How to make the most of a city break in: Halifax

With limited vacation time, an abundance of natural beauty, as well as some of the world’s most unique cities, right on our doorstep, it’s no surprise that, according to Expedia, 77% of Canadian vacationers decided to holiday in the homeland.  With no borders to cross, and only travel insurance to worry about, travelling to a new province could be the easy, breezy vacation you’ve been looking for.

If you’re hoping for a short stay jam-packed with things to do then look no further. We’ve put together a ten part series guiding you on how to make the most of your weekend break in some of Canada’s coolest metropolises.

This week we look at “the Seattle of the North”: Halifax.

The capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax, is home to the second largest natural harbour in the world and a maritime dream. Something a little different from your usual city break, this seaside city is a mishmash of culture, bars and nature.

Get Historical

One of the most famous historical sites in the city is the Citadel, built in 1749, which offers guided tours, exhibits, and you can even watch an authentic cannon fire every day at noon on the dot. Even if you aren’t interested in educating yourself about the spot, which once played a vital role in the protection of the city, it still offers a great view and the perfect opportunity for an afternoon stroll.

Or head down to Pier 21 and learn the stories of over a million immigrants who arrived in Halifax between 1928 and 1971 at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

One of the most famous stories that still lives on in Halifax is the story of the Titanic. Indeed, it is retold at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which has unique artifacts that piece together the story of how the city was involved in the world’s most famous nautical disaster.

Have a drink

Did you know that Halifax has the most bars per capita out of any city in Canada? Yes, even beating Montreal and Toronto! So it goes without saying that while you’re visiting you’ll more than likely find yourself falling into (or out of) one of their best bars. Try a pint of pilsner at the Stubborn Goat, a gastropub which calls an old fire hall home. With more than 20 craft beers on tap, there is plenty to sample, plus a full menu of meals and small plates to accompany your beverage.
One much-loved downtown hangout is Tom’s Little Havana-a cosy spot which offers weekly live music and a licensed sidewalk patio perfect for those summer days.

With so many bars and pubs, it's no surprise that Halifax is also a hotspot for locally brewed and distilled beverages. From beer to whisky, rum to wine, Nova Scotia has it all. In fact, as a province, it has more distillers per capita than anywhere else in the country! The Halifax Distillery Company offers daily tours and tasting opportunities. Alternatively, just call in to grab one of their bottles of “better than Baileys” rum creams for something truly unique to the region.
For beer lovers, get down to the historic Beer District and explore Alexander Keith’s Brewery-founded in 1820, its one of the oldest commercial breweries in all of North America. Their tour offering explores the history of the brand complete with actors dressed in colonial ensembles.

For something a little more modern, the new North End microbrewery, Good Robot,  has an amazing turf patio where you can sample some of their freshly brewed creations. They specialise in low gluten beers, ideal for the most fashionable foodies.

Head across the water

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect snap, hop on the Halifax Transit Ferry and enjoy the 15 minutes ride across the harbour to Dartmouth. Once known as “the Darkside” by locals, it's now a bustling hub of sweet cafes, popular restaurants and local artisan boutiques. If you have the time it's definitely worth the excursion and offers a new perspective of the city.

Seaport Farmers’ Market

Give back to the local community and check out some of the best food, produce and handmade creations in the city at the Seaport Farmers’ Market. Get down early and try a slice of the unique Breakfast Pizza from weekly regular, Bramoso, or for something sweet, grab a gourmet chocolate crepe from Wholly Crepe. Local vendors offer everything, from freshly baked loaves and gluten-free cakes to handmade soap and one-of-a-kind jewellery. Sat right on the harbour, the market is also a great spot to take in the views.

Halifax Central Library

If architecture is your thing, then you do not want to miss out on seeing the Halifax Central Library in person. The building was created only a few years ago, but has already become one of the most iconic buildings in the city, with Wired.com naming it the 9th most beautiful library on Earth! This glass creation was designed to look like a stack of books. Appropriate for its purpose, right? Head up five flights of stairs for a good view of the city and, if reading is also your thing, take some time to browse the library’s collection of books.

Stop for a bite

After all of that exploring you’ll certainly be hungry, and lucky for you Halifax is home to some top-notch eateries. Famous for its fresh seafood, it’s no surprise that the city has an abundance of ocean fresh restaurants-not to mention some mouth-watering fish and chips. Check out The Five Fishermen Restaurant and Grill, which was awarded the silver place in the 2017 Best of Halifax awards for the best seafood in the region-losing out on gold to Dartmouth diner, John’s Lunch. The Five Fishermen serves up Halifax-fresh mussels, oysters and seafood chowder among other things, housed in a building that dates back to 1817 and is rumoured to be haunted. Don’t let that put you off though, because this place has a dining style for everyone. Sit upstairs and enjoy a more formal affair, or enjoy something simple from the grill downstairs.

For something that isn’t so fishy, try Italian favourite The Bicycle Thief, located in the downtown core. This cosy spot still incorporates local ingredients into its Mediterranean offering, letting hungry customer chose between plate sizes-aptly named “1st gear” for smaller plates, and larger courses “high gear”.

Clearly, if you’re looking for a nautically themed trip, then Halifax is the place for you-filled with lessons to be learned and delicious treats to try. With so much fun to be had, make sure your trip is covered with an adequate travel insurance policy; even when only travelling to a different province, you need to be insured.