Halifax Attractions

McNabs Island
This small island located in the harbor and easily seen from York Redoubt has beaches, picnic tables and guided walks, as well as a fort at the south end, and a teahouse serving snacks and seafood.

Dartmouth
Halifax's sister city: a scenic ferry ride across the harbor from Halifax

Point Pleasant Park
Rented to Canada by the British at the rate of 10 cents per year. No cars are allowed. 24 miles of walking trails, picnic spots and a beach. Walk out to the lighthouse observe the busy shipping activity at the nearby Port of Halifax.

Army Museum
422-5979
Open daily early May - Oct. 31, off-season by appointment.
Contains hundreds of artifacts reflecting Atlantic Canada's military heritage. The museum is located in the Cavalier Barracks of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum
Exit 6, Hwy. 102 near the airport
873-3773
Open daily 9 - 5, mid-May-mid-Oct., by appointment year-round. Admission by donation.
Many civilian and military aircraft are on display, as well as artifacts and exhibits depicting Atlantic Canadian aviation history, including a replica of the Silver Dart. The original, developed by Alexander Graham Bell and associates, made the first flight in the British Empire, from Bras d'Or Lake, NS, in 1909.

Bedford Institute of Oceanography
1 Challenger Dr., Dartmouth
(Take the Shannon Park exit, at the Dartmouth end of MacKay Bridge)
426-2373
Guided tours in English and French are available by appointment. Institute is open year-round. Free admission. Allow 45 minutes.
Canada's largest oceanographic research centre is open Mon. through Fri. 9am to 4pm. A self-guided exhibit requiring about 45 minutes to visit and consisting of displays, audio-visual presentations and small aquariums. Visit the Sea Pavilion which houses touch tanks and viewing tanks containing native marine species).

Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
1149 Main St., Dartmouth
434-6223 / 1-800-465-0767
The first site of its kind in Canada, this museum, cultural and education center is dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of African-Canadian history in Nova Scotia. It houses history archives, audiovisual displays, a library and an amphitheater for cultural performances and lectures. Guided and self-guided tours. Open year-round, Mon. to Fri. 9 - 5.

Casino Nova Scotia
1983 Upper Water Street
Halifax
(902) 425-7777 or (888) 642-6376
Open 24 hours daily; closed major holidays.
Minimum age for entrance: 19.

Cole Harbor Heritage Farm Museum
471 Poplar Dr., Dartmouth
434-0222
A small, community-run museum features farm animals, heritage buildings (dating back to the early 1780s), old farm tools and equipment, and gardens. The site adjoins numerous walkways through a natural marsh and woodland. Free parking, admission and picnic area

Costume Studies Museum
Carleton House, 1685 Argyle St., Halifax
494-6515
Open May 15 to Oct. 15, Mon. to Sat. 10am to 4pm, Sundays and holidays noon to 4pm.
Open year-round for inquiries, scheduled tours and events. Admission by donation.
This small museum located in an historic residential building displays the work of students of the Dalhousie Costume Studies program. Costumes are based on records of early residents of Halifax.

Dalhousie University Archives
Killam Memorial Library, University Ave, Halifax
494-6490
Research center includes material on Dalhousie University, theater, business, music, Nova Scotia shipping, as well as collections of private manuscripts and papers of creative writers, along with photographs. Mon. - Fri. 9 -noon; 1 -5.

Dartmouth Heritage Museum
100 Wyse Rd., Dartmouth
464-2300
A broad range of exhibits explores Dartmouth and surrounding area's natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Archival reference services are available by appointment. June, July and August - Tues - Sunday 10 - 5. Admission free, donations welcomed.

Discovery Centre
1593 Barrington St., Halifax
492-4422
Mon. - Sat. 10 - 5, Sun. 1 - 5 (until 9 pm every first Thursday) Allow 1 hour.
This science center presents more than 80 hands-on exhibits demonstrating the educational principles of bridges, electricity, chemistry, bubbles, light and sound, health, physics, optical illusions and more. Changing exhibits, workshops and science shows.

Brewery Market
Between Hollis and Lower Water Sts.
Sat. 7-1.
A popular Saturday market takes place at the stone complex where Alexander Keith once brewed beer. A variety of crafts from leatherwork to stone carvings. Culinary offerings include Chinese and Indian snacks, farm cheese, and home-smoked sausage, freshly baked bread; colorful displays of fresh local fruits and vegetables; and stalls with lambs, rabbits, and farm fresh brown eggs.

Cathedral Church of All Saints
1320 Tower Rd., Halifax
423-6002
1 -3pm Mon. - Fri., May - Sept., and by appointment year round.
This south end landmark is an example of Gothic architecture known for its stained-glass windows and the woodcarvings of its pulpit and chancel.
Queen Victoria granted the letters patent for the Dean and Chapter in 1865. After decades of fundraising and building, the gothic-style structure-which has been compared in size and style to the cathedrals of England-opened in 1910.