Halifax is the most important metropolis in Atlantic Canada and a metropolis that’s straightforward to like.  It’s massive, pure harbour is the centre of the town and comes alive through the summer time months. It was the primary cease on our East Coast street journey and an ideal place to be taught in regards to the historical past of the Maritimes. The heat of the individuals and the final vibrancy of the town, charmed us instantly. Halifax makes a unbelievable vacation spot for all ages, nonetheless, this information focuses on what to do in Halifax with teenagers and tweens.

Eight Issues to Do in Halifax with Teenagers and Tweens

Harbourfront

The Harbourfront ought to be the very first thing you do on any go to to Halifax with children of all ages.  Wander alongside the boardwalk to see the navy ships, yachts, buskers and musicians and views of Halifax harbour.  There’s a nice playground for little children and our older children cherished enjoying on the large wave.  The Halifax Harbourfront affords a plethora of eating places and cute eateries.  The well-known PEI Cows ice creamery has each an ice cream store and a retail merchandise retailer.  You can too pattern all of the Canadian and East Coast classics together with lobster rolls, poutines, donairs, and extra.  We actually loved visiting the brand new Peace by Chocolate store after having watched the film by the identical title about Syrian refugees who misplaced their chocolate manufacturing unit in Syria, got here to Canada and began once more.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

This excellent museum is situated on the Pier 21 nationwide historic website on the Halifax seaport which operated from 1928-1971.  Over 1 million new Canadians entered right here and the Museum tells the story of their experiences, in addition to Canadian immigration over the ages. Our daughter is taking gr 10 historical past in summer time faculty and there have been unbelievable linkages to what she was studying. She a lot most well-liked this area journey to her precise courses! This could positively be included in your Halifax with teenagers itinerary.

The Museum may be very trendy with extremely highly effective exhibitions that our children actually loved. Excursions are supplied often all through the day which actually improve the expertise by serving to guests connect with the journeys that immigrants take. As Canadians we’re extremely happy with the multi-cultural society we reside in and this Museum tells the vital story of the political, historic and social expertise and results of immigration.  Whereas there are actions and displays to curiosity youngsters, this Museum shall be most impactful on tweens and youths. Plan to spend a minimal of two hours.

Grownup $15.50, youth (6-16) $10.25, household (2+3) $35.50. Open day by day 9:30-5:30.

Halifax Citadel

You don’t should look exhausting to seek out the Halifax Citadel.  Situated proper within the downtown, the grassy hill that the Citadel prominently sits upon is seen all through the downtown space. The Halifax Citadel was chosen in 1749 to guard Halifax harbour and is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Halifax with tweens, teenagers and youngsters. You’ll step again in historical past with costumed guides and employees that can clarify the function of the fortress and what life was like throughout the fort.

The positioning is run by Parks Canada as a Nationwide Historic Web site and has an Xplorers program for youngsters 6-11 you can choose up on the Data desk.  Youngsters full mini-quest actions all through the Citadel and may obtain a small memento.  Nonetheless, teenagers and tweens aren’t overlooked.  There’s a nice spy journey that children aged 9 to 15 will take pleasure in (my 14 yr outdated was absolutely into it) can choose up as nicely.  They’re given a comic book booklet with cipher and a satchel with compass, flashlight, and ruler to find clues to assist decode the message. The spy journey took our children 45 minutes to finish and was an ideal introduction to the Citadel.

Excursions of the Citadel are supplied each hour in each English and French (45 min tour). The tour guides are college college students in costume and provide nice info on the Citadel. After our spy journey, we joined a tour to be taught extra.

If you’re there at midday, you’re going to get to expertise the day by day cannon firing, a spotlight of visiting Halifax with children.  Plan to spend a minimal of two hours there, though you might double that for those who go to all of the Museum exhibitions (included).

Grownup (peak season) $12.50, youth are free. Open day by day 9-5.

Maritime Museum

Nova Scotia has a wealthy maritime historical past and this Museum showcases all elements of it from small boatbuilders, to wartime crusing ships, to steam liners.  There are quite a few full-size boats and complex fashions of boats and ships all through historical past.  You can too be taught in regards to the Halifax Explosion, see artifacts from the Titanic and find out about treasure hunters.

We lucked out and confirmed up on a Tuesday night, which is their free admission night time.

Grownup (peak season) $9.55, youth $5.15 (peak), household $24.75. Wednesday-Monday 9:30-5:30, Tuesdays 9:30-8. Free admission Tuesdays 5:30-Eight pm.

Harbour Ferry to Dartmouth

I like water-based public transit.  It offers you a harbour cruise for a fraction of the worth of a vacationer boat cruise.  Catch the ferry on the Halifax waterfront and head throughout to Dartmouth.  Take pleasure in being out on the water and the good views and spend a while wandering round downtown Dartmouth. Better of all, youth are utterly free, making this a really low-cost factor to do in Halifax.

Adults $2.75/one-way, youth are free. You could pay with actual change. Financial institution machine and alter machine on the ferry terminal.

Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour

A brewery tour won’t usually be in your checklist for issues to do along with your children, nonetheless this one ought to be. It is without doubt one of the oldest breweries in North America and the interval costumes, tune, dance and video games shall be successful with the children, whereas the beer tastings shall be successful with the adults.

When you’ve got visited the entire above points of interest and are in Halifax longer, this can be a good exercise so as to add to your itinerary.

Adults $29.95, youth (11-18) $12.95, youngsters are free. Excursions each hour between noon-8pm. Excursions are 45 minutes. Bookings wanted throughout peak season.

Take a Halifax Tour

The preferred tour in Halifax is the Halifax Harbour Hopper Tour, an amphibious automobile that can present you Halifax from land and sea.  There are additionally crusing and yacht excursions to expertise Halifax harbour.

The close by Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is a Canadian and Nova Scotia icon.  If you’re not visiting by yourself, you may e-book a tour that features a go to to the lighthouse, in addition to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg.

Lobster and Seafood Meal

You possibly can’t go to the East Coast with out consuming a lobster or seafood meal. Some good ideas of the place to eat in Halifax are Salty’s, 5 Fisherman, Goldwater Seafood, and South Shore Fish Shack . For those who head to Peggy’s Cove, pattern the whole lot lobster at Shaw’s Touchdown the place you may style lobster rolls, complete lobster, a lobster grilled cheese, and even a lobster poutine. In fact additionally they have scrumptious mussels, fish desserts and fish and chips.

Festivals in Halifax

There appears to at all times be a competition taking place in Halifax in the summertime.  Whereas we had been there, the TD Jazz Competition was on, in addition to the Halifax Mural Competition.  Examine the Halifax web site earlier than your go to to see what is occurring.

If you’re into mountain biking, don’t miss testing the superior trails at Macintosh Run, simply on the town limits.  The paths are impeccably nicely maintained and the driving is Moab-like with huge granite slabs all over the place.

How Lengthy to Spend in Halifax

Halifax is pretty compact and you’ll see the foremost websites in two days.  Nonetheless, enable your self just a few extra to take pleasure in this vigorous maritime metropolis and you’re going to get a glimpse of Halifax that goes deeper.

The place to Keep in Halifax

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront – this lodge is in an ideal location proper alongside the harbourfront with nice views and rooms appropriate for households (2 double beds). There may be additionally a pool and health centre. Check the latest prices here.

The Sutton Place – the very best and most luxurious lodge in Halifax, the Sutton Place’s handy location with nice views, gorgeous design and glorious employees will impress you.  Rooms are arrange nicely for households (2 queen beds). Check the latest prices here.

Shubie’s Campground – if you’re in search of the closest campground to Halifax, Shubie’s in Dartmouth is your home.  The campground has a very nice location set in Shubie Park with nice trails, a lake with seaside and even a motorcycle pump monitor.  The campground has a playground, tennis courtroom, laundry and good services.