Last Updated on January 7, 2022 by Nancie
Nova Scotia
This post was originally published on March 31, 2016 (Week 271 of Travel Photo Thursday) and I’ve decided to update it this week for week 362 (3/22/2018) of Travel Photo Thursday, welcome. While spring officially arrived two days ago, I think Mother Nature forgot to include Nova Scotia. The first photo in this essay was not taken in Halifax, but through my balcony door window a couple of hours ago, and the storm continues to rage.
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Today, March 22, 2018, I am in Nova Scotia, but not Halifax. I took this photo from my balcony door window in Annapolis Royal. Even though Spring has officially sprung, Mother Nature is dumping on all of Nova Scotia today. On the bright side, the snow probably won’t last too long (fingers crossed!).
Nova Scotia
Halifax is famous for its year-round ice-free scenic harbour. For the best views, take a ride on the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry. When I was a kid it cost a nickel, now you’re probably looking at 3 bucks. Go up top for the best views.
I read the other day that Halifax is increasing ferry service to make using the ferry more convenient.
Some interesting vessels dock here. This is the world’s largest solar-powered vessel, or at least it was in 2013!
Be sure to visit Pier 21, the immigration museum. Until 1971, anyone immigrating to Canada from Europe entered through Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you have relatives that immigrated from the “old country” you can search their records here.
You’ll always find a schooner or two docked along the boardwalk. This is the tall ship “Athos”.
You can easily spend a day soaking up the boardwalk ambiance, but there is still lots to see. Next, we’re heading to Spring Garden Road, the longest shopping street east of Montreal, and have the best french fries ever. Bud the Spud is an institution, parked in front of the “old” library, and there is always a line-up at lunchtime. I did a bit of searching to see if Bud is still operating, and as far as I can tell the fryers are still humming. Although, we now have a spectacular new library, located around the corner. Back in the 80s, I worked a block from Bud, and it really was hard to resist these awesome fries. They were a once a month treat to savour!
Sadly, Bud the Spud has retired.
After a bit of refueling at Buds, you could (and still can) continue up Spring Garden Road to the Halifax Public Gardens. These Victorian style gardens are loved and well looked after. Destroyed by Hurricane Juan in 2003, Haligonians rallied and raised the money to restore the gardens in record time. Drop by on a Sunday afternoon in the summertime, and you’re bound to be treated to a big band concert, free of charge!
The Public Gardens is now open during the winter month, weather permitting.
Now, I’m going to take you back down Spring Garden Road, and we’re going to turn right on Barrington Street. Let’s do a wander through the Old Burial Grounds. This a history buff’s paradise. You’ll find grave sites dating back to the 1700s.
Once you tear yourself away from the ghosts and goblins head across the street and take in the oldest United Church in Canada, and Nova Scotia Governor’s House (great harbour view here, and in the summertime they offer free tours).
If you read last week’s Travel Photo Thursday, you’ll know that St. Matthews lost their steeple during a recent nor’easter. While no lives were lost, the homeless, who call the shelter home during the winter months, had to be relocated.
While we could keep on going, I need to call it a day. I’ll leave you with a sunset shot of “The Dingle”, a ten-minute drive from where I grew up.
You can also climb the tower here for spectacular views.
When will you be in Nova Scotia? Let us know in the comments. 🙂
Please welcome our co-hosts this week: Jan from Budget Travel Talk Ruth from Tanama Tales Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations
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36 responses to “Nova Scotia: Halifax Photo Essay”
Pier 21 is definitely worth the visit!
Hi Jackie. It definitely is! There is so much on the waterfront to see and do.
Loved Halifax and everything else we saw of Nova Scotia. Would love to go back 🙂
Hi Sophie. Nova Scotia will always be home for me. I hope you get back again someday, and maybe I’ll be there 🙂
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in Halifax. Thanks for the tour!
Hi Cindy. Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour.
I would love to visit Halifax. it looks a really lovely place.
Hi Mellissa and welcome! It is a lovely city. Winters can be a little on the harsh side. Summer and fall are lovely. Spring can be too, but sometimes wet and cold.
Interestingly, Halifax is a suburb in the city where I live, an industrial suburb, no where near as pretty as your Halifax. Happy travels.
Hi Jill. That goes back to our Commonwealth roots, I’t say. There is also a Halifax, England. I’m guessing that it’s older than the Canadian or Australian Halifaxs 🙂
I know I would love your hometown Nancie. We both love the waterfront and boats and the blues always look amazing there.
hi Jan. I’m sure you would. I think you’d enjoy the entire province. 🙂
Halifax has so much beauty with its picturesque harbour and pretty gardens. Novia Scotia is on my bucket list. One day!
Hi Kathy! I hope you get there one of these days. It really is an awesome city.
This town is so full of awesomeness. What else would you want? I am ok with the harbor, boat rides, historical buildings and those fries! By experience, I can tell you it feels great when one of your childhood or youth favorite places is still operating.
Hi Ruth. Yes, it really is. I have just touched the surface. I am hoping that Bud’s is still running the next time I get back.
With these lovely photos I can see why you get a bit homesick about the place. Will have to try and visit Halifax one of these days. Are you heading home to see your dad this year? Any stopovers near Seattle?
Hi Jackie. I really would like to get home this summer, but not sure yet. Lots of things happening. If I do go, I may end stopping Vancouver to see Sue. Who knows I might fly to Seattle and drive to Vancouver. I was only ever in Seattle once, and that was for about 3 hours. I’d love to see more of the city. I’ll keep you posted!
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Thanks for the awesome tour Nancy! I’d love to see Nova Scotia and your hometown of Halifax. Your photos (as always) are gorgeous and I especially loved the pics of the cemetery and the Governor’s House. Halifax looks like a wonderful place to have grown up and also to keep coming back to! Anita
Hi Anita. Thanks! I’m glad you like them. The Governor’s House is lovely, and in the summer they have free guided tours. I hope you and Dick get there one of these days. Who knows, I might be there to show you around! 🙂
Oh man I’m been close to Halifax a few times but never got out there! What a bummer… it looks great.
Hi Hung. It is a great city. If you ever get close again, do be sure to visit. You won’t be disappointed.
[…] this week with Travel Photo Thursday that Nancie of Budget Travelers Sandbox, Jan at Budget Travel Talk, Ruth at Tanama Tales, and Rachel at Rachel’s […]
Hi Nancie, I really have to go to Halifax. It’s such a beautiful city!
Hi Marcia! I know you would love it. There is a lot to see and do, and great eating, too.
I love Halifax, next time I’m definitely taking the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry, that sounds like the best way to get out on the water and see the harbor.
Hi Jim! I think the ferry ride is one of Halifax’s best kept secrets!
Some day I’m going to travel in Nova Scotia, including Halifax. Your photos are so lovely!
What a gorgeous sunset. You are so lucky to have grown up near there. Do you think you appreciated Halifax’s charm when you were a kid or did it take moving away for you to realize what a great place it is? That solar powered boat looks like something out of a James Bond movie and seems so modern in comparison to the other boats.
Visiting Halifax has been a life-long dream of mine, but I’ve yet to make it to Nova Scotia.
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I hope Spring comes knocking on your door soon. I would love t visit Halifax and Nova Scotia soon. Your posts about this area have always ignited wanderlust for me.
I love the first photo through your window. The idea of looking through my window and seeing snow is totally alien to me. I love your last photo too. How lovely to have grown up so close to such beautiful sunsets. I’ve loved being a cohost for Travel Photo Thursday. I will still be hanging around reading everyone’s awesome posts!
Currently, it looks cold and wet where you are Nancie, but what a glorious place Halifax and Nova Scotia must be when the weather is fine!
I haven’t been here for a while because I’ve been blogging about things other than travel, but I’m back today. Thanks for the tour. Happy travels, have a great week, and I hope spring springs soon!
We visited Halifax many, many years ago and I remember there was a museum which had artifacts from the Titanic. Halifax was the closest port to where it went down. It was sad but fascinating. They even had a deckchair.