Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night? If so, you should probably stop reading this right now, because we've listed the spookiest, darkest, most mysterious places in Halifax, with stories of ghost sightings that are sure to send a chill up your spine. Still reading? Excellent. Here is a list of places ranging from haunted and harmless, but all are known for their ghostly apparitions. Enjoy this list of the SPOOKIEST experiences in Halifax... if you dare!
1. The Five Fishermen Restaurant
Now known as one of the best places to experience East Coast seafood, The Five Fishermen wasn’t always a restaurant. Originally constructed as a school, it has also served as a mortuary, acting as the final stop for victims of some of the largest disasters to impact the area: the Halifax Explosion and the sinking of the Titanic. With that in mind, it's no surprise that there have been multiple reports of unexplained noises and shadowy figures on the property. The only question is, are you brave enough to dine? Learn more about the Five Fisherman's haunted history.
2. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Completed as a British fort in 1856, the Halifax Citadel has all the eeriness you’d expect from a fortress that has housed prisoners and kept an active watch over a city on the ocean. From stories of Grey Ladies to mysterious images on security cameras, more than a few unexplained happenings have occurred on the grounds. Want to learn more? The best way to experience this historic site is to sign up for a Ghost Walk, taking place every Friday and Saturday until the end of October.
3. Alexander Keith’s Brewery
Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery on Lower Water Street is a popular Halifax tourist attraction, showing locals and tourists alike how Mr. Keith once brewed his popular beer. But did you know that despite having died in 1873, there have been recorded sightings of the famed politician checking in on the progress of his brewery? Take a tour of the brewery and grab something to eat at the Red Stag Tavern – who knows who you might run into!
4. McNabs Island
Often admired from both Halifax and Dartmouth, McNab’s Island currently serves as a green space only accessible by boat. McNab’s has served many purposes in its history, including playing home to early settlers, a soda factory, and a Victorian garden. While a public picnic area may sound quaint, let’s not forget that the island was also once home to more eerie and sinister activity. One specific area, “Hangman’s Beach,” showcased the hanging bodies of mutineers. These corpses served as a warning to anyone arriving in port who thought that Halifax seemed like a great place to get up to some unsavoury activity.
5. St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Located right across the street from The Five Fisherman in Grand Parade, stands St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Completed in 1750, St Paul’s is the oldest building in Halifax! Ghostly mysteries surround a face in one of the second floor windows of the church. Legend has it that on the morning on the Halifax Explosion, a deacon was standing in front of the window – due to the intense light and heat from the explosion, his profile was forever etched on the glass, leaving his shadow behind for years to come. Spooky truth or random coincidence? Stand on Argyle Street, look at the church windows on the second floor and decide for yourself.
