How to spend 2 days in Halifax: the best things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

I have to say that Halifax wasn’t really on my radar as a destination until I started planning my Nova Scotia road trip.

But once I was there, I felt as if 2 days in Halifax wasn’t even enough! It is such a vibrant city, amazing food and drink scene, great arts and alternative culture, so much history, amazing community spaces like the waterfront, pop up stores, lots of green open space.

The vibe really reminded me of my home city of Manchester and also my husband’s home city of Portland, Oregon.

I just felt at ease there. And that definitely isn’t the case with many cities that I visit!

So I want to share with you the best things to do in Halifax Nova Scotia to maximise your trip and see the best things to do and things to see in Halifax.

A quick note: I visited Nova Scotia as a guest of Nova Scotia tourism. While they sponsored my trip, all views, experiences and opinions are my own. I totally fell in love with Nova Scotia and this article wasn’t a requirement for me to write, I just wanted to write it because I loved my trip so much and wanted to encourage others to visit Halifax!

The harbour skyline view of Halifax with many tall building and docks lining the water — Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Is Halifax, Nova Scotia worth visiting?

I honestly didn’t have much of a feeling either way before visiting.

I flew into Halifax International Airport and stayed in the city for a couple of days before heading out on my 7 day Nova Scotia road trip.

But Halifax isn’t just a base from which to start your Nova Scotia adventure, it’s got its own vibe and identity that I really think makes it worth a visit.

So in short, don’t skip a day or two here if you’re visiting Nova Scotia.

How to get to Halifax, Nova Scotia?

I flew into Halifax Stanfield International Airport from Europe. There are direct flights from London but as I live in Manchester I transferred in Frankfurt.

Alternatively, Halifax is also connected to the rest of Canada thanks to the rail network, so if you’re already in Canada then this is another great option.

Many old stone stops lining a street in downtown Halifax — Downtown Halifax

Where to stay in Halifax, NS?

I stayed at the Westin Nova Scotian which is a gorgeous waterfront hotel in such a great location. Even though I parked my rental car there, I spent my entire time in Halifax on foot and this hotel made it super easy by being so close to the best things to do in Halifax NS.

They also have a really great restaurant called Seaport Social (you don’t need to be a guest to eat there). I had my first meal of the trip here right after I got in from the airport and it was a lobster roll - literally my perfect first meal in Nova Scotia!

The best things to do on your Halifax itinerary

Halifax day 1

Kick off your first day with a walk along the waterfront in the morning after breakfast.

If you’re staying at the same hotel that I did then it’s an easy walk straight down onto the waterfront and the walk takes you naturally to your first stop of the day.

I was amazed at how thriving the waterfront was even in the morning! People out running, doing yoga, getting coffee and walking with friends, sitting on the numerous Adirondack chairs reading a book - you name it, this is the place to be in Halifax in the morning!

Grab a coffee from one of the many waterfront cafes if you fancy it and enjoy the walk, or take a seat and enjoy the views.

There’s also several points of interest along the way including the Acadian Monument, The Way Things Are sculpture (these are “drunk” lampposts), views of Georges Island and more.

Take the Harbour Hopper Tour

I’m a big fan of doing some kind of tour when I first arrive in a new place. It’s a great way to get a feel for the city, get your bearings and also learn a lot about the local history from an expert.

And while I often choose a walking tour, I had to make an exception for Halifax because it’s home to the FAMOUS Halifax Harbour Hopper Tour - one of the best things to do in Halifax because it’s legendary!

This is an amphibious vehicle that takes you around the city with your tour guide, then it drives straight into the harbour water because it’s also a boat! And then you get a tour from the water too.

I learnt so much on this tour. Our guide was fantastic and it was so helpful to orientate myself in the city. It was also how I decided on what my next stop would be.

You can find info and bookings for the Harbour Hopper tour here - I highly recommend it for a totally unique tour experience.

My favourite thing I learned was about the Halifax Explosion in 1917. How have I never known about this?! Also the city’s role in the Titanic rescue and recover, plus some fun facts like:

1. Halifax Harbour is ice-free, even in winter it is impossible for it to ice over.

2. Halifax is also home to the tallest, free-standing granite spire in the world.

3. And locals loved Alexander Keith’s beer so much that they made him Mayor of the city in the mid-1800s.

I won’t ruin any more fun facts for you - you’ll have to take the tour!

The amphibious Harbour Hopper vehicle used as a tour bus in Halifax Nova Scotia. It's painted green and blue with people riding on the top of it — Harbour Hopper tour

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Just a short walk along the waterfront, you’ll find the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

It’s home to many Titanic artifacts as large fishing vessels from Halifax were some of the closest that could reach the Titanic wreck first and were instrumental in the recovery of bodies and also artifacts from the ship.

But that is just a small section of the museum.

There is so much information about Halifax’s maritime history, ship building, trading, the Mi’kmaw people and their role and connection to the water and land, plus the Halifax explosion and so much more.

Tickets to the museum can be purchased at the entrance and they’re $5.15 CAD in the low season and $9.40 CAD in the high season.

The interior of a large building with many colourful wooden sailboats on display — Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

See the Queen Marque district

Continue your walk along the waterfront and through the Queen Marque district.

This is a newly renovated area with so much going on: shopping, restaurants, bars and cafes. Plus loads of seating areas outside and sculptures.

A large red and white wooden shop surrounded by wooden decking — Halifax Waterfront - Queens Marque area

Ferry to Dartmouth

And just beyond the Queen Marque district, you’ll reach the Halifax Ferry terminal where you can take the short, 10 minute ferry ride over to Dartmouth which is on the other side of Halifax Harbour.

The ferry runs every 15 minutes so there’s no need to book - you can just rock up and take the next ferry.

However, tickets are exact change only and cost $3 - there is a cash machine in the foyer of the ferry terminal for you to break up a note.

Straight out of the ferry terminal in Dartmouth, I headed up Portland Street (which ironically did remind me of several neighbourhoods in Portland, OR)

I wished I had longer to explore here because Dartmouth is exactly my kind of vibe with lots of independent coffee shops, eateries, breweries, even a winery! And so many of them have outdoor seating which was such a great atmosphere in the sunshine.

This is definitely an underrated activity in Halifax and I really recommend it if you have the time on your Halifax itinerary.

I stopped for a snack and a drink at the New Scotland Brewing Co before continuing my explorations.

BG Beer Garden on the waterfront

I took the ferry back over to the Halifax side of the harbour and then had the very hard task of deciding where to eat in Halifax!

While my first day was based around the waterfront, I decided to check out some of the food carts in the area behind BG Beer Garden and picked up a fresh fruit smoothie to just sit and take a breather on one of the adirondack chairs while I watched the boats go back and forth in the harbour.

Then I headed into BG Beer Garden for a full meal and some more great craft beer - finally found myself a sour beer here which are my favourites!

The food and vibe here at the Beer Garden are great, especially on a warm afternoon/evening. I was travelling in Nova Scotia on my own and even alone I had the best time here!

A large outside beer garden with many tables, red chairs, and blue umbrellas — BG beer garden

See the sunset and enjoy the evening vibe on the waterfront

Obviously had to walk off that meal which was perfect because it’s a lovely leisurely stroll back to the Westin Nova Scotian along the waterfront.

I saw a salsa dancing class right out on the boardwalk with lots of people joining in with the music. There were groups of all ages just hanging out, socialising, eating and drinking - honestly the Halifax waterfront is a real gem and I wish we had something similar where I live!

A large old sailboat with tall white masts sailing during the sunset — Sailboat at Sunset

Halifax Day 2

While yesterday was all about the waterfront area, day two in Halifax is all about the rest of the city and the best things to do in Halifax in 2 days!

Alexander Keith Brewery tour

You can’t spend two days in Halifax and not go to the Alexander Keith Brewery!

Alexander Keith was a businessman who built a brewery empire in Halifax in the 1800s. In fact, people loved his beer so much they elected him mayor of Halifax three times!

The brewery is still standing and is a dominating, traditional stone building which also houses several artisan stores and independent shops.

Tours run every hour at the brewery throughout the season and cost $28.95 CAD and their retail store is open every day except Sundays.

A large old stone brewery with many wooden signs hanging from its exterior

Halifax Brewery Farmers Market

While the shops in the Brewery Market are open all week, if you happen to be in Halifax on a Saturday, I highly recommend checking out the Halifax Brewery Market.

This is a Saturday Farmers Market that runs every week from 8am-1pm all year and has over 65 vendors with local and artisanal products from all over Halifax and Nova Scotia.

The aim of this market is really to support local and promote small businesses so you’re supporting the local economy too if you visit!

Spring Garden Road

Spring Garden Road in Halifax is a great area for shopping, exploring and for getting to the library and public gardens - which are next on your Halifax itinerary and definitely places to visit in Halifax if you have time.

If you did the Harbour Hopper tour the day before then you’ll probably have learnt some interesting facts about the landmarks on Spring Garden Road: the granite church and the oldest house in Halifax.

But there’s also so many shops here and especially lots of outdoor brands and stores which I LOVED!

You can also pop to Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia on Spring Garden Road which is a famous souvenir shop and a great place to find a gift or souvenir to take home.

Halifax Central Library

Located on Spring Garden Road, this is a stunning city library that was once named in the top 10 most beautiful libraries on Earth.

This is a very modern library (so don’t go in expecting dark wood and old-worldly interiors!) but this is probably one of the busiest city libraries I’ve ever seen - in the best way!

It was full of people reading, working on computers, in the gaming area, in the kids corner, there’s a rooftop patio, there’s group work spaces - honestly this felt like such a warm and welcoming public library!

If you’re a book lover or library lover like me then I recommend dropping by - it’s free to visit of course!

Halifax Public Gardens

Beyond the shops, where Spring Garden Road meets South Park Street, you’ll find Halifax Public Gardens.

I personally do love a garden and it’s nice to have a change of pace when you’re in a bustling city.

These gardens are gorgeous with stunning pathways, ponds, flowerbeds and sculptures. You’ll also find a bandstand and a cafe, Uncommon Grounds, in the centre.

After a busy couple of days exploring, I really relished a quiet half an hour to just wander through the gardens and hear the sounds of nature.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

This iconic star-shaped fort is one of the most famous landmarks in Nova Scotia.

Built in 1749, this fort was never actually attacked but has retained its prime position on the hill, overlooking Halifax and the harbour.

Admission is usually $13.25 for adults, but keep an eye out if you’re visiting in the summer. When I visited Nova Scotia, I got free admission to a few historic sites and museums because of the Canada Strong Pass which gives free admission during the peak summer season.

And the Citadel Historic Site has announced that the scheme is back in 2026. So if you visit between June 19th and September 7th 2026, you can visit the Citadel for free!

You can tour the citadel throughout the year, although some areas are closed for safety during the winter.

Tours will guide you through the lives of soldiers who lived at the fort and its strategic role in Canadian history.

Dinner at the Stubborn Goat for food and live music

Who doesn’t love a bit of live music?

This is actually the sister venue to the BG Garden on the waterfront and it’s everything you want from a cosy, gastropub: great comfort food with a focus on sharing plates, local craft beer and cocktails, live music and a cute outdoor area too.

Located in the heart of Downtown Halifax, this is a great location to end your 2 days in Halifax and reward yourself with a meal and a drink!

Looking for other options, Stillwell and The Carleton were two other bar/live music venues that I had pinned for my trip but didn’t have time to visit - they’re both downtown and in a similar area to the Stubborn Goat.

Many large brick restaurants lining a walkway with outdoor seating — Halifax restaurants

Got longer than 2 days in Halifax?

I wish I had longer than two days in Halifax and if I did, these are some of the other ideas and experiences I’d add to my Halifax itinerary:

Pier 21 Canadian Museum of Immigration (someone in the UK actually recommended this to me before my visit as well!)
Take a tour out to George Island in the harbour
Do one of the great Halifax food and beer tours - I feel like I only scratched the surface of the food and drink scene here!
If you wanted to spend more time on the water, there’s also harbour tours and sea kayaking tours
Garrison Brewing Company - right opposite the hotel I stayed in but was closed on the evenings when I was in town
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market - open on Saturdays and Sundays
Fisherman’s Cove Heritage Centre - this is on the other side of the harbour and you’d need to drive here, it’s a colourful and active fishing village with restaurants and shops that I really wanted to visit on my trip but unfortunately I didn’t have the time.
Titanic Grave Site at Fairview Lawn Cemetery - If you’re interested in the Titanic, I learned at the Maritime Museum that the bodies brought to shore by the Halifax ships were buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery with a dedicated area to the victims of the sinking.
Take a day trip from Halifax along the South Shore Lighthouse Route or just down to Peggy’s Cove, less than 1 hour from Halifax.

Summary: what to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

I hope this Halifax trip itinerary has helped you to map out your trip and plan the best things to do in Halifax, Canada.

2 days in Halifax Nova Scotia is a great amount of time to really get a feel for the city and see the best of its culture, history, food and social scene. If you have longer than two days in Halifax, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Peggy’s Cove on the coast - even just the drive is stunning!

Nova Scotia is such a beautiful and underrated province and Halifax is just the start of your adventure there - don’t skip it!