Where to Stay in Halifax

See Also

• Locations to Remain in Toronto

The Best Areas to Stay in Halifax

Capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Maritimes, Halifax contains many pubs, restaurants, galleries and museums packed together. Though the Halifax metro area stretches far beyond the city limits – we’ve primarily focused on the city center, plus the small village of Peggy’s Cove, which lies 43 km (26 miles) southwest of Downtown Halifax but still within Halifax Regional Municipality.

Most top attractions in Halifax are located centrally, with some sights dotted around the surrounding neighborhoods and across Halifax Harbor in the town of Dartmouth. While exploring Downtown Halifax on foot is relatively convenient, taxis and Uber vehicles are easily available: Casino Taxi and Yellow Cab are trustworthy alternatives. Halifax Transit runs buses throughout the Metro Halifax region, with fares a fixed C$2.75. The same organization operates ferries that quickly shuttle between the Halifax waterfront and Dartmouth at Alderney Landing (same fare; 10 minutes).

• I Heart Bikes leases a variety of bicycles (and e-bikes) on the waterfront (officially 1507 Lower Water St), usually summer only.

The Best Places to Stay in Halifax

• Best Luxury Hotels in Halifax
  The Sutton Place Halifax hotel • Prince George Hotel • Delta Hotels by Marriott • Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
• Best Boutique Hotels in Halifax
  Waverley Inn • The Halliburton
• Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Halifax
  The Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Downtown,Hollis Halifax, and Residence Inn by Marriott Halifax Downtown are accommodation options located in the Halifax area
• Best Cheap Hotels in Halifax
  Halifax Backpackers Hostel ・ Dalhousie University Summer Lodgings ・ HI-Halifax, Heritage House

Best Neighborhoods in Halifax for…

First Timers: Downtown Halifax
First time visitors will value the convenience of Downtown Halifax. While hotel rooms (and vehicle parking) can be pricey here, Downtown holds all the city’s major attractions, from the Citadel and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, to the Maritime Museum, Farmers’ Market and harbor tours along the waterfront. The city’s premier restaurants are also here, and together with some of the best nightlife and independent stores

Most romantic locale: Peggy’s Cove
Approximately 45 minutes southwest of Downtown Halifax (but nevertheless technically inside the municipality), Peggy’s Cove offers a fully different experience. This small, picture-perfect fishing village with its iconic lighthouse is a popular day-trip in the summer, but once the crowds have dispersed it’s left to a handful of locals, seabirds and the crashing waves. Stay at romantic B&Bs (like Peggy’s Cove), and enjoy the world’s best lobster roll on the benches outside Tom’s Lobster Shack.

Top neighborhood for nightlife: Downtown Halifax

Staying in Downtown Halifax places you within walking distance of the top bars and clubs. Argyle Street at the heart of Downtown is the city`s nightlife hub, hosting venues like the Bitter End gastropub, the live performance-focused Neptune Theatre, and local favorite watering hole Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub. Craft drink makers Tidehouse Brewing Company (2-5187 Salter St) and Halifax Distilling Co have tasting areas Downtown, while the Old Triangle presents live bands nightly. Other hotspots for live music are Bearly’s House of Blues and the Carleton. The city has a fairly relaxed club scene, with Pacifico one of the better options

Best Neighborhood for Cuisine and Eateries: Downtown Halifax
Though the North End, West End and Dartmouth have developing culinary scenes, Downtown is again the protected option regarding the best and most diverse eateries. At the higher end there’s Bicycle Thief,Gio, and Stories Fine Dining, while Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar offers more historic ambience. Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market contains an enormous range of food stalls, while Talay Thai,Adda Indian Eatery, and Ristorante a Mano are merely a couple of the many restaurants serving fare from everywhere on Earth.

Premier shopping enclave: West End
One of the major reasons to visit Union Square is the large colorful Greenmarket that fills about half the park for four days each week with over 150 regional farmers and vendors providing the finest local produce, artisanal cheeses and baked goods, flowers, and plants. Saturday brings the most sellers. During the holiday season, an added incentive is the enormous crafts market filling another section of the park, with some 170 red and white booths overflowing with gift ideas. The square itself is deemed a National Historic Landmark, with a history dating to 1839. It was the site of the first Labor Day parade in 1882, workers’ rallies in the 1930s and the initial Earth Day observance in 1970. There is ample green space and benches for relaxing, and a number of statues to admire, depicting heroes like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln. Mohandas Gandhi and Marquis de Lafayette.

Best Neighborhood for Local Atmosphere: North End
The Historic North End neighborhood provides much character – its narrow roadways contain numerous noteworthy locations to remain, like ( Brewery Park) for boutique and ( Halifax Backpackers Hostel) for budget-friendly options, and hip areas to dine and drink that are challenging to match elsewhere. There’s cider accessible at Chain Yard Urban Cidery, seafood and beverages at Bar Kismet, and delectable plant-based foods at enVie to identify a few.

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Halifax for Tourists

1. Downtown Halifax and the Waterfront
The downtown part of Halifax slopes down towards the harbor front, blending office towers, stores, galleries, and narrow, historic streets. It’s the commercial heart of both the city and the entire Canadian Maritimes region, as well as its main nightlife hub. Most of Halifax`s showcase attractions are also located here, starting with the fortifications of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, high above the town. Beyond the leafy Grand Parade is the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (which showcases the work of Nova Scotian artist Maud Lewis), and streets filled with theatres and restaurants, ending at the traffic-free Harbourwalk. Here along the waterfront lies the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, WWII-era HMCS Sackville, the Discovery Centre, a family-friendly science museum, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Canada’s Ellis Island

• Highly Recommended Hotels in Central Halifax: Sutton Place Hotel Halifax – Prince George Hotel – Waverley Inn – Cambridge Suites Hotel – Courtyard By Marriott Halifax Downtown – The Halliburton – Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel – The Novel Stay – Hollis Halifax –

2. Southern Area
The South End district lies just south of Downtown, running towards the harbor at Point Pleasant Park (a popular area for cycling and jogging). Despite proximity to the city center, it’s primarily a peaceful residential neighborhood enlivened on its western side by the city’s premier universities, Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie, both set in landscaped grounds surrounded by casual cafés and bars. Summer lodging at Dalhousie – repurposed student dorms – offers some of the best bargains in the city.

• Top-Rated Hotels in South End: At Robie’s End B&B • Dalhousie University Summer Lodging (May–Aug) • Garden South Park Inn • HI-Halifax, Heritage House

3. Northern Area
North End is one of the city`s most historically significant neighborhoods, along the waterfront north of Downtown. Fort Needham Memorial Park houses the primary monument commemorating the 1917 Halifax Explosion, when an accidental detonation of explosives aboard a cargo vessel killed approximately 2,000 people and severely damaged the North End. Today it`s a vibrant district, home to the Hydrostone Market, packed with unique shops and eateries, as well as live music venues and colorful local bars, plus the city’s best budget and boutique lodging options.

• Best Hotels in North End: Brewery Park • Chebucto Inn • Halifax Backpackers Hostel

4. West End
Just 10 minutes west of Downtown Halifax`s core, the West End district is known for its affordable culinary gems such as King Of Donair and Phil’s Seafood located along Quinpool Road, as well as its expansive shopping centers. Halifax Shopping Centre spans both sides of Mumford Road here, and a thriving retail zone lines Dutch Village Road. While West End lacks major attractions, Fairview Lawn Cemetery in the northern area contains a poignant section dedicated to victims of the 1912 Titanic disaster – the cruise ship sank off Nova Scotia, and some 121 passengers were buried at this location.

• Top Hotels in West End: Best Western Plus Chocolate Lake Hotel • Marigold Bed & Breakfast • The Pebble

5. Dartmouth

• Affordably priced lodging: If you wish to travel economically, I suggest opting for one of the many apartments in Lanzarote. Among my favorites are the Ona Las Casitas, providing 1 or 2-bedroom selections equipped with a fully-stocked kitchen including an oven, microwave, and coffee maker. Each lodging includes a private terrace for relaxation or outdoor enjoyment. The property also features a small garden with tables, chairs, and a barbecue.

• Top Accommodations in Dartmouth: Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites – Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Dartmouth – Delta Hotels By Marriott Dartmouth – DoubleTree by Hilton Halifax Dartmouth – Hearthstone Inn Boutique Hotel Dartmouth/Halifax – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Halifax – Dartmouth – Residence Inn by Marriott Halifax Dartmouth

6. Peggy’s Cove
One of the most picturesque fishing towns in the Maritimes, Peggy’s Cove lies 45km from Downtown Halifax on Nova Scotia’s wild South Shore. Established in 1811, with a tiny inhabitant population today, the village of pretty clapboard houses and wooden fishing piers sees a consistent flow of visitors in the summer, but staying here can be a magical experience once the day-trip crowd leaves. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, built in 1914, dominates the headland, while a small collection of restaurants, William deGarthe’s Fishermen’s Monument, and a handful of gift shops make up the remainder of the village’s attractions. It’s really the stunning ocean location, rocky coastline, and winding, narrow roads that provide much of the romantic charm. There are two cozy B&Bs in the village itself, and several other enticing waterfront properties a short drive away in Indian Harbour.

• Top Stays near Peggy’s Cove : The Breakwater Inn • Peggy’s Cove Bed and Breakfast • Clifty Cove Motel (Indian Harbour) • Lighthouse Lane Cottages (Indian Harbour) • Oceanstone Seaside Resort (Indian Harbour)