Attractions

Cornwallis Street Baptist Church
5457 Cornwallis Street,
Halifax, NS
Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, originally known as the African Baptist Church, was organized in 1832. It was founded by the Reverend Richard Preston, the son of a slave. As a young man, Preston purchased his freedom and made his way from the United States to Canada in search of his mother. She had made her escape a few years earlier. He found her in the settlement of Preston, currently located on the outskirts of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The original building was constructed on another site and later relocated on Cornwallis Street, where it has served as sanctuary for the congregation and community ever since. In 1892, the church was incorporated as Cornwallis Street Baptist Church. The church underwent extensive renovations in 1914. It is one of the buildings that survived the disastrous Halifax Explosion of 1917. It served as a temporary shelter for many who became homeless as a result of the explosion and during the terrible winter following the city's devastation. The building was also shared with various other church groups whose facilities were demolished during that catastrophe.

Open year-round. Please call (902) 429-5573 to arrange a tour.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Phone: (902) 429-5573
www.cornwallisbaptist.ca

Georges Island National Historic Site of Canada
Although not yet open to the public, the islands fortifications are currently undergoing restoration by Parks Canada. If you take the Halifax/Dartmouth ferry, look out toward the harbout entrance to the nearest island with the small lighthouse on the side. This island played a key role in the harbour's defense system for almost 200 years.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Phone: (902) 426-5080
www.pc.gc.ca

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada
Entrance off Sackville Street,
Halifax, NS
One of Canada's most visited national historic sites, the Citadel features exhibits, audio-visual presentations, guided tours, the noon gun and the 78th Highlands & Royal Artillery Regiment. Gift shop and coffee bar available. Admission charged.

Season: May 7 - October 31
Open daily: 9am to 5pm.
During July and Aug: 9am to 6pm. Grounds open daily year-round, 9am to 5pm.
Phone: (902) 426-5080
www.pc.gc.ca

Halifax City Hall
1841 Argyle Street
Halifax, NS
Halifax City Hall, a national historic site, dates from 1888. Designed by Edward Elliot, a Dartmouth native, it represents the Second Empire style popular in the 1870s and 1880s. City Hall is the seat of government for the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Season: January 1 - December 31
www.halifax.ca/community/HalifaxCityHall

HMCS Sackville
Lower Water Street, next to Maritime Musuem of the Atlantic
The Second World War convoy escort corvette has been restored as a floating naval museum and a memorial to the courage and sacrifice of all who served in Canada's navy.

Open by appointment in the off season. Winter contact number is (902) 427-2837. Off season, HMCS Sackville is docked at the naval dockyard.

Season: May 1 - September 30
Phone: (902) 429-2132
www.hmcssackville-cnmt.ns.ca/index.html

Hydrostone
Halifax, NS
Area bordered by Young, Agricola, Duffus and Gottingen Streets, Halifax

Designated a National Historic District, the Hydrostone was built as part of the restoration process in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Completed in 1920, a total of 325 houses were built from concrete blocks known as hydrostones. The area is considered one of the more attractive and desirable parts of Halifax in which to live. The Hydrostone includes a unique collection of shops set in a European-style market. Picnic tables available.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Market open daily, year-round.
Phone: (902) 454-2000
www.hydrostonemarket.ca
Features: 

Little Dutch (Deutsch) Church
Brunswick at Gerrish Street
Halifax, NS
The Little Dutch Church was the first Lutheran church in Canada, built in 1756. Tours available by apointment only. Call St. George's Parish Office 423-1059 to inquire. Donations welcome.

Season: June 1 - September 30
Open during weekday worship services June -September at 7am and 5:30pm
Phone: (902) 423-1059
www.roundchurch.ca

Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel
Holy Cross Cemetery, South Park and South Streets,
Halifax, NS
Also known as "The Church Built in a Day", this Gothic-style chapel stands near the entrance of Holy Cross Cemetery, the city's oldest Catholic cemetery. In the early morning on August 31, 1843, more than 1,800 people gathered at St. Mary's Basilican and, after mass, walked in procession to the new cemetery. By 7pm, Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel was complete.

Season: April 1 - September 30
Phone: (902) 865-6663
www.ccchalifax.com

Pennant Point Coastal Heritage Park
20 minutes from downtown Halifax on Route 349.
Halifax, NS
In 1990, 26 historic sites were recorded at the park, the vast majority of which are cellar depressions associated with the late 18th century to early 20th century fishing community of Coote Cove. The park is home to three white sand beaches, popularly known as Crystal Crescent Beach and an 8.5km coastal and inland trail system.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Open year-round from dawn until dusk.

Pier 21 National Historic Site
1055 Marginal Road
Halifax, NS
Follow in the footsteps of the 1.5 million immigrants and Canadian military service personnel who passed through Pier 21 between 1928 and 1971. Explore Canadian stories of immigration and nation building through interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations and activities for all ages. A research centre, gallery, cafe, and gift shop are located on site. Admission charged. Group rates available.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Limited winter hours, check website for schedule.

Phone: (902) 425-7770
www.pier21.ca

Prince Alfred Arch
Mason's Cove,
Tangier, NS
90km east of Dartmouth on Hwy 107 & 7; follow signs at Mason Point Rd.

This monument was erected by the Tangier Gold Mine Historical Society in honour of the visit of Queen Victoria's son, Prince Alfred, on Oct 19, 1861, on the site of Nova Scotia's first commercial gold mining operation. Small park onsite.

Season: January 1 - December 31

Prince of Wales Martello Tower National Historic Site
Point Plesant Park,
Halifax, NS
The Martello Tower was built by the order of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1796-97 to help protect British gun batteries in Halifax. It was the first of its type in North America.

Season: July 1 - August 31
Tower is accessible July 1 to Aug 31, 10am to 6pm.
Grounds open year-round.
Phone: (902) 426-5080
www.pc.gc.ca

Province House
1726 Holllis Street
Halifax, NS
Province House is Canada's oldest seat of government. "It was like looking at Westminster through the wrong end of the telescope," said Charles Dickens of it in 1842. Free admission.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Open July & Aug: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm,
Weekends and holidays from 10am to 4pm.
Remainder of the year from Mon to Fri 9am to 4pm.
Phone: (902) 424-4661
www.gov.ns.ca/legislature

Saint George's Round Church
2222 Brunswick Street at Cornwallis Street
Halifax, NS
Saint George's was built in 1800 to accomodate the growing congregation of the Little Dutch Church (see seperate listing). It was designed under the supervision of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent(father of Queen Victoria). It is a National Heritage Site and an elegant wooden example of a circular Palladian church. Visitors welcome. Contact the parish office for service times or to set up a tour.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Phone: (902) 423-1059
www.roundchurch.ca

Saint Matthew's United Church
1479 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
Beginning in 1749, Protestant Dissenters (mostly Congregationalists from New England), were permitted to worship in Saint Paul's Church (Church of England) until they had their own place of worship. In 1754, they moved to Mather's Church at the corner of Hollis and Prince streets. After this building was lost to a fire in 1859, the congregation moved to its present site. Saint Matthew's is the oldest United (reformed) church and oldest continuing Protestant congregation in Canada. Sunday worship at 10:30am.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Phone: (902) 423-9209
www.stmatts.ns.ca

Saint Paul's Anglican Church
1749 Argyle Street, Grand Parade
Halifax, NS
Founded in June 1749, this is the oldest Anglican (and oldest non-Roman Catholic) church in Canada and Britan's first overseas cathedral, originally serving settlements from Newfoundland to Ontario.

The crypt holds the remains of the illustrious British colonials of the period 1760 to 1831. The impact of the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917 is still to be seen in the wooden sill embedded in the wall above the bronze doors in the narthex and the "Explosion Window" in the west wall. Saint Paul's is an active church with worship services held weekly (see website for a schedule). Visitors are invited to worship with the congregation on Sundays and Wednesdays or simply to pray or meditate in the pews throughout the week. Guided tours Mon to Sat from late May to early Sept: 9am to 4pm. Parish liturgies open to visitors Sun-9am to 11am, Wed-11am (unless ohterwise posted). Genealogical services are available for a fee. Donations welcome.

Season: January 1 - December 31
Phone: (902) 429-2240
www.stpaulshalifax.org

Scott Manor House
15 Fort Sackville Road,
Bedford, NS
A Dutch colonial manor, this provincial heritage site features hand-hewn beams, wishbone chimneys and a hand-dug cellar. Built circa 1770 by Joseph Scott, it now serves as a centre for community heritage. It has a tea room with homemade oatcakes and fresh berries as a well stocked reading and research room. Temporary and permanent exhibits. Donations welcome.

Season: July 1 - August 31
Open daily 1pm to 4pm.
Phone: (902) 832-2336
www.scottmanorhouse.ca

SS Atlantic Heritage Park and Interpretation Centre
180 Sandy Cove Road
Terence Bay, NS
Follow the SS Atlantic Heritage Park signs from Rte 333 and White's Lake.

In 1873, 562 people lost their lives off the shores of Lower Prospect when the SS Atlantic sank. It was the worst single vessel marine disaster to occur off the Canadian coast prior to the sinking of the Titanic. This heritage site is the burial place for 277 of the victims and includes a park with a seaside boardwalk and a monument to the victims and an interpretation centre with a craft shop. The park is wheelchair accessible. Free admission. Donations welcome.

Season: May 1 - October 1
Centre open May to Oct.
Park open year-round.

Phone: (902) 852-1557
www.ssatlantic.com

The Old Burying Ground
Corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road
Halifax, NS
A designated National Historic Site and registered Provincial Heritage Property. The first grave was dug the day after English settlers arrived on June 21, 1749. The land was set aside as a "common burial ground" outside the stockade of the new fortified town of Halifax. This site is a visible expression of all that Halifax witnessed in its first 100 years. Free admission. Donations welcome.

Season: May 1 - October 1
Phone: (902) 429-2240

York Redoubt National Historic Site of Canada
Purcell's Cove Rd,
Purcell's Cove, NS
Overlooking the entrance to the harbour and McNabs Island, York Redoubt was part of Halifax's extensive defence system. Parts of the fort date from the 1790's to the Second World War, while the large cannons are from the 1860's. Magnificent harbour views, picnic grounds and interpretive center open seasonally. Free admission.

Season: May 15 - October 15
Centre is open 9am to 6pm.
Grounds open year-round.

Phone: (902) 426-5080
www.pc.gc.ca