A summer day in Halifax

With summer quickly approaching, I want to share some things I would normally do on a daily basis in Halifax. On a clear sunny day, I usually like to get up and start my day off with some form of exercise. An easy way to achieve this is to go for a walk, but to keep it interesting, I typically like to head out to the ocean. It takes around 20 minutes to drive to a coastal point from the city. My favourite spot to go is called Chebucto Head. This short drive makes you feel like you have really escaped the city, and on a clear day you can watch boats come in and out of the harbour. Sometimes one can even spot seals or if really lucky, a whale. After about a 30 minute hike I am ready for a swim. Although the ocean is great, it really is too cold for swimming most days of the summer. Around the city there are many lakes to go for a quick dip; most of them within 20 minutes from my house, which makes it vey convenient. 

For dinner it only makes sense to have seafood, but primarily lobster, based on the freshness, quality and price. You would be foolish to eat chicken. Picking up product from either the grocery store or fishermen you will experience good prices and quality. Having people over for dinner, or what I like to call a good old fashion kitchen party is a great way to kick off the evening. After dinner, the waterfront or the bar scene are places where most people tend to migrate to.

Although this is not a daily routine in the summer time, it definitely is typical to experience activities like these numerous times throughout the summer. If you're looking for a good time, I suggest visiting Halifax in the summer. You won't be disappointed. The food, atmosphere and scene is great, but most of all the people and culture is something that will be remembered.     

Like most cities Halifax is great in the summer, and a majority of the fun activities rely on good weather. The waterfront is a great place to go during the summer months, it’s free which is a bonus. The boardwalk is open to the public in the winter months, but some of the shops and restaurants close. Throughout the summer many different events and festivals are the main attraction of the waterfront. Every summer, Halifax hosts the busker festival and sometimes the tall ships, these two events alone attract many people. I have gone to see both events multiple times, and after about the second time it can get very repetitive.

Other attractions include Theodore tugboat, daily visits by cruise ships including the Queen Mary and occasionally the Bluenose. Every Saturday night the Harbour Queen takes people out on the water for a boat cruise, the cruise includes alcohol, a DJ and tons of dancing. There are also tons of patios and restaurants open for food and drinks, the Keith’s brewery another great place to tour around for an afternoon.

If you are not looking to spend money, which is usually the position I am in, the tall ships and buskers are great events to attend. Even spending an hour of your day walking the boardwalk is fun and entertaining. There is always something to see. I cannot wait for summer; this is when Halifax really comes alive.     

Peggy's Cove

Peggy’s Cove is one of the most popular tourist attractions that Nova Scotia has to offer. Peggy’s Cove is famous for its shops, restaurants, history and of course the view. The barren and rugged landscape make this a truly unique area. It reflects Nova Scotia’s fishing culture with its colorful homes, wharves and famous lighthouse. The location is amazing, it is one of many coastal points in the province, and on a clear day you can experience the vast ocean and the waves crashing on the rocks.

I have been to Peggy’s Cove many times throughout my life, mostly to take friends that are visiting from out of town. Peggy’s Cove really is a tourist attraction; practically every time I have been there the rocks are dotted with people exploring the rocks and crevices along the coastline. This can be a deterrence, as on a nice day it is guaranteed to be busy with people, which makes it hard to park, eat in the restaurant and walk around. It is also a popular place for storm watchers, as the waves can be huge. Sadly, wave watchers have been swept into the ocean on more than one occasion.

I suggest to any first time visitors to Nova Scotia that Peggy’s Cove is a must see. For locals and residents of Halifax, Peggy’s Cove is still interesting and a great place to go when you want get out of the city. During the summer months beware that it will be busy, but when you get there you won't be disappointed.

Hop, Skip and a Jump Away

The province of Nova Scotia is very unique in size, traveling from point A to B is very simple and efficient for experiencing different things in the duration of one day. Personally, I have found travelling throughout Halifax very convenient, during the summer I can be in the city in the morning and by the afternoon I can travel to the valley and be at the cottage. It is very rare that traffic is ever an issue throughout the city. The city streets can be confusing since there are many one-way streets and difficult intersections. Other than that, major highways are easily accessible from the city and traffic problems are rare.

Traveling from one end of the province to the other would take approximately eight hours, which gives a better understanding of how geographically compact is Nova Scotia. Living in the city is ideal because everything is at your fingertips, and a lot of planning doesn’t need to go into a day trip. To travel to the valley from the city takes two hours by car, and in the other direction two hours can take you to the coast, for example Peggy's Cove or a beach. 

Enjoying a day trip in Nova Scotia is easy and cost efficient. In the summer I can easily wake-up and go to a beach or the cottage and still make it home for dinner.