Thursday, 30 July 2026

Citadel National Historic Site - Busker Festival - Ferry to Dartmouth - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Historic buildings 
For thousands of years, long before European arrival, the Halifax area was home to the Mi'kmaq people. Then came the French fur traders, fishermen and missionaries before the British established a strategic military stronghold where Halifax became the capital of Nova Scotia in 1749 - almost 300 years ago. This explains the stunning old historic buildings everywhere within the waterfront core.

Dalhousie University founded February 1818


Construction of the Halifax Citadel began immediately in 1749 to protect the new British settlement against French forces.  It is a star-shaped hilltop fortress overlooking Halifax Harbour that has been rebuilt four times due to rot, climate and changing military needs, culminating in the 1856 stone-and-earth star fort. 

Citadel entrance

Moat


Inside fort walls


Stone-and-Earth Star Fort

Designated a national historic site in 1935, it serves as a living history museum with artillery re-enactments, people in period costumes and the 78th Highlanders Pipe Band.
78th Highlander Pipe Band

Historic buildings along the boardwalk

Next we wander down to the Halifax waterfront. 


Great places to sit and chill

Stretching nearly 4.5 kilometres it is one of the world's longest urban boardwalks, connecting historic properties, museums and local dining along a scenic working harbour.


Alderney Ferry to Dartmouth

We hop the foot passenger ferry from downtown Halifax to Dartmouth for a quick look about. It only takes about 10 minutes to get across. 

View of Halifax from the Alderney Ferry

Mural in Dartmouth

After a bowl of seafood chowder at Evan's Seafood, we walk around the waterfront and a few streets. It is pretty quiet on this side of the water :)

Tanker passes under the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge



A couple of Brit's putting on a show

Back on the Halifax side the 40th annual Busker Festival is in full swing. Pancho Libre from Mexico won the 'People's Choice Award' in 2025. We think he will win again this year as no one we saw compared to his strength and talent. Amazing. 

Pancho Libre from Mexico



Gorch Fock German Tall Ship

The 'Gorch Fock" is a massive German Tall Ship on the Halifax waterfront tonight. There are a lot of people dressed in stark white uniforms and fancy dressed people boarding the ship. Who knows what event is happening but it is one impressive ship. 




George's Island

We opt out of the ferry to George's Island. Fort Charlotte was constructed on the island in 1750 but we just admire it from the Halifax shore. 





Another massive ship on the Halifax water front

It's been a long day exploring Halifax. We head to a pub and share a pint of beer before heading to our VRBO. 

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