The ultimate getaway in and around Halifax

Halifax is a vibrant harbor city, where a narrow passage leads to the sheltered waters of Bedford Basin, making it a prime location for naval and shipping activities. Long before European settlers arrived, this waterway served as a refuge for the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people for thousands of years.

In the 18th century, the British Royal Navy established a stronghold that influenced the city's development, leaving behind historical sites and Canadian naval yards that still stand today.

Currently, the harbor is home to container vessels and warmly welcomes cruise ships. The Halifax harbor boardwalk is a lively hub, likely the most frequented kilometer on Canada’s east coast. With its lively bars, restaurants, and attractions by the docks, visitors naturally extend their exploration to downtown Halifax, Dartmouth across the water, and renowned UNESCO sites within an hour’s reach, such as Peggy’s Cove, Grand-Pré, Wolfville, and Lunenburg.

After 15 years of strolling through Halifax’s streets—where I still reside—and creating unforgettable memories, here’s my guide to the perfect four-day weekend in and around Halifax.

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• Best time to visit: Arrive on a Thursday night and leave on Monday night—between June and September—for the ultimate four-day Halifax getaway.

• Airport transportation: To fully experience this one-hour radius itinerary, rent a car. If you’re staying within the city, you can take a Metro Transit bus, call a taxi, or use Uber or Lyft.

• Getting around the city: Halifax is quite walkable, so park the car and wander downtown. For a complete city experience, grab the Metro Transit route guide for bus and ferry services. For excursions outside the city, you’ll want that rental car.

• Accommodations: A wide range of options including hotels, AirBnBs, and university residences await visitors. For budget travelers, consider a tidy student dorm at Dalhousie for just $56. Downtown and waterfront hotels can be pricey, but the Courtyard Halifax Downtown offers good rates from $230 to $350. For a splurge, the luxurious Muir at Queen’s Marque ranges from $450 to $600 and is a proud representation of Haligonian hospitality.

• Packing tips: The vibe here is casual, with locals favoring comfortable, practical clothing. For nights out at the theater or a nice dinner, smart casual attire is recommended. As the evenings can get cool and for those outdoor adventures, dress in layers and bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket.

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Thursday

Evening: Welcome to Halifax! Start your adventure with a stroll through the downtown hillside area along Barrington Street. These vibrant ten blocks leading down to the harbor are teeming with shops, bars, and restaurants alive with nightlife. For a taste of Nova Scotia's fantastic craft beers alongside hearty pub fare, head to Stillwell taproom, right in the heart of the action. Still in the mood for more? Just meander around, and you’ll find another bar or pub on every corner, including the lively Old Triangle Irish Alehouse, where drinks and traditional tunes flow freely.

Friday

Morning: Head down to the waterfront boardwalk to catch the sunrise over Georges Island, just a stone's throw from the docks. Among the many cafes, Cabin Coffee is a great spot to kick off your day, whether you choose to relax and soak in the local buzz or grab a breakfast bun and coffee special to go. The route is adorned with ocean-themed public art, including a whale's tail bench, fishing schooner hammocks, wave-shaped sculptures, and whimsical drunken sailor lampposts. Dive into Halifax's maritime history, including its somber connection to the Titanic disaster, at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

How to spend the day: Take the shuttle to the quaint Georges Island, a national historic site featuring the remnants of Fort Charlotte. Enhance your short journey with a Perfect Picnic package and a tour of the intriguing military tunnels. If you return from your trip to Georges Island with time to spare, stroll up the steep streets toward the iconic white town clock and explore the fortress on Citadel Hill. Snap photos with the fuzzy-hatted soldiers in their striking red uniforms and kilts. Opt for a guided tour to discover the fascinating inner workings of this well-preserved stronghold.

Dinner: In Halifax, seafood is the star of the show, a tradition shared throughout Nova Scotia. Long-standing favorites like Five Fishermen and McKelvies have been doing it right for decades. Newer spots such as Shuck Seafood and Oyster Bar are adding exciting options to Halifax's seafood scene with a diverse oyster menu.

After dark: Halifax boasts a vibrant eastern Canadian music scene that blends traditional roots with alternative and hip hop influences. Check out who's performing at downtown venues like The Carleton, Bearly’s House of Blues, and Gus’ Pub. Neptune Theatre regularly features entertaining shows—popular titles like The Full Monty, Frozen, or A Midsummer Night’s Dream are common. With contributions from four universities, a theater school, and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax has a unique artsy vibe. Discover what’s on for independent theater, comedy, dance, film, festivals, and live music at smaller stages, clubs, and pubs throughout the city.

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Saturday

Morning: Rise early for your trip to Lunenburg. In just over an hour, you'll swap the Halifax waterfront for the stunning Lunenburg waterfront, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those vibrantly painted 19th-century wooden houses, hotels, inns, shops, and restaurants cascading down a steep hill create one of the finest examples of a British colonial town in North America, earning its UNESCO designation.

How to spend the day: These historic and vibrant eight blocks lead down to the docks, where Canada’s renowned tall ship, the Bluenose II, is frequently docked and open for tours. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, featuring two additional historic vessels, showcases the town's and Nova Scotia's rich fishing heritage. Stroll the streets, savor locally caught fish and chips at the South Shore Fish Shack, and enjoy tastings at Ironworks Distillery, located in a former blacksmith shop where artisans crafted hardware for the many ships built here.

Dinner: Head back to Halifax, park your car, and take one of the ferries that connects the waterfront to downtown Dartmouth, running every 15 to 30 minutes. Renowned Canadian chef Renée Lavallée operates The Canteen, a unique restaurant that exceeds its simple name. Be sure to try the scallop and leek risotto.

After dark: Join in on a fun axe-throwing competition at the Timber Lounge or enjoy cocktails at Dear Friend Bar. If you prefer a vibrant taproom atmosphere, settle in at Battery Park Beer Bar and Eatery.

Sunday

Morning: Rise and shine once more for your Annapolis Valley day adventure. In less than an hour, you'll find yourself in Nova Scotia’s lush valley, flanked by world-record tides and bordered by twin ridges—remnants of the Appalachians worn smooth by time. This fertile valley is home to thriving apple orchards, cornfields, and vineyards.

How to spend the day: Start your day with a coffee break at Just Us Coffee, the province’s most famous craft roaster committed to organic and fair trade practices. Then, head to the nearby Grand-Pré National Historic Site—a grassy, shaded area that recounts the story of the French Acadians through its interpretation center and memorial church. In the 18^th century, French settlers introduced dyking technology, transforming this land from shallow sea into farmland, until British forces brutally exiled them and claimed the territory. Like Lunenburg, Grand-Pré’s rich history has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Spend your afternoon exploring wineries, stopping at farm shops along the way. Sample world-class Brut at Benjamin Bridge, refreshing rosé at L’Acadie Vineyards, and bold Lucie Kuhlmann red at Gaspereau, among others. Enjoy lunch on the patio at the hilltop Luckett Vineyards, complete with a free phone call from the iconic red British phone box situated in the vineyard. For a light meal, check out the charming Library Pub & Wine Tavern in Wolfville. Beer enthusiasts should not miss Church Brewing, housed in a stunning former stone church.

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Dinner: Return to Halifax to experience another of the fantastic downtown dining options. The newcomer Salt + Ash is making waves, with almost everything prepared over an open flame. Another fresh addition, Fawn, is impressing diners with expertly crafted European classics like Steak au Poivre.

After dark: Experience the vibrant wine bar scene in downtown Halifax by comparing the new Peacock on the waterfront with the established Obladee, set in a former bookstore, both offering elevated local seafood dishes paired with fine wines.

Monday

Morning: Enjoy your final day in the port city with a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. Head south and make a stop at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, where the heartfelt stories of immigrants and refugees who arrived in Canada at this pier may touch your heart. Continue your walk for 1.6km (1 mile) south to Point Pleasant Park, where you can enjoy a seaside walk along trails that weave through the peninsula, passing historic sites like the stone Prince of Wales Tower.

How to spend the day: After your invigorating morning stroll, treat yourself to a delicious lunch like Bulgogi poutine at Black Sheep, located within the historic brick building of Keith’s Brewery.

Regrettably, it's time to catch your flight. You'll depart with a camera full of memories and a mind buzzing with Haligonian experiences. But before you leave, take one last look around to kickstart your return to-do list. This brief introduction has already shown you that a return trip is essential to explore all the attractions you missed and discover beyond the one-hour Halifax radius.

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