For a small city, Halifax has a lot of neat things to do that appeal to all ages. Those visiting the city with teenagers will have no trouble at all finding things to keep them interested. Here’s a plan for a perfect family day that your teens will love:
Morning
Take the ferry across to Dartmouth, firstly to enjoy the amazing views of Halifax from the water, but also because at the ferry terminal, Alderney Landing, you’ll find the World Peace Pavilion, a project dreamed up by teenagers who wanted to create a testament to peace. In 1989, the group of teens got together and started writing letters to countries all over the world to ask for a piece of rock to signify the earth we all share and a brick to represent our efforts to shape the future. Their campaign was hugely successful, the city donated land and in 1995 the local council decided that a facility would be built to house the donations. More than 70 countries proudly sent donations, and there are some amazing contributions including pieces of the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China.
Stroll through historic downtown Dartmouth to Two if by Sea for a coffee and one of their incredible have-to-be-tasted-to-be-believed croissants before hopping back on the ferry back to Halifax.
Head into the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to explore the artifacts rescued from the wreck of the Titanic and the hundreds of other wrecks off the Nova Scotian coast, as well as various other cool exhibits about the city and it’s relationship with the city. Then stroll down Lower Water Street to the old Brewery Market to grab a crepe for lunch at the Creperie Mobile stand.
Afternoon
Take a Harbour Hopper tour, which takes you all around Halifax (with a fun live commentary) and then into the Harbour itself on a decommissioned army aquatic vehicle. This tour takes around 55 minutes, and once it is finished, head up to Barrington Street to check out the cool indie shops like the Freak Lunchbox (which calls itself a hip-hop candy store) and various other cool boutiques in the neighbourhood (fashion loving teens will love Biscuit General Store, on Argyle Street, which has great clothes, shoes and gift items). If you want to grab a coffee or snack, check out the Paperchase Café at 5228 Blowers Street, which is a funky little artsy hangout with sofas and games.
Evening
If you’re kids are carnivorous, then go eat at Q Smokehouse and Southern Barbeque on Argyle Street, where you can pig out on ribs and all the delicious sides that come with them. If meat isn’t their thing, head over to the Wooden Monkey, a cool restaurant that serves a mix of vegan, vegetarian, meat and seafood dishes, and was much loved by the Rolling Stones the last time that they played Halifax.
After dinner, head over to the Old Citadel Clock to join in with a Halifax Ghost Walk, a two-hour tour of the cities haunted old streets (runs at 8.30pm on scheduled nights from July through September).