Tours

The Annapolis Valley, on the coast of the Bay of Fundy, is home to the province's rich farmland, wineries, Acadia University, and the landscape of Grand Pre, a National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been shaped by 17th century Acadian practices of creating agricultural land using dykes and the aboiteau wooden sluice system. An education session during the bus ride from Halifax will set the stage for a visit to the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University, where participants will learn about the design and creation of the 6-acre, formal English-style garden using unique flora native to the Wapna'ki / Acadian Forest Region. The garden tour will lead participants through nine distinct habitats including a bog, marsh, and sand barren. Following the Garden tour, participants will visit a local winery and enjoy a tasting of regional wines, while taking in scenic views of the historic landscape. This tour will include bus transportation from Halifax, and a wine tasting following the garden tour.

Invisible Design: Looking after a Legacy

The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University (Wolfville, NS) was designed by landscape architect Alex Novell, and completed in 1999. It highlights local ecosystems and displays native plant species through a mix of naturalized, picturesque, and formal English gardens. The Gardens complement academic programming of the University’s Environmental Sciences faculty, and facilitate a number of environmentally-focussed community programs. Over the past 20+ years, under the constant and dedicated direction of head gardener, Melanie Priesnitz, the Gardens have become one of the most important cultural landscapes in the Atlantic region.

By design, the Gardens artificially recreate the conditions to support a number of regionally-specific habitat types that would not normally occur on this particular site, such as the Bog Garden, or the Freshwater Inland marsh. Under the pressures of a changing climate, these landscapes have required renovation, revision, and maintenance to adapt, while adhering to the original design intent. This session will introduce Novell’s original design, and examine how a new generation of designers have become involved in an invisible design exercise to maintain the Gardens’ appearance and integrity. This session is proposed to be paired with the Wolfville tour, and will be offered during the bus ride.

A visit to Halifax (Kjipuktuk or ‘Great Harbour’) is not complete without experiencing the city from the water. The Harbour provides the best vantage point from which to fully appreciate the juxtaposition of Halifax’s historic architecture amongst modern buildings, the drumlin formations that have shaped the urban form, and various sites that form part of the city’s defence complex –including McNab’s Island, George’s Island, Citadel Hill, and Point Pleasant; some of which date back as far as 1790. On this 'Harbour Hopper' tour, participants will learn about many Halifax landmarks from an amphibious tour bus.

Peggy's Cove is a small fishing village that has become a booming tourist destination, known for its scenic lighthouse and unique geological formations and rugged coastline. In 2021, a barrier-free viewing deck was built, designed by Omar Gandhi architects; making the site accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. The project exemplifies a sensitive intervention within an iconic and beloved landscape. This tour will be led by the designers includes and includes bus transportation from Halifax.

Once a naval and industrial hub, the Halifax Waterfront has evolved to become one of Halifax's top tourist destinations while remaining an active port. Revitalization of the site began in 1976 with the creation of the Waterfront Development Corporation, now Build Nova Scotia. This guided walking tour will begin at the newly revitalized Cogswell district; a comprehensive project that began with the dismantling of the Cogswell Interchange; long a barrier between the city and the waterfront. The tour will then lead visitors along the vibrant waterfront to experience recent public-realm projects including Historic Properties, Queen's Marque, and Pier 21.

Walking distance: 1.2 km

Halifax's Spring Garden Road is one of Halifax's main commercial corridors, lined with popular shops and restaurants. The street was re-designed in 2019, with a focus on improving the pedestrian realm through wider sidewalks, site furnishings, and improved paving materials. The tour will begin at the east end of the revitalized section, at the Halifax Central Library; a landmark building designed by SHL Architects with local firm, FBM Architects; the result of a 2010 International Design Competition. Moving west to the Public Gardens; participants will visit this historic garden that originated in 1841 when a part of the Halifax Common land was provided to the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society for the Gardens’ creation. The 1870s Gardenesque design for the site remains largely intact today after ongoing care and restoration efforts; particularly after devastation suffered from Hurricane Juan in 2003. This tour concludes at Stillwell beer garden where refreshments will be available for purchase.

Walking distance: 0.8km

A visit to Halifax (Kjipuktuk or ‘Great Harbour’) is not complete without experiencing the city from the water. The Harbour provides the best vantage point from which to fully appreciate the juxtaposition of Halifax’s historic architecture amongst modern buildings, the drumlin formations that have shaped the urban form, and various sites that form part of the city’s defence complex –including McNab’s Island, George’s Island, Citadel Hill, and Point Pleasant; some of which date back as far as 1790. On this 'Harbour Hopper' tour, participants will learn about many Halifax landmarks from an amphibious tour bus.

This tour begins with a trip across the Halifax Harbour on the Dartmouth Alderney Ferry, and landing in Dartmouth, one of the Halifax Regional Municipality's most up-and-coming boroughs. The Dartmouth ferry terminal marks the starting point of the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail, 3km of easy paved walkway offering some of the best views of the Halifax Harbour and George's island. The walking portion of the tour threads together a series of recent park projects from Sawmill Creek, Starr Park, Daffodil Park, to the the Woodside neighbourhood and Nova Scotia Community College Ivany Campus and its award-winning living wall. At the NSCC end of the tour, participants will board the Woodside Ferry back to Halifax. 

Walking distance: 2.25km + ferry

Point Pleasant Park, a 185 acre site at the southern tip of the Halifax Peninsula, was established in 1866 and remains a critical piece of the city’s open space network. The large park is used by residents from across the municipality, and is a regular destination for runners, picnickers, cyclists, and dog walkers. The park hosts Shakespeare by the Sea performances, the Bluenose Marathon, and countless other events. The park had been developed in an ad-hoc fashion since the 1890s, with the gradual implementation of pathways, seating, and picnic areas, and planting of non-native tree species. In the early 2000s, the largely even-aged forest, dominated by red spruce, suffered devastating losses from a brown spruce longhorn beetle infestation, an ice storm, and finally Hurricane Juan. Following these events, the Halifax Regional Municipality engaged a consultant team led by Ekistics Plan + Design (now Fathom Studio), with NIP Paysage, to develop a master plan for the revitalization of the beloved park.  This bike / scooter tour will lead participants through the park and provide background on the master plan, implemented projects, and ongoing management practices.

Distance: 9km

Africville National Historic Site of Canada is a site of remembrance for Halifax’s African Canadian community. Originally settled in the 1830s, the area became a bustling African Canadian community with its own school and church, but lacking basic municipal services. The community was demolished in the 1960s, displacing community members to make way for industrial land uses. The site eventually became home to Seaview Park.This walking tour will explore the cultural significance of Africville and and includes a visit to the replica of Seaview Church which now serves as a museum decicated to the community's history.

Walking distance: 0.75 km + transportation to & from site 

On December 6, 1917, the Norwegian vessel Imo collided with French munitions ship Mont Blanc, setting off a deadly blast that rocked Halifax, killing 2000, wiping out entire neighbourhoods, and leaving 25,000 people homeless. Fort Needham Memorial Park, at the heart of what was once the Richmond neighbourhood in North-end Halifax (rebuilt as the Hydrostone district after the explosion), was revitalized in 2017 by Fathom Studio, with improved accessible walkways, enhanced park entrances, and a memorial plaza designed around the 1985 Memorial Bell Tower designed by CORE Design Group. The park design incorporates interpretive elements into the landscape to highlight the scale of the event and its impact on the city. Besides being a beloved neighbourhood park for everyday use, the park hosts the City’s memorial event to the Halifax Explosion annually on December 6th.

Walking distance: 0.5 km + transportation to & from site 

Once a naval and industrial hub, the Halifax Waterfront has evolved to become one of Halifax's top tourist destinations while remaining an active port. Revitalization of the site began in 1976 with the creation of the Waterfront Development Corporation, now Build Nova Scotia. This guided walking tour will begin at the newly revitalized Cogswell district; a comprehensive project that began with the dismantling of the Cogswell Interchange; long a barrier between the city and the waterfront. The tour will then lead visitors along the vibrant waterfront to experience recent public-realm projects including Historic Properties, Queen's Marque, and Pier 21.

Walking distance: 1.2 km

Officially established in 1763 as a public space and communal pastureland, the Halifax Common sat outside of the defended core of the city but today is at the heart of the urban centre. Over time, the Common has evolved to take on various public uses including recreation, the Public Gardens, Wanderers Grounds, residential and institutional uses. The Common comprises the largest open space in the urban core. In 2021, Halifax Regional Municipality engaged a consultant team to develop a Master Plan to create a renewed vision for the Common, to ensure it reflects the City’s shared values and open space needs into the future. This tour will lead participants through the Common and Master Plan vision, as well as the first of the Master Plan projects to be implemented – the Aquatic facility (2023) and playground (2026).

Walking distance: 1.5 km

Halifax has been making Active Transportation a priority in recent years, supported by the 2014-29 Active Transportation Priorities Plan, the Integrated Mobility Plan, and Complete Streets Guidelines. Recent projects have seen the transformation of major downtown corridors like Argyle Street (Argyle Shared Streetscape project, completed in 2017), Brunswick Complete Street project (2025), and Spring Garden Road. This walking tour through the downtown core will explore the successes, challenges, and new public realm places that have been created through HRM’s ongoing efforts.

Walking distance: 1.25 km