Halifax-Dartmouth

Halifax County

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is set along on a magnificent harbour. The city was founded in 1749 and now has a population of roughly 115,000 people, making it the largest urban centre in the Atlantic provinces. It is a blend of the modern and the historic, with 18th- and 19th-century buildings mingling with contemporary blocks. The downtown area is relatively small, and easily explored on foot, with a wide path skirting along the harbour’s edge, past shops, restaurants and galleries.

Dartmouth, on the opposite side of the harbour, is known as the “City of Lakes” for its 23 lakes, which offer residents a wealth of recreational opportunities.

The greater metropolitan area includes communities such as Bedford, Sackville, Cole Harbour and Waverly.

Regional highlights and attractions:
Halifax Citadel/National Historic Site of Canada is a must for visitors interested in the early history of the province and the international importance of Halifax and its harbour. This star-shaped fortress was one of the largest on the North American continent, and is now an award-winning tourist attraction.
www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index_e.asp

What were once privateers' wharfside warehouses are now the “Historic Buildings” on the waterfront, with shops, restaurants, pubs and galleries. Their neighbour is Casino Nova Scotia.
www.historicproperties.ca

With its folk and maritime art, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is a highlight of the city, and the collection includes the entire house of Maud Lewis, who is the most famous of the Nova Scotia folk artists.
www.agns.gov.ns.ca

Memories of the Titanic, World War II's North Atlantic convoy and the infamous Halifax Explosion during the First World War abound in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/index.html

The first black settler in Nova Scotia arrived in 1606 and began the long tradition of Black immigrants to the province. Dartmouth’s Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia celebrates their history and influence in the province.
www.bccns.com

More interesting websites about the region:
General visitor’s information can be found at www.halifax.com and www.halifax.ca/visitors.
Nighlife, fine dining and gambling can be found at Casino Nova Scotia, on the waterfront near the Historic Properties www.casinonovascotia.com.
Halifax was a major portal for new immigrants to Canada, whose history is recalled at Pier 21 museum.
Hatfield Farm in nearby Hammond Plains offers a horseback riding and “cowboy adventures”.
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is an annual event held each July, which features more than 2000 Canadian and international performers.
One of the oldest working breweries in North America is the Alexander Keith establishment, with tours (and tastings) offered.