The Halifax waterfront is a must-see destination for visitors to the area, but we have to admit that as locals we have a soft spot for it as well. Why not wander down and see what the ocean breeze has to offer you now? It’s about time we rekindle our relationship with the waterfront.
Like with any friendship, if it’s been a while since we visited with each other, and you may notice a few changes. There’s beauty in embracing the growth, and the waterfront has definitely glowed up over the years. If you haven’t been down recently, get ready to acquaint yourself with some new attractions.
With over four kilometres of boardwalk and public space, there are plenty of experiences and amenities to explore right in your own home. The summer is an especially magnetic time, one where the old meets the new. There are festivals popping up in the familiar places, you’re surrounded by your closest friends while also meeting the seasonal tourists and gaining a newfound perspective on what’s been right in front of you all along.
The area buzzes with discovery; look around and you’ll find a beautiful spot to stop for a snack, browse through seasonal vendors or visit the year-round businesses that grace the shores. It’s an iconic experience, and one that we can’t forget about (even if we live here). Which experience will you pick to fall in love with your waterfront all over again?
Bring back the basics
What better to bring back the spark than to visit some of the classics? The ol’ stomping grounds like visiting the markets, strolling hand-in-hand while you find a quiet patio to wander off to, and maybe seeing how the day plays out and turning it into a harbour tour. The options are endless, and you may just remember how much you loved being by the sea.
Shake it up
There are so many options to explore down by the waterfront, more than ever before! If you’re looking to change up the routine and bring a little movement back into things, the free dance and exercise classes might be right up your alley. They’re available every night of the week, all season long. There are styles that suit everyone, so pick one until you find the one that sticks. Find Blues Dancing at Tall Ships Quay (7:30-9:30pm on Sundays), Salsa/Bachata at the Helipad (8-10:30pm on Wednesdays) or spend Fridays doing some West Coast Swing Dancing at Tall Ships Quay (6:30-9:30pm on Fridays).
Turn it into a party
Feeling like you want to introduce the waterfront to your friends? What better way to break the ice than the ample events and festivals being hosted throughout? From the TD Halifax Jazz Festival in July, to Shakespeare by the Sea pop-up performances in August, there are events of all sizes in the public space. There’s also The North American Indigenous Games, happening from July 15 to 21, which will bring together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and teams from 756 Indigenous Nations celebrating, sharing and reconnecting through sport and culture.
This is just the tip of the wave of what’s happening along the waterfront this season. With the area picking up in traffic, it’s giving many start-up events, vendors, musicians and entrepreneurs an opportunity to be on display in a well-visited public space. Why not immerse yourself in the action? Use the summer to bring something new into your relationship with the waterfront, and make sure to carry that forward into the rest of the year.
This content has been developed and paid for by Build Nova Scotia without involvement from The Coast’s editorial department.
