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2 Day Halifax Itinerary: a First Time Visitors Guide to Exploring the City with Kids
- andrewsco3
- Aug 8, 2023
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Planning a family trip to Halifax? This easy-to-follow itinerary works well for those traveling with kids.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or stopping by on a longer East Coast adventure, this 2-day Halifax itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your time with a plan that’s been built around real family travel experience.
This guide outlines the top kid-friendly attractions in the city - think hands-on museums, ferry rides, and waterfront stops - plus optional short drives to beaches, lighthouses, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to keep the kids engaged while seeing the best of what Halifax has to offer.
For a deeper dive into family-friendly activities, check out our companion guide: 15 Fun Things to Do in Halifax with Kids. Together, these resources will equip you to plan an unforgettable family adventure in Halifax
Let’s dive in and start planning your Halifax itinerary.
Why Should you Visit Halifax with Kids?
Wondering if Halifax is a good choice for a family getaway? It absolutely is - and here’s why it stands out as a destination that balances fun, local culture, and easy adventures in one easy-to-explore city.
Halifax offers a great mix of seaside charm and city energy. The waterfront is one of the best places to start — the boardwalk is lined with places to grab food, watch ships glide through the harbour, or catch the ferry to Dartmouth for a quick ride with a view.
The city also makes its history feel approachable and interesting for kids. You can visit the Halifax Citadel and see a live firing of the noon gun or walk through Pier 21, to learn about the stories of people who arrived in Canada as immigrants.
Halifax is also a great base for short drives to kid-friendly spots nearby. From Peggy’s Cove and its lighthouse to colourful Lunenburg or sandy beaches where kids can stretch their legs, there are plenty of ways to explore beyond the city.
And if you’re thinking even bigger, Halifax is a great place to kick off a longer adventure around the Maritimes. Whether you want to explore more of Nova Scotia or venture into the neighboring provinces, we’ve got you covered.
Our 10 Day Nova Scotia Itinerary covers the province’s highlights, while the 2 Week Eastern Canada Road Trip explores Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI.
Table of Contents
Navigate to different sections of this blog post by clicking the links.
So without further ado, here is our two day itinerary for visiting Halifax, starting with a map to show where everything is located.
Map of Halifax Attractions
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.
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.”
Day 1 of Halifax Itinerary
To kick off this Halifax itinerary, the famous Halifax Harbourfront is the perfect starting point. This popular area boasts a delightful 4km boardwalk that stretches along the waterfront.
The boardwalk is lined with plenty of restaurants, shops, museums, and (of course) ice cream spots, making it a great place to leisurely explore.
The boardwalk not only allows you to soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy the ever-changing fun activities, but also provides great views of the picturesque harbor.
Also located right on the boardwalk, and a must-visit destination is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where you can learn about Halifax's port history, including its connection to the Titanic disaster, as Halifax played a vital role in the aftermath of the disaster.
Outside of the museum is the iconic wave monument that kids love clambering all over, along with a submarine inspired playground. While the kids are busy ‘surfing the wave’, why not grab a coffee, or better yet, try some delicious fish and chips or a lobster roll from the nearby food stalls.
In the afternoon, visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for panoramic views of the harbor from its hilltop setting. The citadel is still guarded by the 78th Highlanders in their traditional uniforms, and they regularly perform marching and band drills on the parade grounds.
Be ready for the "noon gun" cannon blast, that is still fired every day at noon. Take a moment to check out the Old Town Clock that is located in the grounds surrounding the citadel.
👉 Remember: Pick up Xplorer (older kids) or Club Parka (younger kids) booklets at the Citadel info centre. Return them to get a prize - kids loved this!
The Halifax Public Gardens is just a short walk from the Citadel, and is a lovely park filled with flowers, with lots of space for the kids to run around. It's a perfect spot for a picnic or to unwind after a day of exploration.
Tip: Stop by Pane e Circo for excellent coffee and some of the most beautiful desserts we've ever seen.
Make your way back to the waterfront and have some down time before dinner.
Of course, the city is full of amazing restaurants, especially along the waterfront. Our favorite was the Bicycle Thief - they’re known for fantastic seafood.
While you’re there, don’t miss the “drunken lamp posts” just across the pier from the restaurant.
Day 2 of Halifax itinerary
On the second day in Halifax, we recommend visiting the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, where you can learn all about the journeys of over one million new Canadians who arrived between 1928 and 1971.
It might not sound like the most exciting museum, but it turned out to be our kids’ favorite of the entire trip.
After the museum, why not go for a short hike and picnic lunch at Point Pleasant Park, a quiet park, just south of the museum. There is a rocky beach called Blackrock Beach and you can even swim there, although be warned, it's cold!
Next, we recommend visiting the Discovery Centre, which is hands down one of the best indoor attractions for kids in Halifax.
Our kids played there for around 3 hours and they could have stayed much longer, as neither of them wanted to leave! Our kids' favourite section was the ‘RBC Someday Street’ on the 4th floor, which is a fun play area, where kids can try their hand out at ‘real jobs’ such as working on a construction site, in a pharmacy, or at a supermarket.
In the evening, why not catch the Alderney Ferry across to Dartmouth, which is only a 15 minute ride and is a great way to take in some of the best views of Halifax.
The ferry ride is very reasonably priced as it only costs $2.75 return for adults and is free for kids (it’s worth noting that you need to give exact change in cash, although they do have change machines in the terminal).
However, the stunning views of Halifax aren’t the only reason to visit Dartmouth, it’s also a great place to dine.
We had our final meal at Canteen on Portland — and it was one of the best of the trip.. You can even try the ‘Crobster roll’ which is a modern take on the classic lobster roll (with the addition of snow crab).
There is a nice creperie across the street as well which is a great option for brunch or an afternoon snack.
Short on Time? Take a Harbour Hopper Tour
If you are a little short on time, just like many other cities, Halifax offers its own version of an amphibious hopper tour - the Harbour Hopper Tour.
These tours are fun for kids and a great way to explore the main attractions while picking up a few quirky “Hali-facts” (yes, we went there).
Staying Longer? Here are more Ideas
If you are planning on spending longer in Halifax, or perhaps some of the items above don't interest you, here are some other things to do in Halifax with kids:
The Museum of Natural History in Halifax is a great museum, and the kids will love meeting Gus, the museum's resident 100+ year-old gopher tortoise.
The Halifax Central Library is a great place to visit for its awe-inspiring architecture alone. The library has been designed to resemble a stack of books, and is definitely one of the most modern buildings in Halifax. Grab a coffee at the library’s outdoor rooftop café, as it has some great views of the South End of Halifax.
Take a Ghost Tour! If you are still looking for things to do in the evening, consider taking them on an after hours ghost tour around Halifax's historic fort and uncover the Citadel's haunted secrets!
If you enjoy a beer or are just interested in how beer is made, you can take a guided tour through the historic Alexander Keith's Brewery and learn about the brewing process. Tours come complete with tasting samples and music to make it a fun time!
Try a Halifax Donair - the difference to most regular donairs is that it is served with a sweet sauce made out of condensed milk (sounds strange I know). Halifax locals swear by it!
Explore the Local Area
Peggy's Cove
While Halifax offers plenty to see, the nearby coastline is worth exploring for its charming fishing villages, stunning scenery, and iconic lighthouses. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the most photographed in Canada and a popular day trip from Halifax — which means it can get busy.
About a 50-minute drive from Halifax, it’s best to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Kids will love climbing the granite rocks around the lighthouse, though it’s important to stay safe, especially during rough seas.
The village is picturesque and feels surprisingly undeveloped despite many visitors. There are restaurants and gift shops, but a picnic on the rocks makes for a memorable lunch.
Local Beaches
With its stunning coastline, Halifax boasts a number of beautiful beaches for a great family day out. From sandy shores perfect for building sandcastles, rocky coves begging to be explored, to the perfect surf beach, Halifax's beaches offer something for everyone.
Here is a list of some of the best beaches in the local area:
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.”
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.
The Historic Town of Lunenburg
A bit further afield is Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is one of the prettiest towns in Nova Scotia. Built in the 1700s, Lunenburg is a charming town with colourful historical buildings, a gorgeous waterfront and interesting local shops to browse through.
Lunenburg is also home to the renowned racing schooner, The Bluenose, featured on the Canadian 10-cent coin.
Fisherman's Cove
Fisherman's Cove is a charming 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.
There is a lovely boardwalk with colourful shops, and it is a great place to pick up some souvenirs to remember your trip. Our kids spent quite a bit of their holiday spending money here!
Just along the boardwalk there is MacCormack’s Beach, which is a great shallow and sandy beach that is perfect for little ones as the water in some places is only an inch deep with no waves.
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, look no further than the Muir Hotel. The hotel is part of the Marriott hotel chain so we were able to use 'points' to stay there for free. During our stay it was our daughters birthday and we had a fantastic experience, so much so 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 great option. 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. Alternatively, you might find competitive rates on platforms like discovercars.com, which can help you snag the best deals for your road trip adventures!
Before You go.... 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.
Enjoy Your Stay in Halifax
We hope you found this blog post useful and that you have a great time exploring Halifax and the surrounding areas!