Halifax Region
Cities
- — the largest city in the Atlantic Provinces, and its economic and cultural hub; a busy Atlantic seaport
- — a suburban community that is home to Fort Sackville
- — a suburban community in Dartmouth
- — the "City of Lakes"
- — the Bluff Trail gives access to the Woodens River Watershed for hikers, paddlers, and winter sport enthusiasts
Other destinations
- — one of Canada's most picturesque villages
Understand
The regional municipality consists of four former municipalities that were amalgamated in 1996: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, and Halifax County.
Get in
By plane
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International AirportProvides connections to most of the major cities in Canada, and some international flights to the United States, Iceland and London.
By car
Highway 102 (sometimes referred to as the Bicentennial Highway, or Bi-High) is the main road link, connecting with the Trans-Canada Highway 104 at Truro. The region is also the starting/ending point for the main roads through the Annapolis Valley (Hwy 101), South Shore (Hwy 103) and the Eastern Shore (Hwy 7). It is roughly a 3-hour drive from Moncton to Halifax and 3½ hours from Charlottetown to Halifax.By bus
Halifax is one of the main terminals for the two bus companies that serve Atlantic Canada — Greyhound Canada and Maritime Bus. They provide daily bus service to other communities along Highway 102 and the Trans-Canada, and to Charlottetown and towns in New Brunswick.By train
Via Rail provides service connecting Halifax to Montreal three times a week. The trip takes 22 hours and also stops at Truro and Amherst.Get around
By bus
Maritime BusOperates an inter-regional bus service stopping in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Lower Sackville.
Halifax TransitThe public transit provider for Halifax and surrounding areas.
By boat
A ferry service operates between Halifax and Dartmouth. It is a great boat ride, especially on clear summer days.See
- The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove is widely considered to be one of the iconic views of Canada. It is both bleak and picturesque: its historic and still-used lighthouse stands watch over the village and the granite rocks and cliffs.
The Halifax CitadelAn old fort on a hill overlooking the city and the harbour. The citadel is a national historic site and home to a museum and a small ceremonial garrison.
The Maritime Museum of the AtlanticThe collection includes exhibits and artifacts related to the sinking of the RMS Titanic and the devastating 1917 Halifax explosion.
-
address: HalifaxHighlights the works of famous local artists such as Maud Lewis (folk) and Alex Colville (hyperrealist), in addition to Mik'maq (Aboriginal) art.
Do
Halifax WaterfrontA boardwalk with a great variety of historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and other entertainment. Theodore Tugboat, a World War II-era Corvette, and other ships line the harbour. During the summer months, there are many harbour boat tours that launch from here.
The Royal Nova Scotia International TattooHappening every July, the Tattoo is the world's largest annual indoor show. A combination of music, dance, drama, gymnastics, comedy, military displays, and competitions.
Tall Ships FestivalEvery few years, Halifax hosts up to 30 historic and unique (and usually massive) maritime sailing vessels from around the world. The next festival has not yet been scheduled.
The Bluff TrailAccess to the Woodens River Watershed, a tract of provincial government land for hikers, paddlers, and winter sport enthusiasts.
Eat
- The Halifax donair is similar to but distinct from the doner kebab. It is prepared using thinly sliced beef meatloaf and a sweet condensed milk garlic sauce and garnished with diced tomatoes and white onions.
-
address: Along Highway 2 in EnfieldReal bar food in an old-fashioned tavern.
Drink
- Alexander Keith's has been brewing beer since 1863. Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale is sold across Canada. There are also many local craft breweries to choose from.
Go next
- Head south to historic Lunenburg.