Halifax is an urban hub filled with maritime charm. With its rich history, spectacular seascapes, and welcoming east-coast culture, there are plenty of reasons to choose Halifax as your vacation destination. With so many amazing things to see and do, it can be difficult to decide when to visit Halifax!
To help you decide the best time of year to plan your trip to Halifax, we’ve taken a closer look at Halifax through the seasons to help you make an informed decision!
Spring
With the arrival of sunshine, warm weather and outdoor activities, there are so many reasons to love spring in Halifax.
As the old adage says, April showers bring May flowers and Halifax is no exception. With the city beautifully in bloom, there’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a stroll through one of the picturesque parks. Admire the fresh flowers at one of our favourites, and a very popular Halifax attraction, the Public Gardens. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop at Uncommon Grounds and Sugah! for a little treat!
Embrace even more fresh spring air by getting back to your favourite outdoor activities. We suggest dusting off your bike and hitting the trails or unpacking your golf clubs for a day on the green. Halifax will have you feeling in the spring spirit in no time!
Photo: @eliedignard via Instagram
Summer
Whether you’re craving adventure or relaxation, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the summer in Halifax.
Surrounded by water, summer adventures in Halifax are endless. Relax on one of our beautiful beaches, cool off with a refreshing swim, or enjoy the water with one of the many cruises in the city. Whether you set sail aboard the Tall Ship Silva, take a family ride on the Harbour Hopper, or go for ride on the Halifax Transit Ferry across the harbor. The Halifax-Dartmouth ferry is North America’s oldest, continuous, salt-water passenger ferry service – making it just one of the reasons why you’ll fall in love with our port city.
After you’ve cooled off, take to the city streets. Throughout the summer, the city is buzzing with activity, welcoming visitors from around the world – so, what better time to people watch? Take a walk on the waterfront and feel the summer breeze off the harbour, then pick a patio and soak in the east coast lifestyle.
Fall
Blanketed in autumn’s brightest hues of yellow, red and orange, you’ll absolutely fall for the city during this crisp and colourful season.
With the fabulous fall scenery, it’s time to explore our beautiful and bountiful province. Take to the great outdoors with a hike through the leafy landscape of one of our many trails or indulge in the fresh fall flavours with a trip to the Halifax Seaport Market. For even more family fun this fall, travel just outside of the city where you can get lost in a corn maze, admire handmade scarecrows, pick some tasty apples or find the perfect Halloween pumpkin.
Speaking of Halloween, there’s no better time to embrace Halifax’s haunted history than with a ghost tour. If your fearless family is game for this eerie activity, we suggest the Halifax Ghost Walk or the Citadel Ghost Tour.
Photo: @amystackhouse via Instagram
Winter
With the awe-inspiring beauty of Nova Scotia glistening with ice and snow, it’s worth braving the chilly air to experience winter in Halifax.
You’ll be bright eyed and rosy cheeked after a day of outdoor winter activities. Whether you lace up your skates at the Emera Oval, slide down one of the city’s many tobogganing hills, or strap on your snowshoes to explore the area, you’ll have no trouble enjoying our winter season.
When the weather outside is too frightful, our indoor activities are so delightful. Take advantage of our thriving arts and culture scene with a visit to one of the many art galleries, museums and historical sites in the city, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, or the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.
Photo: @maddytam via Instagram
Now that we’ve explored all of the seasons, let’s get back to the question: when is the best time of year to visit Halifax? The answer, it’s really up to you! Whatever your favourite season to visit, you’ll be greeted with a warm Halifax welcome and plenty of things to do year-round!
Check out our SEASONAL GUIDES TO HALIFAX to explore the best things to see and do, no matter what time of year you visit!
Stay in touch! Whether you’re still planning your trip or you’re already here, check us out on social media for travel ideas, adventure inspiration, and an inside look at all things Halifax.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and use #DiscoverHalifax to share your photos and videos with us.
Originally published October 2016 – updated September 2018.
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