There’s a magnetic pull that draws both visitors and locals to the heart of the city, where the waterfront buzzes with energy. Surrounded by sparkling ocean, a working port, local artisans, seasonal vendors, and year-round businesses, a walk along the Halifax waterfront is an iconic Nova Scotian experience.
Directory
experiences on the waterfront
Visit the farmers' markets
Meet the local artisans, creators and farmers at the Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market and the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.
Tour the harbour
Let an experienced guide show you the Halifax Harbour. Enjoy a range of tours from culinary cruises to family-friendly fun with Ambassatours, or take a luxury pontoon boat tour with City Harbour Cruises. Halifax Harbour Tours offers an all-electric, environmentally friendly tour aboard a 1930s-style harbour launch, while J Farwell Sailing Co. offers curated sailing tours and yacht charters. If you’re in the mood for speed, Sea Halifax offers Halifax’s first jet-boat tour.
Choose your own adventure: Sea-Doo, cycle, or Segway
Try something new with a Sea-Doo or kayak rental from The Harbour Watercraft Tours & Adventures, or discover the harbour from dry land with a rental from Segway Nova Scotia or I Heart Bikes. All of these companies also offer guided tours, so it’s up to you to choose your own adventure.
Visit Georges Island National Historic Site
Travel by ferry from the Cable Wharf to explore the small historic island at the centre of the harbour.
Relax on a hammock
The iconic orange hammocks along the Salter boardwalk are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the salty sea breeze.
Have a drink by the ocean
Cool drinks, sea breezes, live music, and waterfront views. There are plenty of places to find all this and more on the Halifax waterfront, including The BG (Beer Garden), Salt Yard Social, The Lower Deck, and Garrison Brewing Company.
Relax on a patio
There is nothing better than a beverage and a seat on a sunny patio with harbour views. Check out The Bicycle Thief, Stone’s Throw, Sea Smoke, Cable Wharf Kitchen & Patio, Pickford & Black, or Waterfront Warehouse for your oceanside dining fix.
Historic Properties
A National Historic Site in the heart of downtown Halifax, Historic Properties is the first restoration project of its kind in Canada, featuring three city blocks of Canada’s oldest surviving group of waterfront warehouses and some of North America’s finest Victorian-Italianate façades dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Nathan Green Square is a great place to relax after exploring the Halifax Waterfront. On beautiful days, the outdoor vendor market offers the opportunity to discover local finds. Just steps away, the boutique shops and local services at Historic Properties offer a welcoming place to escape the elements while browsing one-of-a-kind local businesses.
Queen's Marque District
This new waterfront district is home to the luxurious Muir Hotel, Peace by Chocolate, Drift, Bar Sofia, Café Lunette, and plenty of other retail and dining options, along with outdoor public spaces and art installations, all at the water’s edge.
Maritime Heritage District
As Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a marine history utopia complete with small craft model ships and relics from the Titanic disaster. You’ll also find CSS Acadia and HMCS Sackville ships docked in this historic harbour district.
Salt Yard & Foundation Wharf
Between Salter and Sackville Streets you’ll find food and retail kiosks, pop-up events and live music, the occasional concert, cool murals, and some cute painted octopus bollards right at the water’s edge.
Harbour South District
Framed by Bishop’s Landing and Cunard Residences, this district is home to some of the city’s finest independent shops, iconic restaurants, and premium services. Enjoy a lively, upscale waterfront experience.
Halifax Seaport District
The Halifax Seaport District is a vibrant arts and cultural district found at the south end of the Halifax waterfront. From Piers 19 to 23, you’ll find artisan and retailers, cruise terminals, cafés and galleries, a museum, a university, and a farmers’ market.
Visiting the Halifax Waterfront with kids
The Halifax Waterfront is one of the city’s best places to explore with kids. Ride the Halifax Harbour Ferry, visit Georges Island National Historic Site, browse the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, play on the Submarine Playground, or watch boats come and go in the harbour. Grab an ice cream, relax in the iconic orange hammocks, and if you’re looking for more family-friendly fun nearby, the Discovery Centre and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are both just a short walk away.
