Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, combines the appeal of a friendly, modern city with a close connection to the great outdoors. With the region's distinctive seascapes and stunning landscapes getting around is all part of the adventure here as you will soon discover on your holiday to Halifax from Glasgow Airport.
Breath of fresh air
This breezy seaside city is surrounded by natural playgrounds, from the golden sands of the Northumberland Strait to the ethereal mountains of the Cabot Trail. Spot orcas and dolphins on a whale-watching trip around the Bay of Fundy, hike through Kejimkujik National Park, explore the fertile Annapolis Valley lowlands by bike, or hire a surfboard and hit the huge waves of the Eastern Shore. Thrill-seekers can raft on the Shubenacadie River’s tidal bore; and if you’re looking for something a little less death-defying, there are more than 75 golf courses dotted around the province.
Festival time
A calendar packed with cultural highlights makes Halifax an exciting year-round destination. The Halifax Jazz Festival kicks off in July, bringing the crème de la crème of the international jazz scene to the city. Autumn is enlivened by The Word on the Street (September) – a day-long celebration of the written word that encompasses every form of literacy from poems to books and magazines. The Atlantic Fringe Festival (August-September) provides a platform for edgy, up-and-coming artists, while MultiFest (June) is a long-running festival aimed at preserving cultural traditions in the province.
Bright lights of Nova Scotia
It might be best known as an outdoor adventure hub, but Halifax is also the nightlife capital of Nova Scotia. Mix with an elite crowd of actors, journalists and student trendies at tapas bar Economy Shoe Shop (1663 Argyle Street), join in the singing and quaffing at sociable hangout Lower Deck (1887 Upper Water Street), or relax with a chic cocktail at hipster hangout Onyx (5680 Spring Garden Road). The Carleton (1685 Argyle Street) hosts live acoustic music accompanied by scrumptious side dishes late into the night.