Students participating in a Dalhousie University study abroad program won't have to look far for something to do in their downtime. Spending the weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the ideal Canadian city break from the books. It has something for everyone, from restaurants to museums to stunning scenery to day excursions.
Halifax Public Gardens
The Public Gardens are a popular free attraction in Halifax, open every day from 7 a.m. to one hour before sunset. This 16-acre open space facility, which opened in 1868, is a living testimony to the Victorian period, and people enjoy the relief from the metropolitan environment. Locals, tourists, and Dalhousie students love the maintained flower beds, calm paths, gorgeous pavilion, and several ideal picnic areas. The organization's website allows you to request a tour and see the most recent tour itinerary.
Historic Halifax Waterfront
The Historic Halifax Waterfront is a lively and welcoming site filled with cafes, restaurants, stores, pubs, breweries, boat excursions, ferries, and other street entertainers. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset along a 2-mile boardwalk available 24 hours a day. You can exercise while exploring several fascinating places, all within walking distance. It's also a popular picture location for vacationers and visiting students, with harbor vistas, artworks, and bright orange hammocks providing the perfect background.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
The oldest and most comprehensive marine museum in Canada is located in downtown Halifax and is open Tuesday through Sunday. This specialist museum displays antiques and interactive exhibits on the many shipwrecks off Nova Scotia's beaches, the city's days as a commercial shipping center, and its role as a military participant in wars.
However, the exhibit documenting Halifax's reaction to the Titanic's sinking in 1912 is often regarded as the museum's centerpiece. James Cameron saw the carved panel at this museum, which later inspired the bow Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet rode in the 1997 film Titanic. The exhibit also features remnants from the ship and describes local efforts to find lost travelers.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
The Citadel towers above downtown Halifax, commemorating the city's military history, and is a must-see for Dalhousie study abroad students and their families. The four forts on this hilltop have been there since 1749, and visitors may tour the Citadel's passageways while discovering Halifax's role in critical battles like the American Revolution, the American Civil War, and both World Wars. The on-site Army Museum provides a more detailed history of the fortress.
From May to October, you can also talk to people from the 78th Highland Regiment. These kilted reenactors lead lead-free walks of the fort and talk about what it was like to be a soldier there. You can even learn how to fire a 19th-century gun from one of these reenactors for an additional charge.
Visit the Georges Island National Historic Site
One of the newest things to do in Halifax is to visit the Georges Island National Historic Site, which just opened to the public. The island is just a 5-minute boat journey away, and you may wander outside the fort or take a guided tour into the tunnels. With lots of open space and beaches, this island is a great refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Fishermen's Cove Heritage Center
Fisherman's Cove Heritage Centre is just a 20-minute drive from Halifax. This 200-year-old community has a lovely beach, colorful cottages, and a boardwalk where you can purchase locally crafted goods. Kattuk Expeditions also offers kayaking trips from this location, but visitors also enjoy watching the fishing boats go in and out.
These are just a few exciting things to do in Halifax. As a Dalhousie University study abroad student, you will undoubtedly have enough experience throughout your semester overseas.
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