The Lobster-Eating, Harbor-Hopping 1 Week Halifax Itinerary No Sane Tourist Should Ignore

Your Day-By-Day 1 Week Halifax Itinerary: Maritime Canada Without The Guesswork

This carefully structured 1 week Halifax itinerary balances urban exploration with coastal excursions, providing enough maritime charm to satisfy without inducing lobster overdose. The schedule maximizes efficiency while allowing crucial breathing room for those inevitable moments when you’ll find yourself chatting with a fisherman for forty-five minutes about the proper way to cook haddock.

Day 1: Waterfront Orientation and Harbor Views

After arriving at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), choose between the efficient airport shuttle ($22) or splurge on a taxi ($60-65) for the 30-minute journey downtown. Check into accommodations—mid-range hotels run $150-300 nightly, while budget travelers can find rooms for $80-120. The Lord Nelson Hotel offers central convenience, while the new Muir Halifax provides waterfront luxury for those with deeper pockets.

Begin your Halifax immersion with an afternoon stroll along the 2.5-mile Waterfront Boardwalk, where weathered wharves and repurposed warehouses create a landscape that’s equal parts working harbor and tourist haven. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic ($10 admission) offers a sobering look at the city’s connection to the Titanic disaster—Halifax boats recovered many of the bodies—and the catastrophic 1917 Halifax Explosion that nearly obliterated the city.

For dinner, The Bicycle Thief offers waterfront dining with fresh seafood ($25-45 per person), though the Salt Shaker Deli provides similar quality at more modest prices. Cap the evening at The Lower Deck pub, where live Maritime music reveals the subtle difference between Irish tunes and their Nova Scotian cousins—mainly the frequency of references to fishing villages you’ve never heard of.

Day 2: Halifax Citadel and Historic Core

Begin with a morning visit to the star-shaped Halifax Citadel National Historic Site ($12, opens 9am), timing your exploration to witness the noon gun—a tradition that has been startling pigeons and tourists daily since 1857. The strategic importance of Halifax’s natural harbor becomes immediately apparent from this elevated perch, as does the British military’s fondness for building defensive positions on punishingly steep hills.

Afterward, wander downhill to Province House and explore downtown’s colonial architecture. The Alexander Keith’s Historic Brewery tour ($30) justifies its price through theatrical elements and generous sampling opportunities. Don’t miss the Halifax Public Gardens—a Victorian-era formal garden that somehow survived Hurricane Juan’s direct hit—where locals earnestly discuss perennial plantings with the intensity most Americans reserve for playoff games.

For dinner, venture into the North End, where gentrification has transformed working-class neighborhoods into culinary destinations. EDNA offers sophisticated farm-to-table fare beyond the expected seafood, while Field Guide serves creative small plates in a space that would cost triple in Brooklyn.

Day 3: Peggy’s Cove Day Trip

Rise early to beat the crowds to Nova Scotia’s most photographed location. The 40-minute drive to Peggy’s Cove offers increasingly dramatic coastal scenery, but experienced travelers know morning light provides the best photos while simultaneously avoiding tour buses that arrive like clockwork at 10am. Rental cars offer flexibility ($60-80 daily), though organized tours ($75-90) prevent navigation headaches.

At Peggy’s Cove, capture the iconic lighthouse without including 300 other tourists by shooting from the eastern approach. Heed the clearly posted safety warnings about black rocks and rogue waves that have claimed lives of careless visitors—the Atlantic doesn’t issue refunds for poor decisions. Lunch at the Sou’Wester Restaurant offers reliable seafood with million-dollar views, though budget travelers should pack sandwiches.

On the return journey, stop at lesser-known Polly’s Cove for photographer-friendly vistas without crowds. The brave can attempt swimming at Crystal Crescent Beach, where water temperatures above 60°F are celebrated like lottery wins. Back in Halifax, recover with dinner at The Press Gang, housed in Halifax’s oldest building, where the seafood platter creates instant envy from neighboring tables.

Day 4: Dartmouth Ferry and Eastern Passage

Board the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry ($2.75) for the 15-minute harbor crossing that delivers the best skyline views of Halifax—a perspective that reveals why the British thought this natural harbor worth defending with multiple fortifications. Once dismissed as Halifax’s less sophisticated sibling, Dartmouth now boasts an emerging food scene. Try Two If By Sea for coffee and croissants that would make Parisians grudgingly nod in approval.

In the afternoon, visit Fisherman’s Cove in Eastern Passage, the working fishing village that offers authentic maritime atmosphere without Peggy’s Cove crowds. Colorful fishing shacks and actual fishermen (not the decorative kind) create a genuine coastal experience. The adventurous can arrange ferry service to McNabs Island, where abandoned military fortifications create an eerie backdrop for hiking trails.

Return to Halifax for evening entertainment along Argyle Street, where patios fill with locals performing the curious Canadian ritual of wearing t-shirts in 65°F weather. Try Durty Nelly’s for Irish pub atmosphere or The Carleton for live music in more sophisticated surroundings.

Day 5: Lunenburg and Mahone Bay Day Trip

Depart early for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg, 75 minutes southwest of Halifax. The colorful waterfront buildings represent one of North America’s best-preserved British colonial settlements, though locals will detect non-natives immediately when they pronounce it “Loon-en-burg” instead of the correct “Loon-en-berg.” Parking challenges and steep hills make comfortable walking shoes essential equipment.

Visit the Bluenose II schooner—replica of the famous racing vessel depicted on the Canadian dime. Sailing excursions ($45 for 1.5 hours) provide gorgeous harbor views and the chance to briefly pretend you’re a character in a maritime novel. Before leaving Lunenburg, try the fish and chips at The South Shore Fish Shack, where the crispy haddock actually justifies standing in line with fellow tourists.

On the return drive, stop in picturesque Mahone Bay to capture the famous “Three Churches” along the waterfront. Photography enthusiasts should detour to Blue Rocks, the quintessential Nova Scotia fishing village that somehow remains undiscovered by mass tourism. Return to Halifax for dinner featuring Lunenburg County specialties at Stories, where locally-sourced ingredients and harbor views provide a fitting finale to your coastal adventures.

Day 6: Halifax Museums, Shopping, and Parks

Begin at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia ($12), home to folk artist Maud Lewis’s restored painted house—a tiny dwelling entirely covered in colorful scenes that looks like a children’s book exploded indoors. The Halifax Central Library deserves a visit even from non-bibliophiles, as its innovative architecture and rooftop terrace provide harbor views that justify the elevator ride.

For shopping, browse Historic Properties and independently-owned boutiques along Spring Garden Road, where souvenirs transcend typical maple-themed kitsch. Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia offers hand-knit sweaters that cost less than similar items in the U.S., while local pottery makes a more practical memento than another shot glass destined for the back of a cabinet.

Spend the afternoon exploring Point Pleasant Park’s wooded trails and military ruins at the harbor’s entrance. The Halifax Museum of Natural History ($8.50) houses Gus, a 98-year-old tortoise who survived the Halifax Explosion—a living (if slow-moving) connection to the city’s defining disaster. Evening ghost walks ($25-30) provide entertainment value through historical storytelling rather than manufactured frights, though the guide’s enthusiasm for gruesome details varies dramatically.

Day 7: Wine Country or Annapolis Valley

For your final day, choose between Nova Scotia’s emerging wine scene or the agricultural heartland of the Annapolis Valley. Wine tours ($150-190) provide transportation from Halifax to the Gaspereau Valley, where crisp whites and unique hybrid grapes like L’Acadie Blanc thrive in the cool climate. Self-driving allows more flexibility but requires a designated driver willing to sacrifice tasting opportunities.

Alternatively, explore the Annapolis Valley with a stop at Grand-Pré National Historic Site ($8.50), which details the forced expulsion of Acadian settlers—the historical trauma that inspired Longfellow’s “Evangeline” and created Louisiana’s Cajun population. Seasonal farm markets offer pick-your-own opportunities ranging from June strawberries to September apples, with prices that make urban farmers’ markets seem like luxury experiences.

End the day at Hall’s Harbour to witness the extreme Bay of Fundy tides (46 feet between high and low) while enjoying lobster that was swimming that morning. Return to Halifax for a farewell dinner at The Five Fishermen, housed in a former funeral home that processed Titanic victims—a macabre history that somehow doesn’t diminish the excellent seafood.

Accommodation Breakdown: Where to Rest Between Lobster Meals

Luxury seekers should consider The Muir Halifax Autograph Collection ($350-550/night) or Sutton Place Hotel ($280-450/night), where harbor views and upscale amenities justify premium pricing. Mid-range options include the historic Lord Nelson ($180-260/night) near the Public Gardens or The Hollis Halifax ($200-280/night) in the downtown core.

Budget travelers can capitalize on university summer accommodations ($80-100/night) or the charmingly dated Waverley Inn ($120-170/night), where Oscar Wilde once stayed—though presumably at higher rates. Vacation rentals offer value, particularly in the residential South End, but require careful location research to avoid hills that transform pleasant walks into cardio challenges.

Regardless of budget, book accommodations at least three months ahead for summer visits. Halifax’s limited inventory fills surprisingly quickly during peak season, leaving latecomers with either premium rates or questionable properties where the photos were clearly taken during the previous decade’s renovation.

Transportation: Navigating Nova Scotia

This 1 week Halifax itinerary includes several day trips, making transportation considerations crucial. Rental cars provide maximum flexibility ($400-600 weekly) but require navigating downtown’s one-way streets and limited parking. Public transit works well within Halifax proper ($2.75 per trip), while the ferry system offers practical harbor crossings with bonus scenery.

Taxis handle downtown trips efficiently ($10-15), though availability decreases dramatically after midnight. Uber finally arrived in Halifax recently, ending years of rideshare exile. Walking remains practical for downtown exploration, but Halifax’s significant hills challenge the unprepared—the city’s topography has humbled many visitors who underestimated the vertical component of “walkable.”