A Long Weekend in Halifax Metro
Halifax Metro is Nova Scotia’s largest city, the provincial capital and a cultural hub. Full of unique dining, shopping, live music venues and nightlife, Halifax Metro is the perfect destination for your next city staycation! Whether it’s what to do or where to eat, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for a staycation guide to the perfect long weekend in Halifax Metro.
Day 1 – Saturday
Walk along the Halifax Waterfront
Wake up and beat the crowd to take a walk on the Halifax Waterfront! At nearly 4km long, this is one of the world’s longest downtown boardwalks. Make sure to walk across the 250-foot floating sea bridge and check out our members with locations on the waterfront, like Heartwood Restaurant and Rum Runners Rum Cake Factory.
Brunch at The Ostrich Club
Located in the North End’s Hydrostone neighbourhood – listed as one of Canada’s greatest neighbourhoods – The Ostrich Club opened its doors in the summer of 2018. During its brief existence, it has already become a casual gathering spot for friends and locals to enjoy brunch. Enjoy a mimosa – or two – at this restaurant and bar after your walk.
Take a tour
Learn more about Halifax on a city tour on both land and sea aboard the Harbour Hopper, a tall ship cocktail cruise, or a deep-sea fishing cruise. If you’d rather stay on land, enjoy a bicycle tour with I Heart Bikes or Segway tour with Segway Nova Scotia.
Dinner at The Canteen On Portland
Take the ferry to Dartmouth and enjoy dinner at The Canteen on Portland. At the helm in the kitchen is award-winning chef and co-owner, Renée Lavallée. Her menus are influenced by classic French, Italian and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine – with a little bit of Renée’s magic thrown in. Signature items include The Canteen Burger and Seafood Chowder.
Stay the Night at Hotel Halifax
Take the ferry back and stay the night at Hotel Halifax. The hotel includes 295 air-conditioned rooms (King, Queen, Double), some with harbour views and balconies!
Day 2 – Sunday
Breakfast at Harbour City Bar & Grill
Grab breakfast in your hotel’s lobby restaurant, Harbour City Bar & Grill. Harbour City Bar & Grill embodies what it means to dine like a true East Coaster. Their culinary team, led by Executive Chef Andrew Camm, works with local farmers and fishers each season to create the freshest regional dishes, served alongside warm, impeccable, maritime hospitality.
Go Shopping at one of Halifax’s Markets
The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, is the oldest, continuously operating farmers’ market in North America and proudly hosts over 250 vendors each weekend. While you’re there, check out The Cake Lady and Gourmandises Avenue Chocolaterie. If you go to the Warehouse Market, make sure to check out the fresh seafood at the Afishinado Fishmongers stand. Lastly, if you decide to hit up the Brewery market, check out The Old Apocothary’s new location and delicious baked goods.
Lunch and Drinks at Chain Yard Urban Cidery
Chain Yard Urban Cidery ciders range from dry to sweet, easy-drinking to complex & funky. They are always excited to use other Nova Scotia ingredients in our ciders such as pear, berries and honey and they stay on top of cider trends around the world. Bonus: Their menu by, “Unchained Kitchen” is always changing and serving delicious eats.
Hangout at the arcade at Propeller Brewing Company
Hidden in the basement of Propeller Brewing Company’s Gottingen location, just off their original brewery, you’ll stumble across their newest addition: an all-authentic brewery and arcade. Featuring a rotating cast of pinball and arcade machines as well as 8 taps of Propeller craft beer, you’re sure to have a fun afternoon!
Dinner at 2 Doors Down
Enjoy seasonally-inspired, locally-sourced unpretentious menus with a hint of international flare at 2 Doors Down.
Stay the Night at The Barrington Hotel
The historic façade and animated, kilt-clad bellman are your first hint that The Barrington Hotel in Halifax isn’t one of your typical hotels. Arriving guests are warmly greeted and ushered into a travel experience that is redefining personalized service, one guest at a time.
Day 3 – Monday
Grab + Go Breakfast at Tempo
Check out Tempo Food + Drink in your hotel lobby for their Grab + Go Breakfast options. Their Grab + Go counter offers breakfast, lunch and coffee on the run, and features Halifax’s first Mason Jar Salad Exchange Program.
Have a picnic with Obladee
Back in 2009, siblings Heather and Christian Rankin created Obladee, a Halifax wine bar combining the international concept of a bar à vin, with our unique Nova Scotian spirit and hospitality. They are currently offering take away charcuterie boxes, perfect for your next backyard picnic.
Collect a Good Cheer Trail Stamp
Visit Compass Distillers or another Good Cheer Trail stop in Halifax where they passionately create, showcase & distribute local, world-class rum. You can even collect a stamp for the Good Cheer Trail!
Dinner at Stories Restaurant
Tucked under a canopy of mature elms, Stories Restaurant is a refreshing escape from the busy downtown. Daily cheese boards, savoury charcuterie and ‘Stories’ seafood selections from the dining room are seamless matches for thoughtful alfresco offerings of micro-brews and wines by the glass.
Bring a Taste of Halifax Metro Home With You
Take home a meal from Halifax on your way out of town! Whether it’s lobster from Fisherman’s Market or Clearwater Seafoods, seafood from A.C. Covert Distributors, or a meal kit from Kitchen Door, you can easily bring home ingredients to make something delicious.
Did you know these food producers are located in Halifax Metro?
- Viveau: Viveau celebrates Nova Scotia’s natural goodness, blending pure high mineral content water with premium fresh fruit.
- Tidal Salt: Tidal Salt collects saltwater from select locations along the coastline, processing it by hand into their line of fleur de sel and flavoured sea salts.
- Made with Local: Anything but your typical snack foods company, Made with Local brings together Atlantic Canada’s yummiest ingredients to handcraft them into nourishing Real Food Bars & Loaded Oats instant oatmeal, all made with 100 percent real ingredients and “no weird stuff!”
- Acadian Seaplants: Hana Tsunomata™ is a line of premium quality cultivated sea vegetables. Produced exclusively by Acadian Seaplants at its cultivation facility in Nova Scotia, Hana Tsunomata™ offers a unique, contemporary feature to every dish.
- Acadian Maple Products: As proud partners with maple harvesters here in Nova Scotia, Acadian Maple creates 100 percent pure maple syrup.
- Compass Distillers: Compass Distillers is a grain-to-glass distillery located in the Halifax’s North End that captures the Nova Scotian experience in a bottle by harvesting local grain and unique wild plants to make award-winning, handcrafted spirits.
- Garrison Brewing Company: Since 1997, Garrison has strived to create exceptional craft beer – real beer made with passion, hard work, and East Coast pride. Garrison beers are premium, distinctive, and always full of flavour, with an exceptional range – crafted in the historic and vibrant Halifax Seaport.
- Nine Locks Brewery: Located on Waverley Road in Dartmouth, Nine Locks has quickly become the province’s third-largest brewery.
- Sweet Spot Chocolate: With over 100 different delicious handmade products to choose from, Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop can satisfy even the biggest chocoholic.
Other restaurant recommendations:
- Waterfront Warehouse Restaurant & Oyster House: Drop your anchor at the Waterfront Warehouse, a popular seafood destination since 1996! They offer a large variety of local oysters, Clearwater premium lobsters right from their two large lobster tanks, Digby scallops, clams, and more.
- Rose & Kettle Tearoom at the Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum: Situated in the former farmhouse of an original Cole Harbour Farm, Rose & Kettle Tearoom has been the heart of the Farm Museum for over 25 years. The menu is a blend of old English influences, Nova Scotia favourites, and recipes from old Cole Harbour kitchens, all created from scratch and using the farm garden’s own produce.
- The Carleton: The Carleton delivers fresh, locally inspired, elevated comfort food and a top selection of Nova Scotia craft beers, wine, and spirits in the heart of the city.
- The Orient Chinese Cuisine: The Orient Chinese Cuisine is an authentic Chinese restaurant featuring traditional and 21st-century dishes. Led by celebrated chef Ivan Chan, The Orient uses seasonal and local ingredients delivering unparalleled Asian flavours.
- The Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar: Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, The Press Gang inhabits one of the city’s oldest historic stone structures, dating back to 1759. Visit their famous Oyster Bar for a selection of Maritime oysters, succulent appetizers and an extensive list of fine wines, scotch and world-class cocktails.
- Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery: Located in Downtown Dartmouth, Battery Park features 15 rotating beer bar taps inside, and four more in our very popular Backyard Beer Garden – all showcasing the very best of Nova Scotia’s Craft Beer lineup!
- Brooklyn Warehouse: Brooklyn Warehouse takes it’s cue from simple, honest food, and strives to bring you an affordable indulgence in a laid-back bistro atmosphere.
- Five Fishermen Restaurant: Join the Five Fishermen Restaurant in Downtown Halifax and let the personalized service and warm contemporary ambiance set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Choose from a selection of the finest seafood available, or indulge in their critically acclaimed prime centre-cut steaks.
- Inn on the Lake: For a laid-back meal with your favourite comfort foods and a beverage, try Oliver’s Gastropub, combining old-world charm and downhome service. For a special occasion, family get-together or date night, enjoy the upscale casual environment of Encore, with gourmet offerings featured alongside signature dishes like Scotch Salmon, Seafood Chowder, and Chicken Cordon Bleu. In warmer months, experience alfresco dining on the spacious poolside patio, with scenic views of Lake Thomas.
- Lot Six Bar & Restaurant: Inspired by the great bars of the world, Lot Six Bar & Restaurant looks to elevate palates through fine food, drink, oysters and service. Local ingredients will showcase the beauty of our province, and their collective travels and education will bring you on a journey.
- Morris East: Morris East is a creative neighbourhood restaurant with three locations in downtown Halifax and Bedford. Their delicious gourmet pizzas are baked in fired ovens, which produce a delicious crust.
- SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar: SHUCK Seafood + Raw Bar features a seafood market with a wide selection of Nova Scotia products delivered daily. Enjoy oysters on the half shell, crudo, ceviche or whole fresh fish prepared to your liking.
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