10 Wicked Cool Things to Do in Halifax

Halifax is the heart of Nova Scotia, a maritime province in Canada that has seen a lot of history float on by. (Or sail right into its harbor.) And with a past this eventful, you better believe there are a lot of things to do in Halifax. Some are educational, others are interesting, and loads of them promise a good time. Having experienced a few of them myself, here’s a list of my top recommendations—either things I’ve done first-hand or am planning for my next visit.

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Where To Stay in Halifax

Since you’re splurging on a vacay anyway, why not try a bit of luxury with Muir, Autograph Collection? Settled on Halifax’s waterfront, this hotel doesn’t just come with amazing ocean views and great service. It’s surrounded by a plethora of restaurants and is an easy 8-minute walk to the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk.

A sleek, modern hotel bar with dark marble floors and walls, featuring a backlit bar stocked with liquor bottles and flanked by two metallic lamps; five green leather barstools line the counter, adding a pop of color to the otherwise moody interior.

Luxurious hotel bathroom with dark stone walls and flooring, featuring a freestanding white soaking tub with a towel draped over the side, a walk-in glass shower, a toilet, and a long marble vanity with double sinks, an oval mirror, and neatly stacked white towels on a wooden bench below.

Modern indoor pool area with glowing blue water, lined with cushioned white lounge beds separated by dark stone columns, each with neatly rolled white towels, set against a textured stone tile wall under ambient ceiling lighting.

Stylish hotel room with a modern platform bed dressed in crisp white linens and a striped throw blanket, flanked by bedside lamps and a textured area rug, featuring large windows that offer a scenic view of a harbor with boats and coastal buildings.

PHOTO CREDITS: MUIR, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION VIA HOTELS.COM

PLANNING A TRIP TO HALIFAX SOON?

Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans!

Popular Tours & Activities in Halifax:

Top Places to Stay in Halifax:

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10 Best Things to Do in Halifax

This map will put all the places mentioned in this post right at your fingertips!

1. Iconic Lighthouse Views at Peggy’s Cove

There are a lot of different lighthouses to see in Nova Scotia. My number one recommendation is at the bottom of the list (stay tuned y’all), but Peggy’s Cove is a great place to whet your lighthouse appetite.

This picturesque fishing village has colorful houses; a rugged, cliffside landscape; and of course, a historic lighthouse built in 1915. For a good tour that includes Peggy’s Cove, try a half-day trip that includes Peggy’s Cove and Titanic Cemetery. Speaking of which…

A small harbor at Peggy’s Cove features a bright red fishing boat moored alongside weathered wooden docks, with colorful coastal houses and a clear blue sky in the background.

2. Titanic Cemetery and the Old Burying Ground

This one has too much history not to mention. Titanic Cemetery is where they buried many Titanic victims pulled out of the sea. Some were never identified, and only have numbers to mark their graves.

If you want to visit more gravesites, pay your respects at the Old Burying Ground, too. These aren’t the first grave sites that I’ll recommend and they certainly won’t be the last! I loved seeing the spirit houses in Eklutna, Alaska, if you’re on a morbid streak!

A close-up view through an ornate wrought iron fence shows aged, moss-covered gravestones in a historic cemetery, with dappled sunlight filtering through green leafy trees overhead.

3. Step Back into the 19th Century at Halifax Public Gardens

For Victorian-era gardens in North America, take a stroll through Halifax Public Gardens. It’s actually a mash-up of two different places—a garden and a public park—from the early- and mid-1800s. However, it officially became one in 1874.

The whole place is an artistic mix of natural and artificial landscaping coming together with fountains, ponds, bridges, and flower beds galore.

Colorful scene from the Halifax Public Gardens featuring a historic bandstand surrounded by vibrant flower beds, lush green lawns, and mature trees casting dappled shadows under a bright, sunny sky.

PHOTO CREDIT: ANDOS_PICS, FLICKR, CC 2.0

4. Diving into Maritime Heritage at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

The Canadian Museum of Immigration offers an alternative look at history, one not focused on accolades or naval prowess. Instead, it’s about the average person searching for a better life.

If you want to get more in-depth info, consider booking a guided tour, like the Halifax Waterfront Discovery Tour, which includes an explanation of the history of this museum, Georges Island, and more.

Front view of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, featuring a red brick facade with large windows, bold "PIER 21" signage across the top, and people walking and gathering outside the entrance under a sunny blue sky.

PHOTO CREDIT: SEAN MARSHALL, FLICKR, CC 2.0

5. Citadel National Historic Site: What’s All the Fighting About?

Here’s a real-life fortress for you. Citadel Hill has been the site of four different military fortifications, the first in 1749 and the current one (still standing) since the mid-19th century. It’s all a mix of colonialism and fighting over land amongst British, French, and indigenous peoples—not exactly fun times, but, well, it happened.

And if nothing else, you can get some great panoramic views of Halifax while you’re here.

Aerial view of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, highlighting the star-shaped Halifax Citadel National Historic Site surrounded by green lawns, with the harbor and waterfront skyline in the background, and ships visible in the blue waters of the harbor.

PHOTO CREDIT: DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

6. Boat Lovers Ahoy at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

This isn’t just the oldest maritime museum in Halifax, but the oldest one in all of Canada. This puppy’s your go-to if you want the low-down on all sorts of nautical know-how. That includes everything from the evolution of sailboats to steam-powered cruise lines, shipwrecks along the Nova Scotia coast, and Halifax’s role in retrieving victims of the Titanic.

It’s also close to the Waterfront Boardwalk. Handy if you want to go for a stroll or do a little shopping afterward.

The entrance to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic shows a large yellow and blue welcome sign with a site map, flanked by maritime artifacts like anchors and chains; in the background, a bright yellow building features a mural of a woman in a wetsuit jumping joyfully over stylized waves.

7. Board a Boat, Ya’ll

While we’re on the subject… Halifax is a waterfront city—if you don’t get on a boat while you’re here, what are you even doing with your life? Unless you get seasick easily, in which case, never mind. For everyone else, though, there are tons of different boat and yacht tours, each catering to a different interest.

Personally, I’d go with a yacht where you dine on wine and cheese. But that’s just me.

8. Cubism at Its Finest at the Halifax Central Library

I never thought I’d be recommending a library of all places, but this one is out of this world. The architecture is like a mad cubist’s experiment gone right, with massive blocks stacked precariously one on top of the other.

The inside of the Halifax Central Library is just as zany. Even if you’ve never read a book in your life, this library is a must-see.

An angled view looking up at the modern glass facade of the Halifax Central Library, reflecting the clear blue sky and showing detailed leaf patterns on the windows.

9. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

This art gallery is a great place to get a taste of local art culture in Nova Scotia. Home to over 19,000 works of art, you can get a peek at anything from traditional paintings to modern innovation.

The museum highlights both regional and national talent, featuring pieces by iconic Canadian artists such as Maud Lewis, Alex Colville, and Mary Pratt. Art lovers, history buffs, and curious travelers alike will find inspiration in its diverse exhibitions, which explore everything from Indigenous and Acadian heritage to contemporary issues through visual storytelling.

Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just looking to experience Nova Scotia through a creative lens, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia offers a thoughtful and engaging cultural stop.

PHOTO CREDIT: MINDMATRIX, CC 2.0

10. Helicopter Ride to Sambro Island

I cannot recommend We got to see the city from a bird’s eye view, and we spotted lots of wildlife—birds, seals, and even a bear.

I know the price might give some a little sticker shock. But I promise the experience is worth the cost and more!

A blue, white, and yellow helicopter is parked on a rocky shoreline with a tall red-and-white striped lighthouse and a weathered wooden building in the background, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Have a Blast With All These Things to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia!

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