10 Fun Things To Do In Halifax In Summer
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With an interesting harbour, lots of greenspaces, upbeat events, dramatic coastlines and a historical center, Halifax is an exciting summer destination for tourists. Let’s take a look at all the fun activities and things to do in Halifax in summer.
Halifax is one of the most popular places in Nova Scotia. This culturally vibrant maritime city is packed with many amazing things to do and exploration sites. Gorgeous harbor, scenic waterfront, abundance of greenness, enjoyable festivals and delicious food are some of the various things that you would love to indulge in.
Halifax in summer, that falls between May and September is beautifully pleasant. You can enjoy adventurous activities, harbour sites, shopping, waterfront views, leisure parks and much more. Here are some of the most unmissable and fun things to do in Halifax in summer.
Fun Things To Do In Halifax In Summer
1. Wander Through The Public Gardens
The Halifax Public Gardens is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Halifax. It is the perfect spot to beat the summer heat while enjoying the stunning greenness. If you are a nature lover, these gardens are not to be missed out. You will come across one of the oldest and finest Victorian Gardens in the North America. The seasonal blooms, charming ponds, quaint bridges, decorated fountains, ornate gates and statues add a lot to the beauty of the gardens.
There are lots of Instagram shot worthy spots and ample of green space for relaxation or picnic. During summer season, some musical events also take place at the Public Gardens. A Halifax Public Gardens outing is definitely one of the nicest things to do in Halifax in summer.
2. Walk Through The Halifax Waterfront
The Halifax waterfront is known to be one of the world’s longest downtown boardwalks. Taking a stroll through the waterfront is a great way to discover the city’s historic and cultural vibes. You will be passing through various notable sites including the Canadian Museum of Immigration, the Maritime Museum of Atlantic, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the oldest farmer’s market. There are various local shops, colorful seafood shacks, beer crafts and eateries offering fine dining experience with live music too.
You would love visiting the waterfront during anytime of the day or evening when it gets beautifully lit up. A visit to the waterfront is the best thing to do in Halifax in summer. The views of the stunning harbour which is the second largest harbour in the world from the waterfront is also a reason that makes your visit all worthy.
3. Set Aboard On The Harbour Hopper
Discover the best of Halifax by land and sea. The Harbour Hopper is Atlantic Canada’s most popular tour that takes you through the city’s major landmarks including the Citadel. This one hour long tour is very informative. It’s also fascinating to be riding on a vehicle that takes you through the streets and then converts itself to sail you across the coastline. It is a unique and fun tour in Halifax. You should go for it if you haven’t yet.
4. Enjoy Surfing at The Lawrencetown Beach
The Lawrencetown beach is one of the most popular and stunning beaches in Nova Scotia. Located at a distance of less than 30 minutes from Halifax, this beach promises a great day trip to be spent near the shores in summer. It’s 1.5km long and features sand dunes, cliffs, rocks, tall grasses, high tides and wildlife.
The Lawrencetown beach is widely known for it’s world class surfing conditions due to high waves and strong tides. If you are interested in learning surfing, you take surfing lessons with East Coast Surfing School between May and October. The beach also has a supervised swimming area during summers.
5. Visit The Maritime Museum Of Atlantic
Home to over 30,000 fascinating artifacts, the Maritime Museum of Atlantic is a must visit for history enthusiasts. Many collectibles showcase the Nova Scotia’s Marine history. Activities such as small boat building and merchant shipping takes you through the World War II scenes. The most notable feature of the museum is the Titanic exhibit that has small boats, a deck chair (where you can actually sit in), steamships and more.
A visit to the Maritime Museum of Atlantic is one of the best things to do in Halifax in summer. It imparts great knowledge through the artifacts and activities about the marine history. The museum is conveniently located at the waterfront and is close to many shops, restaurants and hotels.
6. Take A Daytrip To Peggy’s Cove
For anyone coming to Halifax, the iconic Peggy’s Cove is high up on the list of things to do near the city. It not only is the place where you will find the most photographed lighthouse in Canada, but also a recreated fishing village with substantial scenes to explore. The rocky sea views of the shore are amazing lookout points for photography or gazing during the sunset hours. You will also find many galleries and stores to explore.There are also many accommodation facilities offering bed and breakfast if you planning to stay more in the charming village.
Look out for Dee Dee’s kiosk in Peggy’s Cove for some ice creams and tasty burritos. Also do not miss the delicious lobster rolls served at many restaurants.. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Peggy’s Cove from Halifax. There are many visitors who make their way to Peggy’s cove during summers, so try to plan your trip during a weekday to escape the crowds.
7. Put On Your Rollerskates At The Emera Oval
If you enjoy rollerskating, rollerblading or biking, then this is one of the coolest things to do in Halifax in summer. You can bring in your own roller skates, blades, scooters or bikes with you or borrow them at the Oval. Helmets and protective gears are also available at the site. There is no rental fees for the equipment. Just make sure that you carry your government ID to get them.
Note : As per current public health guidelines you will need to pre register for public skating times by phone at (902)-490-6666 or online.
8. Go Trekking At The Point Pleasant Park
Explore numerous forest trails and pathways at the Point Pleasant Park that unfold some stunning scenery of the harbour views of Halifax. The well groomed trails feature a wide variety of flora, something that nature lovers will enjoy the most. The trails are also pet friendly. From the entrance, you can also follow the pathway to the show Shakespeare By The Sea, where you can catch some classic performances based on Shakespeare’s writings.
The Point Pleasant Park is great spot for beach time, bird-watching, picnic, trekking, walking, cycling or running – all with the gorgeous sea views.
9. Climb Up The Citadel Hill For Views
To soak in some gorgeous views of Halifax and the harbor, head to the hilltop overlooking site known as the Halifax Citadel. This military fort is a historic place which was built to protect the city from invaders. You can learn about the fascinating history of the fort through museums and galleries, see re-enacters dressed in traditional Victorian costumes and also be a part of interactive guided groups.
To keep the historic traditions alive, a gun is fired from the fort every noon. Being the highest viewing point in Halifax, the Citadel is perfect for those who would love to capture the city’s skyline or would want to just enjoy the gorgeous views of the city. It surely is one of the top fun things to do in Halifax in summer.
10. Get Grooving At The Festivals
Attending an event or a festival is one of the most unmissable things to do in Halifax in summer. The city hosts many exciting and upbeat festivals weekly. These festive events include Busker Festival, Jazz Festival, Pride Festival, Beer Festival, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Festival, Whisky Festival and Rib Festival. Most of these glittering and fun festivals are held at the waterfront.
The Halifax Jazz festival is the most popular one and is known for having incredible outdoor concerts. Many of these festivals have modest ticket fees and many of them are for free. You can check the upcoming events calender here for more information.
If you are short on time, book this easy small group tour which takes you to the Peggy’s Cove and Citadel Hill followed by a drive through the downtown Halifax.
Where To Stay In Halifax
Halifax is a popular city visited by tourists during summers. It is important to find accommodations located near the waterfront which is close to all the main attractions and events. Here are some of the best accommodation options in Halifax.
Budget (Under $60) : The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites is one of the best budget hotels to stay in Halifax. It’s central location and close proximity to the major attractions of the city make it very convenient. The Citadel is located at 10 minutes distance while the Public gardens are across the hotel. The hotel features all modern amenities, comfortable rooms and an outdoor summer patio where you can have meals while overlooking the beautiful Public Gardens. It’s a deal not to miss in Halifax. Click here to book or check out it’s availability.
Mid Range (Upto $120) : The Cambridge Suites is another gem of a hotel to stay at in Halifax. It is located at less than 10 minutes walking distance from the historic waterfront. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and well equipped with all the modern amenities. The hotel features a roof top patio with incredible views of the city and the Citadel is only 2 minutes walk away. Click here to book or check it’s availability.
Luxury ($120+) : The Prince George hotel offers luxurious stay in Halifax. The rooms are cozy, stylish and comfortable. It’s close proximity to all the attractions in Halifax makes traveling very easy for guests. The hotels also boosts garden patios, an indoor pool, fitness center, a Starbucks kiosk, a lovely lounge area and an award winning restaurant. This hotel makes your stay all worth it and memorable. Click here to book or to check out it’s availability.
So, now you know all the fun things to do in Halifax in summer. All these enjoyable activities will definitely make summers more pleasant for you. Let us know how you would be spending summer in Halifax in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you.
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