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Top 3 Things To Do In Halifax During Your Cruise Stop

Halifax Offers Max Waterfront Fun, Unique Eats and History

By Sascha Zuger | Published on December 4, 2025

Discover the best things to do in Halifax, from must-see water views and boardwalk fun to local eats and scavenger hunts, all during your cruise stop. No matter your crew’s favorite way to spend a day — al fresco exploring, cultural tastes of the town or digging into its fascinating past — Halifax will surprise you at every turn.

1. Outdoor And Waterfront Fun

Halifax brings it when it comes to dynamic boardwalk fun, with a walkable city and day trips made for those who love to be “oot and aboot,” eh?

Downtown Halifax Boardwalk

One of the best things to do in Halifax is just steps away from the cruise ship dock. Peoplewatch or pick the perfect way to play for your crew. The sprawling waterfront boardwalk in the heart of Halifax features:

● Live music.

● Bustling cafes.

● Playgrounds.

● Kids’ carnival rides.

● Taittinger champagne cart.

● Unique ice cream shops and stands.

● Food trucks.

● Climbable sculptures and architectural art.

● Murals and painted sidewalk games for kids.

● Buskers and illusionist entertainers.

Fishermen’s Cove

Just 20 minutes outside of the Port of Halifax lies a charming 200-year-old village of colorful waterfront artist cabins, boardwalk, boutiques and fresh seafood cafes.

The village’s MacCormack’s Beach is perfect for beachcombing, birdwatching or seaside chill outs.

Halifax-heavy Scavenger Hunts And Escape Rooms

Learn about the city’s rich history as you take one of two themed scavenger hunts to wander the sites and solve puzzles to win both the game and a great afternoon of exploration. If the weather isn’t cooperating, a Citadel-themed escape room filled with Halifax-specific puzzles clues guests into the city’s history before or after a visit.

● Let’s Roam: Dive into this Halifax Hopping Harbour Scavenger Hunt along the water.

● 3Quest Challenge: Teens will love a smartphone-led hunt around Halifax and historic sites.

● Captured Escape Rooms’ Citadel Hill: A new discovery has been found at the Citadel — slip past the caution tape as the Noon Gun salute rings out to uncover the (not scary) mystery.

Take To The Water — Kayak Or Sail The Day Away

A beautiful Halifax afternoon only gets better with a fish-eye view of the city line by kayak, pirate-themed schooner or luxurious sunset sail on a catamaran or yacht. Kayak Halifax offers harbor tours or paddling a Seal Cove and Wild Islands more nature-based excursion.

Lunenburg Historic District

A top vacation idea is to take a scenic hour drive down the stunning South Shore to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg. A colorful waterfront features original 18th- and 19th-century homes, shops and ships to explore. Unique boutiques, art galleries and waterfront cafes serving Nova Scotia’s best delicacies and right-from-the-boat seafood round out the afternoon.

2. Local Culture And Creative Eats

Halifax has a flavor all its own, whether literal via local-specific eats or in the vibe and energy of this vibrant city.

Dive Into Quinpool

Another charming neighborhood of Halifax is a short walk from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Museum of Natural History. It sings with creativity:

● 25-year-old indie live theatre, 2B.

● Live Art Dance, a contemporary movement theatre.

● Second Gallery, local artist show venue.

● Contender eSports Gaming Center, hourly admissions available.

The official food of Halifax, “donair,” was born here. Tastes include a selection of tea houses and the 50+ year-old “King of Donair” restaurant, whose owner invented the modified Halifax-specific gyro in its humble kitchen on Quinpool Street.

Mystic — A Gastronomic Wonder

This excellent best-in-town waterfront restaurant, situated inside the architectural monument “Rise Again,” offers Michelin-level Fauna and Biota tasting menus as well as ala carte chef-side seats to watch the magic happen in the open kitchen. The smartly designed entrance boasts a large wall filled with glass bottles and curing containers housing the week’s foraging efforts from the team of culinary pros. Roots, leaves, moss, mushrooms, drying herbs, nuts, seeds and other natural ingredients from local forests will be incorporated into the changing menu. Round one of our post-dinner desserts arrived on a moose palmate antler!

Each dish and cocktail is locally sourced and the service experience is part gracious host and part local history storytelling — it’s a taste tour of Halifax’s best. If time is tight, consider the equally incredible bar with seats reserved for a cocktail paired three-course sip-and-bites program.

Halifax Is “poutine” Tater Treats To The Test

Sure, the classic creation of fries, cheese curds and gravy might be associated with its Acadian/Southern Quebec origins, but thanks to Halifax, the whole New England region brings this delish dish to life with renditions from classic to creative. Local tot-spots to try the taters:

● Smoke’s Poutinerie.

● Willy’s.

● Black Sheep Restaurant.

● Your Father’s Moustache.

The Fine Craft Of The Halifax Pub Crawl

So close to the New England and Canada vacation cruise port, you can crawl your way through the city’s best breweries and pubs. Bring the kids, they’ll be welcomed with a craft soda of their own:

● The Stubborn Goat Gastropub.

● Dirty Nelly’s Irish Pub.

● Propeller Brewery (also brews sodas).

● Tusket Falls Beer Project.

● The Narrows Public House in a 1896 Victorian Mansion.

● Alexander Keith’s Brewery.

● 2 Crows Brewing Co.

● Garrison Brewery, which also brews sodas.

If walking tours and pub crawls aren’t your speed, hop on a music pumping, ales-included Solar party bike-for-ten to cruise the streets of the city.

BKS Speakeasy And Maritime Mixologist Master Class

The swankiest waterfront rooftop sits outside a hidden speakeasy at the gorgeous Muir Hotel. Prime yourself for a visit with a day at their excellent spa and adjacent local contemporary art gallery granting you exclusive guest access. Take a private elevator ride up to an unremarkable end-of-hall door into a quite remarkable hotspot for mixologist creations (each with its own story you can read in the menu-book) and noshes that hit the perfect note to make those drinks sing.

We exited the speakeasy’s private elevator street exit marked only with a subtle bee/K/donkey sign and had passersby offering us impressive figures to share the code. Book in advance for the Maritime Mixologist Master Class to get a rum-running history class in every glass.

Don’t Miss The Moon Mist

Even in the far north, they all scream for ice cream. Not only is Halifax packed with unique frozen dessert hotspots, but it has a cold spot in its warm heart for Moon Mist — a must-try local favored concoction combining banana, grape and blue bubble gum ice cream. Try your “lick” at:

● Pane e Circo: Gelato and sorbet-serving bikes on the waterfront.

● The Fog Company: Cotton candy fog, mermaid tails, edible paper whales.

● Sugah!: “Hand-paddled” idea cream mixes including candies and toppings galore.

● Crocodile Ice Cream: Quirky and unconventional flavors that have teeth.

● Cow’s: Line-out-the-door ice creamery that is udderly Canadian.

● Dee Dee’s: Local fave, an artisanal handmade ice cream shop.

● ChocoBerry Halifax: Chocolate-covered strawberry in a cup dessert.

3. Historic Sites And Memorable Museums

The rich history of Halifax is seen in every direction you look, overlaid by a modern eclectic energy that makes the city feel fresh. Dig into the past at these fascinating sites.

Citadel Hill National Historic Site

This 1869 fort protected the harbor and city and is open for exploration. Tour recreated period rooms such as the barracks, tailor shop, engineer store, defense casemates and school room. Living history programs with costumed interpreters include The Noon Gun, Sentry Changes, Drill Demonstrations and Cannon Firing.

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse & Fishing Village Visit

This quaint fishing village is an easy afternoon trip from the port, with a perfectly preserved classic lighthouse to visit, granite rocks to roam and local walking trails. Other notable spots include historic St. John's Anglican Church, the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial and William deGarthe Art Gallery.

Titanic Tours With Historic Fairview Lawn Cemetery Visit

On a Canadian vacation, you can explore a poignant piece of history honoring the RMS Titanic tragedy. You can also tour one of the cemeteries dedicated to its victims.

Canadian Museum Of Immigration At Pier 21

This museum couldn’t be more convenient for cruise guests, situated practically at the foot of your ship’s gangway. Over 400 years of history is explored, with Step Into the Past, Eat-Make-Share and Uncover Your Family’s History exhibits immersing visitors in an immigrant’s experience.

Maritime Museum Of The Atlantic

Exhibits about small craft boat building, shipwreck treasures, World War II convoys, the Halifax Explosion of 1917, the Titanic and more can be enjoyed appropriately along the water’s edge on the Halifax harbor. You can even step aboard the lone ship that survived the explosion, the CSS Acadia.

Visit Via Royal Caribbean Cruises For Max-halifax Fun

Halifax is just one of the captivating Canadian ports that offer visitors a memorable experience. Venturing into the heart of this artsy and happening spot by ship is ideal. Royal Caribbean family cruise vacations offer endless dining, entertainment, family-centered activities and waterparks with popping pool decks. Most importantly, parents hoping to get a dose of date night or spa day recharge for themselves will find amazing ocean-themed tot, teen and youth programs keeping kids from 6 months to 17 engaged with new friends and fun.

Exploring the best of New England and Canada can be a tricky proposition by car. Many of the most unique and memorable destinations are either farflung or only accessible easily by sea. Port stops on these cruises include Boston, Maine’s Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John on Bay of Fundy, Corner Brook on Newfoundland, Sydney in Nova Scotia, Anne-with-an-E Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island and Quebec City.

Book A Halifax-bound Cruise For An Action-packed Vacation

Halifax is one of the many Canada and New England port cities welcoming visitors with history, local flavor, cultural hotspots and outdoor recreation. Paired with a Royal Caribbean cruise, this is the ultimate way to see exciting, tucked-away destinations.

Explore Halifax-bound cruises.