On Your Next Canada-New England Cruise
Halifax is a popular port of call on the Canada-New England cruise circuit, especially in the fall of the year. It is the largest city in Atlantic Canada and eastern home port to Canada’s navy. It has a long history as a military town settled by the British in the mid eighteenth century, and its connection to several disasters over the years plus its rich cultural past and present make this city a”must”visit. The captivating sea coast scenery of the areas surrounding the city will take your breathe away.
Here are some interesting places to explore while there:
- Don’t want to take a tour or excursion? Exploring the down town area from the waterfront to Citadel Hill is easy, but wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for some steep streets. There are more unique and quaint boutiques than you will get to visit, in your day ashore. From those establishments catering to Nova Scotia’s Scottish heritage, to antique stores, to designer clothes, to hobbies, eclectic interests and fads, you never know what might lurk around the next corner. And of course there’s the numerous bars, restaurants and art galleries. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to visit during the International Buskers Festival held each summer.
- Even if you don’t leave the fairly level waterfront area, there’s an abundance of boutiques to explore. But a must see is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Here you will find fascinating exhibits. One is on the Halifax Explosion of 1917, the largest man-made explosion ( it was an accident) prior to the Atomic bomb. For those who perished on the Titanic, their bodies once recovered were taken to Halifax ( the survivors went to New York). The museum’s Titanic exhibit has many, many artifacts from this time on display. About 150 Titanic victims are buried in local cemeteries, the majority at Fairview Lawn in the city which you can visit.
- At the top of the rise above the harbour is Citadel Hill where you can visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site ( Fort George) established mid nineteenth century. It is a star-shaped naval fortress, now a museum. Here you can take a guided tour, a self-guided tour and even a ghost tour if you are there for an evening. This is a good family excursion ( or if you are a child at heart) as you can partake of various programs in which you become a soldier for a day ( uniform and all), solve a mystery, and other interactive activities.
This part of Canada has a temperate climate, so in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall be sure to sport a heavy coat or be prepared to dress in layers as it can get quite cool ( but rarely cold), and with the damp air from the Atlantic,can feel much cooler than it actually is; however in summer, the temperature is very moderate which makes exploring the area a delight. Many cruise lines have Halifax as a port of call during the May through early October season. Let your Cruise Professional arrange your next Canada-New England cruise.
Photos courtesy of pixabay.com and bigstock.com