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The Crazie Explorers Next Port - HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

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cruisetarp

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We will be in Halifax from 9:30AM til 7:00 PM so should have plenty of time to see some of the highlights.

Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital city (population of 360,000) and the gateway to Atlantic Canada, has numerous identities. Boasting one of the largest harbors in the world, it draws a major share of Canada's container trade and oodles of cruise ship visits in the late summer and early fall. A few streets inland, there are many sights to take in, and while gorgeous coastal scenery begins just outside the city limits, especially during the spectacular autumn foliage displays, the waterfront is also a delight to explore.

Halifax also has a strong connection to the sinking of the Titanic since it played a key role during the aftermath of the tragedy. Three of the city's ships were sent out to recover bodies, and so it is the final resting place for many unclaimed victims -- three cemeteries throughout Halifax feature rows of black granite headstones, each inscribed with the same date: April 15, 1912.

But beyond the scenery and history, Halifax is just plain fun. It is a youthful, energetic town (home to several colleges and universities) boasting a downtown area chock-full of pubs, clubs and cafes, as well as a restored waterfront that once welcomed traders and privateers. Throughout the year, you can enjoy music festivals, outdoor concerts and even old-fashioned Celtic Ceilidhs (read: lively folk dances, often accompanied by fiddle).

It's this rich culture that has boosted Canada/New England's popularity as a cruise region -- and the fact that Halifax is easy to include even on short four- or five-day Canadian itineraries. Annually, Halifax hosts more than 100 ship visits from lines including Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Seabourn.

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Halifax is rich in the history of the Titanic - playing an important part in the rescue of survivors.    A vist to the Titanic Museum is great as well as a tour that includes at least one of the Cemetaries where the victims were buried.

A drive out to Peggy's Cove is a great way to see the sights along the way as well as see this lovely tny fising village.

A few more things to see and do at this stop

Take the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry across the harbor to Dartmouth. The 395-passenger double-ended passenger ferries leave every half hour for the 12-miniute crossing. Dartmouth is a small, residential city, perfect for escaping the touristy crowds. The World Peace Pavilion here is a great attraction for families, serving as a learning activity for geography, history and social studies; a chunk of the Berlin wall is kept here, and even rocks from the moon.

Interesting factoid: The Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry is actually the oldest continuous (255 years) salt-water passenger ferry service in North America! For ferry schedules and information, visit Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry on the Web.

Get your military history at the Halifax Citadel, a fort built in 1749. It's a steep climb up from the waterfront, but the view of the surrounding city and the vast harbor is well worth the effort. There are marching guards, and a cannon sounds every day at noon, a two-hundred-year-old tradition.

On the way up to the citadel via George Street, visit St. Paul's Church, Canada's oldest Protestant church, built in 1749.

Plan a day trip to Peggy's Cove, a rustic fishing village located on an ocean inlet and known for its dramatic lighthouse. Peggy's Cove is about a 30-minute drive southwest of Halifax, so your best bets are to rent a car or book an excursion.

Check out Lunenburg, a waterfront village that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the town was founded in 1753. Lunenburg is about a 57-mile drive southwest of Halifax and features a number of activities for lovers of the great outdoors, including campgrounds, golf courses and sandy beaches. You pass through pretty seaside Mahone Bay on the way.

Rent a car and drive to one of the quaint fishing villages alongside the Bay of Fundy (such as Hall's Harbour

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Halifax is a beautiful city, and Peggy's Cove is very quaint and pretty. We were at Peggy's Cove July 2nd, and it was in the 40's. The same day, it was in the 70s in Halifax. Bring layers. I really liked this port.

Peggy's Cove

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Zack just reminded me of a brewpub in Halifax (surprise, surprise...LOL!). I remember it as having mediocre beer but fantastic food - not your typical pub fare...

http://www.hartandthistle.com/

It's in a really cool historic building too!

I don't know why the hotlink didn't work....

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Great information Debbie. Was the place located close to the pier?

It's right downtown....and the best I can tell (on the map), it's about 4 - 5 blocks from the pier. When we were there, we weren't on a cruise.

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