Halifax Waterfront Discovery Tour by Foot

4.8
(13 reviews)

2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

With your local guide, explore Halifax's Harbourwalk with it's unique combination of scenic views, artwork, architecture, and history. Your guide will stop and explain the history of the national Immigration Museum at Pier 21, Georges Island, HMCS Sackville, the Halifax Explosion, and much more.

At a leisurely pace, visitors interested in history, architecture, art work, photography, can participate in this tour and get a sample of the culture and lives of Haligonians.

What's Included

Tour Guide
Food and beverages are not included in this tour. However there are locations along the route to purchase food and drinks.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Your guide will meet you in front of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, across from the railway car, holding a sign with the name of the tour.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1

    Pier 21 is the former ocean liner terminal and immigration shed used from 1928 to 1971. Over one million immigrants passed through the gates. Today the facility is our National Immigration Museum, and part of the Halifax Cruise Ship Pavilion.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    The statue is in honour of the man who was born in Halifax in 1787. Founding director f the Halifax Steamboat Company and later founded the Cunard shipping line, today famous for the four Queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the Queen Anne.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    From the shore line, view George's Island with it's lighthouse and fortifications used to defend the entrance to Halifax Harbour.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    The last remaining Corvette that served in the Second World War, providing protection for the merchant navy as convoys sailed the dangerous waters of the North Atlantic bringing vital supplies to the Allies in Europe.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Launched in 1913, she is the first vessel specifically designed to map Canada's North. She is also the only known vessel still afloat that survived the Halifax Explosion.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Along with the HMCS Sackville and C.S.S Acadia, the Maritime Museum is home to great exhibits about Halifax's connection to the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion, plus other exhibits pertaining to Nova Scotia's connections to the sea.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Also known as Privateers Warehouses, the buildings constructed in the early 1800's were used by cargo merchants and privateers. Today they are home to restaurants, and shops.

    Admission ticket free
  • 6

    Constructed between 1815 and 1817, it is the oldest legislative building still in use in Canada.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7

    The oldest cemetery in Halifax, St. Paul's has headstones dating back to the founding of Halifax in 1749.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8

    The art work recognizes the contribution of women to the Second World War war effort.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 9

    The artwork celebrates the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who first step foot in Canada along the waterfront.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10

    A monument on the Halifax waterfront, with George's Island in the background. George Island was a location where French Acadians were imprisoned in 1755, before being deported from Nova Scotia to various places in the world

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Created by Donna Hiebert in 1988, captures the sense of Halifax's connection with the sea.

    Admission ticket free
  • 11

    The Last Steps symbolizes the last time hundreds of thousands of Canadian soldiers in World War One and World War Two felt Canadian soil before departing for Europe.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 12

    Halifax played a vital role in the building of communication lines on the ocean floor that stretched from Europe to North America. Halifax was a landing point for some of these communication cables. The Cable Wharf was used as a base for cable ships to store supplies and make repairs.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Canada's oldest working clock. Installed at the navy dockyard in 1772.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Oldest salt water ferry service in North America.

    Admission ticket free
  • 13

    Considered the center of town in 1749 when Halifax was founded, the Grand Parade consists of Halifax City Hall, monument to the fallen police officers of Nova Scotia, the cenotaph honouring our war veterans, and St. Paul's church, the oldest Anglican church in Canada.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 14

    Consecrated in 1899, St. Mary's has the tallest granite spire in North America, at 189 feet.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 15

    The official residence of the lieutentant governor of Nova Scotia. Constructed in 1800, it is a fine example of Georgian architecture.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 16

    Built in 1927, it is one of the 'grand dame" hotels in the city, hosting many heads of state and members of royal families.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Not recommended for travelers with walking or mobility issues.
Supplied by TayMac Tours

Tags

Historical Tours
Art Tours
Walking Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.8 Based on 13 13 reviews
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