Credit: Discover Halifax
Halifax is both Nova Scotia’s capital and largest city. Deciding what to do when you do not have much time to spend in the city can be overwhelming as there are a lot of things to do and see. Listed below you will find 24 ways that you can discover Halifax in just 24 hours.
*Arranged in no particular order*
–This is a 2019 article.
1. Big Pink Sightseeing Tours
This hop-on-hop-off tour takes you around Halifax. Get on and hop off any Halifax’s sights for the day on your own schedule. Or ride the Big Pink Double Decker Bus around the loop and see what Halifax has to offer.
Price: From $56.01 per person
Address: 1675 Lower West Street, Halifax
Website
2. Good Robot Brewing Co.
Good Robot Brewing Co. is the perfect place for you to have a good time, even if it is a little cheesy with its Gastroturf beer garden. They craft their own craft beers and ciders, which are made from Annapolis Valley apples. Along with drinks, they have a variety of pub grub to fill your belly and fun events happening regularly to keep the party going.
Price: 1-hour tour is $21.74 per person (plus tax)
Hours: Weekdays from 12 pm to 2 am, Weekends from 10 am to 2 am
Address: 2736 Robie Street, Halifax
Website
3. Hike Rum Runners Trail
Rum Runners Trail is one of the longest multi-use trails in Nova Scotia that runs along a former rail bed. The trail is 119km long and connects Halifax to Lunenburg. While you cannot hike the trail in one day, there are various spots like award-winning restaurants, artisan shops, and boutiques to check out and stop at along the way.
Price: Free
Address: Halifax to Lunenburg
Website
4. Harbour Hopper
Hop on the Harbour Hopper and take Atlantic Canada’s most popular tour and see Halifax by land and sea. On land, you will see its historic city sights, Citadel Hill National Historic Site, St, Paul’s Church, and the Halifax Public Gardens. After the big splash in the Harbour, you will have great views of both Halifax and Dartmouth.
Price: Adult: $38.59, Senior (65+): $34.64, Youth (7 to 15): $22.00
Child (2 to 6): $13.13, Infant (0 to 1): Free
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children): $99.74, Add a child to family rate (2 to 6): $11.50
Hours: May to October at 11:30 am, 12:45 pm, and 3:15 pm
Address: 5050 Salter Street, Halifax
Website
5. Belchers Marsh Park Trail
The Belchers Marsh Park Trail is a 2.5km long trail that will take you past the marsh and pond into the heart of Clayton Park West. It is an oasis in the North End of Halifax that is home to many species of animals and birds. You can learn about the animals who call the park home by reading the informative interpretive panels along the trail.
Price: Free
Address: Parkland Drive, Halifax
Website
6. Local Tasting Tours
Leaving from the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market, the Local Tasting Tours will take you around the historic neighborhoods, led by entertaining local guides. The tours are about 2.5 hours and will take you to local’s favorites and hidden gems of restaurants.
Price: From $44 per person
Hours: Sunday to Thursday from May to October at 1:30 pm
Address: Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market, Halifax
Website
7. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Canada has become home to people from around the world, and Pier 21 was the landing point for millions of Canadians. Pier 21 has become a museum that celebrates Canada’s long history of immigration. Learn Canadian’s stories and find out what it was like to leave what you knew as home to travel to a huge new country.
Price: Adult: $14.50, Senior (60+): $11.25, Youth (6 to 16): $9.25, Children (5 & under): Free
Family Rate (2 adults/3 children): $34.50, Additional Child: $3.45
Student Rate (with valid ID): $9.25, Group Rate: $9.20 per person
Hours: April – OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday; 10 am to 5 pm, CLOSED: Monday
May to October – OPEN: Seven days a week, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Address: 1055 Marginal Road, Halifax
Website
8. Segway Nova Scotia
See Halifax while riding on a Segway. Segway Nova Scotia is the largest and first Segway Experience Centre in Nova Scotia. You can glide along the Halifax Waterfront to Citadel Hill, the Public Gardens and much more. They also have a Dartmouth tour option if you want to see the other side of the harbour.
Price: Varies depending on tour
Hours: April to October, Times vary daily – check with company
Address: 1521 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Website
9. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a ‘must see’ place to visit because it has been the heart of Halifax since nearly the beginning of the city. The Citadel is a living history city where you can what it was like for the soldiers and their families to live and work in this historic fort. There are guards posted around the site who watch the visitors and the Harbour.
Price: Varies for ‘Peak Season’ and ‘Shoulder Season’, check their website
Hours: May to June – 9 am to 5 pm, July to August – 9 am to 6 pm, September to October – 9 am to 5 pm
Address: 5425 Sackville Street
Website
10. Theodore Too Tours
The Theodore Tugboat’s Big Harbour Tour is back for the summer and early fall. Kids will love taking the 30-minute tour and singing songs with Theodore as they colour their map along the way.
Price: Adult: $20.99 (+ HST & Fees), Senior: $19.99 (+ HST & Fees), Youth (6-15): $15.99 (+ HST & Fees)
Child (2-5): $9.99 (+ HST & Fees), Child (0-1): Free
Family Rate – 2 adults & 2 children under 15 = $65 (+ HST & Fees)
Additional Child for Family Rate (With purchase of family ticket): $8.99
Hours: Saturday & Sunday at 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm
Address: 1751 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Website
11. Discovery Centre
By the Waterfront is one of Atlantic Canada’s premier family destinations. The Discovery Centre makes learning fun with four floors that are packed with interactive experiences for kids of all ages. Along with the regular exhibits, the Centre hosts top-notch traveling exhibits from around the world.
Price: Adult: $12 (Plus HST), Senior: $10 (Plus HST), Child (3+): $10 (Plus HST), Age 2 & under: Free
Family (2 adults + 2 kids): $40 (Plus HST)
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday: 10 am to 8 pm
Address: 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Website
12. Tattle Tours
Tattle Tours offers both walking tours and ghost walks around Halifax. Andy Smith, who is the owner and operator, has many stories, odd facts and lots of local gossip to share with you during the tour.
Price: Price varies depending on the tour, check their website for specific prices
Hours: June to October at 10 am and 2 pm
Address: Cornwallis Park (starting point)
Website
13. Tony’s Pizza & Donair
It wouldn’t be trip to Halifax without having at least one Donair. Tony’s Pizza & Donair took home Gold for the Best Donair (2018) named by The Coast, and this popular pizza place has been making Donair and pizza for over 40 years. Get ready to devour a tasty mess wrapped in tin foil when you order an original Donair.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Sunday to Tuesday from 11 am to 2 am, Wednesday &Thursday from 11 am to 3 am,
Friday & Saturday from 11 am to 4 am
Address: 1735 Grafton Street, Halifax
Website
14. Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market
The Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market is the largest farmer’s market in Halifax and Nova Scotia. During the spring, summer, and fall, the market is open seven days a week. Vendors from across Nova Scotia head to this popular market, which makes it the best place to see what Nova Scotian farmers, chefs, and artisans have to offer.
Price: Free admission
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm
Address: 1209 Marginal Road, Halifax
Website
15. Taste Halifax Food Tours
Halifax is known for its great food scene in the Maritimes. On the Taste Halifax Food Tours, you will get to try local culinary hot spots, along with Annapolis Valley produce and locally crafted beers, wine, and spirits.
Price: Prices vary depending on Tour, check their website for details
Hours: May to October, Times Vary depending on Tour
Website
16. Halifax Public Gardens
See what a Victorian Garden looks like without having to fly across the pond by visiting the Halifax Public Gardens. The Public Gardens are a green oasis in the middle of the city. The 17-acres of gorgeous gardens celebrate local flowers and trees along with international plants.
Price: Free
Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm
Address: Spring Garden Road at South Park Street, Halifax
Website
17. The Bicycle Thief
The Bicycle Thief is noisy and crowded in the best possible way because it has won the Coast Best Restaurant in 2017 and 2018, and has placed high for years before that. It is known for its amazing Italian food and for having a year-round patio.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 11 pm, Saturday from 4 pm to 11 pm
Address: 1475 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Website
18. Hydrostone District
The Hydrostone District sticks out from the rest of Halifax because all the buildings look like they are right out of Europe. This was planned, when the construction started after the Halifax Explosion and it is now a Federal Heritage Site. There are many unique shops and cafes that line the street.
Price: Prices varies at each business
Address: Young Street, Halifax
Website
19. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s marine history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. There are over 100 years of history that you can explore at Canada’s Largest and Oldest maritime museum.
Price: Varies depending on the time of the year.
Hours: Tuesday: 9:30 am to 5 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm
Monday: Closed (exceptions are listed on the website)
Address: 1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax
Website
20. Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame
The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame is located in the Scotiabank Centre and explores over 150 years of Nova Scotia’s sport heritage and local sporting heroes. The multi-sport simulator is a must do. The Sidney Crosby collection is also a popular exhibit.
Price: Free
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, year round
Address: 1800 Argyle Street, Suite 446, Halifax
Website
21. Dee Dee’s Ice Cream
Dee Dee’s Ice Cream is a North End staple in the summer months, offering fresh instore made ice-cream in both traditional and unique flavours. Haligonians of all ages cannot wait to get some ice-cream at this little corner ice-cream shop. They also offer a great menu of vegan and meat-eater options.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Sunday and Monday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm
Address: 5668 Cornwallis Street.
Website
22. Neptune Theatre
If you are looking for a great show or musical to see, make sure to check out Neptune Theatre because The Color Purple is being produced there this coming summer. Now in its 56th season, the theatre definitely has something for everyone. There are two stages where both local and international stars perform.
Price: $30 to $76 depending on seat location
Hours: April 20, 2019 to June 2, 2019 at varying times
Address: 1593 Argyle Street, Halifax
Website
23. The Glitter Bean
If you are looking for good coffee drinks that are Social Media ready, you should head to the Glitter Bean. Serving up colorful lattes, this cozy cafe also helps those who have been affected by unfair work environments, both local and international.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm, Weekends from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 5896 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Website
24. Bud the Spud
Bud the Spud is one of Halifax’s staples and it is still a food truck even after three decades of being open. They offer fish and chips, hot right out of the fryer. Many days, you can find the truck across from the Halifax Library on Spring Garden Road with a huge lineup. It is a ‘must do’ if you are spending any time on Spring Garden Road or near the Waterfront.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Days/Times vary depending on the weather, follow Bud on streetfoodapp.com
Address: 1544 Grafton Street, Halifax
Website