City break (noun): a short holiday spent in a city, such as when on business travel.
Before there was bleisure travel, there was the city break—the short space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary amenities that big cities offer. In this series from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s best cities for planning a quick getaway or extending a work trip.
Here are our tips for making the most of your city break in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Where to fly in
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the main airport serving the city. It’s located about 30 kilometers, or 18ish miles, from downtown Halifax.
Once on the ground, travelers can continue on to their final destination by bus, taxi, rideshare, or rental car. Car journeys take about 30 minutes to reach downtown. Bus journeys average 50 minutes.
Where to stay during your city break
Looking for a luxury stay in the heart of Halifax? The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax offers five-star amenities, including rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, spa-inspired bathrooms, and a seasonal rooftop patio with panoramic views of the city. The hotel is conveniently located to all of Halifax’s downtown attractions, and easy walking distance to great restaurants (more on where to eat, below).
Nearby, the stylish and sophisticated The Prince George Hotel offers travelers 200+ guest rooms and suites, on-site fine dining at Gio, handcrafted cocktails at LevelBar, and more.
Is a boutique hotel more your style? Consider a stay at The Halliburton, a historic hotel located just minutes from the waterfront. Each room is unique: some feature balconies, while others have wood-burning fireplaces. Guests can also enjoy on-site dining at Stories Restaurant, located just off the lobby—or when the weather’s right, al fresco on the garden patio.
Vacation rentals, like those booked through Airbnb, are also available in Halifax.
How to get around
Part of Halifax’s charm is its walkability. Plan accordingly by packing comfortable shoes for walking from place to place.
When walking isn’t feasible or desirable, you can take Halifax Transit to get around by bus or ferry. Download the HFXGO app to buy tickets, view bus and ferry schedules, learn about service disruptions, and more.
Thinking about exploring Halifax on two wheels? Reserve a bike or e-bike with I Heart Bikes. You can also book a bike tour with one of their expert guides to discover the city in an intentional—and eco-friendly—manner.
Taxis and Uber are also available in Halifax.
Where to eat
If you only have time for one meal in Halifax, make it at Field Guide—located in Halifax’s North End neighborhood. Think seasonal dishes, local ingredients, carefully crafted cocktails—and to top it off, friendly service. Be sure to book a table ahead of time—space is limited, and you don’t want to miss out on this experience.
Like Field Guide, Jekyll & Hyde is located in the North End—just far enough away from the bustle of downtown that you might miss it, but you’ll be glad you didn’t! Head here for all things local: dishes with locally sourced ingredients, beers from nearby breweries (more on those in the next section), and wine from throughout Nova Scotia.
Craving Italian? Book a reservation at The Bicycle Thief or Ristorante Amano—both located on the Halifax waterfront—for traditional Italian dishes served with the warmth of Canadian hospitality.
Have breakfast on the brain? Check out Dilly Dally Eats, Almonak, or Café Lara for breakfast or brunch—all three are open seven days a week.
Tip: Use TripIt’s Nearby Places feature to easily find places to eat, drink, pick up supplies, or even seek medical care within walking distance from where you’re staying. For example, if you’re looking for a restaurant that’s close to your hotel, simply tap on the restaurants option in Nearby Places to view an interactive map with each option tagged. Tap the tags to view useful information like the restaurant’s contact details, hours, reviews, and more. If you find a place you want to visit but can’t get there right away, you can save it in TripIt to visit later.
What to do on your city break
Love history? Explore Halifax’s deep maritime and military heritage at the hilltop Citadel, or Georges Island—located in the middle of Halifax Harbour. Tour both locations with an expert guide to learn about the port city’s importance to not only Nova Scotia, but all of Canada and beyond.
You can also meander Halifax Public Gardens, the city’s Victorian-era public gardens established in 1867. One-hour guided horticultural and historical tours are available; tours are free, but pre-booked registration is required.
Want to mix and mingle with locals? Head to one of the city’s farmers’ markets, such as Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market or Halifax Brewery Market. You can meet local artisans, makers, bakers (pro tip: don’t skip the pastries at The Mediocre Bakery stand—there is nothing mediocre about their cinnamon rolls), and more—and sample flavors and purchase unique gifts you won’t find elsewhere.
Speaking of sampling local favors, Halifax is home to many microbreweries worth visiting, including Propellor Brewing Company, Good Robot Brewing Company, Garrison Brewing Company, and 2 Crows Brewing Co. You can also pay a visit to The Halifax Beer Garden (open seasonally) to sample a variety of local beers in one location.
Rented a bike or e-bike with I Heart Bikes? After you’ve explored the Halifax side of things, cross the harbor by ferry and visit Dartmouth. There you can cycle the harborside bike trail, then pop into The Canteen for a bite, New Scotland Brewing Co. for a flight, or The Wooden Monkey for a bit of both.
Want to explore beyond Halifax and see more of Nova Scotia? Book a day trip—whether it’s a tour of Nova Scotia’s wine country, a jaunt to the Bay of Fundy, or a drive along the coast to Lunenburg, there’s plenty to see beyond the capital city.
