The Highlights of Halifax

Enjoy the history and surrounding attractions in one of the Maritime’s most visited cities.

by

Words by Dennis Begin

Halifax is a vibrant destination with a population of more than 480,000. Being the capital of Nova Scotia, it’s the largest city east of Montreal and is considered the epicentre of Atlantic Canada. 

With exciting events, a multicultural population, diverse landscape and picturesque fishing villages, Halifax is a unique destination. Combined with the 13 National Historic Sites and 28 provincial museums, the city’s past can be enjoyed as much as its present day. 

History and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site  

It was the French who first settled in Nova Scotia, calling it Acadia. The English soon arrived after, and the city was named after the Earl of Halifax in 1759. However, Halifax was founded by the construction of two fortresses. One was French, the other was English.

Eighteenth-century Nova Scotia (Latin for New Scotland) was the battleground for numerous wars. To protect the entrance of the St. Lawrence River and its fishing industry, the French built Fort Louisbourg on the east coast of Cape Breton Island.  To counter the French fortress, the English erected the Halifax Citadel.

Citadel Hill overlooks Halifax Harbour and four forts were built at this location including Fort George. Construction included a traditional star-shaped rock wall surrounded by open fields. Despite the elaborate defence, the city was never attacked by the French or US in 274 years.

Today, The Citadel National Historic Site (Fort George) is one of Halifax’s most popular attractions. Its rich history is commemorated by the 3rd Brigade of the Royal Artillery that fires the Noon Gun and tours among the grounds are guided by soldiers in period military uniforms. 

One of its biggest draws is the Army Museum Halifax Citadel. It tells the story of the Nova Scotia military and various battlefields including Vimy Ridge (1917) and Dieppe (1942). Exhibits also include period weapons, uniforms, medals and historic memorabilia from two World Wars. 

The Citadel National Historic Site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm all year and there’s even designated parking for RVs on site.

Nearby, about a four-minute walk, is The Town Clock on Citadel Hill, which is a Federal Heritage Building and a major tourist symbol for Halifax. It was constructed by the Duke of Kent in 1803 to encourage the punctuality of the British troops. The clock underwent renovations in 1960 and 2005 by Parks Canada. 

Sinking of the Titanic 

Early on April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic sank approximately 600 km (370 mi) off the coast of Newfoundland. This was the ship’s maiden voyage with 2,240 crew and passengers en route to Pier 59 in New York City. 

The ship grazed an iceberg on its starboard side, causing its six compartments to take on water. It took two hours and 40 minutes to split apart and sink. Ninety minutes later, the RMS Carpathia arrived to rescue the 706 survivors. It was the most tragic peacetime maritime disaster in history, taking 1,517 lives.

Following the sinking, 121 souls were buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, located at the Northern end of Windsor Street. The graves are arranged in the shape of a ship’s hull with gray granite headstones. Twenty-nine were laid to rest in two other locations. 

The sinking of the Titanic has a permanent display in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. It’s about a 10-minute walk from The Citadel National Historic Site and close to more attractions at the waterfront. 

Halifax Explosion, 1917 

An exhibit of the tragic event is also on display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. On December 6 the SS Imo and the SS Mont-Blanc collided in Halifax Narrows, causing a major catastrophe. 

The SS Imo hit the SS Mont-Blanc on the starboard side, which started a deck fire followed by a massive explosion. Being a munitions ship, the SS Mount-Blanc carried 400,000 tons of TNT and the impact was devastating, destroying buildings, docks, trees, railroad facilities and communities. The total loss was 1,951 lives with thousands injured. 

The ship’s anchor was salvaged nearly 4 km (2.5 mi) from the explosion. It’s now a permanent monument in Edmonds Grounds Estate on the Northwest side of the city. Another monument to those who died stands at Fort Needham Park and Bell Tower. 

Halifax’s Saint Paul’s Anglican Church survived the explosion. The force blew out its windows and the heat from the blast etched a man’s silhouette onto a glass window. Erected in 1750, Saint Paul’s still operates today and is the ‘oldest building in Halifax and the oldest existing Anglican Place of Worship in Canada.’

Halifax Waterfront and Boardwalk 

The city’s harbour is one of the largest and deepest ice-free natural harbours in the world and the waterfront is among the most visited areas in Nova Scotia. Its famous boardwalk is 4 km (2.5 mi), which leads from Pier 21 at the Halifax Seaport, a vibrant arts and cultural district, to the Casino Nova Scotia. 

The boardwalk is divided into a variety of districts including Historic Properties, Salt Yard, Bishop’s Landing and Seaport District. All share excellent dining and shopping options with retail kiosks, art galleries and more. 

The newest district to be developed is Queen’s Marque, known for its trendy culinary scene. Several restaurants have recently opened and more are expected through 2023. Cuisines range from Italian and Eastern Mediterranean to French with wine bars, cafés and pubs. The other districts are just as inviting and a great way to experience the multicultural aspect of the city.  

Of course, a visit to the waterfront isn’t complete without visiting the Wave, an iconic sculpture at Sackville Landing; the Tall Ship Silva that offers ticketed tours and sails; and the CSS Acadia, which is available for tours only. 

There’s more to Halifax than just its downtown district. Sandy shores also shape the coastline and the city is close to several beaches and provincial parks. All are great day trips and here are a few to consider visiting:

  • Martinique Beach Provincial Park

About an hour from Halifax, Martinique Beach is the longest stretch of sand in Nova Scotia. To make your stay extra relaxing, the park has designated picnic areas, boardwalks and supervised swimming. It’s also excellent for long strolls and beachcombing. It even serves as a Wildlife refuge for migratory waterfowl and a protected area for piping plovers. 

Visiting this park means going to the scenic Peggy’s Cove Coastal Region. With three white sand beaches, warm waters, and access to the 10 km (6 mi) Pennant Point trail, it’s worth the 40-minute drive from Halifax or your RV site.

  • Queensland Beach Provincial Park

This is another scenic destination. The park is also located in the Peggy’s Cove Coastal Region and while it’s not the largest beach in the area, it is very popular among locals. It’s also pet-friendly with restrooms and changing areas on site. 

Although these and the many other beaches close to Halifax are day use only, there is a nice choice of RV parks all within an hour from the city. Some options include Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean; Halifax West KOA; Woodhaven RV Park; Shubie Campground and King Neptune Campground. 

Plan a Destination 

If you’re visiting from a neighbouring province or further abroad, a trip to this region of the Maritimes is a destination where you should take your time. With its number of cultural festivals, farmer’s markets, and easily accessible outdoor activities, Halifax is an exceptional starting point and will be time well spent on the road this season. 

For more information visit www.discoverhalifaxns.com