Halifax County: City, Coast and History

In the featured destinations, Halifax County brings together city history, coastal landscapes and opportunities to enjoy nature. In Halifax, the historic downtown, waterfront and Victorian gardens shape the scene; elsewhere, the focus is on a canal centre, a lighthouse, beaches or hiking trails. You can tailor your travel plans to the themes that interest you most.

Downtown, Waterfront and Gardens

Downtown Halifax is the city’s oldest district and an easy-to-explore urban core. The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk stretches for nearly four kilometres along the water. The Halifax Public Gardens are among the oldest Victorian gardens in North America. Each destination offers something different: Downtown for its historic core, the Boardwalk for its long waterfront stretch, and the gardens for their Victorian design. The Alderney Ferry runs between Downtown Halifax and Downtown Dartmouth and is part of the city’s public transit system.

Historic Building, Fishing Village and Canal History

Quaker House is the oldest surviving building in Dartmouth. Fisherman’s Cove, a restored fishing village more than 200 years old, is located in Eastern Passage. This gives you different points of interest to choose from: a single historic building in Dartmouth and a village in Eastern Passage with a long fishing history.

The Fairbanks Centre is the main interpretive centre for the Shubenacadie Canal Waterway and includes a small museum. A working model of the locks provides a hands-on demonstration of engineering. Its connection to the canal and the model make the centre a good fit for travellers interested in how things work. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse offers a different kind of attraction: it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

Beaches and Nature-Watching Trails

Crystal Crescent Beach consists of three crescent-shaped white-sand beaches. The beach is also the starting point for a 10 km hike to Pennant Point, where there are opportunities to watch birds and wildlife. The Gaetz Brook Greenway is a section of the Trans Canada Trail and includes three trestle bridges. Fishing and birdwatching are possible there. Birdwatching is an option at both destinations; the hike is at Crystal Crescent Beach, while fishing is an activity on the Greenway.

Planning a Visit to Georges Island

Georges Island can be reached by ferry, private boat, canoe or kayak; on the island, you can explore Fort Charlotte. Visits are restricted to specific operating periods. Keep this limitation in mind when planning and check which visiting periods apply before you travel. The different ways to get there and the historic fort offer two distinct points to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Halifax, Dartmouth, Timberlea, Glen Haven, Prospect, Herring Cove, Indian Harbour, Port Dufferin, Little Harbour, Oakfield, Head Of Jeddore, Lake Charlotte, Wellington, Sambro, Eastern Passage, Three Fathom Harbour, Musquodoboit Harbour, Peggy’s Cove, Tangier, Lower Sackville, Portuguese Cove

For the regional travel overview: Nova Scotia.