Halifax - Places to Visit
Peggy’s Cove
The small fishing village of Peggy’s Cove is located 43 km south west of downtown Halifax is easily reached by car and makes a great day trip out of the city. The picturesque village is home to the famous, and much photographed, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse; marking the eastern entrance of St. Margaret’s Bay. Fishing is still an important part of life in Peggy’s Cove and fresh seafood can be enjoyed in any one of the fine restaurants.
top ↑Pier 21
From 1928 to 1971 Pier 21 saw over 1.5 million people pass through its gates into Canada. Immigrants, war brides, evacuated children and Canadian military personnel all travelled through this historic site which is now a museum paying homage to these people and their journeys. Telling the story of immigration to Canada, the museum also provides information on the founding of the nation. Open all year round Pier 21 gives a unique taste of the history of Canada and Halifax in particular.
top ↑Province House
The oldest seat of government in Canada, Province House is also considered to be the finest example of Palladian architecture in North America. First opened in 1819, the three storey building is situated in downtown Halifax. Charles Dickens famously said of the building: "It was like looking at Westminster through the wrong end of the telescope." Featuring the Legislative Library and the historic Red Room (in which the Legislative Council used to meet) the building is open to the general public free of charge.
top ↑Halifax Citadel
Built by the British Navy in the 1700’s to protect Halifax from invasion by the US, the Halifax Citadel is now one of Canada’s most visited historic sites. The uniquely shaped fort gives visitors an experience of old Halifax with a living history programme that portrays the 78th Highland Regiment, the Royal Artillery, Soldier's Wives and Civilian Tradespersons in the year 1869. Every day the ceremonial firing of the noon gun takes place reminding residents and visitors of Halifax of the importance of the fort in the city’s history.
top ↑Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
With two sites, one in downtown Halifax and the other in downtown Yarmouth, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia houses over 13,000 works and is Atlantic Canada’s premier art museum. Permanent exhibitions include traditional Nova Scotian folk art and Inuit sculptures and the gallery has many travelling and temporary exhibitions of works relating to the Atlantic and life at sea. One of the most popular attractions is the restored home of the artist Maud Lewis. Housed in the magnificent Dominion Building the gallery is open to the public all year round.
top ↑Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Nova Scotia has a rich seafaring heritage and the best place to learn about it is at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. With tens of thousands of artefacts displayed in permanent and temporary exhibitions, visitors to the museum can get a taste of life on the sea, from Halifax’s response to the Titanic disaster, the 1917 explosion of the city and life in the World Wars. The only ship to have survived WWI and WWII, the CSS Acadia, is docked at the museum and can be explored during the summer months.
top ↑