Travel to Halifax

Travel to Halifax

Cosmopolitan Halifax, located next to one of the world's best harbours, is an exciting, bustling city to visit in Canada. The city's development began with the British establishing a fort here, in 1749, to protect against attacks from the French. Today, there is little military presence in the city and it has flourished over the years into a popular tourist destination.

Transportation to Halifax

It is very convenient to get to Halifax by several means of transportation including air, car, rail, bus or ferry. The city has an international airport and flying is probably the most popular means of reaching the city. Travellers who enjoy driving will find it especially pleasing to drive here using the Trans Canada Highway. The roads are in excellent condition and well-signposted.

Bus and rail services also commute frequently from many major cities within Canada and the USA to Halifax. Ferry services are not the primary choice for many visitors to Halifax, but there are ferry services sailing from several ports in Canada and also from the USA to Halifax.

What to see

With its shopping malls, citadel, museums and art galleries, there is plenty to do and see at Halifax. The Clock Tower is probably the most incongruous site at Halifax, and the history behind the structure is very interesting. The Citadel, now a National Historic site, is located close to the Clock Tower, with its massive double stone walls and ditch dating back to 1856. Visitors are able to enter the barracks and view the on-site museum.

Grand Parade Square is dominated by the old St Pauls Church, which once served as an emergency hospital. The Titanic Cemeteries are also interesting and a good place for those interested in the disastrous voyage of the Titanic. There are also many museums and art galleries with excellent displays as well as trendy pubs and discos to enjoy while in Halifax.

Daytrips

Driving is the best way to visit the beautiful areas surrounding Halifax. Dartmouth is the provinces second largest city and it has a few interesting sites to visit including the Quaker House and Shubenacadie Canal. Southwest Nova Scotia, although a little far from Halifax, is filled with wonderful places including coves, bays and lighthouses.

Activities and leisure

Halifax is a pleasant area to hire a bicycle to explore the compact city. The hills can prove a bit of a breathy experience, but there are good bicycle trails to follow. Canoeing is another popular tourist activity, especially along the North West Arm where some of the more beautiful century-old homes are located, and there is no better view to be had than from a canoe.

Just outside Halifax are two golf courses; Granite Springs Golf Club and the Sackville Golf Course. Horseback riding and sea kayaking are among the many other activities that are available at Halifax.

Safety issues

Halifax, like any other large city, has its fair share of incidents of petty crimes that include pick-pocketing and bag-snatching. However, in general, it is a safe city for travellers to visit. All travellers are advised to travel with a comprehensive travel insurance policy to safe guard themselves against untoward events.