Public Gardens, Halifax (must see)

The Public Gardens were established in Halifax in 1867. They are 16 acres of Victoria formal gardens. The gardens are comprised of a wide number of flower beds, three fountains, three ponds, two stone bridges and a number of statues.

In addition to the statues and flower beds, there are a number of plaques throughout the gardens. These plaques honor service members like Charles Carroll Wood, the first Canadian casualty of the Boer War. They also honor members of the Temperance movement who helped women gain the right to vote.

The Public Gardens was established in 1874 by combining two older gardens, the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society Garden (laid out in 1837) and an adjacent public park (opened in 1866). They are one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian garden in North America. The Public Gardens were named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1984.

Free public concerts take place at the garden bandstand every Sunday in the summer. The Public Gardens also host large celebrations on Canada Day and Natal Day. The gardens are open from May 1 through November 1. The gates open at 8 AM. They begin closing one hour prior to sunset. The final gate closes 30 minutes before sunset.