The Halifax War Memorial is located in the courtyard of Grand Parade square in downtown Halifax…read more This memorial which was unveiled on Remembrance day, 1929 was erected to honor and immortalize the memories of the Canadian forces who died during WWI, WWII and the Korean war. I attend the Remembrance day service held at The Cenotaph every year and every year I'm moved to tears by how beautiful it is. Having this towering memorial in the downtown area is a great reminder during all times of the year (not just one day in November) to be thankful.

I saw this place while taking a walk from the cruise port and thought it was a very pretty building…read moresitting on lush green grass. The building is open for touring and there is no charge.

Came here on an open house day for a free tour…read more Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the house as well as the various paintings and artifacts. Tour took approximately 20 mins. Staff were nice and welcoming.

Located in the middle of Halifax Harbour, Georges Island has been witness to much history, both…read morehuman and natural. This small island was shaped by glaciers many millennia ago and stood watch as generations of Mi'kmaq came to hunt and fish in the woods and waters surrounding it. With the arrival of the European settlers, the island was drawn into the rivalry between Britain and France. For two centuries, Georges Island was the scene of constant military activity, playing an integral role in harbour defense. Visitors can explore Georges Island and learn more about this hidden gem and the fascinating history that surrounds it. Travel to the island via the Georges Island Ferry.

Tunnels lighthouses…read moreand drumlins George's Island is a mysterious place. So close yet so far, it's easily seen from the harbor in Halifax but it's still not open to the public. At least not very often. The cool little island is a drumlin left over from the glaciers of 15,000 years ago and is perfectly situated for the defense of Halifax. The first guns were placed on the island at least at early as 1750 and around 1800 Fort Charlotte was completed. The island served as a prison at various times in the past and in 1875 a cool little lighthouse was constructed. The lighthouse was rebuild in 1917 and although decommissioned, still is an obvious sight on the island. A not so obvious sight are the tunnels that are said to exist under the old fort and most of the island. All kinds of rumors about what exactly are in the tunnels and how many have actually been explored still circulate. Occasionally visitors are allowed briefly on the island but this year there just wasn't enough money to open it up at all. It is said that someday the island will be open as a public park but first money has to be found to construct proper bathrooms and safely features. This might eventually happen or perhaps it never will. But until it does, George's Island will remain a mysterious place. So close yet ever so distant.

If you're not from Halifax, you may not know exactly what Grand Parade Square is, so I'm going to…read morehelp you out. Let's start with the name: you'll it referred to as Grand Parade, Parade Square and the longer Grand Parade Square. Technically, "Grand Parade" is the right title but all three are used with equal measure. Location: right in the heart of downtown Halifax, bordered on either end by HRM City Hall and the oldest still-standing Anglican church in Canada (St. Paul's). Along the length, it faces the Province House (one block away but still visible) and other side both the World Trade and Convention Centre (including Metro Centre) and the largest drinking establishment in Halfiax (The Dome). Contents: Grand Parade hosts two memorials at opposite sides of its "square;" one is the Cenotaph which honours those who served First World War, the Second World War and the Korean Conflict; the other is the Peace Officers Memorial arch, dedicated to fallen peace officers. There is also lots of green space and some pathways. Function: here's where it gets interesting. Things happen here. Lots and lots of things. Not every day but frequently. Halifax's New Year's Eve festivities? Here. Remembrance Day? Here. Official HRM Christmas Tree and Hanukkah Menorah? Here. Public concerts? Free performances during the Tattoo? Here. Public rallies? Here. My favourite part of Grand Parade is actually lunch time in the summer. Office workers flee their cubicles to enjoy some of the sunlight in Halifax's downtown community space. Whether they grab something from a nearby restaurant, hit up a street vendor or brown bag it, you'll find lots of people here enjoying a beautiful day in the beauty of Grand Parade.

You know how everyone likes to be all, "the Halifax Citadel is important because it stands blah…read moreblah blah at the center of the city"? I disagree. To me, the epicenter of the city has got to be Grand Parade. It's a breath of fresh air among the downtown streets, the perfect cut-through on your way from the waterfront to 'uptown', a great destination for a brown bagged lunch date under the sun, an easy meeting place no matter where you're headed next, and that's all before you get into the historical relevance and civic events! Go and getcha some!

200 year old military officers mess. Once a year it is open to the public during ' Halifax open…read moredoors'. I am here tonight because I have locked my keys in my car. I locked my fricking keys in my fricking car.

This is where Nova Scotia Assembly Legislature is housed…read more Visitors are welcome. Climb the stairs and enter from Hollis St. Go through security screening & provide government issued ID. We showed our passports. When the Assembly is in session, you're welcome to watch the proceedings. We were able to walk into several different rooms including the library on the 2nd floor. The first floor provided the history of Nova Scotia and some prominent folks. A free thing to do if you're in downtown Halifax.

One part museum, three parts government building and one part landmark. That's Province House…read more I've been to Province House for a number of events - whether it's for a meeting, a governmental announcement, to watch the House sit, a public announcement or just to be a tourist in my own city. An amazing amount of the space is open to the public (after you've gone through a security checkpoint, of course). There's small museum on the main floor and bits of history are everywhere! You can head up to the second level to see the Red Room or the library. Keep going up and you can sit in the gallery and watch the legislature when it's in session. If you live here and never been, you really should go. If you're visiting, you should also check it out. It won't take long - the majority of space is still closed off from the public but it's a good look at our province's democratic past and present. Pro tip: If you're watching the legislature, put your cell phone away. Seriously, the commissionaires are quite serious about that rule. Quite. Serious.

Had a couple hours before our scheduled excursion and decided to walk here from the cruise port…read more Admission was free, and guests are welcome to walk around and view the different areas of the citadel. Employees were friendly, informative and made the experience enjoyable: you can easily spend the whole day here learning and viewing the various exhibits.

Very beautiful historic site where you can both enjoy the view of downtown and the waterfront and…read morealso learn more about the history of immigrants. You can buy a ticket and visit inside the site where there will be a guide to tell you more about the history of this place, or just walk around, sit on the hill and enjoy the view.

Geared towards the folks from away, Historic Properties will leave visitors with lovely impressions…read moreand a taste of Nova Scotian Heritage. While mostly all of these shops are tourist centred, there is a genuine flavour to each and everyone! Take a walk under its strong stoney structures and explore its many outlets. Treats, souvenirs, art and apparel all provide an experience, and its the time to have if you're briefly visiting and looking for a general feel. I will concur with other several reviews on visiting Argyle Fine Art. Its a great run-through of inspired works, and a visual timeline of our city's happenings. Although I rarely tread these grounds, this is a place I will always think fondly of. The waterfront location and complimentary historical properties provide a good, wholesome vibe, and I think visitors would agree.

Historic Properties isn't a shopping centre, it's a group of historically-significant buildings…read moredowntown which house various shops and restaurants. It's a total tourist draw, and one of the places that is absolutely required visiting by anyone new to the city, but it's also a sort of comfortingly-familiar spot for a local like me. There are some interesting and unique shops if you're looking for gifts, shoes, jewellery, or art. And there are all sorts of places to just sit and enjoy the scenery - whether "scenery" implies people-watching, or taking in the view of the harbour. Connected by boardwark to other downtown spots in both directions, Historic Properties is just a nice place for a Sunday stroll, whether you're "from here" or "from away."

Friendly and informative tour on the HMCS Sackville def worth making a donation and seeing it!read more

A very cool ship with a…read more rather unfortunate name. Pretty cool ship eh? That's what the guy taking the money said to me as I got on board. Yep, a pretty cool ship but with a rather strange name. It's actually named after a town but when my friend first saw the sign with the name, he was laughing so hard he couldn't talk. Sure he has a rather juvenile sense of humor but even his rather stoic wife was biting her lip to keep from laughing. I can just imagine the ship assignments being given to the new sailors. Sailor number one gets to serve on the Invincible, Sailor number two on the Glorious. And you over there, you get the Sackville. Damn. For only two dollars, that's one tooney or two loonies, you get to take a self guided tour of this Flower Class Corvette from World War II. You can climb over the three decks, play with the four inch gun, 20 MM Oerlikon cannon, or anti submarine hedgehogs and depth charges. Very cool displays are strategical located throughout the ship explaining different functions of the equipment and stations. The Sackville had quite a distinguished record during the Battle of the Atlantic when Britain was quite literally fighting for her life. Several German U-Boats were severely damage by her and the Sackville was instrumental in escorting numerous ships over to war torn and desperate England. A pretty cool ship eh? Yes, a pretty cool ship indeed and one easily worth two loonies to visit.