Halifax Info needed

[e050377]

Can we walk to the cemetery where the Titanic graves are or will we need a taxi? Can we visit the cemetery and the museum in the same day? We were in Halifax last year and visited the Citadel, so we are looking for something else this year. We are not interested in Peggy's Cove this trip, as we will be with our 5 & 6 year olds! Any other suggestions?

[sapper1]

Can we walk to the cemetery where the Titanic graves are or will we need a taxi? Can we visit the cemetery and the museum in the same day? We were in Halifax last year and visited the Citadel, so we are looking for something else this year. We are not interested in Peggy's Cove this trip, as we will be with our 5 & 6 year olds! Any other suggestions?

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is about a 15 minute walk from the ship---on the waterfront. It will take about 2 hours or so to do the museum. To visit the graves you would have to go to the Fairview Cemetery and it would be about 10 to 15 minutes from the museum by taxi.

[travelbig]

You might find this site interesting. http://www.halifaxkiosk.com/halifax-tour/Fairview-Cemetery.php

[sept10dsm]

The City of Halifax will send you a wealth of free information if you request it. We did so on our first cruise to New England/Canada. In fact I received information from all 5 of the ports that Princess stops at. All Free!! Boston, Bar Harbor and I believe Halifax included walking maps as well as all the other info.

[ranchette]

How do you get this information sent to you?

[sept10dsm]

How do you get this information sent to you?

I went to the website and requested it.

[DanJ]

Just wanted to add that we took our kids (then 4 years old) to Peggy's Cove and they really enjoyed climbing on the rocks and watching the waves crash. Of course, we let them climb on the rocks a safe distance in from where the waves were.

[travelbig]

Order a travelers guide from this site. I got the "doers' and dreamers'.

It's a really nice guide book, lots and lots of info.

 

https://novascotia.com/en/home/planatrip/travel_guides/default.aspx

[Lvteks]

Travelbig, Thanks for the site. I just ordered books for my SIL and our family. We live in separate areas and it will be fun to compare notes and make plans for our Sept. trip on the NCL Majesty.

 

Blessings,

 

Gail

[parker6]

Hi, we live in Halifax and have small kids too, so I'm happy to help. What to do in Halifax with kids really depends on their interests.. but here goes.

 

First.. I am not sure what time of year you'll be here, but you really want a 'weather plan' what I would recommend would depend completely on what the weather is like the day you are here :) so I've grouped it into 'any weather', 'fair weather' and 'foul weather' recommendations!

 

Any weather

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/index.html

Citadel Hill http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/visit/index_e.asp

 

Fair weather

Harbour Hopper Tour http://www.murphysonthewater.com/harbourhopper/

Peggy's Cove excursion http://www.peggyscove.ca/

 

Foul Weather

Discovery Centre http://www.discoverycentre.ns.ca/

Natural History Museum http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/

 

All of these, with the exception of Peggy's Cove, are walking distance from your cruise ship in good weather, and a short cab ride otherwise.

 

Enjoy Halifax!

[kruzin']

:)we will be in halifax sept2009 and we have reserved a car to drive to Peggys Cove but since reading about the Cove we were wondering if a car rental is really what we want..not having been to Halifax before should we forego the car and just sightsee around town on foot etc? I was also thinking of keeping the car rental and instead of the Cove got to Baddeck? We also have a car rental set for our stop in Sydney so what do you think..we are a couple in our 50's and really only wanted a car to see the coastline,small towns etc..thanks....

Hi, we live in Halifax and have small kids too, so I'm happy to help. What to do in Halifax with kids really depends on their interests.. but here goes.

 

First.. I am not sure what time of year you'll be here, but you really want a 'weather plan' what I would recommend would depend completely on what the weather is like the day you are here :) so I've grouped it into 'any weather', 'fair weather' and 'foul weather' recommendations!

 

Any weather

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/index.html

Citadel Hill http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/visit/index_e.asp

 

Fair weather

Harbour Hopper Tour http://www.murphysonthewater.com/harbourhopper/

Peggy's Cove excursion http://www.peggyscove.ca/

 

Foul Weather

Discovery Centre http://www.discoverycentre.ns.ca/

Natural History Museum http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/

 

All of these, with the exception of Peggy's Cove, are walking distance from your cruise ship in good weather, and a short cab ride otherwise.

 

Enjoy Halifax!

[smeyer418]

:)we will be in halifax sept2009 and we have reserved a car to drive to Peggys Cove but since reading about the Cove we were wondering if a car rental is really what we want..not having been to Halifax before should we forego the car and just sightsee around town on foot etc? I was also thinking of keeping the car rental and instead of the Cove got to Baddeck? We also have a car rental set for our stop in Sydney so what do you think..we are a couple in our 50's and really only wanted a car to see the coastline' date='small towns etc..thanks....[/quote']

You can use the car to see Peggys cove. come back go to the Cemetary(which is not within walking distance but the Fred bus(free) stops there. The central park and then come back downtown return the car and walk to the museum(in truth I parked at a meter by the museum and just fed it and then returned the car after the museum)...the car made this all very easy. there was free on street parking by the cemetary and the park....

 

some pictures

 

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsWrRu1ctGpU

 

PS Beyond Peggy's cove is the Swiss Air Flight memorial and at the Museum is the story of the collision of two ships in Halifax harbor during WW1 one of which is an ammunition ship. This was the largest manmade explosion prior to the dropping of the Atom bomb and it killed about the same number of people who died in NY on September 11. With the Titanic Burials, Halifax really is disaster central...

[sailaway5]

How far is the Citadel from the Wharf. Is it walking distance or would we need a bus or taxi?

 

Also - is the Martime Museum in walking distance?

 

Thank you for also the links. Any information is appreciated.

[sept10dsm]

How far is the Citadel from the Wharf. Is it walking distance or would we need a bus or taxi?

 

Also - is the Martime Museum in walking distance?

 

Thank you for also the links. Any information is appreciated.

The Citadel is within walking distance but it is an uphill hike. When we were there in 2004 and visited it was the first time in over 100 years that they didn't fire the cannon at noon. There was a problem at the US border with some of the necessary items to shoot it off! The only day they don't usually fire the cannon is on Christmas. My husband was disappointed. We did go there when we visited in 2007. I, since 2004, injured my back and it's difficult to walk very long especially uphill.

 

The Maritime Museum is a very short walk from the cruise dock. No problem walking to the museum.

[parker6]

:)we will be in halifax sept2009 and we have reserved a car to drive to Peggys Cove but since reading about the Cove we were wondering if a car rental is really what we want..not having been to Halifax before should we forego the car and just sightsee around town on foot etc? I was also thinking of keeping the car rental and instead of the Cove got to Baddeck? We also have a car rental set for our stop in Sydney so what do you think..we are a couple in our 50's and really only wanted a car to see the coastline' date='small towns etc..thanks....[/quote']

 

 

The drive from Halifax to Baddeck is 3-4 hours so I certainly wouldn't recommend that! It is actually closer to Sydney. It is a beautiful drive around Sydney and there are numerouse small towns between Sydney and Baddeck. If you only want to rent a car once I'd definately suggest Sydney and take a drive toward the Cabot Trail, you can do part of the trail and depending on your time get as far as Baddeck.. It is really a breathtaking anywhere in Cape Breton (Where Sydney is) and less to do in Sydney itself. Peggy's Cove and out toward Lunenburg area is certainly a beautiful drive too.. But if you've got only one day in Halifax Port you really need to choose between seeing Halifax or going to peggy's cove and the small communities down that way. Personally I'd be tempted to stay in Halifax and see the city during that stop and then the scenic drive from Sydney to get an idea of our smaller communities. But you really can't go wrong either way.

[kruzin']

:):):)thanks for all your input..1 last ?..if the ship is in port in Halifax from 9 to 6 do you think I could ride to Lunenburg in the a.m. and see some of Halifax in the p.m.? How long would the ride be r/t?...I noticed your are set for a cruise including Russian in July...we did that a year or so ago and it was great..we did a private tour with Alla Tours with 16 in 2 vans for 2days and had a great time..if I can help please post...thanks again....

The drive from Halifax to Baddeck is 3-4 hours so I certainly wouldn't recommend that! It is actually closer to Sydney. It is a beautiful drive around Sydney and there are numerouse small towns between Sydney and Baddeck. If you only want to rent a car once I'd definately suggest Sydney and take a drive toward the Cabot Trail, you can do part of the trail and depending on your time get as far as Baddeck.. It is really a breathtaking anywhere in Cape Breton (Where Sydney is) and less to do in Sydney itself. Peggy's Cove and out toward Lunenburg area is certainly a beautiful drive too.. But if you've got only one day in Halifax Port you really need to choose between seeing Halifax or going to peggy's cove and the small communities down that way. Personally I'd be tempted to stay in Halifax and see the city during that stop and then the scenic drive from Sydney to get an idea of our smaller communities. But you really can't go wrong either way.

[smeyer418]

How far is the Citadel from the Wharf. Is it walking distance or would we need a bus or taxi?

 

Also - is the Martime Museum in walking distance?

 

Thank you for also the links. Any information is appreciated.

There is also a free bus called FRED I believe that you can take around. The Maritime Museum is an easy walk(about an 1/2 hour)....I would cab to the Citadel or take the bus as it is uphill...a fairly big one...as the other Poster says....

 

http://www.downtownhalifax.ns.ca/default.asp?mn=1.8.36

[parker6]

:):):)thanks for all your input..1 last ?..if the ship is in port in Halifax from 9 to 6 do you think I could ride to Lunenburg in the a.m. and see some of Halifax in the p.m.? How long would the ride be r/t?...I noticed your are set for a cruise including Russian in July...we did that a year or so ago and it was great..we did a private tour with Alla Tours with 16 in 2 vans for 2days and had a great time..if I can help please post...thanks again....

 

Halifax to Lunenburg is a one hour drive each way, but I'd give your self an hour and a half each way - in case you hit traffic, road construction or get momentarily lost. So.. by the time you rent a car, drive there, look around for a little while, drive back and return your car.. I'm thinking 5 hours minimum - and of course you've got to eat lunch :). Certainly you could then walk around Halifax for a couple of hours and definately take in the waterfront and the main stops. When are you here?

[parker6]

This is the route for Fred the bus (URL Posted above by smeyer418) as of last year, (this year it will run 7 days a week July 4 - October 23, runs every 40 mins from 10:30 - 5 pm) I am not sure if this year's route will be the same, but I wouldn't expect it much different. FRED is "Free Rides Everywhere Downtown" and is a loop bus that you can hop-on/hop-off. It is non guided, but I think you'd find the driver very helpful, it's a very colourful bus operated by the city transit - you can't miss it.

 

 

I have added under each stop the locations of interest (that is the ones I find interesting :) nearby). If there is something else you're interested in downtown just let me know and I'll try to tell you the nearest stop.

 

FRED Bus Stop

Cruise Ship Pavilion/Pier 21

cruise terminal, historic pier 21 museum

 

Lower Water Street at Bishop’s Landing

boardwalk around water front, small boutiques at bishop's landing

 

Lower Water Street at Alexander Keith’s

tour of Alexander Keith's brewery (the nova scotia famous beer! in vintage/historical pub style); on saturday's the farmer's market; wonderful home made bread and the best cinnamon buns at Martha's bread basket - open every day in the brewery market)

 

Lower Water Street at Maritime Museum

Maritime museum of the Atlantic; McKelvie's seafood restaurant; Harbour Hopper Tours

 

Ferry Boat Lane

Nova Scotia Crystal (see mouth blown, hand cut crystal being made); walk to craft and gift shops at historic properties; Salty's seafood restaurant

 

Upper Water St. Harbourfront Marriott

Walk to craft and gift shops at historic properties; Lower Deck pub for great pub fare and music; Cows famous ice-cream; Salty's seafood restaurant

 

Casino Nova Scotia

Casino

 

Scotia Square Mall on Barrington Street

 

Barrington Street at George Street

 

Barrington Street at The Granite Brewery

 

Barrington Street at Blowers Street

walk one street up to 'argyle street' fantastic restaurants and outdoor patios.

 

Barrington Street at Spring Garden Road

 

Brunswick St. at Spring Garden Road Road

get out here to walk up Spring Garden road to see the main pedestrian shopping street (if you want to find the cool shops make sure to check out the side streets)

 

Top of the Halifax Citadel

Halifax citadel national historic site. guided tours all day

 

Sackville St. (mid-way to South Park St.)

public gardens, beautiful park for a walk, a break on the bench and an ice-cream

 

Spring Garden Road at II Mercato

Spring Garden Road at Mills Brothers

Spring Garden Road at Queen Street

Spring Garden Road across Basilica

Barrington Street at Morris Street

Barrington Street at South Street

VIA Rail

Cruise Ship Pavilion/Pier 21

[Yet]

Is there public bus service to Peggy's Cove? I tried to book a rental car and it is completely sold-out with the agencies I checked.

[smeyer418]

Is there public bus service to Peggy's Cove? I tried to book a rental car and it is completely sold-out with the agencies I checked.

I am pretty sure you have to take a tour bus there. Didn't see a public bus....

[parker6]

there would not be a public bus to Peggy's Cove. Best to try a tour operator.

 

keep trying the rental places, budget, avis, national all have rental offices downtown.

[Yet]

Thanks, everyone. I had tried 3 car rental agencies and they were all sold out (must have been good rates), but then tried a couple of the others that were mentioned here and found a rental at Avis! :) Does anyone know whether Kempt Road or Grafton Street is closer to the pier? Those are the two locations to pick from. TIA.

[rickb]

Thanks, everyone. I had tried 3 car rental agencies and they were all sold out (must have been good rates), but then tried a couple of the others that were mentioned here and found a rental at Avis! :) Does anyone know whether Kempt Road or Grafton Street is closer to the pier? Those are the two locations to pick from. TIA.

 

Grafton St is definately closer; about a 10 minute walk vs Kempt Rd about a 10 minute drive.

[Yet]

Grafton St is definately closer; about a 10 minute walk vs Kempt Rd about a 10 minute drive.

 

Thank you!