Looking for a fun, family-friendly weekend in Halifax? What about some activities that'll burn off some kid-energy without burning you out?
The Wild & Wild & Wonderful Weekend Playcation itinerary has you covered! This weekend includes a 98-year-old tortoise, ancient Egyptian mummies, pony rides, playgrounds, and plenty more fun for parents and kids!
The Plan
- Get up close and personal with a very old tortoise and some very old mummies at the Museum of Natural History
- Ice cream, horses and a dip in Chocolate Lake
- French toast breakfast (and even more horses!) at Hatfield Farm
Day 1
Start at the Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History’s Gus the Tortoise is likely one of Halifax's oldest residents - he turns 98 this year! Stop in for a visit with Gus, and stay to explore some of the museum residents that make Gus look like a spry young thing!
The Museum's Egyptian Mummies and Eternal Life exhibit features mummies as ancient as 3,000 years old! This is the first chance for North Americans to see the Egyptian Mummies and Eternal Life exhibit, on loan from the National Archaeological Museum in Florence, Italy.
Fun fact: Gus the Tortoise's favourite foods are organic romaine lettuce and bananas.
I scream, you scream, we all neigh for ice cream?
Take the stroll towards The Common, and if you’re lucky you might get to say hi to some horses at Bengal Lancers along the way! But don't get distracted for too long! - you won't want to wait to try the ever-changing hand-made flavours at DeeDee's Ice Cream, just across The Common on Cornwallis Street in Halifax's North End.
Where to Stay
Finish off the afternoon with a dip at Chocolate Lake Beach right near your hotel for the night!
Best Western Chocolate Lake is kid- (and dog!) friendly, with an indoor pool and video-game and pinball arcade. It’s only a few minutes away from swimming, shopping and kid-friendly parks - the perfect family-friendly weekend home base.
Day 2
Fill your boots at breakfast
Get your ranchers ready for a day on the farm with brunch at the Armview Restaurant, just off the Armdale Rotary. Their Nutella-stuffed french toast or kids-sized eggs benny are surefire crowd-pleasers!
Ride’em, cowpokes!
Just outside of Halifax is a slice of cowboy country at Hatfield Farms! Hop on a horse-drawn wagon ride, bounce around in the Rubber Rodeo, feed friendly animals at the petting zoo, and let your little ones ride a pony while you capture adorable Insta-ready photos. Giddy-up!
Bonus: You can stay an extra night in either Hatfield Farm’s rustic bunkhouse or a cabin straight out of the Old West. Gather round a blazing fire, sing some cowboy songs, and tell some tall tales about ropin’ and ride’n. Learn more.
Pack and Prep
- Call ahead to confirm pony rides and other activities at Hatfield Farm (902-835-5676)
- Bring your own helmet for pony rides
- The Dingle Park and Frog Pond Trail are also kid-friendly places to check out, with a new adventure playground, climbing tower, and slide for healthy outdoor fun.
