Halifax

Alexander Keith's Brewery Tour

Immersive tour of Alexander Keith's original brewery as it supposedly was in 1863, complete with tour guide actors in period garb singing songs, dancing jigs, relaying a bit of the history of the brewery and Keith himself, and promoting the crisp, refreshing taste of Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale. You do get the chance to sample two mugs of the stuff at the end. Tours on the hour and half-hour but limited opening hours outside summer, check the website for details. If you are an Air Miles collector, you can redeem your miles here for free tickets.

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is moderate in size but does a fine job of highlighting the works of famous local artists such as Maud Lewis (folk) and Alex Colville (hyperrealist), in addition to Mik'maq (Aboriginal) art. Check the website for travelling exhibitions.

Tue Wed Fri Sat 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, Sun noon-5PM·$12 adults, $10 seniors 60+, $7 students, $5 youth 6-17, $25 families (2 adults and 3 youth), children 5 and under free. Free for everyone Th after 5PM

Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum

Approximately two dozen aircraft on display, including a V-1 flying bomb. A flight simulator (Boeing 737NG) is available for use.

Mid-May to Aug: daily 9AM-5PM; Sep to mid-May: Wed-Sat 10AM-4PM·Admission by donation ($10 recommended)

Barrington Street

Barrington Street is an up-and-coming area in the heart of the Central Business District. Beautiful buildings mixed with the growing number of new stores make this definitely a nice place to 'hit up'.

Black Market Boutique

A variety of interesting trinkets, accessories, textiles and items from around the world.

Mon-Wed 10AM-6PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-6PM

Boat Tours

Murphy's the Cable Wharf is in the heart of the Halifax waterfront and offers a variety of boat tours including nature and whale watching, tall ship sailing, deep sea fishing, historical harbour tours and dinner cruises.

Open seven days a week May-October

Bookmark

The last independent general interest (new) bookstore on the peninsula. A huge selection in a small space; special orders are their specialty.

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM, Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-6PM

Brewery Farmers' Market

This was the site of the Halifax Farmers' Market prior to its relocation to the newly constructed Seaport building at Pier 20. However, some vendors have remained or have opened a second location here open Saturdays from 7AM-1PM.

Canoe the Northwest Arm

St. Mary's Boat Club

Take a trip up the beautiful Northwest Arm to see the historic Dingle tower in Flemming Park, watch the numerous sailboats out for a weekend cruise or catch a regatta if you're lucky. Gawk at some of the mansions that line the water or for the ambitious, head all the way up to Point Pleasant Park, where the Northwest Arm meets Halifax Harbour. While swimming in parts of the harbour was briefly possible due to the installation of sewage treatment plants, they are down for repair and swimming is again not recommended unless a trip to hospital after is desired.

Sat Sun 11AM-7PM·Rent a canoe for $8/hour

Chives Canadian Bistro

A high-concept restaurant with a daily menu. Serves only seasonal, local ingredients.

5PM-9:30PM daily

Da Maurizio's

A world-renowned Italian restaurant located on Lower Water St. inside the Brewery Market.

Discovery Centre

Halifax science centre covers several aspects of science in a playful way, thanks to its hands-on exhibitions. There are sections dedicated to space, flight, ocean, and energy. It is mainly conceived as a museum for children, but adults as well will find interesting things to do. Most of the exhibits are hands-on and use some sort of technological support.

Daily 10AM-5PM·$12 adults; $10 children & seniors

Dome/Cheers

Also known as the Dirty Dome. Two establishments linked together. Customers pay cover at the doors to one of the two bars and gain access to both. Cheers is a bar atmosphere which features live bands. The Dome is a standard nightclub with a large dance floor, famous for cheap drinks and infamous for brawls. Wednesdays are student nights, with cover waived if you show a student card.

Dress in Time

Often referred to wrongly as "Dressed in Time", located in the district of Spring Garden Road, sells quality vintage, quirky, and unique clothing at reasonable prices.

Economy Shoe Shop

Behind the bizarre name lies a stunningly decorated and sprawing complex incorporating everything from chandeliers to lush indoor gardens. Extensive menu. Go on jazz night (usually Monday) and eat nachos.

Elements

Located within the Westin Nova Scotian hotel, Elements is the winner of a Wine Spectator 2010 Award of Excellence and features contemporary global cuisine. Elements offers many seasonal menus with fresh, local ingredients.

Fifty Hats

A humble and interesting collection of used items. (Hats are in particular abundance!)

Fireside Kitchen

Meals are reasonably priced, atmosphere is cosy and everything on the menu is worth eating. The cocktail menu is discounted on Martini Mondays.

Freak Lunchbox

A quirky and unique store with an array of candy (by weight), unique and hilarious trinkets.

Sun-Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri Sat 10AM-midnight (open at 9AM Mon-Sat during summer)

Garrison Brewing Company

Garrison

Brewers of fine beers and makers of fine craft nonalcohol sodas.

Sun-Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-9PM

Good Robot Brewing Company

Good Robot

Excellent craft beers brewed on site, all on tap, mingling ground for North End residents, dog-friendly patio.

Mon-Wed noon-midnight, Thu Fri noon-1AM, Sat 10AM-1AM, Sun 10AM-midnight

Gus's Pub

No-nonsense local pub with hockey on the TV and cheap beer, but they also host a remarkably eclectic selection of local live bands.

HFX Wanderers FC

Professional soccer. HFX Wanderers play as one of the founding members of the Canadian Premier League in a new stadium built near downtown.

Halifax Central Library

After decades of planning, the new Central Library finally opened in December 2014. The striking architecture, said to resemble a stack of books, garnered international attention. The building is unique in Halifax for its bold modernity, standing in attractive contrast to the stately School of Architecture and Planning building next door. Visitors can enjoy a bite at the cafes housed within, peruse the local history section, and enjoy views of Citadel Hill and Halifax Harbour from the freely accessible rooftop patio.

Mon-Thu 9AM-9PM; Fri Sat 9AM-6PM; Sun noon-6PM·Free

Halifax Common

A large public space open to everyone. In the summer, you can find residents and visitors playing sports, picnicking, and exercising. A permanent skating oval has been installed for public use.

Halifax Distilling Co.

Rum distilled on-premises, in white, gold, spiced, and black varieties (and a variety of "cream" liqueur). The rum is available in bottles on-premises or at the NSLC, under the "J.D. Shore" label. As of early-2026, they are renovating and only open to the public by appointment.

by appointment

Halifax Mooseheads ice hockey

This Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team plays from October to April at the Scotiabank Centre. Rough, highly-skilled games are combined with a near-NHL level of presentation. See Ice hockey in North America for context.

Tickets are $8-15, and are available at the Metro Centre box office

Halifax Public Gardens

A beautiful Victorian-era garden occupying a large city block. There are ponds, flowers, ducks, geese, and sometimes music in the gazebo.

Free

Halifax Shopping Centre

Mumford Rd

Largest enclosed shopping centre in Atlantic Canada. Stores include Walmart, Sobeys, Winners, H&M, Zara, Sport Chek, Sephora, and Atlantic Canada's only Apple Store.

Mon-Sat 9:30AM-9PM, Sun noon-5PM

Harbour Hopper

Guided tour of Halifax and harbour in an amphibious vehicle. Very informative and highlights major points of interest in the city in fun-filled hour.

Adult $37.61, senior 65+ $34.39, youth (7-15) $24.87, child (2-6) $16.91, infant (0-1) free