Halifax Historic Downtown Walk

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Our tour begins at the Halifax Argyle Visitor Centre, located at the corner of Argyle and Sackville streets. Directly across Argyle Street is Neptune Theatre, the province's largest professional theatre company, mounting world-class productions like Cats and Chicago on its main stage, while its Studio Series features smaller-scale, edgier works. Form here, walk down Sackville Street towards Halifax Harbour. Looking to the right along Barrington Street, you can imagine the late Victorian splendor of the Church of England Institute building, now The Khyber, a centre for the arts, and next to it the facade of the former City Club of the 1890s, given new life as part of the Neptune Theatre complex. At this corner you can also see the Discovery Centre, a hands-on science centre.

Turn left and walk north on Barrington Street. Wealthy merchants built many of the buildings in this area in the late 1800s. No.1672 belonged to George Wright, a local developer who was one of 33 millionaires on the SS Titanic's maiden voyage. 

Turn left on Prince Street and walk uphill to the corner of Argyle Street . The large golden building, Carleton House, is Halifax’s oldest residential building (1759). Walk north along Argyle Street. If you stop and look straight ahead to the end of Argyle Street. If you stop and look straight ahead to the end of the street, you will notice Scotia Square, an indoor mall with more than 50 shops and services and a Visitor Information Centre. On your right is St. Paul’s Church, the oldest building in Halifax (1750) and the first Protestant church in Canada. The church faces the Grand Parade, a military parade ground from Halifax’s earliest days and still a central public gathering place. The Cenotaph in front of St. Paul’s commemorates those who served in the two world wars and the Korean conflict. At the opposite end of the Grand Parade is Halifax City Hall, a fine example of Victorian architecture, built in 1888 and now the seat of government for the Halifax Regional Municipality. Look up Carmichael Street to Citadel Hill, where you’ll see the Old Town Clock, one of Halifax’s most famous landmarks. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, arranged for a turret clock to be manufactured for the Halifax garrison before his return to England in 1800. The Town Clock officially began keeping time for the garrison and residents of Halifax in 1803. In its early years, the clock was used as a guard room and residence for the caretaker.

The large wooden structure at the corner of Argyle and Carmichael streets was constructed in 1817 as a school. It later housed the Victoria School of Art and Design, founded in 1887. One of the patrons of the Victoria School was Anna Leonowens -whose earlier experiences as governess to the King of Siam’s children formed the basis for the musical The King and I. Walk across the Grand Parade and downhill on George Street for two blocks. (As an alternate route, continue another block downhill. On your right, just past Bedford Row, you will find the Celtic Cross, dedicated to the original Irish settlers of 1749). Turn right at Hollis Street. On your left is the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, caretaker of the province’s impressive collection of regional, national and international art. The fine Victorian Italianate facade of the building dates back to 1864 when the 12-foot statue of Britannia looked down on an outdoor farmers’ market, active on this site for more than 100 years.

Across Hollis Street is Province House. Built between 1811 and 1818, this fine Georgian building is home to the first responsible government in the British Empire. A statue of Joseph Howe, a leader in this fight for democracy and twice elected premier of Nova Scotia, stands in the courtyard.

On the north-east corner of Hollis and Prince streets stands the Bank of Nova Scotia, a registered historic building in the Art Deco style of the 1930s. Return to George Street and walk back up to Granville. Take in examples of competing bank architecture, including the imposing building on the corner of George and Granville streets (Bank of Commerce, 1906) and the highly decorated Italianate-style Merchants’ Bank (1911) a block north at the corner of Granville and Duke streets.

Up the hill on Duke Street is the Halifax Metro Centre, a major entertainment and sporting events venue. It's home to the Halifax Mooseheads, the city's beloved major-junior hockey team. Every summer the Metro Centre also hosts the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, a military and civilian extravaganza featuring over 2,000 international performers. It is the world's largest annual indoor show of its type and voted #1 event for Canada in 2007 by the American Bus Association. This is also the new host of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, featuring interactive displays, kiosks, memoribilia and more- 150 years of sports history.

Just ahead is the attractive pedestrian plaza of Granville Mall. When the original buildings were destroyed by fire in 1859, this block was completely rebuilt, producing one of the finest Victorian-Italianate facades in Canada. Today, modern hotel facilities, pubs, shops and NSCAD University share the unique spaces behind these facades.

Taking the entrance marked "Shops of Granville Mall" leads you into a network of arched brick passageways that now connect shops and the university, where it is easy to imagine the scene a century ago- carts crowding the alley with merchandise from ports around the world.

Follow through to the exit onto Hollis Street. Across the street and to the left , NSCAD University now occupies the Morse’s Tea Building, a large ironstone structure built in 1841. Cross Hollis Street at the traffic lights, then walk north to the wooden stairs leading down to Upper Water Street. Take the crosswalk to the main courtyard of Historic Properties. The first restoration project of its kind in Canada, Historic Properties Privateers Wharf is living history at its best. Restored and redeveloped in the early 1970s, the four-acre National Historic Site features ten buildings, some dating back to the 1800s. Privateers Wharf was the centre of activity on the Halifax waterfront, welcoming trading vessels and privateers from ports around the world. It was from Halifax that many of the privateers, licensed by the British crown to raid enemy vessels, set sail and returned with their bounty. One of the most successful, Enos Collins, started the first bank in Nova Scotia, the Halifax Banking Co., in the ironstone building to your left. Next to it is the oldest building in the group, Privateers’ Warehouse, built in 1813. Across the cobbled courtyard is the original home of Pickford and Black, the international shipping company.

Stroll a little farther north and try your luck at Casino Nova Scotia. Along with an extensive, exciting gaming area and event spaces, Casino Nova Scotia offers tfine dining at Trapeze restaurant. The Casino's currency exchange is always open and offers competitive rates. Follow the boardwalk south from here through more of Halifax’s history. 

From the Metro Transit Ferry Terminal just ahead, the oldest continually operating saltwater ferry (since 1752) plies the waters between Halifax and Dartmouth. This eight-minute ride is one of the best ways to view the skylines of both Halifax and Dartmouth. Beyond is Chebucto Landing, with North America’s oldest operating Naval Clock (1772) looking down on the site of the landing of the first settlers to Halifax. The old-world craft of glass blowing is also revived here in Canada’s only crystal manufacturer, NovaScotian Crystal. Along the waterfront, you’ll find Theodore Too. Based on the popular TV show, this world-renowned tugboat offers tours that bring “the Big Harbour” to life.

Throughout the year , the waterfront bustles with events and activites. Fireworks mark Canada Day and Natal Day, and in August, dozens of performers from around the world offer free family entertainment at the Halifax International Busker Festival. Year-round, stroll along the waterfront’s finger piers and watch the daily comings and goings of busy harbour traffic & tour boats, visiting tallmasted training ships and pleasure crafts of all sizes. The observation deck at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is an excellent vantage point.

At its mooring behind the museum is CSS Acadia, Canada’s first hydrographic vessel. At Sackville Landing, the convoy escort corvette HMCS Sackville has been restored as Canada’s naval memorial. Bedford Basin (the inner harbour) was the staging point for the great convoys of ships that brought relief and supplies to war-torn Europe during World War II. Adjacent to HMCS Sackville is a Visitor Information Centre. Also nearby is the Merchant Navy Memorial, dedicated to those who served in the Merchant Marine, and the statue of a lone sailor, honouring the thousands of seafarers who passed through Halifax. Neaby you'll see Summit Plaza, where an arch and plaque commemorate the meeting of world leaders in Halifax during the 1995 G-7 Economic Summit. Next, you'll see the Bishop's Landing development. Its award-winning architecture blends private urban living with a world-class selection of shopping and dining in a waterfront setting.

Continue south along the Halifax Harbourwalk until you come to the Gateway Park. A project of the Halifax Port Authority, this area links the Seawall, where visiting cruise ships moor, to the Halifax waterfront. Doubling as an outdoor event venue and gallery, it's an ideal spot to observe harbour activity. Continuing south, you'll come to Pier 22 Pavilion. This spot teems with activity when cruise ships are in town, as artisans and other ventdors peddle their wares. Next, see the talent of modern Nova Scotian craftspeople on display at the Mary E. Black Gallery in the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design. Further south on Marginal Road, you'll find Pier 21 National Historic Site, Canada's Ellis Island. From 1928 to 1971, Pier 21 was Canada's "front door" to over a miliion immigrants, wartime evacuees, refugees, troops, war brides and their children. It has now been transformed into an ward-winning interactive interpretive centre that is a testament to Canada's profoundly emotional immigration experience. Over the next five years, Pier 21 will eveolve to emcompass the broader story of nation-building, sharing the story and contributions of all immigrants to Canada.

After a last look towards the water, the islands and perhaps a visiting giant cruise ship, return along the Boardwalk to Summit Plaza and turn away from the harbour towards Lower Water Street and the labyrinth of ironstone buildings that housed Keith’s Breweries from the early 1800s to 1971. Enter the Brewery Market at the North Arch on Lower Water Street and wander through the vaulted corridors, now filled with North America's oldest continuously operating Farmer's Market, running every Saturday morning. Costumed intepreters at Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery  guide visitors through the smells and tastes of a working brew house. There is also an interpretive centre and a company store. Past the restaurants, bakery and offices of the market, take the stairs up to Hollis Street, exit and turn left. (If the complex is closed, walk up Salter Street and turn left onto Hollis.)

In the early to mid-1800s, many of Halifax’s wealthiest citizens built elegant homes in this neighbourhood. Past the Brewery complex is Keith Hall, built as Alexander Keith’s residence in 1863. Turn right up Bishop Street. This street appears much as it did in the 1860s. The four-unit townhouse on the left, built in 1862, was a typical residence for the upper-middle-class city dweller of that era.

Continue up to the corner of Barrington Street and turn right. Here stands stately Government House, the residence of Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor. Built for Governor Sir John and Lady Francis Wentworth between 1799 and 1805, it is the oldest official government residence in Canada (not open to the public). On its left is the oldest United Church in Canada: St. Matthew’s Church, opened in 1859, but its congregation’s history dates back to 1749.

Across Barrington Street is the Old Burying Ground, in use from 1749 to 1843. Stroll through the graveyard, where interpretive signs highlight graves of historical significance. (You can access the Old Burying Grounds after crossing Barrington Street at Spring Garden Road.) The large stone arch with the lion on top is the Welsford Parker Monument (1857), a memorial to the Crimean War. On the graveyard's north side, across Spring Garden Road, is St. Mary’s Basilica. Rising 128 feet above the roof, is the tallest dressed (polished) granite spire in North America.

Walk up Spring Garden Road. On your left is the imposing bulk of the old Halifax Court House, its main structure completed in 1863. On the other side of the street is the Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library with its statue of Sir Winston Churchill by noted sculptor Oscar Nemon.

In this neighbourhood you'll find a vibrant shopping district, beginning just beyond the library. North on Brunswick Street is the Halifax Folklore Centre, a unique music store nestled in a 130-year-old Victorian home. Along Spring Garden Road and on nearby streets like Doyle Stree, you'll find shops and galleries carrying an international array of fine goods. Pubs, cafes, and restaurants beckon, and the district offers first-class entertainment, including an eight-screen movie theatre.

Continue along Spring Garden Road and turn right up Birmingham Street, featuring attractive shops and century-old buildings. Take a gentle left and then right along Queen Street to where Queen and Dresden Row come together at Sackville Street. Turn right onto Sackville Street. Across the street is the main entrance to Halifax's famous hilltop fort. Experience the star-shaped Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada, operated by Parks Canada, where Halifax's historic role as key naval station in the British Empire is commermorated. The music and pageantry of the kilted 78th Highlanders and the precision of the Royal Artillery bring history to life as you step back in time to 1869. The Halifax Citadel Regimental Association manages the 78th Highlanders, orginally garrisoned at the fort in 1869. Fascinating exhibits, an audio-visual presentation and guided tours are available. Don't miss the firing of the noon gun- a dailt ritual since the mid-19th century. While at the Citadel, browse through the Army Museum and see the collection of British and Canadian military exhibits.

Walking west back up Sackville Street to South Park Street, you can see the classic 1930s streamlined architecture of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation building. Cross South Park Street. On your right, the red-bricked Queen Anne-style house built in 1903 is an excellent example of Edwardian architecture. It was orginally constructed as the home of the superintendent of the Public Gardens. In front of you are the Public Gardens. Begin in 1836, the 17 acres are a wonderful place to enjoy the shady tranquility of a bench, from early May into November. Winding pathways lead past duck ponds, sparkling fountains, stately trees and formal floating flowerbeds. There is also a charming red-roofed bandstand in the centre of the Gardens, where bands play on summer Sunday afternoons.

This ends the walking tour of the downtown as indicated on the Downtown Halifax Map, but we encourage you to explore further on peninsular Halifax.

One block north of the Gardens, along Summer Street, is the Museum of Natural History. Here, you will find fascinating artifacts and specimens that illustrate both the human and natural history of the province. Adjacent is the famous riding school of the Halifax Junior Bengal Lancers where you may sometimes see equestrian practices. Beyond lies the large open Halifax Common, Canada's oldest city park and a centre for many sports events.

Across from the Gardens at Spring Garden Road and South Park Street is Victoria Park, featuring commemorative paving bricks that are part of Feed Nova Scotia's Legacy Project. For $50 you can purchase a brick, which will become a part of the park.  A portion of the proceeds goes directly to support the organization's programs. Phone (902) 457-1900 or go to Feed Nova Scotia for more information. The bricks surround a statue of Robbie Burns.

From the Gardens, three blocks south along South Aprk Street see the unique Our Lady of Sorrows Church, the "chapel built in a day" in 1843; or visit the beautiful modern gothic Catherfral Church of All Saints built in 1900, at the corner of Tower Road and University Avenue.

Another interesting walk is up University Avenue, past some of North America's leading hospitals and the medical, dental and law schools of Dalhousie University, founded in 1819 and named after Lord Dalhousie. The Dalhousie Arts Centre includes the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, which hosts concerts and performances throughout the year and is the home of Symphony Nova Scotia, the region's only full-time professional orchestra. The University of King's College is found at the corner of Coburg Road and Oxford Street. Founded in 1789, King's is Canada's oldest university. Beyond these campuses, one soon descends to the exclusive homes and clubs of the Northwest Arm, one of Canada's most attractive residential and boating areas.

It's a half-hour walk south from the Public Gardens to Point Pleasant Park via South Park Street and Young Avenue, past beautiful Victorian homes and excellent examples of Halifax's ornate storm porches. The gate as the end of Young Avenue marks the entrance to the seaside park where 39 kilometres of nature trails wind around the ruins of colonial forts and the historic Martello Tower, built in 1796. Every summer, the park hosts al fresco theatre when Shakespeare by the Sea performs the Bard's works and show like The Adventures of Robin Hood in this historic natural setting. Visit the comapany's office at the lower parking lot on the water for details and schedules.

A few blocks away is Saint Mary's University, home to Atlantic Canada's largest business school. The Saint Mary's campus is a unique blend of traditional and modern architecture, located within one tree-lined city block.

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