Last Updated on January 7, 2022 by Nancie
Downtown Halifax
Many international travelers to Nova Scotia arrive via air and their first order of business is to clear Canadian customs. It’s a good idea to have your eta Canada organized before you travel. Then it’s off to Halifax, the province’s capital, and named one of the top 10 global destinations by Tripadvisor in 2018. Founded in 1749, the city is a history buffs dream and many of the historic sites and museums in downtown Halifax are within an easy walking distance of each other.
Before you begin your walk treat yourself to a delicious meal at the iconic Bluenose II Restaurant located a few minutes from the Halifax waterfront at 1824 Hollis St. They’ve been serving up authentic Nova Scotia cooking since the 1950s. I highly recommend the lobster roll. I can easily say it’s the best I’ve ever had.
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Halifax Attractions
After you finish eating head down to the waterfront to Pier 21, and the Canadian Museum of Immigration. Between 1928 and 1970 one million immigrants entered Canada through Pier 21. The free guided tour is a must. You can also check the genealogy centre for any of your relatives who may have immigrated to Canada. Hours of operation and cost of admission is here.
Make your next stop St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Barrington St. in downtown Halifax. It’s less than a five-minute walk from Pier 21. Simply walk up one of the nearby side streets (away from the harbour), and you can’t miss it. St. Paul’s is the oldest Protestant Church in Canada, opening its doors in 1750. The church is open to visitors year round, and during the summer there are free guided tours. Be sure to walk around to the right of the building and have a look at the silhouette in the second-floor 1917 Halifax Explosion Window. Who the head belongs to remains a mystery. Believe it or not, when the window has been replaced the silhouette has reappeared. How strange is that? The church is often referred to as the “Westminister Abbey of Canada” because of its many stained glass windows.
Halifax: What to do in Halifax
Walk south for a few minutes and on the corner of Barrington Stree and Spring Garden Road, the longest street east of Montreal’s St. Catherine Street, you’ll find yourself at the Old Burying Ground, where you will find gravesites dating back to 1749. The graveyard became a National Historic Site in 1991; the first in Canada. The cemetery is open every day from dawn until dusk and admission is free.
Walking directly across the street and you’ll find yourself in front of the Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s residence. The Lieutenant Governor is the Queen of England’s representative for the province. During the summer guided tours of the residence are available, and there are beautiful views of the Halifax Harbour from its windows. The free guided tours are available during July and August. Find out the full details here.
Once you’ve finished peaking around the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, and I hope you got to tour the inside, head back towards Spring Garden Road. You’ll walk past St. Matthew’s United Church, the oldest United Church in Canada. I recommend you drop in to admire the stained glass and the pipe organ. The church is open to visitors every day and free to enter.
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Halifax: What to see in Halifax
Let’s finish our walk of historic downtown Halifax with a stroll up Spring Garden Road to the Halifax Public Gardens, one of the finest Victorian style gardens in North America. You may want to stop at a cafe along the way to grab a coffee and enjoy the Spring Garden Road vibe.
The gardens are open daily and free to enter. If you happen to be close by on a Sunday afternoon during the summer months, drop by the bandstand for a free live concert. This is a popular Sunday afternoon pastime for the locals. It’s not uncommon to see a few of them dancing to the music. Finally, grab an ice cream cone at the garden’s cafe and do some people watching.
Many visitors to our lovely province begin in Halifax and then move on to other parts of the province. Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is not to be missed.
32 responses to “A Walk Through Historic Downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia”
Your photos show exactly why Halifax is one of Trip Advisor’s top 10 global destinations. Your virtual tour has some great suggestions of the many things to see and do in this historic city. And, I won’t forget hearing either. I’m sure listening to the pipe organ in the St. Matthews United Church is an unforgettable experience!
Hi Anita. I was thrilled when Tripadvisor included Halifax in their top ten. This post is just the tip of the iceberg. Come and visit! 🙂
I never realized there was so much history in Halifax. I love the churches and the interesting story about the silhouette in the window. I would be sure to stop by and see the organ at United Church.
Hi, Rhonda. Yes, we are an historic city. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I think the silhouette at St. Paul’s will always remain a mystery.
Looks like a beautiful place to visit.
Hi Jim. Halifax is a lovely city. There’s so much to see and do. Plus, we have great local restaurants.
Had honestly not heard about Halifax before but it looks beautiful. I would definitely love to laze around the garden.
Plan a visit. Halifax never disappoints 🙂
Hi Nancie. This certainly sounds like a great, inexpensive place to visit. With all of the activities available for free, it’s sure to attract many visitors. did somebody say ice cream?? 🙂
This is a lovely post to Halifax. I’ve only ever been to Toronto but would like to see more of Canada. Your lobster roll looks delicious too!
The lobster roll was top of the line. I was raised in Halifax, so I’m a little biased, but it is a lovely city. People who visit love the city.
This is one place I missed going to while I was in the country. Enjoyed reading about it and would put it in my list next time I am there. Let’s keep exploring 🙂
This is truly a great thing about traveling. You get to explore and enjoy the place, the people the culture and the food.
Thank you for taking us down to your historic city! Reading everything and looking at your beautiful photos feels as if I was there too. 🙂
Nice photos and thanks sharing this! I would especially love to check out that church and the almost a bit creepy Halifax Explosion Window. <3
Great blog post. Love your photos and content. Hope to visit one day!!
These pictures are amazing! I hope someday when my kids are grown that my husband and I can do some traveling!
Seems like a fun place to visit, and that lobster roll…ahhhh looks like it was delicious!
I absolutely adore your photographs and I’m inspired to add this destination to my travel list!!! What an absolutely lovely place to visit!
Looks quaint and beautiful! Love the Victorian styled gardens are still well maintained to this day. Beautiful pics
Nova Scotia is a beautiful place with loads of history. The architecture, gardens and food in Halifax look great
Such a beautiful place to visit! These pics are absolutely gorgeous! I need to check this place out!
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. The pictures you took are really gorgeous and I bet it is so much better to see for real!
We have the Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail on our agenda when we go to this part of the world. But I didn’t know Halifax was such charming little town. We will make sure we spend a day here as well.
Would not have thought about visiting Halifax but it looks like a charming town to visit, I especially enjoy history and beautiful public parks, so these would appeal to me.
Hi Kavita. Since I grew up there I’m probably biased, but it is a fantastic city. Very historical, with lots to see and do. Don’t forget to sample the seafood.
The Halifax public gardens are so pretty! It’s one place in Canada I’ve yet to see, I only made it to Toronto. If I ever return, I’ll be sure to stop by!
Hi Lisa. They really are worth a visit.
Halifax looks quite lovely and those lobster rolls look simply delicious. I especially love the gardens and the stained glass windows.
When I was a kid I was obsessed with Anne of Green Gables (the books and movies). So Halifax and Prince Edward Island have been on my bucket list for ages. Great post!
Seems like such a lovely city. The architecture is beautiful!
I’ve always wanted to visit Nova Scotia, but just haven’t made the effort yet! It looks so quaint and those lobster rolls! I have been craving a good lobster roll – not a lot of fresh seafood in Arizona, lol!