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15 Fun Things to do in Halifax (and the Surrounding Area) with Kids
- andrewsco3
- Aug 3, 2023
- 15 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Halifax is such an underrated travel destination in Canada!
We’ve visited on multiple occasions and love how walkable the city is, the abundance of history, and of course enjoying the incredible seafood. It’s got a relaxed, coastal vibe that makes it easy to explore.
Our most recent trip to Halifax had a new focus: finding the best activities for families with kids.
In this post, we outline our top 15 recommendations for families traveling to Halifax and the surrounding area with kids, plus a special bonus at the end just for the parents!
This post includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them - at no extra cost to you. We only link to places we’d genuinely recommend, and we really appreciate the support.
About Our Family
We’re a British family that moved to Canada in 2012, and since then, we’ve explored both the East and West Coasts of Canada extensively.
We believe the best way for kids to learn is by experiencing the world firsthand - seeing it and touching it.
That’s why we write travel guides with families in mind.
Learn more about us and our decision to take a 100-day career sabbatical to travel through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand here.
Top Reasons to Visit Halifax with Kids
Are you trying to decide your next family vacation and Halifax is one of the places you are considering? Here’s why we think it should be at the top of your list:
Relaxed pace – Halifax has a laid-back feel that makes it easy to explore without the stress. Having spent plenty of time in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, I can tell you Halifax is a completely different experience. There’s no need to rush – just wander the streets, watch the boats, and let the kids take the lead.
Coastal boardwalk – The Halifax Boardwalk is one of the most fun places to take kids, especially on a sunny day. Little ones will love the buskers, boats, and ice cream stops, while parents can enjoy a relaxing stroll with beautiful views of the harbour.
Kid-friendly museums –We always try to visit at least one museum wherever we go so our girls can learn something unique to the region. Halifax has some great options, like the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic — both offer hands-on exhibits and explain local history in a way kids can understand.
Boat rides – What kid doesn’t love being out on the water? Whether it’s a fun harbour cruise or the quick ferry ride over to Dartmouth, these short trips offer a different way to take in the city. For kids, just being on a boat is part of the adventure.
Beautiful beaches – Halifax and the surrounding area have no shortage of sandy beaches to explore. Whether it's dipping your toes in the Atlantic or collecting shells, beaches like Lawrencetown and Crystal Crescent are perfect for when you want the kids entertained without trying too hard
Great food – Halifax serves some of the finest seafood you'll find anywhere, hands down. We also discovered some great kid-friendly options - Jess couldn't get enough of the local donair, and Evelyn ended up loving the seafood chowder. You never know what your kids might enjoy until they give it a try!
Day Trips - You don’t have to travel far from Halifax to find stunning views and charming fishing villages. Visit Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, wander through the colorful streets of Lunenburg, or take a scenic 2-3 day drive along the Cabot Trail – one of Canada’s most iconic road trips.
If you are planning a trip yourself, you may also want to read our other Halifax blog posts for more information:
Use the drop-down menu to quickly navigate to different sections of the blog. Simply click on a topic to jump directly to the information you’re interested in!
So without further ado, here is our list of the 15 best things to do in Halifax with kids, suitable for families with kids, starting with a map to show where everything is located.
Map of Attractions in Halifax
Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added all the sights and attractions to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own itinerary.
To use this map, click the tab in the top left corner to toggle between layers and for more details about each attraction. To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”
Things to do in Halifax with Kids
The Waterfront Boardwalk
There is no better place to start your family adventure in Halifax than with a leisurely stroll along the picturesque waterfront. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze, watch the boats sail by, and take in the stunning views of the harbour.
Kids will love the fun 'wave' monument, perfect for sliding down, and the submarine-inspired playground, which is hands down one of the best play areas in Halifax. And if you're like me, you’re much more willing to hang around a little longer when you’ve got a coffee in hand and those beautiful ocean views to enjoy.
There are also some fantastic food shacks along the boardwalk, perfect for grabbing a lobster roll (a local specialty) from one of the stalls, or treating yourself to some of the best ice cream in Halifax from Cows ice cream!
The Halifax Citadel Historic Site
The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is an iconic fort that sits at the top of the hill overlooking the harbor. The citadel is still guarded by the 78th Highlanders, who are dressed in full traditional uniform and conduct drills on the parade grounds.
The kids will love hearing the BOOM of the cannon, also known as the 'noon gun,' go off at midday, although be warned, it is loud (so little ones may want to plug their ears)!
Visiting the citadel is one of the most kid-friendly activities in Halifax, as kids can pick up an Xplorer or Club Parka activity booklet from the information centre. These booklets are filled with fun activities designed to educate kids and keep them engaged while exploring.
Remember to take the booklets back at the end of your visit so that your little ones can pick up their prize (a necklace dog tag).
For older kids, consider taking them on an after hours ghost tour around Halifax's historic fort and uncover the Citadel's haunted secrets! We didn’t do this as we thought our kids would be a bit too young, but it would be perfect for older kids.
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
One of the largest, and historically significant museums in Halifax is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. As immigrants to Canada ourselves, it was really interesting, and quite moving, to learn about the journeys that over one million new Canadians took to start a new life in Canada between 1928 and 1971.
If you're worried that the museum might not be kid-friendly, rest assured, it is! We weren’t sure what to expect, but after spending a few hours exploring, I can confidently say it’s totally worth a visit. The kids had a blast while learning about Canada’s history, and it ended up being their favorite museum from our two-week East Coast trip!
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a great place for kids to learn about Halifax’s maritime history, especially its connection to the Titanic disaster.
As the nearest major port to the site of the sinking, Halifax played a key role in the aftermath, and the museum brings this chapter of history to life through compelling exhibits and artifacts.
The museum goes beyond just the Titanic, offering fascinating exhibits on the Royal Canadian Navy, World War II convoys, and the Halifax Explosion of 1917. It’s conveniently located just a short walk from the Muir Hotel, where we stayed during our visit.
Make the most of your visit by taking advantage of the museum's free admission on Tuesdays from 5 to 8pm. It's an excellent opportunity to explore the museum without any cost.
The Halifax Public Gardens
The Halifax Public Gardens is a Victorian era park that is located to the southwest of the citadel. Its a beautiful park filled with flowers, gazebos, a duck pond and plenty of space for kids to run around.
It's a great spot to take a picnic blanket for lunch or to relax after a busy day exploring the city, and what’s more, it’s a free activity!
Pro Tip: grab yourself a coffee from a nearby Italian cafe called Pane e Circo that served excellent coffee and made some of the most beautiful desserts that I have ever seen!
Take a Harbour Hopper Tour
Just like many other cities, Halifax offers its own version of an amphibious hopper tour - the Harbour Hopper Tour.
These tours are not only enjoyable for kids but also provide a fantastic way to explore the main attractions while learning some interesting Hali-facts (excuse the Dad joke!).
Take the Alderney Ferry to Dartmouth
Catching the Alderney Ferry across to Dartmouth is only a 15 minute ride and is a great way to take in some of the best views of Halifax harbour. The ferry ride is very reasonably priced as it only costs $2.75 return for adults and is free for kids.
Important: you need to give exact change in cash for the fare (although they do have change machines in the terminal).
However the stunning views of Halifax isn’t the only reason you should visit Dartmouth. It has some of the best playgrounds in the area.
There are two indoor options; the Get Air Trampoline Park and the Kids Fun Factory, which are great options for when the weather is rainy. There is also a splash park and playground at the Dartmouth-Cole harbour for when the sun decides to come out as well.
Dartmouth is also a great place to eat and drink. We ate our last meal of our trip at Canteen on Portland, and the food was some of the best that we ate on our trip and we would highly recommend it.
The Discovery Centre
The Discovery Centre is hands down one of the best indoor attractions for kids in Halifax. We stayed there around 3 hours and we could have stayed much longer - neither of them wanted to leave!
Our kids' favourite section was the ‘RBC Someday Street’ on the 4th floor, which is a play area, where kids can try their hand out at ‘real jobs’ such as working on a construction site, in a pharmacy, or in a supermarket.
They also loved the innovation lab, where they could play with electrical circuits and lightbulbs.
Visit Point Pleasant Park
If you're looking to step away from the city and explore a quieter side of Halifax, Point Pleasant Park is a great choice, as it's just a short distance from Pier 21.
The park has plenty of scenic trails, including a 3.4 km loop around the edge of the park, that combines waterfront views with shaded forest paths. You can even dip your toes in at Black Rock Beach - although Maui it is not!
With free parking available, this is one of the top free activities in Halifax.
Try the Local Food
No visit to Halifax would be complete without sampling some of the delicious local seafood. I can honestly say that during our Nova Scotia Road Trip that the seafood was some of the best that I’ve ever had (even better than when we visited Vancouver Island).
Whether you’re after a classic lobster roll, fish and chips along the boardwalk, or my personal favourite, pan-fried scallops, there’s no shortage of great choices.
That said, Halifax also has some incredible non-seafood options too. The traditional donair with a 'sweet' sauce is a must-try, and the deep-fried pepperoni is ridiculously moreish.
Even if they resist, try to encourage the kids to try everything you eat at least once, as you never know what they will end up liking. Our youngest daughter ended up loving seafood chowder and even ordered it on our last night from the kids menu!
The Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History in Halifax is one of the best museums for families, as it has clearly been designed with kids in mind. Our kids loved seeing the pilot whale skeleton and the jaw of a great white shark!
However, the highlight of our visit was the opportunity to meet Gus, the museum's resident 100+ year-old gopher tortoise that wanders around the museum! At 100 years old, hopefully he still has a few years left in him.
2025 Update: I'm happy to report that Gus is 102 and still going strong!
Remember to ask for the kids scavenger hunt activity book from the front desk.
The Halifax Central Library
The Halifax Central Library is a great option when the weather isn't ideal, but it’s also worth a visit just to admire its unique design. The modern building was built to resemble a stack of books and stands out as one of the city’s most eye-catching landmarks.
Even if you don’t stay long, it’s fun to stop by for a quick look — and if you head up to the top floor, there’s a nice café where you can grab a coffee and enjoy the view.
BONUS for the Parents: Visit Alexander Keith’s Brewery
Perhaps a tour around the Alexander Keith’s Brewery doesn’t really fall into the category of ‘kid friendly’..... but sometimes the kids can’t have all the fun!
If you enjoy a beer or are just interested in how beer is made, you can take a guided tour through this historic brewery and learn about the brewing process.
Of course it wouldn’t be a very good tour if you couldn't sample a variety of beers and soak in the lively atmosphere!
Exploring Beyond Halifax
Buy Souvenirs at Fisherman’s Cove
Fisherman's Cove is a 200 year old working fishing village that is just a 15 minute drive from Halifax, making it a perfect place to experience a different side of Nova Scotia, even if you are on a tight schedule.
There is a lovely boardwalk with colourful shops, and it is a great place to pick up some souvenirs to remember your trip.
Just along the boardwalk there is MacCormack’s Beach, which is a great shallow and sandy beach that is perfect for little ones as in some places the water is only an inch deep with no waves. It is well worth a visit, especially on a sunny day.
Day Trip to Peggy’s Cove
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is one of the most photographed in the world, and with its close proximity to Halifax, it’s a popular day trip destination.
The kids will love exploring the granite rocks around the lighthouse (just be cautious, as waves can crash over them during storms). Beyond the iconic lighthouse, you'll find a few restaurants and gift shops nearby, but it’s also an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic lunch on the rocks.
The Historic Town of Lunenburg
Another popular day trip from Halifax is a visit to the picturesque town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the prettiest towns in Nova Scotia.
It’s been in existence since the 1700s, and is known for its colourful historical buildings, beautiful waterfront, and local shops.
Once in Lunenburg, you can take a visit to St. John’s Anglican Church, or tour the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, where you can learn about the history of this charming fishing village.
If you are looking to snap that classic view of Lunenburg, or to watch the sun go down, head over to the other side of Lunenburg Harbor on Cove Road leading up to the Bluenose Golf Course for the best viewpoint.
Beaches Close to Halifax
With its stunning coastline, Halifax boasts a variety of beautiful nearby beaches ideal for a family day out. From sandy shores perfect for building sandcastles, to rocky coves waiting to be explored, and even a great surf beach, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a list of some of the best nearby beaches, along with map to show you where they are:
Rainbow Haven Beach Cow Bay - 35 min drive from downtown Halifax This is a lovely sheltered beach that has plenty of picnic areas, boardwalks, changing rooms, and showers. The perfect spot for a relaxing beach day with the kids.
Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park - 40 min drive from downtown Halifax Crystal Crescent Beach consists of three lovely white sand beaches and a 10-kilometre loop trail along the coastline - great if you want to have a little stroll as well as some beach time.
Martinique Beach East Petpeswick - 60 min drive from downtown Halifax Martinique Beach is one of the most popular beaches to visit, and is the longest sandy beach in Nova Scotia. They also do surf lessons there if you want to try something new!
Taylor Head Provincial Park - 90 min drive from downtown Halifax A beautiful sandy beach with some lovely turquoise waters of Psyche Cove Beach. The water is a also a bit warmer than other beaches in the area and the ocean waters are calm so another great beach for kids.
Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park - 35 min drive from downtown Halifax A nice beach close to Halifax but more of a surfing beach so if you have little ones that want to play in the water there might be better options.
Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park - 60 min drive from downtown Halifax A long sandy beach that is also home of the annual clam harbour beach sandcastle competition if you happen to be in town! (August 13th 2023). It also is one of the warmer beaches for swimming.
Conrad's Beach - 25 min drive from downtown Halifax Conrads is one of the nicest sandy beaches in the area for kids, as the sand slowly drops away from the beach. Its also a great spot best spots to try paddle boarding. Only downside is the parking is limited, so get there early.
Where to Stay in Halifax
Luxury Hotels in Halifax
The Muir Hotel - If you are looking for a luxury hotel stay, that is perfectly located right on the waterfront, the Muir hotel is a great, all be it expensive option. The hotel is part of the Marriott hotel chain so we were able to use 'points' to stay there for free. We stayed here for our daughters birthday and had a great time - so much that we wrote a full review here.
Another high end option is the Sutton Place Hotel, which is located mid way up the hill towards the citadel.
Mid Range Hotels in Halifax
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel - this is another Marriott hotel that is conveniently located along the waterfront (near the Historic Properties), but at a more reasonable price. Susie stayed here last year as part of a conference she was attending and was impressed with the rooms and facilities.
If you are considering a stay on the Dartmouth side of the harbour, the Courtyard by Marriott is a fairly new hotel, that is clean and has a fantastic slide that the kids loved.
Budget Hotels in Halifax
Halifax Backpackers is well located in the North End of Halifax, and while we haven't stayed there personally, I have heard some excellent things from a friend who lived in Halifax and often had people staying there when visiting on a budget.
These are just a handful of the great family-friendly hotels in Halifax.
How to Get Around
From the Airport
If you're arriving at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), getting to downtown Halifax is pretty straightforward. You have a few options: renting a car, taking a shuttle, or using a taxi or rideshare service. The airport is about a 30-minute drive from the city, so it’s not too long a drive to get to the hotels in downtown.
For shuttle services, several companies operate direct routes to downtown Halifax, and many of the hotels also offer their own service. Taxis are readily available at the airport, and you can expect to pay around CAD 70 to CAD 80 for a ride into downtown.
If you prefer rideshare options, Uber is also available and can be a bit cheaper than traditional taxis.
Getting Around Downtown
The downtown area is compact and walkable, with many attractions, shops, and restaurants all within easy reach. However, Halifax is quite hilly, so a walk from the waterfront up to the Citadel can be a bit challenging, especially if you have a stroller or young kids. Thankfully, taxis and Ubers are readily available to make getting around easier.
Additionally, you can find e-scooter rentals throughout the city, which are a fun and convenient way to tackle those hills without breaking a sweat!
Hiring a Car
If you plan to explore beyond downtown Halifax - like visiting Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, or the stunning Cabot Trail - renting a car is a must really unless you are part of a tour.
Having your own vehicle allows you the freedom to create your own itinerary and soak in the beautiful landscapes at your own pace.
When it comes to car rentals, you can choose from well-known companies like Avis, Enterprise, or Hertz. The last few times we've booked we've found it cheaper booking through discovercars.com though.
Want More Information?
We hope you found this blog post useful and that you have plenty of kid friendly suggestions at your finger tips to develop your own itinerary.
Are you planning on staying in Halifax for a few days? If so, we've crafted a 2 day itinerary that includes many of these kid friendly activities here.
If you are looking to develop an Eastern Canada road trip, that is perfect for those travelling with kids, you can find our 2 week itinerary that includes Nova Scotia (including the Cabot Trail), PEI & New Brunswick here.
We hope you have a great time in Halifax!