Travel

[pateacher]

DH and I are going on an eleven-day tour of Nova Scotia.

We will arrive around noon the day before our tour begins.

Any ideas of activities in the city? We are going to Peggy's Cove and a downtown tour the first day of the  tour.

[dodies]

Hi pateatcher:  we were in Halifax almost exactly a year ago. Be sure to incorporate the Titanic cemetery into your visit. It was lovely, fascinating and historical. There is also a museum with many artifacts from the ship. By the way there is also the grave of “Jack Dawson”, if you’ve seen the movie!  Peggy’s Cove was beautiful, if a little overrun with other tourists😄. I think that’s also where we stopped at a working maple syrup company and they showed how the syrup is harvested, which was pretty interesting. Also, a great place to buy small gifts for everyone at home. (Just don’t get the little candies for your grandkids if you have them on the list; they hated it!). Have a wonderful time. Nova Scotia is gorgeous, especially if the leaves have begun to turn. 

[I am still oxox]

Peggys Cove is beautiful, I have a photo of my huuby there on the wall across from me

[granddi]

Is there a good, better, or best time to go to Halifax?

Even though it will be crowded, we are thinking of July to get out of the Texas heat.

[Alter Ego]

I would recommend confirming what you are going to see in your city tour. I had a cruise ship stop here (never to be forgotten as I was left behind at the first stop for being a minute late to the bus.)

But, I digress...the stops I was supposed to have was the city park, Citadel, cemetery to see the Titanic graves, Peggy’s Cove and maple syrup factory. I would be shocked if the cemetery wasn’t already included in your tour. But, if it isn’t, it’s really a must see. Very thoughtfully laid out.

I didn’t spend any time there, but think I heard the waterfront was supposed to be nice (looked nice from what little I saw, but I’m not sure what’s all there) Maybe there’s a boat trip you can take. Also fun to see if they have any walking food tours.

Do you plan to have a car for this first afternoon? I’m fairly positive that a poster lives/lived in this area, so hopefully she will see your post.

[Kachina624]

@pateacher.  You need to ask @Lilysmom as she lives thete in that area.

[pateacher]

@Kachina624 

Thanks! @Lilysmom probably has many good tips!

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

I think the Titanic cemetery is on our itinerary.

I saw a water tour offered on the Viator site.

[Lilysmom]

@pateacher , I will make a list for you.  Halifax is a very walkable city but be warned there are a lot of hills from downtown to Soring Garden Road district.  Weather wise, you can have frost warnings in the morning and be in the 70’s to 80’s in the afternoon so dress in layers.  That is the forecast for this weekend.  Bring an umbrella.  We are coastal.

Enjoy your trip @pateacher .  LM

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (on the waterfront). There is a big Titantic display here.

Halifax Public Gardens located in City Center.  A beautiful walkable Park with Victorian gardens with statuary.  Located Spring Garden Road and business district (a good 15 uphill walk from the waterfront.)

Seaside Boardwalk along Halifax Harbour.  Close to this is Historic Properties, a shopping area located in historic buildings restored.

Titanic graveyard.  You need a vehicle to get you there.  At least a twenty minute drive depending on traffic.

Peggy’s Cove.  You can hire a limo to take you there.  If you do, do a side trip through the community of Terence Bay.  I think it is prettier than Peggy’s Cove.  Visit SS Atlantic site while there.  There is a small seaside boardwalk there.

http://www.ssatlantic.com/ssatlantic/museum/

Swiss Air 111 memorial.  Located just past Peggy’s Cove.  I hope you see this in the Fall.  Truly beautiful and serene.

On September 2, 1998 Swissair Flight 111 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Halifax Stanfield International Airport at the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. All 229 people on board perished. The crash site was 8 km / 5 mi from the shore, not far from Peggy’s Cove in the South Shore region. A short walking trail (160 m) leads to a monument in memory of the people who lost their lives can be found at the Swissair Memorial Site.

Halifax Citadel.  Located at apex of the City, a national historic site used to guard the city.  The site is still manned by guards in full military dress.

There is a walk on walk off bus tour of the city.  Always a good idea to do these.

Point Pleasant Park (you can walk here by the seaside boardwalk).

Situated in the south end of the Halifax peninsula, this historic 75-hectare wooded area is a great spot for walking your dog, running, biking, or just sitting on a bench contemplating the ocean. Much of the park is wheelchair-accessible.

Park visitors can enjoy:

• 39km of easy, criss-crossing trails
• off-leash dog walking areas
• public restrooms
• cycling in the park 
• preserved ruins of early fortifications
• performances by the Shakespeare by the Sea theatre group
• a self-guided cultural walking tour

PLEASE NOTE THE OFF LEASH WALKING AREAS.

Halifax Commons.  While this is not really a tourist destination, it is a huge green space located just behind downtown where people play sports, walk, visit during lunch breaks.

Harbour Tours

The tours I have done are private but it is an entirely different to see HALIFAX and Dartmouth by water.  (Dartmouth is our twin City across the harbour).

https://www.visitacity.com/en/halifax/activities/all-activities?activitiesSearchByName=tour&sbn_sec=...

Restaurants everywhere downtown.  You may want to try a donair (much like a gyro). While you are here.  Go for seafood, we have many fishing communities in NS.

Lots of art galleries.

Casino Nova Scotia is also located on the waterfront if you want to try your luck.  They have live performances and restaurants as well.

[pateacher]

@Lilysmom  Thanks for all the information and for taking the time to organize all of it for me.

Sounds like Halifax has plenty of activities and atmospheres to explore.  I am sure we will enjoy our visit!

[Lilysmom]

@pateacher , I am loathe to recommend restaurants to people because chef’s change, etc.  There is one restaurant who had a chef that cooked for the Canadian Olympic team during competition.  He prepared the best seafood I have ever eaten.  I am a good judge of quality seafood.

That chef is probably gone now  but the best dish in the house by far was linguine pescatore.  It may not be on the menu now but you could try asking for it. I have done that and they did prepare it for me. Lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels on a bed of perfectly cooked linguine.  I have never enjoyed a dinner more.  The restaurant is Cafe Chianti.  Check it out on Trip Advisor.  It is close to the waterfront (a couple of streets back, on Barrington Street.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.  Fall is a lovely time to visit Nova Scotia.  LM