How the Capital of Nova Scotia Is Celebrating Its Indigenous Roots

When the new Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre opens in downtown Halifax in 2027, its primary aim will be to serve Indigenous communities with healthcare and education programs. But it will also welcome guests interested in discovering the contemporary culture and deep history of the Mi’kmaw, who have lived in Halifax for more than 10,000 years. Visitors will be able to buy beadwork and baskets at the artisan market, chat with elders over bannock bread and tea, and share stories outside around the sacred fire meant to promote healing and spiritual connection. Travelers to the capital of Nova Scotia can also expect to explore colonial history and take in some of the most gorgeous scenery in North America.

(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)

When to Go

In September, the weather is still warm but not oppressively hot, making it ideal for swimming in the Atlantic, hiking, and biking. Summer has its appeal too: In July, the Halifax Jazz Festival packs the waterfront, Halifax Pride draws more than 150,000 participants, and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is an engrossing spectacle of marching bands, dancers, and musicians. The fall foliage is also extraordinary, usually peaking in mid to late October.

What to Do

Visit the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre:

The new facility is not only a boon for the Indigenous community but also for guests who want to learn more about Mi’kmaw culture. “It’s about bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members together in a safe space to have wonderful conversations,” says executive director Pam Glode-Desrochers.

Climb Citadel Hill:

Neighboring the Friendship Centre, this hilltop fortress is one of the oldest surviving monuments to the colonial era in Canada. The first citadel was built by the British in 1749, and the current star-shaped fortress dates from 1856. Perched on the hill's 260-foot summit, it has a commanding view of Halifax Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors in the world.

Stroll the Boardwalk:

Follow the nearly three-mile harbor-front structure past seafood restaurants, buskers, and bold public art, including Tidal Beacon, an interactive light installation that transforms with the changing of the tides. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 tells the stories of Canda’s new arrivals, while the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic recounts the tragedy of the Titanic, which sank 700 miles east of Halifax, the closest major port. The award-winning Mystic restaurant captures the essence of the Canadian Maritimes through inventive multi-course seasonal tasting menus.

Hop on a Ferry:

For a fresh perspective on the waterfront and city skyline, take the 10-minute ferry ride to Georges Island, a former harbor fortification that later became a military prison and is now a National Historic Site.

Tour a One-of-a-Kind Museum:

The Africville Museum tells the story of an African immigrant neighborhood that was systematically eradicated in the 1960s after 150 years in Halifax, serving as a prism for the larger African immigrant experience in Nova Scotia, which goes back four centuries.

Getting Around

From Halifax Stanfield International Airport, rent a car for the 27-mile drive downtown, or take a taxi or Uber for between $35 and $50. The Halifax Transit Regional Express 320 bus, which costs about $3.50, runs from the airport to downtown every half hour Monday through Friday and every hour on weekends. The ride takes about 40 minutes, and the last bus from the airport leaves at 12:15 a.m. Buy tickets at the ground transportation booth in Arrivals or use the Halifax Transit app HFXGO. Halifax’s downtown is compact and walkable. Public transit within the city is efficient and well-marked. If you plan on taking day trips, including to the popular Peggy’s Cove about a half-hour from downtown, your best bet is to rent a car.