Oftentimes, when people think of colourful houses their thoughts go to St. John’s, Newfoundland and the brightly painted row houses of ‘Jelly Bean Row’. But bright hues aren’t limited to Newfoundland – they can be seen in many seaside locales in both Atlantic Canada and the Eastern United States.
There are many different myths about the origins of the painted houses, ranging from the desire to make home visible to sailors at sea during foggy conditions, to the fact that Maritime weather can sometimes be grey, so brightly coloured homes are a means to play a trick on Mother Nature (feels about right!). Whatever the reason, I never get tired of exploring neighbourhoods that feature a string of homes where the owners have a clear sense of pride in their dwelling and it’s heritage characteristics.
Here are some of my favourite neighbourhoods and areas in Halifax where you can see colourful houses:
North End Halifax
If you’re looking to lose yourself in a quaint urban neighbourhood with a striking palette of colours, look no further than the North End.
Starting with the painted beauties on North Park Street, directly across from the Halifax Common, make your way down Cogswell Street, and take a left into the area of Maynard and Creighton Streets. The first block on both of the streets, leading to Falkland Street, both feature numerous brightly painted homes, including a coral beauty and a tall orange apartment building on Creighton.
Both streets are one way, and the leafy overhang covering the street makes it seem like you’re far away from the bustle of the city.
This is one of the busiest streets in the North End, and is quickly becoming home to trendy restaurants and businesses. But before those establishments brought crowds to the North End, there were the colourful houses.
Ranging from bright blues to vibrant oranges and purples, it’s worthwhile to walk the length of the street to take in the colours. The area is becoming increasingly walkable, so leave your car at home, see the sights and stop in at the new businesses along the way.
Peggy’s Cove Coastal Region
While Peggy’s Cove is often celebrated for its famous lighthouse, the quaint fishing village is also something to see. Visible through the fog, the coloured houses and twine sheds of the local fishermen are distinctly maritime, as much so as their more famous red and white cousin on the rocks.
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