Stay in Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Halifax waterfront boardwalk runs over 2 km along the harbour, from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 north past Historic Properties to the casino. Along the way you'll find the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic — home to Titanic artifacts and the Halifax Explosion exhibit — plus dozens of patios, shops, and street performers.

Take the Dartmouth ferry across the harbour (running since 1752, one of the oldest saltwater ferry services in North America) for a different perspective on the skyline. At the south end, stop in at Alexander Keith's Brewery for a tour of the 1820 brewhouse that's been pouring India Pale Ale for over 200 years.

Argyle Street is the heart of Halifax's dining scene, packed with restaurants, pubs, and late-night spots within a few walkable blocks. For a quieter meal, head to Bishop's Landing on the waterfront, where upscale restaurants overlook the harbour.

The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market has been running since 1750 — the longest-running farmers' market in North America. Saturday mornings are the main event, with local producers selling everything from smoked salmon to artisan bread to fresh-pressed apple cider.

The craft beer scene deserves its own itinerary. Garrison Brewing Company operates out of the old military brewery on the waterfront. Good Robot Brewing on Robie Street has a sprawling beer garden. Unfiltered Brewing on Gottingen Street pours some of the most inventive beers in the Maritimes. Most taprooms are a short walk or cab ride from each other.

Point Pleasant Park covers 75 acres at the southern tip of the Halifax peninsula, with shoreline trails winding through old-growth forest and past the ruins of 18th-century fortifications. It's one of the best urban parks in Canada, and it's free.

For a proper coastal hike, drive 25 minutes south to Duncan's Cove, where a rugged trail follows the rocky Atlantic shoreline. Crystal Crescent Beach, about 30 minutes from downtown, offers three white-sand beaches tucked into a provincial park — the closest thing to Caribbean sand you'll find in Nova Scotia.

The iconic Peggy's Cove lighthouse is a 43 km drive from Halifax. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid tour buses. Sir Sandford Fleming Park (known locally as the Dingle) sits on the Northwest Arm and is a favourite for swimming, picnics, and sunsets.

The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site sits on the highest point downtown, a massive star-shaped fortress completed in 1856. Parks Canada runs daily programming in summer, including the noon cannon firing, Highland regiment reenactments, and guided ghost tours in the evening. The views of the harbour and city from the ramparts are worth the visit alone.

Pier 21, at the south end of the waterfront, is the Canadian Museum of Immigration — the national museum telling the story of the one million immigrants who entered Canada through this very building between 1928 and 1971. It's one of the most moving museums in the country.

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia houses the largest collection of folk art by Maud Lewis, Nova Scotia's beloved outsider artist. Neptune Theatre, Atlantic Canada's largest professional theatre, runs a full season of plays and musicals year-round in its Argyle Street home.