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Halifax - Tour Idea and Suggestions


slavearlen
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We are sailing to Halifax in June 2018. Reading the reviews on the Maritime Museam and Titanic display, people complain they were rushed and didn't have as much time there are they wanted to. Does the Hop on Hop off tours make better since to see what you want and stay as long as you like? That is versus booking an specific excursion. Looking for suggestion that will allow us to make the most of the day.

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i wouldn't book an excursion that just goes to the Maritime Museum, the museum is with in walking distance of the ship on the boardwalk. It is a small museum that only takes and hour or so to see everything.

 

What we have done in the past is take a cab from the pier to the Citadel, which is a fort on the top of a hill overlooking the harbor. We get there in time for the first guided tour and stay for the cannon firing. We then walk down the hill to the boardwalk, we are at almost the far end of it, and walk back to the ship, stopping at the stores and museum on the boardwalk. There are lots of restaurants there too to get lunch.

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We walked to the Maritime Museum from the ship and took all the time we wanted. It's a small museum but packed with interesting displays. The Halifax explosion story was very interesting. They have models of ships upstairs behind the Titanic exhibit that may be of interest to cruising fans too.

 

From there, we took a cab to the Public Gardens. It's not far but it was uphill and it was hot that day. We could have walked it but I wasn't sure from the map if it was too far. We walked back to the ship from there no problem. We had plenty of time to do all that, and eat lunch mid-afternoon.

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We took a cab to Peggy's Cove from the taxi station at Pier 22(?). Found 2 other couples willing to share. It was 3 hours for 150 Canadian $, the driver waited for us at PC.

We asked to be dropped back at the Public Gardens, had a nice stroll there, and from there it was a short walk back to the Pier.

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Have been to the museum 3 times - it never gets old. You can spend as much or as little time there as you like. The only one rushing you is you, and maybe the clock depending on when you go,

 

For us, we make Halifax a relax day - not rushing all around. We walk up the ocean walk (about 20 minutes) to the museum, spend as much time as we care to there then hit a lobster roll lunch. Stroll the ocean walk on the way back and hit all the little shops. Don't miss the glass blowing factory - those guys are from the now closed Waterford factory in Ireland.

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We are sailing to Halifax in June 2018. Reading the reviews on the Maritime Museam and Titanic display, people complain they were rushed and didn't have as much time there are they wanted to. Does the Hop on Hop off tours make better since to see what you want and stay as long as you like? That is versus booking an specific excursion. Looking for suggestion that will allow us to make the most of the day.

 

 

We took a tour offered by RCL that went to Peggy's Cove, Cemetery where 100+ Titanic souls are buried (some not identified yet) and general tour of Halifax. IMO it was worth the cost.

 

Ps. Sorry, can't recall tour title.

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We have visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic twice, and have enjoyed it both times. But additional ideas for Halifax include the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (located very near the maritime museum), and the Canadian Museum of Immigration (at Pier 21). And for those who enjoy a local beer a visit to the Alexander Keith's Brewery would be another idea.

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:DWe rented a car in halifax. Very easy,walked across the the street to the Westin. Did Peggys cove ,cemetery,and fort on our own.We stopped along the way wherever we wanted and still had plenty of time.Rental cost about $60.00 US.

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We enjoyed a walk along the pedestrian-friendly waterfront and then a hike up to Citadel Hill (viewpoint and military fortress). Halifax is a nice size city to explore on foot, if you are able to walk. If not, there are plenty of tour buses that line-up outside the cruise terminal.

 

https://cruiseports.ca/canada/halifax-cruise-port.html

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right across from the ship last week we got a hertz car for 35 bucks. it was super slow to get the car because the place is so tiny and the technology is not quick like the enterprise rental we had in saint john. 2 minutes in and out there vs about 25 minutes to wait for 2 people ahead of us in halifax

 

that being said, every other rental was well over 80 to 100 last week. hard to complain about 35.

 

the drive to peggys cove is so easy. you just need to print a map at home if you arent sure about it. we got to stay well after most buses left. i cannot imagine being hampered with time there. we loved crawling all over the rocks. it was amazing.

 

so i have to recommend renting a car for the ultimate in freedom time wise wherever you go.

 

also we went 'the other way' back to town and ate at the finer diner and enjoyed it. lots of water/boats/homes to look at.

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We also just got back last week. We walked up to the Citadel (20 minute walk I think), spent a little over 2 hours - we like to look at everything, had a leisurely lunch at Your Father's Mustache (fabulous!), strolled the public gardens while lunch settled, and headed back to the pier with a brief walk through the farmers market along harborwalk.

I wish we had maybe skipped breakfast on ship and gotten a Donair (not sure if it would have been open) and/or Beaver Tail for the walk up since we were stuffed after lunch and I regret not trying those local foods. We probably would have let our table mates and servers know we wouldn't be at dinner that night too (had 5:30 traditional seating) and explored Harborwalk more.

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harbor walk seemed to be a dud last week. even if everythign was open. maybe we didnt walk far enough?

 

just went to the tourist gift shop near the visitor center and beaver tail place. but got our tshirts and went back to the ship as it was late afternoon

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  • 2 weeks later...

We also rented a car in Halifax, from Budget. It was a couple of blocks away, but there was no line and it was $45 Canadian for the day. A very easy drive to Peggy's Cove, and we could stop wherever we wanted for pictures of the lovely coast. the best part was, we were at Peggy's Cove with NO ONE ELSE in the pictures! Lovely.

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  • 1 month later...
:DWe rented a car in halifax. Very easy,walked across the the street to the Westin. Did Peggys cove ,cemetery,and fort on our own.We stopped along the way wherever we wanted and still had plenty of time.Rental cost about $60.00 US.

Who was the rental car company? (Hertz, avis, budget?)

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The HO HO bus is very expensive and cannot go on the waterfront walkway. You can take a cab to Citadel Hill and another to the Fairview Lawn Cemetery for less than the bus.

 

Here is some information for cruisers visiting Halifax: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BjAtDscML-9Ce3VWUUsOrsVhPL7KIxb7Go_9SRi82dE/edit

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  • 2 weeks later...
We have visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic twice, and have enjoyed it both times. But additional ideas for Halifax include the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (located very near the maritime museum), and the Canadian Museum of Immigration (at Pier 21). And for those who enjoy a local beer a visit to the Alexander Keith's Brewery would be another idea.

 

Thank you. We want to see the Maritime Museum and since DW is an art teacher, it is nice to know about that Art Gallery.

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We did an amazing tour with Paul from Halifax Titanic Historical Tours....we saw and did so much while avoiding the big bus tours....in addition we visited the small Titanic graveyard that most don't get to see...hearing the stories and seeing those graves was touching...Thank you Paul for a memorable trip to Halifax.

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We did an amazing tour with Paul from Halifax Titanic Historical Tours....we saw and did so much while avoiding the big bus tours....in addition we visited the small Titanic graveyard that most don't get to see...hearing the stories and seeing those graves was touching...Thank you Paul for a memorable trip to Halifax.

Did you go to the Titanic graveyard on this tour? Thanks for any information.

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Did you go to the Titanic graveyard on this tour? Thanks for any information.

Yes we did as well as the smaller one also. The large one that everyone goes to was soooo crowded but we were the only ones at the small one...what a difference that made...our tour with Paul was just amazing. It was arranged directly with Paul by someone on our rollcall and there were just 8 of us...again amazing day. Paul even made personal phone calls to all of us to answer any questions and to give us his cell phone.

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Yes we did as well as the smaller one also. The large one that everyone goes to was soooo crowded but we were the only ones at the small one...what a difference that made...our tour with Paul was just amazing. It was arranged directly with Paul by someone on our rollcall and there were just 8 of us...again amazing day. Paul even made personal phone calls to all of us to answer any questions and to give us his cell phone.

Thanks so much.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Ashland-

That sounds great. Do you recall what time this tour started? Thanks for the wonderful information and help!

Our ship docked at 10:30am and Paul met us as we got off the ship at little before 11:00am and we were on our way.

 

When you make the booking (ours was with our rollcall) Paul calls you each personally goes over everything again and gives you his cell number to get in touch with him if need be...So professional VIP service...he was just amazing !!!

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