Halifax Nova Scotia DIY Cruise Port Guide: What You Need to Know!

[@IgorRockt]

For your next visit, you should try out the Harbour Hopper! They're using retired amphibious military vehicles for a city and harbour tour (this part is on the water)!

[@ThePortLowdown]

I'll take note of that, since I'm planning another trip there. Thank you!

[@Cynthia-v4k]

This is one of the best port guides I've seen in a while. Maps and descriptions of walking conditions MUCH appreciated!

[@ThePortLowdown]

Quite welcome! Glad to help.

[@terencedwyer8903]

Well done. I'll add a few things. A trip across the harbour on the ferry. Cheapest harbour 'tour' for just $2.75 each way these days. Tons of food and drink within a few blocks of the waterfront.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Great, thanks! I'm curious about the ferry, so I may try that next time I get to come. Love the city!

[@MattCorkum]

@@ThePortLowdown And there is lots to do Downtown Dartmouth within a small area. My fav fish and chips, breakfast sandwhich, croissant, ramen, sushi, pizza, burger and nachos are all within a few blocks. Dear Friend is rated one of the best cocktail bars in the country. Two record stores, a bookstore, an amazing retail shop called The Trainyard, Sullivan's Pond, and more!

[@ThePortLowdown]

@@MattCorkum Wow! I'm gonna have to catch Dartmouth then! Gives me another reason to come back. 😁

[@IgorRockt]

Just a quick note: You don't need "filtered water" for filling your bottles in Halifax. Our tap water here in Halifax is actually good, safe, and doesn't taste like chlorine (unlike in some other areas of North America). But yes, a separate bottle filling station is obviously missing in that facility. We have them in a lot of other public buildings, though.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Thanks! So it's like Norway or Iceland, where tap water is clean and clear. I would just refill at the restrooms.

[@lindahill3835]

Great video. You can't experience Halifax from a cruise ship. I learned that when our excursion left at 1:00 for Peggy's Cove and Titanic Cemetery. Spent 2 hours on a bus and 15 minutes at Peggy's Cove and no Titanic Cemetery. Captain decided to leave an hour earlier. Next year I will make it a road trip..

[@ThePortLowdown]

That's the big challenge of cruise travel - never enough time. Last time we were there, we got a car. Even then, there was only a few things we could do.

[@Roheryn100]

It’s Spring Garden Road at 7:08, not Spring Mountain…😊

[@ThePortLowdown]

Noted and thanks!

[@Roheryn100]

@@ThePortLowdown My pleasure. Come again !

[@MsJeffreyF]

As a local I often ferry over and do parts of your walk outlined (I skip going into Citadel Hill although I'll climb it, plus I haven't been to the museum in ages. Art gallery is great). I wouldn't let Smoke's poutine get you down on poutine, it's not great poutine. You really got to try it at some random restaurant or food truck in the middle of nowhere to really appreciate it

[@ThePortLowdown]

Good to know. We ARE coming back to Halifax, which I'm really happy about. I really love the city, it's very cool! Any suggestions about what to hit next?

[@MsJeffreyF]

@@ThePortLowdown As a tourist who does cruises, I think you hit up most of the good walkable spots (waterfront, citadel hill, and the public gardens). If there was any place in between you liked (say Spring Garden Road) that might be worth hitting up again. But if it were my second time via cruise, I'd probably do a tour (you mentioned Peggy's Cove being a bit far, but I'd think it'd be either that (has a small walkable area for some touristy shops/restaurants) or Lunenberg (similar)). As a local, I'd be hitting up cafes like Narrow Espresso or Steve-o-renos, hitting up the central library, maybe getting to Point Pleasant Park, and various restaurants (away from the waterfront though. The best (although expensive) being Edna's and Bar Kismet). The amalgamated cities (Dartmouth and Bedford) both have waterfronts, but unless there's an event going on I don't think it's worth the trip. Dartmouth might be ok because you get a nice cheap ferry ride in, but it's very small (some good restaurants, District 5 is highly underrated and a bit unknown, but more popular ones like Canteen, Battery Park, Side Hustle). Bedford is also way too far and small recommend. I'd probably be more interested in a tour of McNabb's or going on the harbour and to George's Island or something Lobster Rolls are kind of the big dish here (more so than donairs, garlic fingers, and poutine I'd say). It's lobster in a hot dog bun :shrug:

[@ThePortLowdown]

Wow! Thanks for the all the details! It's all part of my notes for the next trip. The city itself still holds alot of interest for me. My family enjoyed their side trip to Peggy's Cove ( while I huffed and puffed in town)..may have to cover it in the next video amongst other things. BTW, would you consider Tim Hortons an essential thing to try? The menu seemed pretty basic to me, and the donuts actually have bees flying around inside the case!

[@ThePortLowdown]

Yeah, I tried lobster rolls in Bar Harbor. Probably the most expensive sandwich I ever had!

[@davidcunningham7432]

The noon day canon is fired daily from the Citadel at high noon each day of the year except Christmas Day. It’s surprising how close one can get to watch the routine. It’s Spring Garden Road. Well done!

[@ThePortLowdown]

Thank you! Sorry about the street name.

[@dlyla]

Hi, resident of Halifax here. Just an update to your video: the parrot, Merlin, is no longer at the Maritime museum of the Atlantic. He was moved to Ontario for his health and now lives with a group of other macaws

[@ThePortLowdown]

Well, that seems to work out the best for him it seems. No more selfies with tourists! Thanks for the word!

[@IgorRockt]

@@ThePortLowdown ...but our 101 year old Gopher Tortoise, Gus, ist still living at the Museum of Natural History at 1747 Summer Street! 😉

[@shorty38]

I was just about to say this. Resident on dartmouth here and I miss merlin

[@19892beth]

My husband mein schiff 1 cruiseline will arrive there soon by September 16 there😊

[@ThePortLowdown]

Have a wonderful time. Halifax is so much fun!

[@19892beth]

@@ThePortLowdown thank you so much 😊 for sure he will enjoy it there 💖

[@Shamagantu]

Spring *Garden Road

[@ThePortLowdown]

Noted. Thanks!

[@davidwillers652]

Is good for whale watching in September?

[@ThePortLowdown]

It's the season, but not as plentiful as other parts of the province. However, there are tours on offer.

[@scottcarter6623]

Low chance of seeing whales in this area. The tours are available because people will pay for them not because they see many whales.

[@corinnemcleod1804]

I am from Halifax and I do not recommend whale watching cruises here. Whales are plentiful on the Bay of Fundy side of Nova Scotia especially around Digby.

[@spencerclements3005]

I'd say in the fall you're just as likely to see one of the tagged sharks that visit the Halifax area as you are a whale haha.

[@kevincaldwell4707]

As of 05:13, don't forget to visit the tent cities, where all Halifax's finest homeless people live! NS is a province where housing and taxes have reached a critical level. Visit but don't try living here!

[@ThePortLowdown]

I passed by them. Noted.