Halifax is a city that is much loved by locals, where you can find local businesses at the backbone of the community, offering services and amenities to make your stay special. Halifax offers an incredible natural environment, world-class drinking and dining establishments and activities that people come from around the world to experience, making it a Travellers Choice Top 10 Global Tourist Destination on TripAdvisor. So, whether you are a local looking for “staycation” anniversary inspiration, or a future anniversary vacation, here are some experiences Halifax has to offer.

Halifax Road Trip

Enjoy what Halifax has to offer, whether it is skating on the Emera Oval where you can hire skates and helmets. Otherwise consider Kyhber Centre For The Arts for contemporary visual art by emerging local, national and/or international artists, which exists in a wide variety of disciplines or The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia with more than 17,000 works of art by Canadian artists, both historical and contemporary. If you want more history, visit the Pier 21 National Historic Site on the waterfront, the gateway for nearly one million immigrants from 1928 to 1971, and now a national museum with hands-on activities and first-person biographies.

If you want to explore beaches, go to Hubbards on the southern edge of Halifax to enjoy a swim in the clear waters of St. Margaret’s Bay. This is a romantic spot where you may want to stop to exchange the gifts you may have chosen before your trip, having made a choice by using the wedding anniversary theme by year. Stop for lunch at one of the independent eateries before heading inland to the 930 acres of Uniacke Estate Museum Park, an elegant country estate.

A day in Dartmouth

Walk across the Macdonald Bridge and get a treat on the other side. Downtown Dartmouth is a great place for a relaxed anniversary celebration, a place where you can connect with family and friends as it is becoming very popular with a good selection of restaurants. If you are staying in Halifax, look for a place to stay near the central waterfront area.  From here you can take the Alderney Ferry to Downtown Dartmouth. When the weather is good, sit on the top deck to enjoy the panoramic harbour views as well as the fresh sea breeze.

On arrival, have brunch at one of the eateries on Portland Street that suit all palettes, with offers including waffles and tandoori chicken, after which you can take an easy 15-minute (one kilometre) stroll through downtown Dartmouth to Sullivan’s Pond.  Here, you can relax on the grass surrounding the Pond along with the locals. If you are lucky, there will be a concert at the pavilion or watch the geese waddling around the park.

On your way back to the ferry can explore the cool shops in the area that include funky boutiques, craft beers and cider and urban art at every corner.  If you decide to stay over in Dartmouth, there are hotels with fabulous views of the harbour and the Halifax skyline at night.

Peggy’s Cove

The Peggy’s Cove area is another great place to spend the day. About one hour’s drive from Halifax, Peggy’s Cove is a small rural community that is the site of Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, an active lighthouse and an iconic Canadian image. It is one of the busiest tourist attractions, but well worth a visit. In contrast, you can get away from it all the little-known Sandy Cove Beach where you can go for a swim and stroll. Enjoy a fresh seafood special dinner at West Dover, perhaps try out Nova Scotia lobster with hot brown butter drizzled on top layered between homemade coleslaw. Consider staying the night at a local hotel so you can enjoy a drink or two with your meal. 

If you wish to go a bit further, go along the coastal roads to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 1753, this community has the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic where you can get to know the town’s maritime history with two old fishing vessels to explore among other things. There is also a touch tank.

You would be remiss in celebrating your anniversary without a meaningful gift to show your partner how much you love them. Jewelry is a popular gift option for women, while designer menswear and luxury grooming kits are excellent choices for men. Don’t forget to pack your present before leaving for your romantic Halifax anniversary trip.