CONTENTS

GETTING HERE

Halifa x GREATER

From centuries-old fishing villages to ancient forests to a vibrant downtown, the Halifax region boasts a variety of experiences for travellers. Over the following pages, you’ll find classic attractions, unique escapes, family fun, rich culture, and much more.

Halifax is a dream destination for history buffs. Museums and historic sites abound. But while it’s always mindful of its history, Halifax is also a multicultural modern city, with thriving art, theatre, and music communities.

With a reputation for hospitality, our community has a legendary history of welcoming visitors. Read on and discover all we have to offer.

Georges Island

CAR

The map on page 41 shows the

region’s approaches. From the north,

Hwy. 102 brings you to downtown Halifax

via Bayers Road. Hwy. 118 from Hwy. 102

connects with Hwy. 107 to the Eastern

Shore and Hwy. 111 (the Circumferential

Highway, circling Dartmouth). Hwy. 111

then leads to downtown Halifax via the

MacKay Bridge. Hwy. 103 comes from

Yarmouth via the South Shore. Hwy. 101

comes from Yarmouth via the Annapolis Valley. For information on highway conditions, dial 511 in Nova Scotia. getting here PHOTO: MARK CRUZ Discovery Centre

AIR

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is 35km from downtown Halifax on Hwy. 102, and approximately 30km from downtown Dartmouth. Halifax Transit operates its MetroX service from downtown to Halifax airport. The #320 bus runs every 30 minutes during peak morning (6am–9am) and afternoon (3pm–6pm) times; it runs hourly for the rest of the day (with the first bus leaving downtown at 4:40am and the last arriving at the airport at 12:09am). Find schedule and fare information here: halifax.ca/ transportation/halifax-transit. Maritime Bus also provides service to Halifax airport. Shuttle services run from the airport to destinations such as Sydney, the Annapolis Valley, Yarmouth, Truro, and P.E.I. For more information, contact the Airport Visitor Information Centre at 902-873-1223 or hiaa.com.

Halifax

Halifax is the East Coast terminus for Via Rail. There are three Montréal-bound trains weekly, with connections to destinations across North America. The station is at 1161 Hollis St. For more information: 1-888-842-7245. viarail.ca

Many cruise lines visit Halifax. Learn more on page 42. For private boats, find mooring information on page 63. Several ferries also connect to Nova Scotia.

BAY FERRIES

Saint John, N.B., to Digby, N.S. (year-round) and Portland, Me. to Yarmouth, N.S. (dates unavailable at press time) 1-877-762-7245. ferries.ca

NORTHUMBERLAND FERRIES

Wood Islands, P.E.I., to Caribou, N.S. (May 1–Dec. 20) 1-888-249-7245. nfl-bay.com

MARINE ATLANTIC

Port aux Basques, N.L. (year-round) and Argentia, N.L. (mid-June–late September) to North Sydney, N.S. 1-800-341-7981. marine-atlantic.ca

MARITIME BUS

The terminal is located at 1161 Hollis St. Service to the Annapolis Valley, Northern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec (Rivière-du-Loup), and Maine (Bangor), with connections to points beyond. For ticket information: 1-800-575-1807. maritimebus.com

ENTERING CANADA

Visitors to Canada require valid travel documents. Refer to cic.gc.ca/ english/visit/index.asp. Americans consult travel.state.gov.

NON-CANADIAN PLEASURE CRAFT

Non-Canadian boaters must register with the Canadian Border Services Agency. Call 1-888-226-7277 upon entering Canadian waters.

POLICE | FIRE | MEDICAL Emergency: 911

Non-emergency medical information: 811

Environment Canada weather information: 902-426-9090 / weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca

GETTING AROUND

Halifa x GREATER

Halifax Transit harbour ferry

getting around

DRIVING Speed limits and distances are in metric. Unless otherwise posted, it’s legal in Nova Scotia to turn right on a red light after making a full stop. At every intersection there is a crosswalk, either marked or unmarked; drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Seat belts are mandatory. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, as is using a mobile phone while driving. It’s illegal to smoke in vehicles carrying children. Child safety seats are required for children under 40 lbs., booster seats are required for children under age nine or 4’9”. Refer to gov.ns.ca/tran.

BRIDGES

Two toll bridges connect Halifax and Dartmouth: the A. Murray MacKay Bridge and Angus L. Macdonald Bridge. The toll is $1 for automobiles, light trucks, and motorcycles. Consult hdbc.ca for details.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Halifax Transit serves the Greater Halifax area. Bus and ferry single-trip fare is $2.75 for adults (age 18–64), $2 for seniors and teenagers (13–17), and free for children (age 12 and under). See halifax.ca/ transportation/halifax-transit or call 902- 490-4000, TDD: 902-490-6645.

TAXIS/LIMOS

You’ll find taxi stands in high-traffic areas throughout the city and it’s possible (although sometimes difficult) to hail cabs on city streets. A trip from the airport to downtown Halifax is $68 (halifaxstanfield. ca/transportation/taxi-limos). Many drivers offer accessible vehicles, as does Need-aLift Transportation Services (needalift.ca).

VISITOR INFORMATION

Year-round information centres: • Halifax Waterfront on the boardwalk at Sackville Landing at 1655 Lower Water St. in Halifax. 902-424-4248. • Halifax Stanfield International Airport at Exit 6 off of Hwy. 102. 902-873-1223 or 902-873-1224. Consult novascotia.com.

ACCESSIBILITY

Need-A-Lift Transportation Services (needalift.ca) provides wheelchair accessible bus and taxi service in Metro. Phone 902-222-5438. Accessible Media (ami.ca) offers audio versions of printed materials to people with vision difficulties. Phone 902-444-7358. The Interpreter Service for the Deaf is available from 8:30am–4:30pm. Phone: 902- 429-5752. Emergencies/after hours: 902-498-1198. More details: ns.211.ca/ service/9452137_7321348/interpreting_ services.