Halifax, Canada: An Up And Coming Travel Destination?

Image source: HPA + Nova Scotia Tourism

Travelers are quickly realizing: Eastern Canada isn't only for seafood lovers and deep-sea fishermen. Once floundering coastal cities have sprung back to life, inspiring visitors to extend their Canadian road trips east of Quebec City.

But of all Eastern Canadian cities, none is more responsible for scribbling Canada's East Coast onto travel itineraries than Halifax, Nova Scotia. Is Eastern Canada's most cosmopolitan city becoming Canada's next big travel destination?

Halifax is the cultural heart of Atlantic Canada. And nowhere does the East Coast culture thrive more than in downtown.

Image source: Fat Apollo on Twitter

Downtown Halifax lets loose with an energy normally reserved for cities twice its size. Heritage buildings hiding hip restaurants and art galleries line the streets, whose evening buzz is driven by pedestrians clearing their lungs with the gentle sea breeze floating off the harbor.

From intimate ceilidhs that celebrate the province's Scottish heritage to an arts scene that weaves aboriginal and maritime elements, Halifax packs a cultural punch way well above its weight.

A thriving local music scene swirls the sounds of East Coast rock year-round while annual festivals like the Halifax Pop Explosion draw music lovers from far and wide. 

Visitors with a flair for the dramatic aren't left out either. Simply hobble over to downtown Halifax's Neptune Theatre, a hotspot for the performing arts, to see East Coast talent in action.

And all that's before stepping beyond downtown.

Not far from Halifax lies one of Canada's upcoming wine regions where vintners can't wait to pair their finest wines with Nova Scotia's freshest bounty. From the spring to the fall, bask in luxury while swirling full-bodied wines on a tour with Uncork Nova Scotia. (Please drink responsibly and use a designated driver, as your RoamRight policy does not cover loss resulting from or caused by being under the influence of alcohol.)

Quality of life plays heavily in the minds of Haligonians. And between sips of locally-brewed Alexander Keith's and cracking Atlantic lobster tails, you'll discover exactly why locals and visitors revere the city: It's in the simpler moments.

Whether it's culinary demi-gods whipping together innovative farm-to-table creations or brewmasters living and breathing hops and barley, there's something about Nova Scotia's capital that entices us to crave more.

With Halifax poised to daze the tourism world, only one question remains: When are you coming?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.