Halifax City Hall was built in 1890. It was originally built to replace the old courthouse and for other public use. Halifax City Hall is notable for being one of the oldest public buildings in Nova Scotia. With four floors and a seven-story clock tower, it is also one of the largest.

The city hall was designed by architect Edward Elliot in the Late-Victorian Eclectic architecture style. The city hall building was built from the timbers of the demolished Dalhousie University, granite and sandstone laid in the freestone masonry technique.

The building underwent a major refurbishment in 2011. Most of the exterior stone was replaced along with the heating and cooling system and the elevator shaft. It was also wired for modern technology.

Visitors to Halifax will find the city hall conveniently located near many of the city's main attractions. It is a close walk to many historic sites, dining establishments, shopping boutiques and the harbor.

The Grand Parade is a military parade square that dates to 1749. The first contingent of British settlers in Halifax arrived in June 1749. Charles Morris, the Chief Surveyor, worked on the town layout which comprised an urban grid made up of oblong, rectangular city blocks with the Grand Parade at the center of the town.

The plan stipulated a church at southern end of the square, and a courthouse and prison at the northern end. The Saint Paul's Church opened in 1749. It was the first Protestant Church in Canada and is also the oldest building in Halifax. However, the north end remained vacant.

The parade is comprised of green space, statues and a memorial arch in honor of peace officers who fell in the line of duty. The Cenotaph is a sculpture located in the midst of the parade that gives honor to those who died in World War I.

Today the square is used for public events, concerts and special celebrations. Visitors can find a calendar of upcoming events at the City of Halifax website.

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, standing at the heart of Halifax’s Grand Parade, is more than just a house of worship-it’s a cornerstone of the city’s history. Built in 1750, this Georgian-style church is the oldest Anglican Church in North America and the oldest surviving building in Halifax. Its origins date back to the very founding of the city when town planners marked its central location in 1749. The church’s frame-an enduring combination of oak and pine-was precut in Boston and shipped north, ensuring its rapid assembly.

Architecturally, Saint Paul’s is a significant landmark as the first Palladian-style building in Canada. Designed by James Gibbs and modeled after London’s Saint Peter’s Church (circa 1728), it has undergone numerous expansions over the centuries. The church’s present structure includes wings added in the 19th century, making it one of the few Anglican churches worldwide with five aisles.

Beyond its architectural significance, Saint Paul’s has played a vital role in the development of Nova Scotia. Initially serving as the established church for the government and military, it became the cathedral church of the Diocese of Nova Scotia when Charles Inglis was appointed the first Bishop in 1787. The church was also the official place of worship for the garrison until 1844. Many notable figures have been associated with Saint Paul’s, including Governor Edward Cornwallis, Prince Edward (the future Duke of Kent), and several early political and military leaders, some of whom are buried beneath its floors.

The church has borne witness to Halifax’s most defining moments, hosting memorial services for the victims of the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, and Swissair Flight 111. It remains a focal point for commemorations, royal jubilees, and state occasions, maintaining its legacy as a living, active parish. Recognized as a National Historic Site, Saint Paul’s continues to welcome visitors daily, standing as a testament to Halifax’s past and its enduring spiritual heritage.

Barrington Street is a street that follows the waterfront in Halifax. This primary city street runs from the MacKay Bridge to Inglis Street. At about seven-miles long, the street is an excellent one to enjoy when visiting the city.

Barrington Street is one of the original streets of Halifax. It was once the main commercial street in the city. Now, it is one of the primary streets for tourism.

Some of the notable places along Barrington Street include the Halifax Shipyard, Peace and Friendship Park, the Grand Parade, Halifax City Hall, Casino Nova Scotia, the Old Burying Ground, Province House and the Khyber.

Barrington Street has many places to eat and shop. An entire day can easily be planned simply walking from one end to the next while stopping at each of the interesting spots along the way. Due to its location near the water, it is easy for visitors to take a break away from the street and view boats coming in and out of the harbor.

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.

Halifax Central Library is a public library in downtown Halifax. It is the flagship library of the Halifax Public Library System. This library was completed in 2014 in a Modern architectural style designed.

The library is notable for its ultra-modern design. It has the appearance of multiple levels stacked atop each other at varying angles. This includes the fifth floor, which
juts over the plaza providing shade to the benches and tables below.

Along with books, the library offers community rooms, an auditorium and two cafes. The rooftop terrace is a popular spot for visitors to get a beautiful view of Halifax from a unique location.

The library is also home to public artwork created by Cliff Eyland. Eyland painted 5,000 miniature paintings on canvas the size of library cards, fittingly called "Library Cards." Before his death, Eyland also made a smaller version called "Book Shelf Paintings," which was comprised of 1,000 mini paintings.

Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica is a Catholic cathedral in downtown Halifax. It is the largest Catholic church of the Archdiocese of Halifax. Though consecrated in 1899, it was made a basilica in 1950.

Construction of the original cathedral began in 1784 when laws forbidding Catholic worship in the region were repealed. The land was purchased and a wooden cathedral, then called Saint Peter's, was built. The current stone structure replaced the wooden building in 1820.

Saint Mary's was expanded in 1869. The facade was changed into a Norman-Gothic architectural style designed by Patrick Keely. This was when the spire was added to the building. Saint Mary's is noted for having the tallest granite spire in North America.

On 6 December 1917, a French cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo outside of Halifax Harbor caused a massive explosion. The event is known as the Halifax Explosion. The interior of the cathedral suffered great damage during the explosion. Most of the cathedral's stained glass windows were shattered and some of the bells were cracked. Renovations have repaired the windows and restored the bells to their previous grandeur.

Saint Mary's is open during mass times to those who wish to take part in worship. Weekday masses take place from Monday through Friday at 12:15 PM. Sunday masses are at 8 AM, 10:30 AM and 5 PM.

The Old Burying Ground, also known as Saint Paul's Church Cemetery, is Halifax’s earliest burial site, dating back to the city's founding in 1749. Originally a non-denominational cemetery, it served all Haligonians until 1793, when it became part of Saint Paul's Anglican Church. It remained active until 1844, after which burials moved to Camp Hill Cemetery. Neglected over time, it was restored in the 1980s by the Old Burying Ground Foundation and is now maintained to preserve its rare 18th-century grave markers.

Throughout its history, approximately 12,000 individuals were interred in the Old Burying Ground, though only around 1,200 headstones remain. Among its notable burials is British Major General Robert Ross, infamous for leading the 1814 Washington Raid and burning the White House before being killed in battle in Baltimore.

The cemetery quietly holds the history of Black Nova Scotians, with 167 recorded burials spanning various waves of Black migration to Halifax. These include early Black settlers, Black Loyalists, and Black Refugees from the War of 1812. Among them is Reverend William Furmage, a Huntingdonian Missionary who taught at Halifax’s first Black school.

The most prominent monument in the Old Burying Ground is the Welsford-Parker Monument, a triumphal arch built in 1860 to commemorate British victory in the Crimean War. It is the first public war monument in Nova Scotia, the fourth oldest in Canada, and the only Crimean War monument in North America.

In 1938, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts installed a granite monument in honor of Erasmus James Philipps, one of Nova Scotia’s earliest known settlers and the founder of Freemasonry in present-day Canada.

Recognizing its immense historical value, the Old Burying Ground was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1991. Today, this historic cemetery stands as a testament to Halifax’s earliest inhabitants and their diverse stories, preserved through continued restoration efforts and public engagement.

The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk is a walking path that follows Halifax Harbor. The boardwalk is lined with shops, historic properties and tour boat operators. It is an excellent place for shopping, dining, getting some exercise or people watching.

Museums along the boardwalk include the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and HMCS Sackville. Other interesting things to see along the boardwalk include Purdy's Wharf, the CSS Acadia, Bishop's Landing, the Samuel Cunard Monument and the Cunard Center.

The boardwalk features plenty of recreational space for young and old. There are hammocks, a dance floor and public art. The murals and sculptures reflect the sea and leisure activities. The Drunken Lampposts are a sculpture that show two lampposts displaying all of the fun that can be had at the local beer gardens.

The boardwalk stretches from Halifax Seaport to Casino Nova Scotia. It is about a two mile walk, making it an easy stretch any time of the day or night.

Founded in 1820 by Scottish immigrant Alexander Keith, the Alexander Keith’s Brewery is one of the oldest breweries in Canada and remains a significant landmark in Halifax. Over two centuries, the brewery has seen a series of ownership changes, becoming part of Oland Brewery in 1928, later transitioning to the Labatt Brewing Company, and ultimately falling under the global beer conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Despite shifting ownership, Alexander Keith’s has maintained a strong presence, particularly in the Maritimes. By the 1990s, Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale (IPA) had become the most popular beer in Nova Scotia. Originally brewed exclusively in Halifax, production has since expanded to Anheuser-Busch InBev facilities across Canada and the United States.

Historically, archived recipes from the early 1900s indicate that Alexander Keith’s beers were made using high levels of hops and all-malt mash ingredients, with no corn additives-consistent with brewing practices of that era. However, modern iterations of Alexander Keith’s IPA are lighter in taste and only 5% alcohol by volume, a style that diverges from traditional India pale ales. This was further emphasized when the beer won third place in the “North American Style Blonde or Golden Ale” category at the 2016 Canadian Brewing Awards, rather than in the IPA category.

Today, while Alexander Keith’s remains an iconic brand associated with Halifax, its flagship beers are produced and distributed on a much larger scale, reflecting the evolution of the brewing industry and changing consumer preferences.

The Halifax Farmers' Market holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating farmers' market in North America, with its origins tracing back to 1750. Established by Royal Proclamation just a year after the founding of Halifax, the market was initially designated a site at what is now the Bank of Montreal building. For its first fifty years, it functioned as a meat and cattle market, supplying Halifax with fresh produce and livestock from Acadian farms in the Annapolis Valley and other local sources.

Throughout its history, the market has relocated multiple times, each move reflecting the evolving needs of the city and its vendors. One of its most notable homes was Keith’s Brewery Building on Lower Water Street, where it operated for many years. In 1848, following Halifax’s incorporation as a city, the original market property was officially conveyed to the city for public use, ensuring its place as a community institution.

A significant shift occurred in 2010 when the majority of the market’s cooperative members moved to a newly constructed space at the Halifax Seaport. This relocation gave rise to the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, while a small number of vendors chose to remain at the former site, rebranding themselves as the Historic Farmers' Market. Despite the division, both markets maintain their dedication to local commerce and the celebration of fresh, regional products.

Today, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market continues to thrive, offering a vibrant selection of goods from farmers, artisans, and food vendors every weekend, year-round. Marking 265 years of operation in 2015, the market remains an enduring symbol of Halifax’s deep-rooted agricultural and economic traditions, connecting the past with the present in a dynamic marketplace by the sea.