Hampton Inn Halifax Downtown

Halifax - ideas for free time

The Halifax waterfront is a good place to start if you have a day here; Pier 21 is where one million immigrants from Europe arrived between 1928 and 1971 looking for a new life in ‘New Scotland’. The Canadian Museum of Immigration examines this influx, as well as the broader story of movement of people in to and around this area. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic tells the story of Halifax’s rich maritime heritage, from small craft boatbuilding to World War convoys, and you can also step aboard the CSS Acadia, Canada’s longest serving hydrographic vessel. Once you’ve had your fill of history, spend some time just wandering around the old timber-framed properties, or browsing the boutique shops and cafes along the boardwalk. Away from the water, the Halifax Citadel dominates the skyline. Originally built as a military fortification to protect the city it is now a National Historic Site and visitors can explore the fortress whilst enjoying panoramic views over the city and Atlantic Ocean beyond. Just below the cemetery the Halifax Public Gardens is one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian gardens in North America, with statues, fountains and a bandstand tucked amongst colourful flowerbeds and other water features.