Fun & Games in Halifax

Hart & Thistle Gastropub and Brewery

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "A Gastropub and Brewery right on the waterfront"

The sign that lured us in! Photo - Hart & Thistle Gastropub and Brewery, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Quote:

After wandering through the regenerated historic buildings of the waterfront that are now shops and artisan craft stores, we were getting pretty hungry and as luck would have it stumbled upon the Hart & Thistle. It has two entrances and we came across the one inside the shopping centre (because it was cold and miserable outside). We were greeted by a sign saying 'Enjoy Handcrafted Beers at the Hart & Thistle', well that was me sold....a chance to try a couple more beers before heading home couldn't be passed up.It was too cold to sit out on the patio area, which I imagine would be lovely in warm weather, so we did the next best thing and sat near the window, which overlooked the ba...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 25, 2011

Hart & Thistle Gastropub and Brewery
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax
(902) 407-4278

Cheer!
Flag

Theodore Tugboat/Big Harbour Tours

Attraction | "An actual cartoon character on water!"

Quote:

Whilst wandering around the harbour on our slightly wet and dreary day in Halifax we saw this strange tugboat with a face. After enquiring we realised that it was an hour long sightseeing cruise of the harbour in what they called Theodore (see pictures, it's pretty unbelieveable).Well we were feeling in a silly mood and despite having no children with us we decided to join the tour just for some fun. What we got was a really interesting tour of Halifax Harbour, which was really designed for children. All the children aboard were given an interactive book to search out Theodore's friends around the harbour (we did this too - all in the name of research you understand!). The guide that was w...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 25, 2011

Theodore Tugboat/Big Harbour Tours
1751 Lower Water Street
Halifax
902 492-8847

Cheer!
Flag

The Henry House

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The home of the Father of the Confederation!"

The Henry House Photo - The Henry House, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Quote:

So on our first night in Halifax we asked our hotel receptionist where we should eat that was nice and located nearby. He suggested the Henry House, which was only a two minute walk from the hotel. Being the tired hungry bunnies that we were we thought this was perfect. It was really easy to find on Barrington Street, near the railway station. It's an ironstone and granite house that was built in the 19th century (1834 to be exact). What makes the place special is that for 20 years it was the home of William Alexander Henry who was the Father of the Confederation in Canada. Nowerdays it has been converted into a bar (on the basement level), restaurant (ground floor) and private dining facility (1st fl...Read More

So on our first night in Halifax we asked our hotel receptionist where we should eat that was nice and located nearby. He suggested the Henry House, which was only a two minute walk from the hotel. Being the tired hungry bunnies that we were we thought this was perfect. It was really easy to find on Barrington Street, near the railway station. It's an ironstone and granite house that was built in the 19th century (1834 to be exact). What makes the place special is that for 20 years it was the home of William Alexander Henry who was the Father of the Confederation in Canada. Nowerdays it has been converted into a bar (on the basement level), restaurant (ground floor) and private dining facility (1st floor, I think).

We sat in the restaurant, which had granite walls and an English style pub bar. The tables and chairs were very typical of an English pub (and we should know we have spent enough time in them). The menu itself was just a selection of food that is popular in the Maritimes and just good honest pub grub. I had the vegi bean burger, which came quickly and tasted lovely. What makes this place worth a visit though are the locally brewed ales. There are 5 to choose from, that are English-style and brewed in the Granite brewery in Halifax. We tried two of them (and I can't for the life of me remember what they were called) but they both went down nicely and I can recommend them. Seeing as I can't remember the names you'll just have to try all 5 on offer!

The bill that came was really very reasonable and we paid about CAD$20 each for a main meal, pudding and two beers. We left full and happy and ready for bed, and it seemed just as the bar downstairs was filling up with people. It had a real party atmosphere when were leaving and if I hadn't been quite so tired I might have stayed out to play.

All in all friendly staff, a pleasant relaxing atmosphere, lovely drinks and good food. What more could you want from a pub? Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 24, 2011

The Henry House
1222 Barrington Street
Halifax
(902) 423-5660

Cheer!
Flag

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "A historic British fort in the heart of Nova Scotia"

Views from citadel hill Photo - Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Quote:

We visited the Halifax Citadel on our brief visit to this city in June this year. It was a bit of a grey and miserable day and we had spent the day before our visit cooped up in a train travelling from Montreal. Suffice to say we were ready to stretch out legs whatever the weather. So we got a couple of coffees and wandered from our hotel to the outer wall of the citadel. This site and the fort that remains today are remnants of the British Empire in Halifax, which was one of four principal overseas naval stations in the British Empire. There have been 4 different forts, but the one that stands today was completed in 1856. It is very typical of bastion style fortifications found in the 19th century an...Read More

We visited the Halifax Citadel on our brief visit to this city in June this year. It was a bit of a grey and miserable day and we had spent the day before our visit cooped up in a train travelling from Montreal. Suffice to say we were ready to stretch out legs whatever the weather. So we got a couple of coffees and wandered from our hotel to the outer wall of the citadel. This site and the fort that remains today are remnants of the British Empire in Halifax, which was one of four principal overseas naval stations in the British Empire. There have been 4 different forts, but the one that stands today was completed in 1856. It is very typical of bastion style fortifications found in the 19th century and has ramparts, a defensive ditch, musketry gallery, powder magazine and signal masts. Halifax was never attacked, therefore the defenses have never really been used. However, the citadel itself was garrisoned during the First and Second World Wars by Canadian forces.

Today the citadel is run by Parks Canada and as an important historic site has the national historic site designation (as you can see by it's name). Now I have to say I am not usually one for too much history and on our trip to Canada we had been in quite a few British Forts, so I wasn't really looking forward to our visit. We began by walking all the way around the ramparts and having a good look at Halifax harbour from above (it really is a good place to get some nice views).

To enter the Citadel there is a fee to pay, which is fair enough seeing as it is such a historic site. We paid just under CAD$12 each in 2011 and I didn't think this was too bad. There are various discounts available if you are a student/senior/in a family group, so it's worth asking when you visit. The inside is open 9am-5pm most days and when were there it was really quite quiet so I don't think you will have to worry about it being too busy, unless there are school parties and the like visiting. I would try and be there for noon though because there is a daily firing of the noon gun, which was good to watch.

The best thing about our visit though was the living history sections, where actors re-enact what life would have been like in 1869. There are also exhibitions of rare weapon collections and other historical artefacts that might be of interest. When you enter you can choose to join a guided tour of the citadel or you can just create your own self-guided tour. We did the latter because we were a little short on time, but if you're really into your history I would join one of the guided tours.

All in all a fun morning out and the only reason it got 4 stars is because personally I'm not that interested in military history. However, I think it's worth walking up to citadel hill just see the views of Halifax Harbour!

Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 24, 2011

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Sackville And Brunswick Streets
Halifax B3K 5M7
(902) 426-5080

Cheer!
Flag

Waverley Inn

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Historical Boutique Hotel right next to the train station!"

The Waverley Inn Photo - Waverley Inn, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Quote:

So we made it to the east coast of Canada (although I'll hasten to add not the extreme east coast, because we didn't have time for Newfoundland) and rocked up at the train station in Halifax in the late afternoon. We were tired, (mainly because we had been sat on a train for 20-something hours and not had a very good nights sleep) and ready for our hotel. Luckily for us we had picked somewhere that was only a 5 minute walk from the station, we had picked the Waverley Inn. It was really at the top end of our price range, but we thought because we had slept in a seated position the night before that we deserved a little luxury. So we went ahead and booked our room, which for a twin en-suite cost around ...Read More

So we made it to the east coast of Canada (although I'll hasten to add not the extreme east coast, because we didn't have time for Newfoundland) and rocked up at the train station in Halifax in the late afternoon. We were tired, (mainly because we had been sat on a train for 20-something hours and not had a very good nights sleep) and ready for our hotel. Luckily for us we had picked somewhere that was only a 5 minute walk from the station, we had picked the Waverley Inn. It was really at the top end of our price range, but we thought because we had slept in a seated position the night before that we deserved a little luxury. So we went ahead and booked our room, which for a twin en-suite cost around CAD$190, personally though I think it was worth every penny.

The hotel itself is a bit of a landmark in Halifax and has been standing since 1876 when it was the home to Mr Edward Chipman and his family. It only has 34 bedrooms and some of those would be perfect for a romantic getaway. What's more is that Oscar Wilde stayed here during a tour of Halifax. We were greeted by a super friendly receptionist who checked us in and advised us where to eat. He also booked us a town car to take us to the airport the next day, because sadly we were going home. Our room was in the attic, so we got to wander up the elegant Victorian staircase and check out each floor. Think original hardwood floors, Victorian antiques and plenty of character.

We got to our room and were pleased to see two giant beds, I literally had to jump up onto mine it was so high. The floors were all hardwood and there were a couple of skylights so plenty of light flooding the room. What was also handy was complimentary internet, so I sat and checked my e-mails while waiting for Mum to finish showering in the bathroom (which was lovely and clean and had a great shower).

After freshening up we headed out for dinner and didn't bump into anyone on our way out of the hotel. On our return I must admit that I was exhausted and so slept like a log, but my Mum said that the whole hotel and the street nearby had been very quiet. The next morning after a hearty breakfast that was held in the dining room in the basement, we walked into downtown Halifax, it only took ten minutes and we were at the heart of everything.

I have to say this was a lovely place to stay, very calm and relaxing with friendly helpful staff and luxurious rooms. It's ideally located if you arrive by train and is only a few minutes walk into downtown. If you are visiting Halifax I can't recommend this boutique hotel enough and really would urge you to treat yourself! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 24, 2011

Waverley Inn
1266 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J1Y5
(902) 423-9346

Cheer!
Flag

IgoUgo

Halifax Journals

Upload Photos