| In Halifax you are always made aware of its | | | | world.After leaving the Citadel, crossing the |
| past by the elegant 18th and 19th | | | | harbour on the ferry is a wonderful way to |
| architecture and simultaneously reminded of | | | | view the beautiful waterfronts of both |
| the present by the ultramodern towers of | | | | cities. Visit the restored Historic Quaker |
| glass and steel. The center of Halifax is | | | | House, the oldest house in Dartmouth. The |
| perfect for exploring on foot, with its | | | | Shubenacadie Canal Park invites nature lovers |
| tree-lined streets, international | | | | to stroll quiet paths along the Shubenacadie |
| restaurants, galleries, libraries and | | | | Canal, the ambitious canal system that once |
| museums. In warm weather there are sidewalk | | | | linked Halifax with the Bay of Fundy.Back in |
| cafes, sometimes with a backdrop of the | | | | Halifax again, you'll find the city has many |
| bustling harbor, which handles ship traffic | | | | parks, perhaps the best, certainly the best |
| from every corner of the globe.A good place | | | | known is the Halifax Public Gardens, a |
| to start your exploration of the city is the | | | | 17-acre tribute to Victorian elegance and |
| Halifax Citadel, designated as an | | | | beauty. Since it was established as a civic |
| award-winning National Historic Site of | | | | garden in 1867, this has been a haven of |
| Canada. Founded in 1749 by Governor Edward | | | | meandering paths, fountains, lively duck |
| Cornwallis and his company of 2,500 settlers, | | | | ponds and formal Victorian flower beds.A |
| Halifax has a long history as a British | | | | short stroll from the Gardens is the Museum |
| stronghold in the New World. Built to | | | | of Natural History on Summer Street. This |
| counteract the growing strength of the French | | | | highly popular facility features displays on |
| in North America, Halifax was recognized the | | | | the province's flora, fauna and geological |
| world over for its strategic importance and | | | | history, from dinosaurs to eagles and life on |
| excellent ice-free harbour. Consequently, | | | | the ocean floor. The museum also presents |
| the British were careful to protect it with | | | | traveling exhibits and displays on the |
| the most advanced defenses available.The | | | | history of indigenous peoplesOne of the |
| massive star-shaped Citadel was built between | | | | city's favourite parks, the Sir Sandford |
| 1828 and 1856, it was one of the largest | | | | Fleming Park, overlooks the sailboat-dotted |
| British fortresses on the continent and its | | | | Northwest Arm. The land for the park was |
| hilltop setting provided a commanding view of | | | | donated to Halifax in 1908 by Sir Sandford |
| the city and harbour. This was the crown | | | | Fleming (1827-1915), who was the creator of |
| jewel in the Halifax defense system, with | | | | Standard Time, designer of Canada's first |
| other fortifications located on McNab's and | | | | postage stamp and lead civil engineer of the |
| George's islands in the harbour, at York | | | | Canadian Pacific Railroad. The park's |
| Redoubt overlooking the harbour entrance and | | | | distinctive tower, locally known as "The |
| in what is now Point Pleasant Park. With | | | | Dingle", was built in 1912 to commemorate the |
| cannons covering every angle of the harbor | | | | first elected assembly in the British Empire, |
| entrance, it was the major reason that | | | | which was first convened at Halifax on 2 |
| Halifax was never attacked.The Citadel | | | | October 1758. The park features walking |
| quickens with the sights and sounds of 19th | | | | trails, canteen facilities and beaches.But |
| century British military life in the summer | | | | Halifax is not all about museums, parks, |
| months. Period-uniformed soldiers drill and | | | | fortresses and the past. There are excellent |
| bagpipers play on the historic parade and | | | | theatres and sensational music, from |
| guards in sharply-pleated MacKenzie tartan | | | | blistering Celtic beats to superb symphony, |
| kilts stand sentry at the gates. A guided | | | | which typify an entertainment scene that is |
| tour includes living quarters, powder | | | | more vibrant and varied than that of a city |
| magazines and musketry galleries in the ditch | | | | twice the size. The city also offers |
| from which defenders could pepper the enemy | | | | top-notch shopping, from the specialty stores |
| with deadly crossfire. At midday, cover your | | | | and exclusive boutiques of Spring Garden Road |
| ears-the firing of the noonday gun is a | | | | to some of the largest malls in Atlantic |
| Halifax tradition dating from the late | | | | Canada.All in all, Halifax is a city with an |
| 1800s.From atop Citadel Hill, there is an | | | | interesting history and with an even more |
| excellent view of one of the city's most | | | | interesting future. But with container |
| famous landmarks, the Town Clock, which was | | | | shipping increasing every year, oil and gas |
| constructed in 1803 upon the request of | | | | exploration off Nova Scotia's coast and the |
| Prince Edward, a man renowned for his love of | | | | increasing numbers of tourists who are |
| punctuality. Beyond the clock the view | | | | arriving by every means, including the |
| encompasses the most historic part of | | | | largest cruise ships, it is a vital city that |
| Halifax, which for much of the 18th and 19th | | | | has a strong hold on the present. It |
| centuries was a lusty, brawling military town | | | | welcomes visitors any time of the year and |
| full of soldiers, sailors, privateers and | | | | very few ever leave disappointed. |
| adventurers seeking their fortune in the new | | | | |