About Halifax

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Angus L. McDonald Bridge

Dartmouth,on the eastern side of Halifax Harbour, was Nova Scotia's second-largest city before amalgamation. The Dartmouth waterfront has boardwalks that lead east and west from the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal, providing visitors with excellent views of McNab's Island, George's Island and the two bridges--the Angus L. McDonald and the A. Murray MacKay. The Peace Pavilion, a triangular structure representing equality and unity, order and reason, displays stones and bricks donated from around the world. Alderney Landing accommodates a variety of special events, such as the Multicultural Festival and Canada Day celebrations. Dartmouth has the oldest saltwater ferry system in North America.

Dartmouth, long known as the "City of Lakes," has 23 lakes that provide opportunities for kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. Lake Banook boasts a world-class paddling course where regattas are held each weekend of July and August. The Dartmouth lakes are popular in winter for skating and ice hockey. A new fitness trail has been developed, starting at Lake Banook and ending at Shubie Park off the Waverley Road, Route 318. The park has nature trails, playing fields, a campground and a supervised beach. Dartmouth has five other supervised freshwater beaches. Birch Cove Beach on Lake Banook is the most popular. Other lake beaches include Albro Lake, Graham Grove Beach on Lake Banook, Maynard's Lake and Penhorn Lake.

The Maritime Old Time Fiddling Contest takes place in mid-July. During July and August, visitors to Shubie Park can take part in the events that make up Shubie Days. Natal Day is celebrated in Dartmouth and Halifax on the first weekend in August. Both sides of the harbour come alive with parades, concerts, and fireworks.

Shopping is not a problem in Dartmouth. Two of the largest shopping malls in Canada are located here, Mic Mac Mall and Dartmouth Crossing, as well as many smaller shopping malls and strip malls.

Halifax is minutes away by car, bus, or ferry and is the capital of Nova Scotia. Put on your walking shoes because Halifax is best explored on foot. From the second-largest natural harbour in the world, to the Citadel, to beautiful gardens and parks, there's much to see and do in Halifax.

A walk along the harbour front is sure to entertain. Watch as ships from every corner of the world pull into port.

You can see historic ships on display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Among the more than 20,000 maritime artifacts on display, you'll find one commemorating the "unsinkable" Titanic.

When in port, the world-famous schooner "Bluenose II" docks at the museum and offers sailing tours of Halifax Harbour. One of the museums most recognized treasures, the CSS Acadia, Canada's first hydrographic vessel, also rests dockside.

Reenactments of British military life in the 1800's can be seen at the Citadel, once one of the largest British fortresses in North America. The Citadel is now a National Historic Site of Canada.

If you're there at midday, cover your ears. The firing of the noonday cannon has become a Halifax tradition. The hilltop setting of the Citadel provides a remarkable bird's eye view of the city, the harbour and another Halifax landmark, the Town Clock.

If you're thirsty for a little brew, there's no shortage of pubs in Halifax. And you can be sure they're all serving Keith's. Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery is located at Salter and Lower Water streets in Halifax and is open to the public for tours.

Nature enthusiasts will want to tour Halifax Public Gardens to take in the beautiful tree-lined paths, water fountains, duck ponds, Victorian flower beds and more.

For a taste of the great outdoors, head to Point Pleasant Park, a 75-hectare wooded expanse at the tip of the Halifax Peninsula.

In the summertime, those looking for a little sun, sand and surf needn't look any farther than Crystal Crescent Beach, one of Halifax's favourite summertime getaways. Laze away the day amid secluded coves, turquoise-blue water and soft, white sand.

For more information on the Halifax area, click here to visit Halifaxinfocenter.com.