Halifax, Nova Scotia - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:27 PM

Halifax was a great town with a beautiful boardwalk area and much to do in town itself.

Also Halifax is the starting off point for cruisers who are interested in visiting Peggys Cove and the famous and so called "most photographed lighthouse in the world"

Here are some notes I took in my research of Halifax:

Halifax, Nova Scotia

· Walk from the Citadel over to the Public Gardens and down to Spring Garden Road

· Walk along the waterfront – between Sackville Landing (Sackville Street) and the Sheraton Casino

· Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – great Titanic artifacts. 1975 Lower Water St. – Admission is $4USD for Adults

· Citadel – Admission is $4USD for Adults

· Province House – Free Admission for all. Hollis St. (near Prince St.)

· St. Paul’s Church – 1749 Argyle St. (on the Grand Parade near Barrington)

· Public Gardens – Free Admission to all. Spring Garden and South Park St.

· Bright yellow bus named Fred cruises a loop through the downtown, passing each stop about every 30 minutes from 11 am until 6 pm. Stops include the Maritime Museum, Water Street, the Grand Parade, and Barrington Place. Request Schedule and map at Visitor’s Center.

· The Brewery Complex, on the uphill side of Lower Water Street just above the docks is perhaps the city’s most interesting one-stop shopping and dining experience. Originally the site of the Alexander Keith Brewery, North America’s oldest, the space was eventually redesigned and renovated to enclose some courtyards from the weather, link up the various structures of the brewery, and create a kind of interior market of shops and restaurants.

· Major landmark is the Citadel – the stone fortress that looms over Downtown from its grass perch. The Citadel is only 9 blocks from the waterfront (steep uphill climb).

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:30 PM

Here is a picture of the Peggy's Cove shore line. Its a small fishing village with a population of only 50-60 residents. Its a city that also does not allow new residents to move in to destroy the pristine existence they've built for themselves.

Along with being home to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, just off shore of Peggy's Cove was also the site of the tragic Swiss Air disaster. Many of the victims fished from the waters were brought to Peggy's Cove and Nearby surrounding cities.

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:31 PM

the famouns Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:34 PM

Additionally cruise ships arriving at Halifax dock at Historic Pier 21 in Halifax. The Pier now houses a Museum dedicated to the history of immigration into Canada.

Pier 21 in Eastern Canada is the equivalent to Ellis Island in New York. It was the place where boats of immigrants were dropped off for their new lives in Canada

judytata11 · 11-08-2005, 07:02 PM

I spent 2 days in Halifax and really enjoyed it! I did many of those things you listed above Ducky!!

jstducky · 11-08-2005, 07:14 PM

its a great little city. Its what I think of when I think of Eastern Canada. Its a great city filled with great people, history, scenery, and a beautiful boardwalk!

seamus · 11-08-2005, 07:18 PM

We were only able to spend about 5hrs.in Halifax ! the largest automotive convention were there,we had to drive to Truro,N.S,to get into a motel,but we did did to see the high tide ,St.Johns,N.B.,was another interesting city.

jstducky · 11-08-2005, 07:26 PM

Saemus... there's another thread on this board concerning the Saint John. I agree that is pretty neat as well!

isujim · 05-04-2006, 10:27 AM

Alisa you mentioned a bus route..........is all of this within walking distance of the pier? The things you mentioned in your post from where the ship docks?

Thank you so much for the information

Jim

jstducky · 05-04-2006, 02:18 PM

Lets see the bus, Fred is free and transports you all throughout the city.

It picks up right at Pier 21 where the ship docks. Although I beleive it comes around once every 20 minutes or so, so if you just missed it, you may have to wait a bit.

It stops at the Maritime Museum, the Casino, near the Citadel. You can walk from the Citadel to the Public Gardens. Note that Halifax is very hilly. The Citadel is situated at the top of the hill looking down towards the harbor. It was built up there for protection purposes so that they could see what was approaching from the harbor and from the other side of the hill. Definitely take the bus as far as possible up the hill. You wouldn't want to hike.

Then from the Citadel its a short 2 block walk to the Public Gardens if you are interested.

What we did was take the bus to the Citadel, walked to the Public Gardens, then walked back downhill to the harbor front area and strolled along the harbor.

Halifax has a great harbor front and very pedestrian friendly. The walk back the rest of the way to the ship is kind of far, you can take the bus if you don't want to walk.

The only thing that I mentioned in my first post that isn't in Halifax is Peggy's Cove, that is about a 30-45 minute drive along the coastline. Well worth the visit. Its a small fishing village of only about 60 residents. New residents aren't allowed to move in at all.