Halifax: Live it Up in the City on the Sea

Halifax has always been Canada's ocean gateway to Europe and the Atlantic. Because of its large natural harbour, it was one of the first English settlements in Canada. Today it is one of Canada's main ports, having the rare advantage (for Canada) of being ice-free. In the summer it is a popular port of call for cruise liners, but Halifax is full of ships from all over the world, all year round. Halifax has been blessed with more than its fair share of charm and character - the city is an ideal combination of old and new. The beautiful skyline reflects this with modern skyscrapers blending in with 18th and 19th century architecture. Halifax has a cultural scene worthy of a city that is much larger. It has excellent shopping, restaurants, and beautiful parks.

CLIMATE

A Beach near Halifax

With the Atlantic close by, the weather in Halifax is perhaps a little more moderate than much of Canada. There can be a lot of snow in winter, but this creates a beautiful landscape and temperatures don't often plummet to really low readings. Summer is very pleasant with mostly warm and sunny days, although it is advised to take a sweater just in case the ocean breeze is a little too cool. Inland tends to be a few degrees warmer. Spring and fall are a good time to visit, with temperatures being a little cooler.

TRANSPORTATION

Halifax is easy to reach by all forms of transportation. Highways from all over North America join the Trans Canada Highway which goes into Nova Scotia. There is good airline services into Halifax, with direct flights to all major Canadian cities and to Boston and New York. There is also service to London, England, and other European cities. All these services enable worldwide connections. Via Rail Canada provide train service from Halifax to the rest of Canada, with connections at Montreal and Toronto for the U.S.A. There is also continent-wide bus service into Halifax, as well as good inter-provincial service linking most major communities in the province.

One of the most interesting ways to enter Nova Scotia is by ferry from the surrounding provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. There is also a high-speed catamaran service, and a conventional ferry linking Nova Scotia from the state of Maine, which saves many hours of driving time. All the ferry ports in Nova Scotia have quick and easy highway access to Halifax.(For more transportation information click here)

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

	The McDonald Bridge, Halifax Harbour

Like many port cities, one of the best ways of getting a good perspective of Halifax is to view it from its harbour. There are several ways of achieving this. You can take a water tour in a paddlewheeler, or on the famous Bluenose II sailing ship. Alternatively you may take the public ferry across the harbour to the neighbouring city of Dartmouth. Both cities have fine waterfronts best seen from the harbour.

The Halifax Citadel

For another perspective of the city, a great panorama can be seen from the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. There is much more to see here than the view though. The Halifax Citadel was constructed between 1828 and 1856 and its star-shaped structure is very well preserved. See the defensive ditch, earthen ramparts, musketry gallery, powder magazine, garrison cells, guardroom, barracks and schoolroom. The focal point of the citadel is the Town Clock, which was placed so that it could be seen from anywhere in town. The noon gun is still fired, which is the signal all over Halifax that lunchtime has begun. In the summer months, students dress in period costumes and soldiers uniforms and perform military drills and help recall the Citadel's historic past. You can also hear the sound of the bagpipes being played.

The waterfront of Halifax is very busy and there is a lot to see. Perhaps the best place to go is the Historic Properties. This is on three city blocks, and consists of Canada's oldest group of surviving water front warehouses, some dating from the late 1700's and which also include some beautiful Victorian-Italianate facades. The Properties has a wonderful selection of specialty shops and boutiques, and great restaurants. When night falls, the Properties become the entertainment centre of the city. There are some very good pubs and nightspots, and even a casino.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has become especially popular since the resurgence of interest in the Titanic. There is a special display commemorating this disaster, as well as the catastrophe of the Halifax Explosion. The Titanic display houses the world's largest collection of wooden artifacts from the Titanic. There are other displays of interest too, including exhibits on the navy, convoys (many of which sailed from Halifax during World War II), shipwrecks and lifesaving. There are also two historic vessels docked at wharfs adjacent to the museum.

The history of immigration is always a fascinating one, and this is presented in Halifax in a truly novel way. Pier 21 is a National Historic Site and the last remaining immigration shed in Canada. One million immigrants, war brides and refugees first saw Canada from this place. Many Canadian troops set sail to war from here. All these stories are told here, using travelling exhibits, live performances and various multi-media presentations.

	Lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

One of the most photographed places in Canada is Peggy's Cove. Although this is not in Halifax itself it is only a short drive away and very much worth visiting. The picturesque lighthouse sits on the sea-worn granite rocks, and boulders of the same granite seem to have been strewn throughout the village. There are plenty of colourful fishing boats and old weathered fish sheds, which all add to the visual quality that has inspired countless artists. The lighthouse is now a post office. Explore the rocks, but beware of going too close to the ocean, as large waves can strike without warning.