Things To Do in Halifax & Halifax Airport Layover Ideas

The lively Halifax Seaport is packed with shops, restaurants, attractions and historical buildings, stretching from Piers 19-23. The confusedly-named Pier 21 is not a working pier, but a former ocean liner terminal that has been converted into Canada's National Museum of Immigration. Cruise ships dock right at the Seaport, at the Cruise Ship Pavillion (officially, at piers 20-22).

The Halifax Citadel is an old fort on a hill overlooking the city and the harbour. Presently, the citadel is a national historic site and home to a museum and a small ceremonial garrison. A must see, especially during Canada day (July 1) celebrations. The museum is open only May-October, but the grounds are open all year around. During the summer, you can see the ceremonial cannon firing at noon. There is an iconic clock tower at the base of the hill.

Point Pleasant Park offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a country setting just minutes from downtown Halifax. There are squirrels, birds, trees and flowers among the 185 acres to explore. You can stretch your flight cramped legs with a stroll by the water or through the forest along a variety of paths. Bring a picnic lunch as there are plenty of tables to sit at and enjoy a meal. For anyone preferring the outdoors on a layover you will love exploring the old forts, watching for seals or mingling with the dog walkers and joggers before you have to head back to the airport.

If you are looking to relax and watch the world go by while you wait for your onward flight, head off to the Halifax Public Gardens. Walking through the iron gates is like taking a step back a century. Since 1867, visitors have enjoyed the flowers, trees, fountains, a pond and winding paths that can make life seem a little easier. You can feed the ducks and watch their antics while enjoying a picnic lunch on a bench near the Victorian bandstand. There is often a band playing so you can relax, listen to the music and marvel at the beauty of the flowers in bloom.

Famous for being the port to which bodies recovered from the Titanic were brough before being interred in 1912. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has many maritime exhibitions to keep you interested for hours. The hydrographic research vessel, CSS Acadia, is berthed at this museum's wharf and can be explored as part of your tour. You can also browse through ship equipment at the William Robertson & Son Ship Chandlery. For those interested watercraft there are a number to admire at this museum as well as thousands of artefacts to see. You can buy souvenirs from the Museum Shop as a keepsake from you transit city.

Enjoy an 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 and relaying a bit of the history of the brewery and Keith himself, as well as promoting 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.

Try shopping Halifax style and head down to Fisherman’s Cove which offers many specialty boutiques along the picturesque boardwalk. There are many stores offering an eclectic mix of goodies, including aboriginal jewelry, maritime crafts, folk art as well as unique artwork by local artists. This is the perfect place to get a souvenir of your transit city while indulging in some real retail therapy. If all your shopping makes you hungry there is a a seafood restaurant , a cafe and a local ice cream shop to satisfy your taste buds.