Looking for entertainment, adventure & excitement? Here are some things to do all year round in the Halifax Regional Municipality & beyond
If you are one of those people who sit around thinking “ what am I going to do this weekend?” , then get up off your lazy butt because there are a ton of things to in HRM, some are for those who want to splurge others are for the more budget minded, & some can even be free.
1. If you have ever been to Halifax, then you have heard of pub crawls. Don’t worry! I am not suggesting you become inebriated. I am suggesting a twist on the idea, a Foodie Crawl. Get a few of your friends together who enjoy trying new restaurants, instead of making reservations at just one, visit a different restaurant for each course within a relatively close distance to one another. As an example: visit Fid for appetizers & an apperatif; DaMarizzio’s for soup or salad; for main courses; & then The Bicycle Thief for dessert & an after dinner sherry or brandy. Discuss amongst your group what you liked & disliked about each during your leisurely stroll to the next restaurant & what was the favorite course. It can be a lot of fun.
2. Enjoy a Mooseheads QMJHL game at the Metro Center
3. Visit Point Pleasant Park in South end Halifax
4. Enjoy a pig roast, bonfire, activities, & rides at Hatfield Farms in Hammonds Plains
5. Visit the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market at Pier21 for crafts, flowers, fresh organic foods, beers & even delicious meals of fried clams & fish & chips at The Fish Market. They also have specials certain days of the week & special events throughout the year. Visit them on Twitter & Facebook for more details.
6. In the Spring, take advantage of the Halifax Comedy Festival for hilarity.
7. Don’t want to wait that long to laugh your butt off, then visit Yuk Yuk’s.
8. Enjoy live theatre? Then visit Neptune theatre for some terrific shows.
9. Take the historical tour of Keiths Brewery & try some of their famous brews not available in stores.
10. In Winter, join thousands as they skate the Oval in the Halifax commons.
11. Looking to get bendy & mellow out at the same time? Then visit one of the many yoga studios. My favorite is All Yoga on Baker Drive in Dartmouth. Visit allyoga.com for classes, special events & offers.
12. Visit Lake Banook & take in the regattas.
13. If you have some pent up frustrations, take them out during a paint ball game at Banshee Paintball on Portland St in Dartmouth or Splatshot in Beaverbank.
14. Looking for something a little more upscale, check out Symphony Nova Scotia’s Beer & Bethoven in the Spring.
15. Is that money burning a hole in your pocket? Visit Casino Nova Scotia on the waterfront.
16. Go whale watching!
17. Pack a picnic basket & visit McNabs Island
18. Watch the Dragon Boat races on Lake Banook in the Summer time
19. Visit the Titanic display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic & perhaps visit some of the victims graves in the Fairview Cemetery.
20. If you enjoyed Poltergeist, then take the walking ghost tour through downtown Halifax. For schedules & details, visit http://www.halifaxghostwalks.com/
21. Visit historical Citadel Hill.
22. Want to be seen, go window shopping along Spring Garden Road.
23. Great E.A.R.T.H. Expeditions <!-- --> invite you to join us for a guided hiking/walking tour in Nova Scotia. On our trip we will explore waterfalls, lush forests and of course the beautiful ocean coast of Nova Scotia. Our tours range from half day, day long and even multi-day tours to fit all of your needs. Our adventure tour company provides superior service and comfort from beginning to end. No need to waste your day planning, let Nova Scotia's newest adventure travel operator do everything for you.All of our adventure travel tours include transportation, lunch, guiding services and a free gift at the end of your memorable expedition.
24. Visit the many art galleries, including The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia as well as several small independent art galleries that are worth a look.
25. Stroll along & enjoy the hussle & bustle of activity along the Halifax Waterfront
26. Go for ice cream!
27. Enjoy a cup of java at one of the many coffee shops around HRM. If you want to enjoy terrific pastries with that cup of jo, make sure you drop by Two If By Sea. Whether it's a perfectly pulled espresso or a rich, buttery croissant, you will find the best in the city here. http://www.twoifbyseacafe.ca/index.html
28. Looking for deals, visit the weekend Harbourview Market. Offering an eclectic mix of local businesses all under one roof. http://www.harbourviewmarket.com/
29. Bike along the Trans Canada Trail
30. Hike through Shubenadie Park
31. Go geo catching!
32. Visit Rainbow Haven or Crystal Crescent Beachs
33. Surf at Cow Bay or Lawrencetown Beach
34. Take in a flick. There are several theatres around HRM. Want a deal on a movie? Go to Costco & purchase their 2 movie passes with concession stand offerings for $25 & then head out to see the new top pick. It will save you nearly $15! That’s great savings to put towards your next night out.
35. If you are a basketball fan, go cheer on the Halifax Rainmen at the Metro Center.
36. If you enjoy brewskies, visit the many micro breweries around town including Garrison, Propeller, The Granite Brewey, & Rogue’s Roost.
37. Go deep sea fishing!
38. Go clam digging.
39. Visit Hatfield Farms for a deliscious meal of pulled pork, a petting zoo for the little ones, horseback riding, a bonfire, ride the mechanical bull & more.
40. Go to the famous Chicken Burger, a Bedford icon, for lunch.
41. Visit The Fish Shop at the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market & pick up some lobster & enjoy a lobster boil.
42. Check out the Metro Center or Casino Nova Scotia for a variety of upcoming events from Cirque Du Soleil to Live Concerts.
43. Consider yourself a somalier, visit the Port of Wines Festival http://www.mynslc.com/Content_MarketingPages/Content_Events/Events_PortofFestival.aspx
44. The Word On The Street is committed to improving the reading skills and functional literacy of adult Canadians. This year we will be hosting a literacy celebration! A celebration of literacy and reading from cradle to grave will be part of this year's festival.
45. The In the Dead of Winter Festival is an acoustic based festival that is held in Halifax annually on the last weekend of January. http://www.inthedeadofwinter.com/
46. Aberdeen Tours A personalized tour provider. Tours provided when and how you want. Tours to the Bay of Fundy, Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove and more. Also provides cultural tours. Vans for 6, 15 and 21 passengers; buses available upon request. Year-round.
47. Atlantic Canada Nature Safaris Walking tours. Scenic, nature and history tours. Lodging and dining beside the sea. Custom tours year round. May to October.
48. Black Heritage Tours Inc. Educational emphasizing African/Black Nova Scotian history. Special tours and events can be arranged (i.e. African Heritage Month in February). May to October. Off season by appointment
49. Halifax’s favourite New Year’s Eve show is back again this year with the same high-energy event that New Year’s Eve revellers have come to expect. “A” New Year’s Eve Program will start at 9:30pm with live entertainment from the stage and the TV Show going live to air at 10pm. Hosted by Breakfast Television personalities. The BT New Year’s Eve Show takes place in the Halifax Grand Parade, and is broadcast in its entirety on channel "A", December 31 from 10pm to 12:10am.
50. Murphy's- The cable Wharf Tall Ship Cruises
Mar II: Enjoy a relaxing sail aboard an authentic wooden tall ship. This 2-masted, 25-metre ketch offers pirate cruises, afternoon sails, cocktail sailing, party sailing and moonlight cruises to suit your mood
51. Visit the World famous Bluenose II Built in 1963. Replica of the original schooner Bluenose (1921-46) depicted on the Canadian dime. The schooner is undergoing restoration during 2010. Follow progress on the website
52. Bob MacLintock's Tour by Taxi Sedan tours for groups of up to four people. Prepared tours of Halifax, Peggy's Cove and Annapolis Valley and custom offerings. Will arrange whale-watching expeditions. Year-round.
53. Sea Kayaking adventures. I Recommend Coastal Adventures ( Sea kayaking day trips and outfitted overnight tours to explore. One hour drive from Metro. Relax at Paddlers Retreat Bed & Breakfast on-site ) & East Coast Outfitters ( Award winning company, located in Lower Prospect, a 30-minute drive from Halifax. Offers professionally guided sea kayaking tours and lessons.)
54. Savour Food & Wine Festival Rediscover the culinary landscape of Nova Scotia. http://www.savourfoodandwine.com
55. Eastern Passage Privateers Schooner Company Ltd Historic Properties Halifax, NS <!-- -->
Sailing from Halifax, Eastern Passage Privateers Schooner Company offers 90-minute sightseeing and narrated harbour tours. Open seasonally
56. Ghost Walk At The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Take a stroll by candlelight along the ramparts, through the passages and chambers of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada. Canada’s most visited national historic site provides a unique venue for this evening program. A lone guide will introduce your group to the fort, the pre-twentieth century night and relate a tale of two of the bizarre and supernatural events of the Atlantic region, the sea and the martial history of the site. Before the era of the electric lamp, and the twenty-four hour day, the world, and people’s attitude towards the night was very different. Duration of the tour is 1.5 hours. Tours are Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.
57. Take a ride in the rickshaw & see if one of those strong guys can haul you up Halifax’s steep hills or if you want a thrill, ask them to take you quickly down one of the hills. Lol Seriously, take caution they are not hemen.
58. A party cruise! Murphy's -The Cable Wharf Harbour Queen I <!-- -->Two-hour scenic harbour tour aboard a classic sternwheeler river boat to the site of the Halifax Explosion, the Canadian naval fleet and the Northwest Arm. Offering two-hour dinner cruises and harbourfront party cruises
59. For the young ones, Theodore Too- "Big Harbour Tours"
Join Theodore Too in his inspection of the Big Harbour, explore his home and meet all of his friends. Based on the popular TV show, this world-renowned tugboat offers an adventure like no other, bringing elements of the working harbour to life.
60. Visit the many historic sites around HRM
61. Watch as the Halifax Citadel’s canon marks noon hour
62. Tee off! There are some terrific golf courses around HRM including Montague Golf Course, Brightwood, Ashburn, Granite Springs & Glen Arbour.
63. Enjoy the talents of the year round buskers or visit in August for the International Busker Festival.
64. Vineyards of Nova Scotia Excursion Blue Diamond Tours
65. Enjoy the talents & great food of the Halifax Dinner Theatre. Careful, they may drag you up onstage to participate in the fun.
66. Take the kids to the Discovery Center for learning that is fun.
67. Okay! Its time, enjoy the fun & socialibility that a pub crawl offers.
68. Try & find the fossils that are found in the rock from which the Halifax Public Library is built.
69. Take in any of the numerous events available for you to enjoy at the Rebecca Cohn at Dal including the annual Nutcracker.
70. Saltscapes Expo brings to life all of the elements of our great Atlantic Canadian lifestyle for you to experience, taste and buy. Visitors experience firsthand the tastes, the sounds, the characters and the experiences that this marvelous part of the world has to offer! http://www.saltscapes.com/expo
71. If you are a gardener, then visiting the Public Gardens is a must.
72. Come to Nova Scotia for the international gathering of world-class Tall Ships from July 19-30, 2012. Having hosted Tall Ships gatherings five times over two decades, Nova Scotia is no stranger to the visitors who come to see these grand ships in Halifax and ports across Nova Scotia.
73. Hike the many trail systems & try to spot the official NS flower, the Lady Slipper. Don’t pick though! It is a protected plant..
74. Fish the Musquodoboit River that flows through the Musquodoboit Valley to Musquodoboit Harbour. Don’t forget your license nor your bait. You may catch a glimpse of an Osprey or Bald Eagle fishing as well.
75. Visit Pier 21 & the archives to see if you can trace when your ancestors came to the country.
76. SHOP! Don’t just limit yourself to the multitude of boutiques in downtown Halifax. Visit the new Dartmouth Crossing, Mic Mac Mall, & Bayer’s Lake shopping district. Don’t forget to check out some of the eclectic & trendy second hand & consignment shops too.
77. If aviation is your thing, visit the Shearwater Aviation Museum.
78. Visit the Bedford Institute of Oceanography
79. Visit Saint Paul’s Cemetery Old St. Paul's Cemetery was founded in 1749, the same year the city of Halifax was founded, and is therefore the province's first official burial ground. Over the years, some 12,000 people were buried.
80. Visiting in Autumn? Pick up your Timmies & go for a drive along the Coast to enjoy the Fall foliage.
81. Drop by the Lower Deck Pub for terrific entertainment & cold draught or one of our other spots for nightlife. Halifax has more pubs/bars per capita than any other city in Canada so put on your dancing shoes.
82. Everyone visits Pizza Corner, on the intersection of Blowers &Sackville Street, during their visit for our famous donairs.
83. Take in history & visit the Quaker House, on Ochterloney Street which is the oldest house in Dartmouth having been built some time during the 1700s. It is interesting to see how people lived during that era
84. Halifax Pop Explosion, one of Canada’s most respected festivals & showcases for new and emerging music, art, and culture.The festival features the best in new and music, and fuses it with the unique perspectives and exhibitions of art, media and pop culture, from Halifax, Canada, and around the world!
85. A major event on the Canadian music scene, the TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival Halifax is Atlantic Canada's largest music festival with over 450 local, national and international performers delighting audiences that have reached the 65,000+ mark for nine days every summer
86. The fourth major film festival in Canada is the international Atlantic Film Festival, held every September in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Strong East Coast roots support a unique format for AFF with its distinctive focus on film and music. Large enough to attract the world’s most notable actors, directors and producers, but intimate enough to be Canada’s kitchen party Festival, the AFF provides an unpretentious atmosphere for watching some of the best international, Canadian and Atlantic Canadian films, with opportunities to hear some of the best artists the region offers.
87. Visit Fisherman’s Cove in Eastern Passage & stroll the boardwalks while enjoying a lobster sandwich or ice cream, visiting the shops, & for some of the best fish & chips, dine at the casual Wharf Wraps. Warning: portions are large & delicious.
88. Fly a kite on Citadel Hill
89. In Winter, dig out the crazy carpets & slide down the hill. Caution, it is surrounded by roads on all sides.
90. Play Ultimate Frisbee on the commons.
91. Go antiquing. There are many terrific shops to visit & barter a bit.
92. Visit the Hydrostone Market & ask about its historical purpose.
93. Visit the Nova Scotia Crystal shop in the HH Marshall Building in the Northend of the city to watch these World Famous Craftsmen at work & maybe take a special piece home with you as a souvenir.
94. During the holiday season, visit one of the many Christmas Craft Fairs through HRM including, The NSDCC Chrismas Craft Fair www.nsdcc.ns.ca/main/Christmas_market.html; Christmas At The Forum www.christmasattheforum.com; & the Christmas Craft Fair at the Sportplex in Dartmouth
95. See if you may be lucky enough to spot a seal at Conrad or Martinique Beaches.
96. Bissett Road Trail This trail provides access to the coastal lands behind the Eastern Shore Beaches. Travelers can expect to see a waterfall, streams, and patches of wild roses. During construction of the railway, builders cut through solid rock. The exposed quartzite is visible as rail lines cuts along the trail. Lichens colonized the bare rock, gradually creating a more hospitable environment for other plants. Look at the variety of plants now growing on the quartzite bedrock. For a list of other trails worth visiting please go to http://www.halifaxinfo.com/trails.php?getSearch=-5
97. Go star gazing at Dollar Lake Provincial Park. The park overlaps two distinct landscapes. To the north, campsites perch on one of the drumlins that vary the topography in the Atlantic Interior. This old field is reputed to be an excellent place for stargazing. ..
98. Run The Blue Nose Marathon is a great running event that takes place in Halifax in May.
99. Walk across the MacDonald Bridge for terrific photo ops.
100. Enjoy Shakespeare In The Park. A Summer series on Shakespeare plays performed in Point Pleasant Park.
101. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the side of Citadel Hill & take in the vistas of downtown Halifax.
102, Drive out to Clam Harbour for the annual Sand Sculpture contest
103. White water rafting on the Tidal Bore
104. Now that you have visited & fallen in love with just some of what the Halifax Regional Municipality has to offer, CALL Merv Edinger ( 902 ) 497-1217 cell so that you can find your own piece of it to call HOME!.
http://www.MervEdinger.com