After two days in Saint-Pierre (and a turbulent ferry ride to Miquelon and back), we boarded an hour-and-a-half direct Air Saint-Pierre 9am flight to Halifax, landing around 9:30am local time (Halifax runs an hour behind Saint-Pierre),
Our onward flight to NYC wasn’t until 2:50pm, and since there are no lounges in Halifax airport’s US-bound terminal, we seized the opportunity to squeeze in a few hours exploring Halifax.
After clearing customs, we grabbed an Uber to the harbor-side Marriott to see if they’d hold our bags. Fortunately, they agreed…though we wouldn’t count on this every time, so don’t bank on it if you’re planning the same route. With time ticking, we mapped out an ambitious walking loop of the city.
We started along the harbor, passing the ferry terminal and a charming small lighthouse.
Nearby, we discovered the Tidal Beacon, a beautiful kinetic sculpture that dances with wind and tide, and a perfect introduction to Halifax’s blend of maritime heritage and contemporary art.
From there, we headed west to Province House, home to Nova Scotia’s legislative assembly. A small press conference was underway to the left of security, regarding a young woman who had lost her life to sepsis amid Nova Scotia’s overburdened hospital system. As someone in the medical field, the topic hit close to home and momentarily captivated my attention. My trance broke when a friendly staffer, after a security check, offered us a complimentary 15-minute tour.
We got to take photos inside the upper chamber . . .
. . . the old library where the Supreme Court once convened . . .
. . . and the Red Room, a formal venue for receiving dignitaries.
Continuing our circuit, we walked through Grand Parade, the central square where Halifax City Hall and St. Paul’s Church face each other across a green dotted with war memorials.
St. Paul’s Church, just steps from the memorial, holds the distinction of being Halifax’s oldest building.
From there, we climbed to Citadel Hill and paid the CAD $13 admission to explore the historic fort.
The Army Museum inside proved surprisingly comprehensive, and we were delighted to accidentally catch the daily noon cannon blast, a moment of redemption after waiting futilely for the same ceremony atop Signal Hill in St. John’s earlier in our trip. Sometimes wishes come true only after you’ve stopped expecting them.
After descending the hill, we made a quick stop at Halifax Central Library to admire its striking modern architecture, a bold contemporary statement in this historic city.
With our two-hour window rapidly closing, we made a final dash to St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral, where a quiet service was in progress.
We concluded our whirlwind city tour at The Old Burying Ground across the street, one of Halifax’s oldest cemeteries dating back to 1749.
From there, we hailed an Uber back to the Marriott to collect our luggage and return to the airport for our journey home. All told, we faxed in a full Halifax morning!
- At time of posting in Halifax, it was 17 °C - Humidity: 59% | Wind Speed: 14km/hr | Cloud Cover: sunny and clear
