Historic Halifax by Foot
Description
The Historic Halifax by Foot tour provides visitors an opportunity to sample the history, architecture and hospitality the city has to offer. Your local guide will lead you on a comfortable paced tour through the downtown area, with multiple stops at various locations for photos and conversation. With a small group size, guests will be able to enjoy a more personal tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
With your local guide, enter the Oldest Victorian Gardens in Canada, through the main gates. Inside the Gardens your guide will explain the history and monuments found inside. Free time will also be provided to explore on your known.
The Old Burying Ground is Halifax's oldest cemetery, founded in 1749. Your route will take you by the site featuring restored headstones, the only Crimean War memorial in North America and interesting tales of those laid to rest.
Providing a commanding view of downtown Halifax and the harbour, walk to the top of Citadel and join your guide as they explain the importance of Halifax as a military establishment and the importance of the Citadel. Great photo opportunity. This tour does not go inside the Citadel National Historic Site.
Founded in 1749, St. Paul's is the oldest Anglican church in Canada, as well as the oldest building in Halifax. From the Grand Parade, your guide will explain it's connection to the Halifax Explosion.
Your guide will stop at this historic military parade square dating from the founding of Halifax in 1749. At the north end of the Grand Parade is the Halifax City Hall, the seat of municipal government in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. At the south end is St. Paul's Church. In the middle of Grand Parade is the cenotaph built originally to commemorate the soldiers who served in First World War, Second World War, and the Korean War. Your guide will also take this time to talk about the Halifax Explosion, the worst man made explosion prior to the Second World War bombing in Japan.
Constructed between 1817-1819, Province House is Canada's longest serving legislative building in Canada. The structure is considered one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in North America. It is also the location of a famous court case in 1835 which lead to freedom of the press in Canada. Your guide will provide details about the unique events that have taken place at Provinces and the people who have governed Nova Scotia.
The Old Town Clock is one of Halifax's most famous landmarks. Constructed to provide the correct time to the local garrison, it has been helping Haligonians keep on time since 1803. Your route from Citadel Hill will take you past the front steps of the clock.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- As this is a walking tour, persons with walking issues should not participate.
- Not recommended for travelers with walking problems.
Reviews(212)
Wonderful and knowledgeable guide. Visited many wonderful parts of Halifax. Would recommend for someone wanting to know more about the city
Thank you Matthew ! We are so happy you and your guest enjoyed your tour with Adrienne!! Our guides take so much pride in our city , Halifax history and lore .
The guide was dry, and we didn't even go into any of the places stated. We just walked by them. Guide couldn't answer too many questions, either (as though the tour is just memorized).
Thanks for your feedback 612Vik , Due to the duration including area covered and cost of this tour we are unable to enter spaces besides the Publlc Gardens . We will give feedback to the guide regarding your experience.
This tour gave us a great background of the history of HalifX and all of Nova Scotia. The walk was not very strenuous and we saw the highlights of Halifax with time to take a break and refresh. The director was knowledgeable,fun, and accommodating to all. I don't recommend this tour for kids. The family in our group needed to leave partway through. Not great fun for most kids.
Thanks Jane for your kind words , the weather was not on our side that day . Our guides Victor and Adrienne have a wealth of knowledge and pride for their city.
Pretty standard tour hitting the highlights downtown. Fog and rain didn't help, but Victor did his best to make this a positive experience. Probably a bit too much walking for young children or those with mobility issues. We lost 50% of our group during the tour.
Thanks so much John the weather was not on our side that day . Victor is so knowledgeable about our city and always as a great anecdote and great pride.
This tour was interesting and helpful and had some good information. I saw a lot of the old areas of Halifax and learned some interesting stories. The tour guide did an OK job. Sometimes he did not elaborate on things as much as I would have liked. And I did catch a couple of errors in his explanations. But for the most part, he did a good job. I do not regret doing it.
Thanks we are glad you found it helpful . Cheers
Fabulous stroll around Halifax leaning the history of the city. Great way to spend a few hours. Highly recommend. Cameron was very knowledgeable and amusing in his commentary. Thank you!
Thanks Sharon we are so glad you and your group enjoyed your time with us .
Duncan was a fantastically knowledgeable and affable guide and host. As a typical American who has a murky knowledge of Canada, he treated my questions about federal and provincial politics, education, immigration policy, and history with aplomb. I could not recommend spending three hours with him more highly. You’ll be glad you did!
Thanks so much Mark its my pleasure to share the stories and history of our beautiful city and province with you Duncan
We were very pleased with the tour. It provided a great overview of the attractions in the area, including historical insights. We covered a lot of ground, and the tour was well-paced for all ages.
Thanks so much Greg really enjoy sharing our history and lore so then you can always explore on your own furthur . So you can enjoy our city and province as much as we do .
Victor Frazier was outstanding! A wealth of knowledge and very interested in teaching us all about Halifax. I highly recommend him as a tour guide.
Our guides are an exceptional wealth of knowledge of history plus overall information . Will Pass on your gratitude to Victor .
Great tour! We walked all of downtown Halifax!! We enjoyed all the history and stories! Highly recommend!
We are so happy you enjoyed your tour . We are proud of the exceptional skills and knowledge of our guides , to help you know more about our beautiful city and province .
