Post by househunter on Apr 28, 2014 17:17:50 GMT -5
We are going on a cruise from NYC to Canada in September. I have booked an excursion to Peggy's Cove, but I am thinking of cancelling it because it looks boring. Any recommendations for Halifax? Bonus if we can walk there from the cruise dock. Thanks!
Post by dorothyinAus on Apr 28, 2014 18:10:48 GMT -5
Halifax has an awesome boardwalk from the cruise terminal along the waterfront. It's a nice gentle walk and great scenery. If you're into history, there is a really nice museum, The Maritime Museum of the North Atlantic (or something like that) on the main street from the port (not the boardwalk). It has a really nice exhibit on the Titanic and a really nice one on the Great Halifax Explosion, which I had never heard about before visiting Halifax. Historic Properties is not too far from the port along the boardwalk, and I've heard some nice things about it. There is also the Citadel, which fires the big gun every day at noon and has several nice exhibits. And the botanic gardens (I can't remember their name) are well worth a visit if you're into that kind of thing. Along the main street from the port is the Alexander Keith Brewery. I know the brewery gives tours, but I've never looked into them.
Last year was the eighth time I have been to Halifax on a cruise. We like to do souvenir shopping in Halifax and have a lobster lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants. It's a really easy town to get around, but there is a very large hill, so nearly everything away from the Waterfront is uphill. And just a hint, I would try to avoid walking up the hill via Sackville Street -- that is the steepest part of the hill. But everything along the waterfront is relatively flat.
Halifax has an awesome boardwalk from the cruise terminal along the waterfront. It's a nice gentle walk and great scenery. If you're into history, there is a really nice museum, The Maritime Museum of the North Atlantic (or something like that) on the main street from the port (not the boardwalk). It has a really nice exhibit on the Titanic and a really nice one on the Great Halifax Explosion, which I had never heard about before visiting Halifax. Historic Properties is not too far from the port along the boardwalk, and I've heard some nice things about it. There is also the Citadel, which fires the big gun every day at noon and has several nice exhibits. And the botanic gardens (I can't remember their name) are well worth a visit if you're into that kind of thing. Along the main street from the port is the Alexander Keith Brewery. I know the brewery gives tours, but I've never looked into them.
Last year was the eighth time I have been to Halifax on a cruise. We like to do souvenir shopping in Halifax and have a lobster lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants. It's a really easy town to get around, but there is a very large hill, so nearly everything away from the Waterfront is uphill. And just a hint, I would try to avoid walking up the hill via Sackville Street -- that is the steepest part of the hill. But everything along the waterfront is relatively flat.
Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. Do you happen have names for the lobster restaurants?
Post by dorothyinAus on Apr 28, 2014 21:30:17 GMT -5
I've had great meals at Stayner's Wharf Pub & Grill and at Murphy's at The Cable Wharf. The Lobster Dip at Murphy's is fantastic, lots and lots of lobster and not too much filler or mayo. Stayner's is a bit better choice when my whole family is together as neither my brother nor DH eat seafood and it has better non-seafood options. Both have good food and excellent service, but I'd give the edge to Murphy's for lobster, though the lobster bisque at Stayer's ranks as some of the best I've ever had.
Most of my trips have been at the end of the cruise season (mid-October or so), so it's been a bit chilly and we've never really done "dining on the patio," but both have lovely patios and look like they'd be great for warmer days.
I'm not sure where else your cruise is stopping, but I have done the basic itinerary on Holland America 8 times, northbound from Ft. Lauderdale, from Boston, and southbound from both Montreal and Quebec. Quebec City and Halifax are my favorite ports on the route, with Charlottetown and Bar Harbor ranking as close seconds. So if you have any other questions about the ports, I'm happy to help.