a comfy armchair for plane watching. The walls had interesting pieces of art on them.
I had a very restful sleep. Even if the hotel is so close to the airport, the rooms are soundproof and you can’t hear any noise. If you have more time to explore the facilities, the hotel also features a gym and a pool.
You can click here to see the latest rates, or here to read reviews on TripAdvisor.
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I’ve always been curious about this area in Canada. I need to make it up there at some point, it looks amazing!
This is good to know! We’re actually going to passby Halifax on our way to Wabush but after reading your post, I believe it’s worth it stay there for a day or two. Would love to try the Donair.
I love these small towns where you can walk around and explore a lot. Halifax looks like the perfect destination to do that and walk along the waterfront. And then enjoy the views from one of the restaurants. The Maritime Museum of Atlantic is another place I probably would spend a few hours. Watching the sunset from the citadel is a beautiful sight.
The chowder looks delicious. Aren’t you lucky a server passed by you with a bowl of it? I like the museums you visited because they tell so much about the history of the maritime life nearby and the migrants who arrived in Canada. Too bad the citadel was closed by the time you arrived there. But at least you got to enjoy the sunset from there.
Halifax and eastern Canada are very much in my bucket list! I would love to visit The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and definitely meet Merlin the Macaw. I thought ‘adirondock chairs’ was a US thing, surprised to see Canadians love it too! The image of the Halifax Explosion gallery looks very interesting. I certainly want to explore this place in detail and see all display about the Titanic disaster.