Halifax, Nova Scotia
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STAY, DINE, DO: Find a hotel, restaurant or attraction.

Listings to get the most out of the city: where to dine, what to see, where to shop, and more.

Halifax

Ultimate Halifax

History, entertainment, style and more—what we love about Halifax

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Photo: NS Economic & Rural Development & Tourism

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS
One of the main downtown thoroughfares, Spring Garden Road is the busiest pedestrian street east of Montreal. From Park Lane to the beloved department store Mills it boasts shopping galore. In the summer, a feed of fries from the chip trucks in front of the Central Library is a local rite of summer. After dark, popular nightspots like Your Father’s Moustache and Onyx draw crowds.

ROOTS
Still the geographic (and emotional) heart of the downtown, the Halifax Citadel is Canada’s most popular National Historic Site.

In Halifax’s early days, citizens were notoriously unpunctual. The solution, courtesy of an early noble, was the Old Town Clock on Sackville Street.

There’s always something cool happening at the Museum of Natural History on Summer Street. The new Our Amazing World exhibition showcases the museum’s recently installed spherical-projection technology.

You can shop and dine where privateers once stashed their booty in the Historic Properties.

A long line of sports heroes—most recently, Sidney Crosby. Learn more: Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame on Duke Street.

Devastated in the Halifax Explosion almost a century ago, the area now called The Hydrostone has regrown as a stylish neighbourhood with unique architecture, quaint shops and world-class dining.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
At the south end of the peninsula, Point Pleasant Park is a popular year-round destination for its oceanside and woodland trails—a must-visit for hikers, bikers and runners. The park also hosts productions of theatre al fresco with Shakespeare by the Sea throughout the summer. In the midst of the downtown on Barrington Street, the Old Burying Ground is a secluded historic cemetery. It’s also notable as the resting place of British Major General Robert Ross, who burned Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812. Uptown on Spring Garden Road, the Halifax Public Gardens are one of the finest Victorian gardens in North America. In the summer, its bandstand hosts Sunday afternoon concerts. Across the harbour, the Dartmouth Common is a green oasis with splendid harbour views.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
From sports to culture, you can find an entertainment option for whatever piques your interest. May’s diverse lineup, for instance, includes a new season of motor-sports action at Scotia Speedworld and Atlantic Motorsport Park, the acclaimed SuperNova Theatre Festival, stand-up comedy at Yuk Yuk’s, the Scotia Festival of Music, live music at Bearly’s House of Blues on Barrington Street and much more.

MADE LOCALLY
From Lonely Planet to the Montreal Gazette to the New York Times, Halifax draws constant praise as a premier culinary destination. In the Guide to Dining you’ll find listings for a tremendous variety of restaurants. And discover where Halifax’s talented chefs find their inspiration: the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market on Marginal Road. Fresh-baked goods, savoury snacks, artisanal cheeses, award-winning Nova Scotian wine and produce aplenty—you’ll find plenty to entice.

DAY TRIPPIN’
Centrally located, Halifax is an ideal day-trip base. Take a 45-minute drive east, and you’ll find the Memory Lane Heritage Village, a living-history museum that re-creates life in rural Nova Scotia as it was 70 years ago. Or take a 45-minute drive west, and you’ll find the historic fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Its iconic lighthouse, perched on the rocks just above the wild Atlantic waves, is Nova Scotia’s most photographed site.

May Hot Dates in Halifax

Cirque du Soleil's Dralion

May 6: Cirque du Soleil returns to Halifax with Dralion, a spectacular showcase of “Eastern and Western acrobatic prowess.” High-trained performers from around the world put on a stunning display of athleticism, magic and whimsy, as the Metro Centre on Duke Street hosts an eight-show run. The production is limited to an eight-show run in Halifax. Halifax Metro Centre, 5284 Duke St. 451-1221.  www.ticketatlantic.com

May 3: The 2.5-kilometre, 11-turn road circuit at Atlantic Motorsport Park opens for another season of racing action. Events: May 3, 6, 10 to 13, 18 to 21, 26, 27, 29, 31. Exit 10 off Highway 102, Creighton Road, Shubenacadie. 758-2237.  www.atlanticmotorsportpark.com

May 5: A showcase for the artistry and versatility of Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, Ghosts of Violence is an emotionally charged work inspired by women who have lost their lives at the hands of an intimate partner. Through evocative lighting, theatre, music and multi-media, the ballet captures the memory of these silent victims. One show only at the Dalhousie Arts Centre on University Avenue. Due to its mature subject matter, this show isn’t recommended for people under age 14. Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Ave. 494-2403.  atlanticballet.ca

May 11: In its final show of the season, the Dartmouth Community Concert Association features fiddler/violinist David Greenberg and multi-instrumentalist Chris Norman. They’ll perform renaissance, baroque, traditional and original music at Woodlawn United Church. 54 Woodlawn Rd., Dartmouth. www.dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca

May 12: The pop-country star Juice Newton (“Queen of Hearts,” “Angel of the Morning”) plays an intimate concert at Casino Nova Scotia. Must be 19 or older with government-issued photo ID. 1983 Upper Water St. 423-0143.  www.casinonovascotia.com

May 16: The world’s first, and probably only, Scottish-Canadian country-music star Johnny Reid returns to the East Coast. Halifax Metro Centre, 5284 Duke St. 451-1221. www.ticketatlantic.com

May 19: An Evening with Pierrot features two pianists, a mime (Olga Primajk), a reader (Larry Bent) and soprano Allison Bent Angelo at the Maritime Conservatory of Music. 6199 Chebucto Rd. 492-4523.  www.stcecilia.ca

Editor’s Choice: May 18 to 20: This weekend is jammed with Blue Nose Marathon events, including a youth run and 5K and 10K competitions. The full marathon kicks off at the Old Town Clock at 8am on May 20, wending its way through the city past Halifax Citadel and along the shores of Point Pleasant Park, crisscrossing the harbour on the Macdonald Bridge and ending back at the Clock on Sackville Street. Find a detailed route map at www.bluenosemarathon.com.

May 20: The province’s most popular motor-sports venue, Scotia Speedworld, returns with races in the Pro Stock and Legends tours. Events: May 20, 27. Exit 6 off Highway 102, Enfield. www.scotiaspeedworld.ca

May 27: It’s the final day for La Cage aux Folles at Neptune Theatre, a hilarious and touching musical. 1593 Argyle St. 429-7070 or 1-800-565-7345. www.neptunetheatre.com

May 28: The Scotia Festival of Music kicks off with a performance by violinist Giora Schmidt, cellist Joshua Roman and pianist John Novacek. 429-9467.  www.scotiafestival.ns.ca

Hot Dining: Editor’s Pick: Le Bistro

Halifax’s original French bistro is back after a long dormancy. Le Bistro has returned to South Park Street. The original Le Bistro was a Halifax favourite for a generation. A decade after its closing, former manager Liz Chamber-Ingram has revived it. The new spot has the same Parisian vibe, and serves old favourites like Crêpe Marocaine and the house specialty lemon pie.

Le Bistro, Photo: Rachael Shrum

Hot Dining: Hot Joe at Uncommon Grounds

With locations on South Park and Barrington streets, Uncommon Grounds is a destination of choice for serious coffee lovers. The New York-style coffeehouse offers gourmet drinks, snacks, soup, sandwiches and desserts.

Uncommon Grounds

Hot Dining: Soothe a Sweet Tooth at the Middle Spoon

If you’re the sort of person who skips straight to dessert, be sure to visit The Middle Spoon on Barrington Street. The “desserterie” specializes in decadent desserts and cocktails. The Peanut Butter Pie draws rave reviews.

The Middle Spoon, Photo: Michelle Brunet

Hot Dining: After Dark Downtown

Stylish Onyx on Spring Garden Road is the spot to see and be seen. On Mondays, the signature mojitos are $7. Wednesdays offer one of the best deals you’ll find downtown: live music, no cover, no corkage fees and half-price apps.

The Economy Shoe Shop on Argyle Street has long been a favourite refuge for Halifax’s popular and fashionable. The beloved downtown bar has a cool vibe, diverse mix of cocktails and—rather unexpectedly—one of the city’s better hamburgers.

Onyx, Photo: julé malet-veale

Hot Dining: 3 Local Favourites

The Armview (Photo: Terra Ciolfe)

  1. The Armview on Chebucto Road: Reinvented neighbourhood diner; gourmet burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, weekend brunch and more.
  2.  

  3. Dofsky’s on Brunswick Street: Varied menu offering pizza, pasta, seafood, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.
  4.  

  5. Café Chianti on Barrington Street: Italian and Eastern European specialties for more than two decades; one of the city’s best wine cellars.

Hot Shopping: Editor’s Pick: NovaScotian Crystal

NovaScotian Crystal

NovaScotian Crystal

In the NovaScotian Crystal workshop on George Street, craftsmen shape beautiful works of mouth-blown hand cut crystal, using ancient techniques from the Old World. Visit the adjacent showroom to browse through ornaments, vases, wine glasses and other functional creations.

Hot Shopping: Go Bold at Biscuit General Store and Pseudio

Biscuit General Store

Colour blocking is the hot trend this spring, wearing bold complementary colours to create a dynamic look. You can’t go wrong with any combination of teal, black and white, while mint green is proving to be one of the season’s hottest colours for a splash of vitality. Find plenty to work with at Biscuit General Store on Argyle Street.

You’ll find colour-blocking options galore at any of the city’s four Pseudio locations as well. Vibrant, flirty tri-colour tanks are sure to be a hit on the beaches down south.

A Titanic Centennial

With many historic links to the tragedy, Halifax marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking.

When the Titanic went down in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, ships from Halifax were among the first on the scene. The majority of recovered victims, 150 bodies, were buried in three Halifax cemeteries: Fairview Lawn Cemetery at the north end of Windsor Street, nearby Mount Olivet and Baron de Hirsch cemeteries. In the 100 years since the disaster, Halifax has stayed keenly aware of its Titanic ties.

April 15 is the centenary of the sinking (it struck the iceberg late on April 14, sinking less than three hours later). Visitors can learn more about the celebrated ship and Halifax’s connections to it throughout the month. Begin your explorations at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on Lower Water Street. The permanent exhibition Titanic: The Unsinkable Ship includes artifacts like a life ring, deck chair and oak carving from the Titanic. The museum also features a temporary exhibition on the history of cable ships in Nova Scotia, detailing the roles of the Halifax-based Mackay-Bennett and Minia ships in recovery operations. Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World features personal stories and artifacts from recovery workers. The museum is also showcasing An Earnest Price: 150 Grave Stories, photos of Titanic grave markers by Andrew Danson Danushevsky.

After the Maritime Museum, continue south on the waterfront boardwalk to the Halifax Port Authority building on Marginal Road. In front, stands a statue of Samuel Cunard. A Halifax native, Cunard founded Cunard Lines, which sparked the modern steamship industry.

Further south on Marginal Road, the Cunard Centre is named for the shipping magnate and, from April 3 to 26, home to Titanic: The Fated Voyage. The dinner-theatre drama tells the story of the disaster. To accompany the tale, Chef Tahir Salamat of Onyx and Cut Steakhouse & Urban Grill has prepared a menu of cuisine served on the voyage.

The Five Fishermen restaurant on Argyle Street is another Titanic landmark. The historic building (purported to be haunted) was once a funeral home, and many Titanic victims passed through its doors. Today, Five Fishermen is one of Halifax’s finest restaurants. This month, it serves a special prix-fixe menu of dishes from the Titanic’s first-class menu, including Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce, Filet Mignons Lili and Waldorf Pudding. The Press Gang on Prince Street also features a Titanic-inspired menu.Hear a new perspective on the Titanic story from April 2 to 10, as Alderney Landing in Dartmouth—where the Metro Transit ferries dock—hosts Titanic: The Untold Story. Blending historical fact and legend, the play tells the story of Haitian Joseph Philippe Laroche, the only black person to sail on the Titanic.

One of the most romanticized parts of the tragedy is the story of the Titanic band, stoically playing to bolster passengers’ morale as the vessel sunk. On April 10, the Dalhousie Arts Centre hosts And the Band Played On, a special concert in honour of the musicians. Performers include Meaghan Smith, Jenn Grant, Evans and Doherty, the Rhapsody Quintet, Lennie Gallant and many others.Many special events mark the anniversary itself. On April 14, visit the Maritime Museum from 7:30pm to 9:30pm for a candle-lit procession, making its way from the museum to the Grand Parade, passing Titanic-related landmarks along the way. From 9:30pm to 12:20am, Grand Parade hosts Night of the Bells, telling the story of the sinking of the ship, her passengers and Halifax’s recovery efforts. At 12:20am, when the Titanic began to sink, a moment of silence will be held and flares set off to symbolize the ship’s call for help. On April 15, beginning at 3pm, there is an interfaith memorial service at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.