1 DAY IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
 

My husband and I will be on a cruise which stops in port for 1 day in Halifax the first week in July. Need recommendations on what we should see first. We enjoy the outdoors and love to walk.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmph... what would I do:

Well, I think I'd skip the Maritime Museum. It seems to be some amount of Titanic-related stuff, augmented insufficiently with various other far-fetched maritime elements.

Consider a round-trip across the water to Dartmouth, on the passenger ferry. (but you've been on a boat, so maybe that isn't what you want to see)

Obviously Citadel Hill will be a destination at some point... Spring Garden Road is filled with local atmosphere.

There just isn't enough time in a day to do very much.

"First"... why don't you shoot for The Citadel??

The hills in the area will make for a good walk, in a quaint-seeming town which isn't overrun by society trampling through it on the way to anywhere else.

Yes to the Citadel.

Next stop: The public garden and shops (like Mills Brothers) along Spring Garden Road for some great people watching and strolling...food destinations on Dresden Row: upstairs at Pete's FRuitique for quick casual cafeteria style lunch, cupcake and shortbreads from Susie's Shortbreads, Fid for an excellent 'real meal' (locavore and organic and authentically Nova Scotia).

Then at the foot of Spring Garden Road, head south along Barrington...past the college grounds and Government House (where the Queen stayed las summer)...grab a brew at The Henry House Pub...keep going past the giant supermarket to the new Halifax Harbour Market. If you still feel like walking, get someone to direct you back to the old Halifax Market-which shares premises with a brewery.

If you want to see more, get directions to the Hydrostone area...here you will find old granite block houses, treed-green common areas and an small but excellent shopping area with a terrific sushi restaurant, a Caribbean food place with marvelous roti and some fun antique stores to poke through.

The harbour area right near where your boat docks is also a good walk-about, fun in the evenings especially, with the lights of Dartmouth across the bay and the buskers,glamour- bikers and young folks all having a grand time. A new addition to the restaurant scene down there is The Bicycle Thief...pricey, crowded, but SO worth it!

Thank you, great suggestions. Should we go to Peggy's cove.

(deep breath of uncertainty)

With only ONE day... you can probably better spend your Nova Scotia time in the general Halifax area.

Peggy's Cove is quaint... and can be pretty, or FOGGY... and you can get a good meal there... but I think you should stick to the general Halifax area.

(although, if I'd never been to NS, and were to dock in Halifax for the better part of ONE day... I'd be totally into the idea of driving to the Bay of Fundy for a look at the awesome tides there - and NO, I don't exactly recommend that for anyone else with ONE day in Halifax)

I like the Halifax Harbour area - usually pretty vibrant with lots of boats, boardwalk, pubs, museums (like them or not), shops in historic buildings, a casino and a popular Saturday market.

Peggy's Cove is exceptionally scenic - but small. Take a couple of pictures of the picturesque fishing cove itself, wander to the Lighthouse to enjoy the spectacular granite shoreline for a few minutes and a few more photos - and you're done. If your plans allow you to make a quick trip there and still spend a few hours in Halifax, then sure.

Make the Peggy's Cove decision upon arrival, based on weather and don't even think of it if it is not a glorious day. The fog will rob PC of any charm and it is a bit of a jaunt.Otherwise Halifax itself gives good value even on a rainy day...very atmospheric with fog horns at the harbour and a charming art gallery, modern yes, but with some excellent historical and primitives...Nova Scotiaans have their very own version of Grandma Moses.

I agree completely with <b>LJ's</b> comments. Halifax is such an interesting historic city so there are many sites to see. Peggy's Cove was a disappointment the first time I was there. The parking lot for tour buses is almost as big as the village itself!

Northwest Male - your comments about fog always make me chuckle! I guess being from NS, I really don't think about it as much - you learn to live with it :)

Put your walking shoes on and enjoy the downtown core of Halifax. It is a beautiful city, beware it is built on a "hill". Upon disembarking from your cruise ship, walk along the waterfront and enjoy the many shops/buskers, etc. Head up towards Citadel Hill. Tour Spring Garden Road - great people watching spot while you enjoy a cold beverage at one of the many places.

What day of the week are you in Halifax?

LOL Tanya... well, on the one occasion in my life where I went from lining-up the hood ornament with the yellow line (for guidance) to having to look out the SIDE window at the yellow line parallel to me, I gained awe and respect for the Fundy Fog.

I keep getting the feeling that nobody else was on the road for reasons beyond the fact it was 1:00 in the morning.

Fog can be as thick as pea soup - just like driving with your eyes shut! Really the most important thing about fog, slow down, make sure your lights are on when driving in the daytime and drive for the conditions. Not only do you have to contend with other vehicles, it is wildlife - esp. deer - that can pop out on the road without any warning!

Everyone thanks for the input.

We will be in Halifax on Sunday, July 3rd.