Nova Scotia, located on Canada's east coast, is a super family friendly destination. You can easily transition between history and modern times with activities the entire family will enjoy. With direct flights from major centres, Halifax is easy to get to. Don't forget to set your watch ahead one hour, as Nova Scotia is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone.
My family recently visited several communities in the province and had an incredible time.
Starting our journey on the Western Shore, we stayed at the family-friendly Atlantica Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre. A variety of accommodations await, from guestrooms and suites to oceanfront chalets. Tennis courts, basketball courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and pet-friendly accommodations make this a great place for your family to stay. Did we mention that kids under 12 eat free? We were impressed with the friendly and helpful staff, large menu, and gorgeous view.
With warm weather, bright sunshine, and magnificent sea air, we made our way through several small communities and villages including Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Chester, and Hubbards. Each possessed their own unique charm, artisans, local attractions, delicious fish and seafood, and activities to keep everyone in the family happy.
Suggested Activities
- Take a horse and buggy tour and visit the Bluenose II in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luneburg.
- Stop by Amos Pewter for a demonstration by artisans and enjoy lunch at Mateus Bistro in picturesque Mahone Bay
- Enjoy decadent treats in Chester at the Kiwi Café or go for a hike
- Visit a working fishing village and see where waves meet the shore in spectacular fashion in historic Peggy's Cove
- Have your passport stamped and your belly filled on The Chowder Trail
The nice thing about all of these communities is they are all within a one hour drive of each other and easy to see and visit within a day or two.
After the charming rural villages, visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia will bring you back to the city.
We stayed at the historic Lord Nelson Hotel, located right downtown, across from the historic and beautiful Public Gardens and easily walkable to many downtown things to do. The waterfront is beautifully renovated giving visitors close access to the busy harbour and the ability to dine, shop, and play with a gorgeous view. You'll be able to enjoy the view when the kids try to climb the iconic Wave sculpture.
Our visit to Pier 21 at the Canadian Museum of Immigration allowed us to see "Canada's Ellis Island" and the ability to see what a new immigrant went through when arriving and this once point of entry. The museum also offers the Scotiabank Family History Centre where you can research and access immigration records and family records, allowing you to see history up close.
Next door to Pier 21 is the Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market that offers a vibrant and colourful variety of local tastes and wares.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic features two amazing exhibits of interest to history buffs. The Halifax Explosion of 1917 was the largest man-made disaster before Hiroshima, and the museum offers a chilling timeline, many artifacts, video testimonies and more to bring the event to life.
Perhaps even more famous than the Halifax explosion, is Halifax's connection to the sinking of the Titanic. While the survivors of the Titantic went to New York, those who perished were brought to Halifax. A fascinating exhibit awaits and brings you back to that fateful night and what happened from a local perspective in the days, weeks, and months that followed. It's extraordinary and a must see for Titantic fans.
No visit to Halifax is compete without a visit to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. It’s obvious why this strategic hilltop location with a commanding view of the Halifax harbour was chosen in 1749 for the fort destined to protect the city. The Halifax Citadel’s star-shaped architecture is equally as impressive from the inside and out. Step back in time with the 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery to learn what it was like for the soldiers and their families to live and work in this historic fort. My kids took part in a secret mission, decoding messages and exploring the entire fort to bring back a secret code and earn a prize. The kids had a blast and this was a neat way to explore instead of taking a tour.
If you are in Halifax the first week of July, be sure to check out the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. This family friendly show includes pipe bands, highland dancers and military performances from around the world, mixed in among acrobats, singers and performers. There is something for everyone and it is always a family favourite.
Being a very walkable city, we enjoyed exploring and one of our favourite spots was the new Halifax Central Library. This gorgeous building will change the way you look at libraries, and wish you had a library like this in your community. Mixing, art, culture, multimedia, environment, design and use of public space with books, periodicals and every method of reading and literacy, this is a great way to inspire kids to read and create a truly useful public space.
Other things to do in Halifax
- Enjoy a ferryboat ride across the harbour to Dartmouth
- Play with science at the Discovery Centre
- Go back in time at the 1940s Memory Lane Heritage Village
- Tour the city by Segway
- Explore Halifax by land and see aboard the Habour Hopper
- Indulge in a delicious seafood meal at McKelvie's
More information visit: www.destinationhalifax.com and www.novascotia.com
The author and her family received complimentary and reduced rates for their stay at the Atlantica Oak Island Resort and Lord Nelson Hotel for the purpose of this review. The author and her family received complimentary tickets from the Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Citadel for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are her own.
