Reading, taking notes on what to visit, thinking how long to stay in one place, reviewing activities that we want to do, reserving a place to stay and once on site, out of nowhere, comes the unpredictable weather. Some destinations have less stable weather than others but what if it rains during your stay in Halifax? Well, rest assured you won’t need to stay cramped in your hotel room. There are indoor options.
Options available:
- Halifax Central Library
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
- Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Museum of Natural History
- The Citadel
- Alexander Keith Brewery
- Seaport Market, if open
- Discovery center
I recommend that you look at the weather forecast on your arrival to shift your activities if needed and possible.
1. Halifax Central Library
5440 Spring Garden Road
The 2014 Central Library is a combination of a learning place, a creative place, a museum and a playroom. You can spend hours here and won’t get bored. It is free to access and has an indoor paying parking option.
Read a book, use their computers for work, research, or simply navigate. Free Wi-Fi is accessible as well as Video-Game stations are a popular spot.
There is a Lego section on the second floor. Don’t take me there because I could be there for hours. A puppet theater and two cafes located within the building can be a good place for a break.
At the entrance level, the numerous library card size artwork on the wall can be a long frustrating math exercise.
Rain or shine, you should stop at this place.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/locations/SGA/
2. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
1675 Lower Water St
The Maritime Museum is a great place to find information related to major events that have occurred in the city.
Not in any order, you will find information on the building of boats, small up to scale model versions of bigger vessels, details on the catastrophic events of the Titanic, disbelief in front of the sad story of the MS St.Louis and facts around the disastrous 1917 explosion are described in the museum for your knowledge.
With the cute creation of Theodore Tugboat children’s story which originated from there to the success of local businessman Samuel Cunard, you will have the chance to understand the water importance and development over time.
Via small reproductions, artifacts, descriptions in both English and French, you can explore this museum at your rhythm.
The Maritime Museum is accessible via the waterfront boardwalk.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/
3. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
1055 Marginal Road
The eastern coast point of Canada was, for years, the first landing point to new residents. The museum takes you through the long process of arriving on the new continent. The waiting room, the dock, examples of child luggage and the typical food offerings are presented in one part of the museum. Stories, the evolution of Canada’s immigration laws, not everyone was welcomed, and international events that led to requests for refugees are described in other sections of the museum.
The museum brings a new understanding of the different contexts of immigration in Canada over the years.
More information can be found here.
official website: https://pier21.ca/home
4. Art Gallery
1723 Hollis Street
Maud Lewis makes the show of this museum. The native of the province had a modest untraditional life, she created naïve colorful paintings and brightly decorated her home. Other pieces of art will capture your attention but if you feel lost in your understanding of the space and link among the chef-d’oeuvre, you are not alone.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/
5. Museum of Natural History
1747 Summer Street
The museum displays some live animals, taxidermy, skeletons of some local wildlife along with information on the extinct mammoth. Minerals have a section reserved to showcase the variety and a part of the exhibition is about Sable Island.
The museum is definitely for a younger audience and some subjects could be more descriptive.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://naturalhistory.novascotia.ca/
6. Alexander Keith Brewery
1496 Lower Water Street
The gold refreshing alcoholic Indian Pale Ale beverage, carrying its founder’s name, is known way beyond Nova Scotia’s provincial borders. Visiting this place is a step back in 1837 when it was opened at this location.
Even if you are not a fan of beer, Mr. Keith was a businessman that exceeded the brewing role. Visiting this place is understanding all the work behind a bottle of beer and maybe a taste will change your opinion.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://www.keiths.ca/
7. Halifax – Citadel
5425 Sackville Street
On top of the most elevated section of the city overlooking the water, the Citadel was constructed in the early days of the British settlement. While it is nice on a sunny day, you can think of exploring on a rainy day. Guides and personnel are dispersed in the fortification to offer explanations of the different rooms and life of the soldiers. Written information on displays is also available in multiple sections, again indoors. Bring an umbrella since you will have to walk under the open sky to reach the next area.
The Army Museum presents historical military events where artifacts, uniforms, medals, weapons and tools are displayed. Veteran volunteers are there to answer your questions.
More information can be found here.
Official website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax
8. The Seaport Farmer’s Market
1031 Marginal Road
On the weekend, the market is vibrant with colorful booths full of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also a variety of craft and retail vendors.
Official website: https://www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com/
9. Discovery Center
1215 Lower Water Street
Colorful interactive hands-on displays encourage learning experiences in the fields of engineering, science and more. We skipped this place on our visit to the city but it can be an option.
Official website: https://thediscoverycentre.ca/
Simple Travel and Recreation 