Why Travelling to Halifax Should be at the Top of your List this Summer
Maybe it’s the rows of technicolor houses adorned with pastel painted doors, or the crisp salty air of the Atlantic. Maybe it’s the mangled lobster cages stacked in briny fisherman villages, or the cherry-red-and-white lighthouses that forever watch the waves. Whatever it is, to me, Atlantic Canada has always been a postcard, and scrawled on the back is a love letter for a place that will always be in my heart: Halifax.
I moved to Nova Scotia four years ago having never even visited the province before. I started university in the fall and as a non-Canadian, prayed for snow. Well, my prayers were answered ten-fold. It was one of the worst winters Halifax had ever seen, and I spent the majority of my first year with snow banks up to my ears. Obviously, I had some doubts about my new home, but when summer finally arrived and the snow receded, I was in awe, and my love affair with the maritimes officially began.
This summer, as warmer weather approaches and holiday plans begin to form, consider the option of going East. I promise you won’t regret it. Here are some suggestions for a trip to Halifax. I’d call it a city guide, but Halifax is actually a municipality. (That’s tip number one.)
Eat
For a city on the small side, Halifax has a ridiculous food scene. It’s an industry that’s really developed over the last few years. Dinner plans? Head to Agricola Street Brasserie for fresh local seafood and a warm buzzing atmosphere. For brunch the next morning, Halifax has a plethora of options to choose from, but there’s one destination that’s worth the wait. (There’s usually a line-up.) EDNA is a Halifax go-to, serving up the best eggs benny in town, along with more unique options like the duck rillette on toast or fish cakes with poached eggs.
Drink
Fun fact: Nova Scotia has the highest number of breweries per capita and Halifax is home to the Alexander Keith’s Brewery. Founded in 1820, it’s one of the oldest commercial breweries in North America and Keith is pretty much an icon in Halifax. If you have the time to squeeze in a brewery tour, you definitely should! If cocktails are more your style, head to Lot Six to sit and sip beneath garlands of string lights in their glass atrium. The bartenders here are incredible and happy to make you a custom drink. Summer also means patio season, so definitely take advantage of staples like the Stillwell Beergarden.
Shop
My favourite local store in Halifax is Black Market. The space is filled with eclectic trinkets all the way from South America and Southeast Asia. The space feels less like a store and more like some sort of grand-scale treasure chest. Plus, it has the most beautiful facade in the city. Sweet Pea is another Halifax favourite. It’s a boutique that focuses on finding the perfect dress and there are a constant string of new arrivals. If you’re looking for classic well-known brands, check out the newly-renovated Halifax Shopping Centre.
See
Trail the Southern tip of the Halifax Peninsula at Point Pleasant Park. This appropriately named woodland is 75-hectares of winding trails, criss-crossing through tall trees and pebble beach shores. Halifax rents the sprawling park from the British Government–the 999-year lease costs the municipality about 10 cents per year! After exiting the park, stroll through the Halifax Farmer’s Market, the oldest in North America, and join the waterfront boardwalk. This area is especially lively in the summer, as people enjoy the sunshine from dock-side hammocks and waterfront patios.
Road Trip
What I love the most about Halifax is its proximity to stunning scenery. Renting a car for at least a day is a must. Peggy’s Cove is a tiny seaside community perched on the craggy shore of the Atlantic and its statement lighthouse has become a symbol for Atlantic Canada. It’s less than an hour’s drive from the city and the journey is just as scenic as the destination. Continue along the Lighthouse Route to picturesque Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, if you love to hike, drive up to Cape Split in the Bay of Fundy, or Duncan’s Cove to spot seals in the deep blue waves. Best of all, if you’re up for some adventure, drive up to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and hike the stunning Skyline Trail. Make sure you stay on the lookout for whales!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZYl0b-DnBp/?hl=en&taken-by=ednarestaurant
Eat
For a city on the small side, Halifax has a ridiculous food scene. It's an industry that's really developed over the last few years. Dinner plans? Head to Agricola Street Brasserie for fresh local seafood and a warm buzzing atmosphere. For brunch the next morning, Halifax has a plethora of options to choose from, but there's one destination that's worth the wait. (There's usually a line-up.) EDNA is a Halifax go-to, serving up the best eggs benny in town, along with more unique options like the duck rillette on toast or fish cakes with poached eggs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg63WmXDih8/?taken-by=lotsixbar
Drink
Fun fact: Nova Scotia has the highest number of breweries per capita and Halifax is home to the Alexander Keith's Brewery. Founded in 1820, it's one of the oldest commercial breweries in North America and Keith is pretty much an icon in Halifax. If you have the time to squeeze in a brewery tour, you definitely should! If cocktails are more your style, head to Lot Six to sit and sip beneath garlands of string lights in their glass atrium. The bartenders here are incredible and happy to make you a custom drink. Summer also means patio season, so definitely take advantage of staples like the Stillwell Beergarden.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWh6nc3gI3C/?taken-by=blackmarkethalifax
Shop
My favourite local store in Halifax is Black Market. The space is filled with eclectic trinkets all the way from South America and Southeast Asia. The space feels less like a store and more like some sort of grand-scale treasure chest. Plus, it has the most beautiful facade in the city. Sweet Pea is another Halifax favourite. It's a boutique that focuses on finding the perfect dress and there are a constant string of new arrivals. If you're looking for classic well-known brands, check out the newly-renovated Halifax Shopping Centre.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiNekIeAxaI/?taken-at=900465731
See
Trail the Southern tip of the Halifax Peninsula at Point Pleasant Park. This appropriately named woodland is 75-hectares of winding trails, criss-crossing through tall trees and pebble beach shores. Halifax rents the sprawling park from the British Government--the 999-year lease costs the municipality about 10 cents per year! After exiting the park, stroll through the Halifax Farmer's Market, the oldest in North America, and join the waterfront boardwalk. This area is especially lively in the summer, as people enjoy the sunshine from dock-side hammocks and waterfront patios.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHa619BaET/?taken-by=lauren_hazlewood
Road Trip
What I love the most about Halifax is its proximity to stunning scenery. Renting a car for at least a day is a must. Peggy's Cove is a tiny seaside community perched on the craggy shore of the Atlantic and its statement lighthouse has become a symbol for Atlantic Canada. It's less than an hour's drive from the city and the journey is just as scenic as the destination. Continue along the Lighthouse Route to picturesque Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, if you love to hike, drive up to Cape Split in the Bay of Fundy, or Duncan's Cove to spot seals in the deep blue waves. Best of all, if you're up for some adventure, drive up to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and hike the stunning Skyline Trail. Make sure you stay on the lookout for whales!){kind=link}