Search for vacation rental homes in Halifax
Halifax: Nova Scotia's Shining Star!
Halifax, Nova Scotia, the provincial capital, is a gem with many facets for anyone planning a vacation in the area. First settled by the Mi'kmaq Indians, Halifax was founded by the British in 1749, who used the area as a stronghold in opposition to a French fort in Louisbourg. Filled with the kind of historical attractions that make history buffs giddy, Halifax is also filled to the brim with excellent restaurants, cultural experiences, shopping, and enough green space to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy for a month of Sundays. An active day can include hiking, fishing, swimming, cycling, or plopping down in the sand and working on your tan.
Halifax outwardly shows a modern face, but its inside is filled with an historic heart. It is a bustling city that has a long affiliation with the sea. A great place to start is in Halifax Harbour. The second largest natural harbor in the world (after Sydney, Australia), the harbor is the pulse that beats the city, bringing tourists and sea farers by the thousands. To more fully understand the importance of the sea in Halifax's history, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The museum houses a collection of nautical memorabilia including a display on shipwrecks off of Nova Scotia, Queen Victoria's barge, various historic small craft, and a continuously running film by National Geographic about the RMS Titanic, which sank off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1912. (Incidentally, some of the victims of the Titanic rest in Fairview, Olivett, and Baron de Hirsch cemeteries, their graves commemorated with small black headstones).
History buffs will also want to make a beeline for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, the most visited historical site in Canada. In all, four forts have occupied the grounds. The fort has been renovated to appear much as it did in 1856, when the last fort was built. The Citadel sits atop a hill on George Street, and offers a great view of the town and the harbor below. In summer, students dressed in period uniform portray soldiers of the 78th Highlanders and the Royal Artillery. They demonstrate military drills, the changing of the guard, and weaponry presentation. There is also a 50-minute audiovisual presentation on the fort's history.
If you want some outdoor adventure during your Halifax vacation, head to Point Pleasant Park, a 186 acre park perched on a peninsula near the water's edge. For years, the park served to protect the city from its enemies. The remnants of old forts can be explored, along with the more than 25 miles of hiking trails that meander through the park. Bicycling is big business in the park, as is a small swimming and sunning beach overlooking Halifax Harbour. Another great spot for soaking up some sunshine is the Halifax Public Gardens. The garden is set on over 15 acres of manicured land, and represents one of the finest examples of Victorian gardens in North America.
Halifax has the dish for every vacation's bill of fare. Pop over into Dartmouth and visit the extensive indoor farmer's market. Head out for a day of tanning, or to view the remnants of Fort McNab, located on McNab Island. Learn about which members of the dearly departed seem to be alive and kicking during a Halifax Ghost Walk Tour of the city. For a fun excursion, head southwest along the Southern Coast, and see some of the most picturesque fishing villages in North America. Hop on your cross-country skis as you glide along the trails in Hemlock Ravine Park. See how Halifax became a city during your visit to the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. Halifax is a vacation feast best tackled with an extra large appetite!
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Ocean Front Miles of Beach,Hfx Summer 2008 Sold Out 40% off fall &15% off 2009 — Property 113352
- House
- 6 bedrooms , sleeps 16
- 3 bathrooms
- beach, waterfront
- accept credit card
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $600 - $3200 per property per week
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Oceanfront House in Halifax — Property 182783
- House
- 3 bedrooms , sleeps 8
- 1 bathroom
- 1 half bathroom
- waterfront
- washing machine
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $1200 - $1500 per property per week
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Private country setting,central location, beautiful decor with pool, hot tub. — Property 179281
- House
- 4 bedrooms , sleeps 10
- 2 bathrooms
- rural
- accept credit card
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $1200 - $1800 per property per week
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Chezzetcook Inlet, Ocean Front, High Speed Wifi, Luxury Amenities — Property 214344
- House
- 3 bedrooms , sleeps 6
- 1 bathroom
- rural, waterfront
- accept credit card
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $750 - $1150 per property per week
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Nantucket Point Oceanfront Estate — Property 215425
- Villa
- 4 bedrooms , sleeps 8
- 3 bathrooms
- beach, waterfront
- swimming pool
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $1450 per property per week
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