Guidebook for Dartmouth
Food Scene
“A great atmosphere for dinner and lunch, great cocktails and seafood, and a creative Italian menu. Our choice for a fancier night out. You can take the ferry over to Halifax and walk down the waterfront to this popular spot.
171 locals recommend
The Bicycle Thief
1475 Lower Water St“A great atmosphere for dinner and lunch, great cocktails and seafood, and a creative Italian menu. Our choice for a fancier night out. You can take the ferry over to Halifax and walk down the waterfront to this popular spot.
“Croissants are to die for- but get there early, their feature usually sells out. Excellent local coffee, roasted next door!
104 locals recommend
Two If By Sea Cafe
66 Ochterloney St“Croissants are to die for- but get there early, their feature usually sells out. Excellent local coffee, roasted next door!
“Great small plates and recently added full dinner menu - casual dining with local ingredients, and a large selection of local microbrews on tap
68 locals recommend
Battery Park
62 Ochterloney St“Great small plates and recently added full dinner menu - casual dining with local ingredients, and a large selection of local microbrews on tap
This is our favourite lunch spot in Dartmouth for casual take-out. The Smokie is Sid's favourite, and Emma loves the Fried Chicken. Everything is made and baked in house, check their website for their current sandwich menu. They also offer a daily take home dinner (pick up between 4 and 6 PM).
74 locals recommend
The Canteen on Portland
22 Portland StThis is our favourite lunch spot in Dartmouth for casual take-out. The Smokie is Sid's favourite, and Emma loves the Fried Chicken. Everything is made and baked in house, check their website for their current sandwich menu. They also offer a daily take home dinner (pick up between 4 and 6 PM).
Family run greasy spoon, often voted the best Fish and Chips in the HRM
29 locals recommend
John's Lunch
352 Pleasant StFamily run greasy spoon, often voted the best Fish and Chips in the HRM
Drinks & Nightlife
A bit of a rowdy spot (if that's what you're looking for!) - on the right night you can be treated to some local east-coast style live music!
15 locals recommend
Halifax Alehouse
1717 Brunswick StA bit of a rowdy spot (if that's what you're looking for!) - on the right night you can be treated to some local east-coast style live music!
Another place to fill a growler or try some local brews - just a ten minute walk (same entrance as Battery Park Restaurant). They have very flavourful beers - sampling is recommended!
34 locals recommend
North Brewing Company
899 Portland StAnother place to fill a growler or try some local brews - just a ten minute walk (same entrance as Battery Park Restaurant). They have very flavourful beers - sampling is recommended!
New local microbrewery, feel free to fill the growlers we already have above the sink. Sid recommends their Dirty Blonde, Emma likes the Watermelon Blonde in summer, or Pumpkin Ale if you're here at the right time!
8 locals recommend
Nine Locks Brewing Co.
221 Waverley RdNew local microbrewery, feel free to fill the growlers we already have above the sink. Sid recommends their Dirty Blonde, Emma likes the Watermelon Blonde in summer, or Pumpkin Ale if you're here at the right time!
A local bar and music venue with a twist - call ahead to book indoor axe-throwing
14 locals recommend
Timber Lounge
16 Agricola StA local bar and music venue with a twist - call ahead to book indoor axe-throwing
Great live music - check the local website or weekly Newspaper 'The Coast' for listings. The Mellotones are funky and always a great Thursday night staple.
42 locals recommend
Bearly's House Of Blues & Ribs
1269 Barrington StGreat live music - check the local website or weekly Newspaper 'The Coast' for listings. The Mellotones are funky and always a great Thursday night staple.
Sightseeing
A national historic site with excellent views of the city and interesting guided walking tours, family activities and even ghost tours make this a not to miss spot. Check the website if visiting in the winter as activities are limited.
318 locals recommend
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada
5425 Sackville StA national historic site with excellent views of the city and interesting guided walking tours, family activities and even ghost tours make this a not to miss spot. Check the website if visiting in the winter as activities are limited.
Fun restaurants, shops, tall ships, playgrounds, live events and occasional festivals make this a huge tourist destination in Halifax.
173 locals recommend
Halifax Waterfront
Lower Water StreetFun restaurants, shops, tall ships, playgrounds, live events and occasional festivals make this a huge tourist destination in Halifax.
If you have time and the means the famous Peggy's Cove is less than an hour away. Though it may seem counter-intuitive the best time to go is when it's rainy or windy, the waves can be spectacular. Of course, the famous lighthouse also looks beautiful on a sunny day!
349 locals recommend
Peggys Cove
If you have time and the means the famous Peggy's Cove is less than an hour away. Though it may seem counter-intuitive the best time to go is when it's rainy or windy, the waves can be spectacular. Of course, the famous lighthouse also looks beautiful on a sunny day!
Parks & Nature
Cape Split is in the Annapolis Valley and is one of the most visited trails in Nova Scotia because it leads to one of the most unique views in the province. The end of the hike is a point that juts out into where the Minas Basin meets the Bay of Fundy. It's a great trail, about 4 hours round trip. The trailhead is about an hour and half drive.
78 locals recommend
Cape Split Trailhead
Cape Split is in the Annapolis Valley and is one of the most visited trails in Nova Scotia because it leads to one of the most unique views in the province. The end of the hike is a point that juts out into where the Minas Basin meets the Bay of Fundy. It's a great trail, about 4 hours round trip. The trailhead is about an hour and half drive.
Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve has one of HRM’s top coastal hikes, if not the best. The area is astonishingly beautiful where the coastal barrens give way to rugged granite cliffs, pounded by the Atlantic Ocean surf. Whales have been spotted in this area in the spring, bringing a pair of binoculars will increase your chances of seeing them!
35 locals recommend
Duncans Cove
Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve has one of HRM’s top coastal hikes, if not the best. The area is astonishingly beautiful where the coastal barrens give way to rugged granite cliffs, pounded by the Atlantic Ocean surf. Whales have been spotted in this area in the spring, bringing a pair of binoculars will increase your chances of seeing them!
A large park on the tip of the Halifax Peninsula, well forested with well maintained walking trails. It once hosted several artillery batteries, and still contains the Prince of Wales Tower - the oldest Martello tower in North America.
295 locals recommend
Point Pleasant Park
5530 Point Pleasant DrA large park on the tip of the Halifax Peninsula, well forested with well maintained walking trails. It once hosted several artillery batteries, and still contains the Prince of Wales Tower - the oldest Martello tower in North America.
Just across the street is a great place to go for a little bit of nature. Say hello to the Dartmouth geese, listen to live music Sunday's in the summer, or if you're feeling up to it you can follow a walking path all the way around Lake Banook.
23 locals recommend
Sullivans Pond Park
66 Crichton AveJust across the street is a great place to go for a little bit of nature. Say hello to the Dartmouth geese, listen to live music Sunday's in the summer, or if you're feeling up to it you can follow a walking path all the way around Lake Banook.
A well-maintained park with beautiful trails and access to both Lake Micmac and Lake Charles. Learn about the Lock system that once linked the Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy! This park is VERY dog friendly.
66 locals recommend
Shubie Park
54 Locks RdA well-maintained park with beautiful trails and access to both Lake Micmac and Lake Charles. Learn about the Lock system that once linked the Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy! This park is VERY dog friendly.
Arts & Culture
The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at Dalhousie University is the venue of most concerts put on by Symphony Nova Scotia. Check their website for a calendar of events.
13 locals recommend
Dalhousie Arts Centre
6101 University AveThe Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at Dalhousie University is the venue of most concerts put on by Symphony Nova Scotia. Check their website for a calendar of events.
The Museum of Natural History houses collections on Archeology, Ethnology, Mammals, Marine life and more. Be sure to say hello to Gus, the 90 year old Gopher Tortoise that has been at the museum since 1942!
113 locals recommend
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
1747 Summer StThe Museum of Natural History houses collections on Archeology, Ethnology, Mammals, Marine life and more. Be sure to say hello to Gus, the 90 year old Gopher Tortoise that has been at the museum since 1942!
A beautiful new building in downtown Halifax holds the new Central Library. A large collection in a beautiful space that also hosts events regularly, also a great space to get some work or reading done.
124 locals recommend
Halifax Central Library
5440 Spring Garden RdA beautiful new building in downtown Halifax holds the new Central Library. A large collection in a beautiful space that also hosts events regularly, also a great space to get some work or reading done.
The Neptune Theatre is the largest professional theatre company in Atlantic Canada located in downtown Halifax. It performs a mixture of new and classical plays. Check their website to see what's on!
74 locals recommend
Neptune Theatre
1593 Argyle StThe Neptune Theatre is the largest professional theatre company in Atlantic Canada located in downtown Halifax. It performs a mixture of new and classical plays. Check their website to see what's on!
The Art Gallery is open daily except Mondays, with guided tours daily at 2:30 pm included in the admission price. Admission is free on Thursday evenings from 5-9 pm with a tour at 7 pm.
136 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
1723 Hollis StThe Art Gallery is open daily except Mondays, with guided tours daily at 2:30 pm included in the admission price. Admission is free on Thursday evenings from 5-9 pm with a tour at 7 pm.
A wonderful museum about Nova Scotia's maritime heritage - includes an exhibit on the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion along with many others.
164 locals recommend
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
1675 Lower Water StA wonderful museum about Nova Scotia's maritime heritage - includes an exhibit on the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion along with many others.
Shopping
Walking distance from the house Kept is a beautiful store with a little something for everyone. Kept carries a hand-picked selection of home decor items, jewelry and accessories, paper goods, products for children and babies, and locally made confections.
21 locals recommend
Kept
75 King StWalking distance from the house Kept is a beautiful store with a little something for everyone. Kept carries a hand-picked selection of home decor items, jewelry and accessories, paper goods, products for children and babies, and locally made confections.
Elsie's a one of many thrift and consignment stores on this strip of Queen Street, commonly known as 'thrift row', if you're looking for something unique or eclectic, this is the spot to look!
10 locals recommend
Elsie's Used Clothing
1530 Queen StElsie's a one of many thrift and consignment stores on this strip of Queen Street, commonly known as 'thrift row', if you're looking for something unique or eclectic, this is the spot to look!
Essentials
The closest grocery store is a 2 minute drive, a 10 minute bus ride from the stop on Sinclair Street, or a 15 minute walk away. There is also a liquor store at this location.
226 locals recommend
Atlantic Superstore
6141 Young StThe closest grocery store is a 2 minute drive, a 10 minute bus ride from the stop on Sinclair Street, or a 15 minute walk away. There is also a liquor store at this location.