From wild horses to ghostly silhouettes and even a visit to the Shakespearean era, there are always unique things to do in Halifax! It’s where serious vibes mingle with cheerful vibes, creating a one-of-a-kind Canadian cocktail.
Looking for unique spots and secret sites? Halifax serves up a mishmash of experiences that truly embody its vibe, making both locals and tourists grin from ear to ear!
- 1. Visit Sable Island for the wild horses.
- 2. Explore McNab's Island for its abandoned structures.
- 3. Attend the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
- 4. Pay respects at Fairview Lawn Cemetery for the Titanic victims.
- 5. Dine at Five Fishermen Restaurant, where Titanic victims were embalmed.
- 6. Watch Shakespeare by the Sea.
- 7. Remember the Halifax Explosion at the memorial.
- 8. Discover the Face in the Window at St. Paul's Church.
- 9. Experience Maud Lewis' Painted House.
- 10. Wander through Old Burying Ground.
- 11. Learn about sea turtles at The Sea Turtle Centre.
- 12. Examine the Bayers Lake Mystery Walls.
- 13. See the iconic Wave sculpture on the Halifax Waterfront.
- 14. Visit the Africville Museum.
- 15. Dine at Split Crow, one of Canada's oldest taverns.
1. Visit Sable Island for the wild horses.
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Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/sable?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=sable
Address: Sable Island, Halifax, NS B0J 1M0, Canada
Tucked away southeast of Halifax, Sable Island is a sandy paradise home to herds of feral horses living their best free-spirited lives. Oh, and there are some seriously chill seals just lounging around too.
Getting there is a bit of an adventure, though. You’ll need the Canadian military’s thumbs up to set foot on this sandy haven.
But once you’re in, it’s like stepping into a hidden national park, complete with its own special climate and ecosystem. We’re talking brackish pools, limited trees, and a whole lot of natural charm.
Pro Tip: Even with its cozy climate, brace yourself for snow so pack your gear for unexpected weather twists and turns! |
2. Explore McNab’s Island for its abandoned structures.
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Website: https://mcnabsisland.ca/
Contact: +1 902-434-2254
Off the coast of Nova Scotia lies McNab’s Island, a real-life treasure trove of abandoned goodies and modern-day relics. From old forts to cozy family homes and even a former fizz factory, this place is like a time capsule of coolness.
Armed with a trusty map, you’ll be free to roam and discover shipwreck coves, forgotten lighthouses, and whatever else tickles your fancy on McNab Island.
Pro Tip: Now, even though you won’t find tour buses lining up, Captain Mike, the local seafaring hero, can whisk you away for just $20. |
3. Attend the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
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Website: https://nstattoo.ca/
Contact: +1 902-420-1114
It’s time to mark your calendars because we’ve got a military fiesta you don’t want to miss! It’s “The Tattoo,” and it’s like the Coachella of Halifax, but with more bagpipes and fewer flower crowns.
Starting back in ’79 as a party to honor the International Gathering of the Clans, it’s now a jaw-dropping two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza. You can expect dancers busting moves, bagpipes wailing, and military stunts that’ll make your jaw drop.
This shindig supports the Canadian Armed Forces and first responders, all while waving the Nova Scotian flag high. It’s a celebration of culture, pride, and a darn good time — so grab your kilt and join the party!
Pro Tip: Kids 18 and under get in for free when you snag adult/senior tickets. Regular tickets kick off at a cool $15. |
4. Pay respects at Fairview Lawn Cemetery for the Titanic victims.
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Website: https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails-gardens/municipal-cemeteries
Address: 3720 Windsor St, Halifax, NS, Canada
Contact: +1 902-490-4883
Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM–4 PM
Back in 1912, when the Titanic went down, Halifax stepped up big time. They laid 121 Titanic souls to rest in Fairview Lawn Cemetery and even turned a curling rink into a makeshift morgue.
Despite their best efforts, a third of the victims remain nameless. Today, Fairview Lawn Cemetery is more than just a burial site — it’s a powerful memorial that draws visitors from all over.
Pro Tip: There’s a grave for J. Dawson — though people think it’s just a curious connection to the movie. |
5. Dine at Five Fishermen Restaurant, where Titanic victims were embalmed.
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Website: http://fivefishermen.com/
Address: 1740 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 2B6, Canada
Contact: +1 902-422-4421
Hours:
- Open daily from 5–10 PM
Once upon a time, The Five Fishermen Restaurant wasn’t just serving up delicious dishes. It was Halifax’s oldest mortuary, Snow & Company Undertakers.
Back in the day, it played a starring role in not one, but two major 20th-century dramas. When the Titanic took its fateful plunge in 1912, this spot became a hub for handling the aftermath, even hosting the remains of big shots like John Jacob Astor IV.
Then, in 1917, during the Halifax Explosion, it was once again the go-to spot for dealing with the fallout. Despite its spooky past, this building has undergone a serious glow-up.
Originally a humble schoolhouse built in 1817, it’s now a hotspot for seafood enthusiasts everywhere. Sure, there might still be whispers of ghostly visitors, but who cares when you’ve got mouthwatering cuisine to distract you?
Pro Tip: We recommend the Five Fish Dish along with Nova Scotia crab cakes, but the vegetarian dishes are quite good too! |
6. Watch Shakespeare by the Sea.
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Website: https://www.shakespearebythesea.ca/
Address: 5480 Point Pleasant Dr, Halifax, NS B3H 1B5, Canada
Contact: +1 902-422-0295
Hours:
- Dependent on shows, but gates open at 6:30 PM before each performance
You can brace yourself for a Shakespearean extravaganza at Point Pleasant Park! Just picture a merry band of thespians — armed with the wit of the Bard himself — bringing not one, not two, but three theatrical treats to the stage each summer.
So grab thy popcorn and thy sense of adventure, and prepare to be whisked away on a journey of laughter, drama, and a sprinkle of maritime Shakespearean magic!
Pro Tip: Chair and blanket rentals are available for $5! |
7. Remember the Halifax Explosion at the memorial.
Media credit: Canadian only
Address: 3340 Union St, Halifax, NS B3K 5H1, Canada
Hours:
- Open 24 hours daily
December 6th, 1917 was a regular morning in Halifax, Nova Scotia… until BOOM! A ginormous explosion rocks the city.
It’s courtesy of a collision between the Mont-Blanc, a ship loaded with fireworks (well, high explosives), and the Imo, just trying to do its relief ship thing.
The result? The biggest kaboom before nukes were a thing, with nearly 2,000 folks going poof instantly and 9,000 more left picking up the pieces.
It was so intense that a whopping three-ton anchor ended up two miles away.
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! At Fort Needham Park, there’s a monument that tells the tale, complete with bells donated by a survivor who lost her whole family in the chaos.
Pro Tip: Always stay respectful — even if you have to take souvenir photos for remembrance. |
8. Discover the Face in the Window at St. Paul’s Church.
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Website: https://www.stpaulshalifax.org/
Address: 1749 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 2K4, Canada
Contact: +1 902-429-2240
Hours:
- Closed on Saturday
- Sunday: 10 AM–2 PM
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM–12 PM
Now, we’re going into one of the casualties of the Halifax Explosion. St. Paul’s Church had its windows blown out with a piece of iron spike (and a sailor’s decapitated head) embedded in the entryway — talk about a traumatic makeover!
Now, here’s where it gets spooky. Since then, there’s a face etched into one of the windows, and nobody knows how it got there!
Some say it’s from the crazy heat of the explosion, others swear it’s the sailor’s head gone rogue. Despite all attempts to scrub it clean or replace it, that mysterious silhouette just won’t budge, leaving the church with a dash of historic haunting mystique.
Pro Tip: Some avoid taking photographs of the silhouette due to superstition. Do with this tip however you like! |
9. Experience Maud Lewis’ Painted House.
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Website: https://agns.ca/
Address: 1723 Hollis St, Halifax, NS B3J 1V9, Canada
Contact: +1 902-424-5280
Hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM–5 PM
Maud Lewis’s house in Marshalltown is a cozy little house bursting with colors, flowers, and chirping birds.
Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis, Maud’s paintbrush danced across every surface she could find, capturing the charm of rural life with no fancy art degrees required.
Her paintings were a steal at just $2.50 a pop, found in every nook and cranny of their tiny 12-foot square abode. Even the old cast iron stove got a makeover!
Now, long after Maud and Everett bid adieu, their humble home stands tall, preserved by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia as a living memory of Maud’s incredible talent.
Pro Tip: Entrance is free, but you’re welcome to donate as much as you want to! |
10. Wander through Old Burying Ground.
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Website: http://oldburyingground.ca/
Address: 1541 Barrington St, Halifax, NS, Canada
Contact: +1 902-826-2630
Hours:
- Open daily from 8 AM–8 PM
The Old Burying Ground is where history’s written in stone — literally! Established in 1749, it’s one of Canada’s oldest resting places, frozen in time since 1844.
With over 12,000 souls interred, only 1,300 have their own stone markers, adding a dash of mystery to this ancient site.
Thanks to some TLC from the Old Burying Ground Foundation, this cemetery’s got a new lease on life since the ’80s.
Plus, it’s a star in literature — remember Anne of the Island? Yep, this was Anne Shirley’s sanctuary.
Pro Tip: Try to leave before 8 PM — sometimes, they close earlier without warning! |
11. Learn about sea turtles at The Sea Turtle Centre.
Media credit: canadianonly
Website: https://seaturtle.ca/sea-turtle-centre/
Address: 1549 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1S2, Canada
Contact: +1 902-423-6224
Hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM–5:30 PM
The mighty leatherback sea turtle sets sail on its yearly voyage from the sunny Caribbean to the chilly North Atlantic, chasing after its favorite snack: jellyfish!
And in Halifax, they’re throwing a party to honor this epic migration at the Sea Turtle Centre. Just picture a cool jellyfish wall, a museum that’s small but mighty, and a craft center for the little ones to get creative.
Pro Tip: For the older visitors, there’s a quirky gift shop to snag souvenirs and even a bubble machine for some extra fun — all dedicated to celebrating the turtle’s epic journey. |
12. Examine the Bayers Lake Mystery Walls.
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Address: 90 Lovett Lake Ct, Halifax, NS B3S 0H6, Canada
Perched high on a hill, keeping a watchful eye over the Bayers Lake Business Park, are the ever-mysterious Bayers Lake Mystery Walls.
These ancient stone structures, like a five-sided fortress, a lengthy wall, and even a staircase, have been puzzling folks since they were unearthed during some development work back in ’91.
Protected by Nova Scotia’s Special Places Act, these walls are like the celebrities of the stone world, with researchers scratching their heads over their origins. Made of flat-surfaced ironstone slate rocks, they’ve got everyone guessing.
Pro Tip: Parts of the place can get overgrown. Oh, and please don’t leave trash or vandalize the place! |
13. See the iconic Wave sculpture on the Halifax Waterfront.
Media credit: discoverhalifax
Address: Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3R5, Canada
Contact: +1 902-490-4000
Hours:
- Open 24 hours daily
At the Halifax Waterfront stands a sculpture known as ‘the Wave’, depicting a wave in motion. Despite signs prohibiting climbing, it’s a common sight to see people disregarding the rules and scaling it, especially during the summer months.
While the sign serves a liability purpose, the surrounding ground has been replaced with softer material, inviting adventurous spirits to defy the rules and experience the thrill of climbing (not riding) ‘the Wave’!
Pro Tip: Grab a cone from Cows Ice Cream before you go. Or get one after! |
14. Visit the Africville Museum.
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Website: https://africvillemuseum.org/
Address: 5795 Africville Rd, Halifax, NS B3K 2R9, Canada
Contact: +1 902-422-1116
Hours:
- Closed from Saturday to Sunday
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM–4 PM
After the American Revolutionary War in the late 1700s, Black Loyalist soldiers were given some prime real estate just north of Halifax. They called it Africville, and boy, did it thrive by the 1860s!
In the mid-20th century, Halifax had some big dreams of industrial glory, and poor Africville got caught in the crossfire. Between 1964 and 1970, they bulldozed homes and businesses faster than you can say “gentrification.”
After years of folks speaking up, in 2010, Halifax finally said, “Our bad,” and even threw in some land to rebuild the historic Africville church. Now, it stands tall as a museum, telling the tale of a community that fought back against racism with all its might.
Pro Tip: You can take some time to decompress from the museum and get some fresh air at the nearby park. |
15. Dine at Split Crow, one of Canada’s oldest taverns.
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Website: http://www.splitcrow.com/
Address: 1855 Granville St, Halifax, NS B3J 3L7, Canada
Contact: +1 902-422-4366
Hours:
- Open daily from 11:30 AM–12 AM
The Split Crow is the granddaddy of Halifax taverns — it’s been there since 1749! It’s not just ancient, it’s practically prehistoric in tavern years.
Here, you can feast your eyes (and your belly) on some classic Nova Scotian grub and a smorgasbord of local goodies. And guess what — there’s live music every single night!
Locals swear by it, and tourists can’t resist its old-timey charm with a modern twist. You’d be remiss not to swing by!
Pro Tip: Try the scallops and chips with a mug (or two) of their frosty beers! |