Top things to do near Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Discover the marine history of Nova Scotia
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is small, but it is home to some fascinating exhibits documenting the marine history of the Maritime region. Halifax has a rich shipping history and its port still enriches the local economy. The city’s ships also played a huge role in one of the significant events in nautical history when the Titanic sunk on its maiden voyage.
A favourite of many visitors to the museum is the host of artefacts from the wreckage of the Titanic. Here, you’ll see historic photographs and pieces of the ship’s lavish woodwork. Most poignantly, you’ll also discover a mortuary bag and the shoes of an unnamed little girl, among many other items that bring home the true scale of the tragedy.
The Maritime Museum plays fitting tribute to the victims, as well as to the diligence and respect evident in the people of Halifax’s reaction to the disaster.
Learn the genesis of Halifax
With its distinctive star-shaped structure, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site comprises four defensive forts, all of which have stood on the site in their current form since 1856. The Citadel’s coastal location high on top of a hill led British forces to build Halifax around it and it’s fair to say the city quite literally owes its existence to the structure.
The Citadel was the command post at Halifax as the city became one of four main naval bases for the British Empire. As the fort grew, so did the city, while its role in supplying military forces with food and other essentials helped create a thriving local economy.
Come to this popular landmark to learn more about the fort and its importance to Halifax and watch the 78th Highland Regiment in action. Listen to bagpipes and snap a selfie with one of the Highlanders before the sound of the Noon Gun signals that it’s time for lunch.
Climb aboard North America’s oldest saltwater ferry service
With its four distinctive vessels, the Halifax Harbour ferry service is very much part of everyday life in the city. In operation since 1752, the service has been running longer than any other on the North American continent.
The ferries provide a quick and cheap way to travel over the bay to Dartmouth, allowing you to see many different sites in a short space of time. During your time on the ferry, you’ll also get to take in arguably the best views of the Halifax skyline, all without spending any more than the price you paid for a single or return ticket.
Wine tasting in the Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is home to most of Nova Scotia’s world-renowned, award-winning wineries. Grape Escapes is one many companies offering wine tours to the region and their Wine & Lunch Escape gives you the chance to sample the region’s best food with the tipple of your choice.
Your guide takes you through miles of jaw-dropping scenery and you also get to visit three of the Valley’s award-winning wineries, before sampling some of the local cheeses. You can then enjoy a two-course meal with a glass of wine or beer and indulge in chocolate tasting before the drive back to your drop-off point.
Learn about local flying history while you wait for your flight
Located just over the road from Halifax Stanfield Airport, Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum offers you the chance to see a number of historical aircraft, each with its own fascinating story to tell. The Canadian Navy used the TBM Avenger as a torpedo bomber during World War II, but after its military action, the Avenger saw service as a spray plane for putting out forest fires until 1975.
The Lockheed Jetstar flew the country’s Prime Ministers on diplomatic missions across the globe. The model in which former PM, Pierre Trudeau, flew was once considered the epitome of Canadian glamour.
There’s no better way to spend your layover at YHZ than to check out key aircraft spanning the Atlantic region’s rich aviation history.
