James Martin“Let’s have a promenade,” as the Bridgertons would say.
Taking a stroll through the Halifax Public Gardens is like stepping into a scene from Bridgerton—but in Canada. With opulent fountains, elaborate parterres, and ornamental bridges, this is where the ton would promenade in the Victorian era.
Our sartorial choices might have changed, but we can assure you that a stroll through the gardens is as enchanting as it was back then. It’s also very peaceful, so if you see us around, we’re likely hiding from the loud, tourist-laden streets of downtown Halifax.
Before you promenade, here’s everything you need to know about the Halifax Public Gardens.
About Halifax Public Gardens
| Website | https://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca/ |
| Location | 5665 Spring Garden Rd. & Summer St |
| Hours of Operation | Daily 8 am – 4 pm |
| Amenities/Facilities | Washrooms Family lawn Drinking fountains Park benches Bandstand Cafe with deck seating |
| Phone | +1 902-456-4552 |
| Admission Fee | FREE |
Just a 5-minute drive away from the waterfront, the Halifax Public Gardens offer a peaceful escape from the large crowds and loud noise of the city. It’s an enchanting blend of natural beauty and historical charm, which we bet you’ll love, too.
This Victorian-era garden has a variety of flowers and plants from all over the world, making it an idyllic spot for a little bit of drama and romance. Or, just like us, you might want to come here to fill the Bridgerton void.
Adorned with wrought iron gates, ornate fountains, and ornamental bridges, the gardens also offer an incredible variety of Instagram-worthy spots. Whether you’re a tourist or local, here, you can capture precious memories that you can relive for years to come.
The Halifax Public Gardens offer free admission. They open daily from 8 am and close just before sunrise all year round, but in case of extreme weather, they might close without prior notice.
The main gate is located at the corner of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street, but you can enter through the three other gates as well, whichever is more convenient for you.
Things to See and Do
Take a stroll in the gardens.
Media credit: annkilbreathphotography
The best time to visit the Halifax Public Gardens is from March to September—at least, in our opinion. We like basking in the warmth of the sun and seeing the flowers in full bloom.
It might be more crowded this time of year, but we think it’s all worth it because you’ll see a wonderful array of flowers, such as daffodils, tulips, roses, and dahlias. And, you’ll smell them all the way from the gates.
Even the wildlife loves to frequent the gardens during these months, so it’s really a great time to bring out the binoculars. Just make sure to stay on the path, and don’t step on the flower beds.
If you don’t mind the cold, you can still visit the gardens in the winter. When a blanket of snow envelopes the grounds, it turns into a winter wonderland, which is equally dramatic but definitely more festive because of the Christmas lights.
Go on a guided tour.
If it’s your first time here, you should sign up for a guided tour. It’s free anyway, so you might as well seize this opportunity to learn more about the rich history of this Victorian-era garden as there aren’t many of them around.
Tours run daily at different hours of the day when the weather is warm. But if you make a reservation, they can arrange a special tour for you.
They also have multilingual guides. Whether you speak English, French, or another foreign language, just get in touch in advance so they can set you up with the right guide.
Get hand-paddled ice cream at the cafe.
Housed in the Horticultural Hall, which is the oldest structure in the gardens, the Uncommon Grounds Cafe serves the best hand-paddled ice cream in town. We usually get a scoop or two before we do our rounds.
They have quite a variety of flavors like Double Chocolate Mousse, Valley Berry, Moon Mist (a combo of banana, bubble gum, and grape), and our favorite—Oxford Blueberries & Cream.
Here’s a little tip: get your ice cream in a cup instead of a cone so it won’t melt in your hand while you’re going on a stroll. Then, ask for a generous dollop of whipped cream and your choice of toppings.
Aside from ice cream, they do serve coffee and freshly baked goodies like croissants, cinnamon buns, and cakes, all of which you can enjoy on their deck. With a clear view of the gardens and the bandstand, it’s a great spot for people-watching.
Have a picnic at the family lawn.
Near the Southeast Gate, you’ll find the Family Lawn, which is the only place in the gardens where you can roll around in the grass. We’re not allowed to step on the grass in other parts of the garden, so be mindful when you’re exploring.
Depending on our mood, we’ll either get freshly baked goods from the cafe, or we’ll pack last night’s leftovers. But ice cream is always a constant!
There are a few picnic benches and chairs around, but we prefer to spread a blanket and lie on the grass when it’s warm out. If it’s a slow day, we’ll even pack a good book to enjoy in the gardens.
Capture memorable photos.
Image credit: annkilbreathflowerphotography
A trip to the gardens isn’t complete if you leave without a good Instagram photo. Most tourists settle for snaps at the gates or the fountains, but we’ll show you our favorite spots for a great photo opportunity.
On the eastern side of the gardens, you’ll find two small ornate bridges. They are a local favorite for wedding and graduation photos since you can get the flower beds and the water in a single shot.
Another area that people tend to overlook is the old Horticultural Hall, especially when the elm trees around it are lush and green. Just try to capture a moment in this part of the garden with all its timeless splendor because we know you’ll cherish it forever.
Admire the wildlife in the ponds.
Image credit: jessdeviller
Locals love coming to Griffin’s Pond to admire the resident mallards and their young chicks waddle on the grass. Although it’s tempting to feed them a few crumbs of bread, we don’t encourage it as it goes against the gardens’ policy.
Lately, they’ve been more strict about this rule, and for a good reason. Whether it’s sourdough bread, popcorn, or seeds, these foods aren’t typically part of the waterfowls’ diets; thus, they can be harmful to their health.
But not to worry, there’s plenty of natural food for the ducks, geese, and other birds in the gardens.
Aside from ducks, there are turtles in the pond, but we haven’t really seen them in a while. We also don’t see a lot of fish, but we know they’re there because we’ve been lucky enough to see birds catch some.
Look for migratory birds.
Image credit: thebeardedbaldingeagle
The warmer months bring all sorts of wildlife to the gardens. From March to September, you’ll see migrating birds arrive to rest and feed before heading off to their next destination.
If you’re lucky, you might see warblers and osprey perching on top of tree branches. On the ponds, great blue herons, wood ducks, and ring-billed gulls might just be lurking in the corners waiting for their next meal.
As for our resident birds, they’re usually looking to fall in love during these seasons. From the ever-friendly black-capped chickadee to the shy song sparrows, you’ll hear them singing beautiful melodies throughout the day.
Listen to a band concert.
Image credit: brodytookthat
During the warm months in Halifax, the gardens will host band concerts at the bandstand. If you’re coming to Halifax on a weekend, you can watch a show for free along with the locals.
The bandstand is an ornate geometrically shaped structure surrounded by lavish flower beds, so it’s really hard to miss. Although it’s mostly the local community that shows up, we’re pretty friendly so don’t hesitate to attend.
Rules in the Garden
The Halifax Public Gardens have been around for 150 years and counting. To maintain its charm and beauty for the generations to come, we need to respect and follow a few rules while we’re there.
- No smoking.
- No jogging inside the garden.
- No bikes and scooters are allowed inside.
- No stepping on the grass.
- No feeding the birds and waterfowl.
- No fishing in the ponds.
- No pets allowed.
- No wedding ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Halifax Public Gardens accessible?
Yes; the gardens are wheelchair accessible. They even have a limited supply of wheelchairs, which the public can use for free.
Just inquire at the Horticultural Hall if you intend to use one.
Is there a parking space near the Halifax Public Gardens?
Since the Halifax Public Gardens are located in the city center, there are available metered parking spaces nearby. They are only free after 6:00 pm, so you’ll most likely have to pay for parking throughout your stay.
However, if you’re staying in downtown Halifax, you can save money by walking from your hotel to the gardens.
What time does Halifax Public Gardens open in winter?
The Halifax Public Gardens will open daily from 8 am to 4 pm all year round, even during winter. However, the gardens might close during extreme weather conditions without prior notice.
