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Nova Scotia is riddled with history and Halifax boasts claim to much of that history beginning with the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which hosts a large collection of artefacts, images, charts, and plans relating to the marine history of Nova Scotia.
The collection goes from 1850 to the present including artefacts from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian merchant marine, and smaller craft along with artefacts of local shipwrecks. You will find figureheads, anchors, sextants, armaments, and the 1913 hydrographic vessel the C.S.S. Acadia.
Visit Nova Scotia: Fun & Amazing Things To Do in Halifax
C.S.S. Acadia
The C.S.S. Acadia is Canada’s first hydrographic ship, which was used in mapping the ocean from 1913 to 1969. It is now open to the public for viewing and tours. For 56 years, this vessel was used to map the ocean floor. You can visit the captain’s quarters, the upper decks, a chart room, and the wheelhouse. If you desire to see more of the ship there are longer tours available that include the engine room and much more.
Pier 21
Pier 21 gives evidence of the diverse Canadian immigration from 1928 to 1971. During this time war brides, refugees, and returning military ships brought more than a million immigrants through Pier 21. You can watch this part of history come alive, as it is re-created in live performances and multimedia broadcasts.
Fairview Lawn Cemetery
Fans of the Titanic saga will enjoy Fairview Lawn Cemetery. This cemetery is considered the final and notable resting place for around 121 victims of the Titanic. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic went down and nearly 2,000 people died. Ship captains from Halifax were among those called in to help retrieve the bodies. Most of the victims buried at this cemetery were crew members. Some of the graves have names others only numbers.
Old Burying Ground
Old Burying Ground is Halifax’s first cemetery dating back to 1749. Over 12,000 people were buried here between 1749 and 1844. Very few graves have headstone markers. The gravestone art though is exceptional, with winged skulls, winged heads, ornate statues, and animals. In 1991 the cemetery was fully restored.
Citadel National Historic Site
Citadel National Historic Site gives way to another important part of Canada’s history. This 18th-century fort looking over downtown Halifax was built between 1826 and 1856. Citadel was the city’s heart of protection. Many other forts occupied this site before the Citadel.
Halifax is home to one of the oldest provincial Parliament buildings still in use in Canada. The Province House proclaimed by Charles Dickens as ‘a gem of Georgian architecture’ also houses an impressive legislative library. The Province House was built in 1819.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia hosts a look at provincial and Canadian artwork in various mediums. It is located between the waterfront and the Grand Parade featuring works by British, European, and Canadian artists.
The Halifax Public Gardens
A beautiful Victorian garden is open to the public and considered one of Halifax’s most beautiful and treasured sites. The Halifax Public Gardens is one of the oldest formal Victorian gardens in North America. This garden began as a private garden in 1753. It has gravel paths, flowerbeds, trees, ponds, and a very diverse display of plants from around the world.
St. Paul’s Church
St. Paul’s Church opened in 1750 built from lumber brought by a ship from Boston. This church is known as the first Anglican bishop of Nova Scotia and is the oldest Protestant church and burial site for many distinguished colonists.
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History will let you learn about Canada’s flowers, wildlife, plants, and animals. You will find information on fossils, dinosaurs, whales, birds, and more. The nature centre within the Museum is home to live frogs, insects, and snakes. On the side of the building, you will find a fibreglass replica of the northern spring peeper, which is a frog.
Now open to the public is a memorial of the H.M.C.S. Sackville. This ship dates back to World War II used to escort convoys. It is a blue and white warship, called a corvette, still equipped as it was in 1944.
McNab’s Island
McNab’s Island is uninhabited but offers hiking, a historic fort, and a lighthouse. It is located near the mouth of the harbor and is home to over 200 species of birds. Mauger Beach Lighthouse built-in 1815 is located on McNabís Island. It is accessible only by boat. Once on the island, you must walk along the beach and boardwalk to reach the lighthouse. The boardwalk is in much need of repair.
Ranked in the top 100 of Score Magazine and Golf Digest rating of 4 stars you find a must-play golf course called Glen Arbour. Even with its high ratings, Glen Arbour is designed for all experience levels.
Point Pleasant Park
Point Pleasant Park offers a beautiful setting for a picnic with vast ocean views and hiking trails through 186 acres of one of Halifax’s most loved parks. This 186-acre park sits amidst a wooded peninsular point and served for years in the city’s military defence.
You will find the ruins of early forts, a beautiful gravel carriage road, a small swimming beach, groves of fir trees, and miles of hiking trails. Halifax leases this property from Great Britain for 1 shilling a year, which is equal to about 10 cents in the US. Halifax has a 999-year lease.
Brewery Market
A popular Saturday market, Brewery Market, rests in a stone complex where Alexander Keith once brewed beer. The beer still bears his name today. You can find almost anything at this market from Chinese and Indian culinary snacks, home-smoked sausage and cheeses, to hand-dyed silk scarves, paintings, stone carvings, leather work, to fruits, vegetables, freshly baked bread, and lamb, rabbit, and eggs.
Final Thoughts
Closing off the list of attractions in Halifax is the Casino Nova Scotia. Get ready for some excitement now. Open 24 hours daily except for Remembrance Day, Good Friday, Christmas, and Easter Sunday this 34,900 square-foot casino will answer your gambling call. Hosting roulette wheels, card games, 750 slot machines, 34 table games, four restaurants, and a 352-room hotel you can spend your whole vacation in just one spot.
Image Credit: Depositphotos
