Halifax Cruise Port in Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful cruise stops in all of the Northeast. With both an urbanized city and rural countryside, this port offers much to do for the 200,000+ cruisers that are welcomed each year.
If you find yourself on a Canada or New England cruise to Halifax Nova Scotia, you will want to do your research ahead of time in order to make the most of your day!
Lucky for you, as a former cruise ship crew member, I’ve been there a few times and have a complete breakdown of my favorite Halifax one day itineraries.
When I was working on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, Halifax ended up being my favorite port of my entire 10 month contract.
There are so many amazing places to explore. From historical maritime attractions to wine tours in the countryside, there are so many awesome attractions in and near Halifax Nova Scotia Cruise Port.
This post is all about Halifax Cruise Port and how to plan the best day there!
Halifax Port Guide: Three Itinerary Ideas for a Day in Port
Sometimes it can be overwhelming when you are looking up “things to do” in the port you are visiting – especially when you’ve never been there and only have 8 hours to explore!
So I’ve made three itinerary options for when you are ported at the Halifax Cruise Terminal:
Itinerary 1 – For the winos and the foodies: a wine tour by bus followed by dinner within walking distance of Port of Halifax.
Itinerary 2 – For those that don’t want to venture too far from port: a flexible day of Halifax Canada sightseeing, all within walking distance.
Itinerary 3 – A day trip to Peggy’s Cove: the best all-day cruise excursions Halifax offers for those that love guided tours.
Obviously, you can mix and match these ideas to create your perfect day, but with only 8 hours you will have to do some picking and choosing.
With that, let’s start with the first itinerary!
Itinerary #1: Nova Scotia Wine Tour and Dinner on the Halifax Waterfront
This itinerary is my favorite way to spend a day in Halifax. Looking back on my time as a Royal Caribbean crew member, this is my favorite day from my contract! I cannot wait to go back to Halifax to do it all over again.
This full-day itinerary consists of a half-day wine tour by bus, followed by a nice dinner just a short walk from Halifax Cruise Port.
This itinerary is perfect for cruisers that want a partially structured day in port.
Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tour
There are lots of wine tour companies you can go with when booking wine excursions but Grape Escapes has one of the best wine tours by bus in Nova Scotia.
Grape Escapes offers many different kinds of tours – half-day, full day, lunch included, private tours, and more. I went with a group of 8 friends on the Afternoon Escape from Halifax.
The half day wine tours are from 11:45am until 5pm, making it really the perfect timing for a partial day excursion.
Depending on your Halifax cruise schedule and when you dock, it may be more beneficial to swap dinner in this itinerary for brunch!
Included in the Afternoon Escape excursion is round-trip transportation, a driver/tour guide, tasting fees at 3 different wineries, and a cheese board. The price comes out to $136 per person before booking fees/gratuities which, to me, is a steal!
Your bus driver will pick you up where all the cruise ships in Halifax are ported and you will be on your way to the amazing vineyard countryside of Nova Scotia!
On our tour we stopped at 3 beautiful vineyards: Grand Pre Wines, Gaspereau Vineyards, and Benjamin Bridge Vineyard.
Grand Pre Wines
Grand Pre Wines is the first stop on your tour. This picturesque estate is a lush, family-owned farm winery located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia – about an hour drive from Halifax Seaport.
That might seem long but the drive is gorgeous. Watch as the city and ships disappear and vineyards and hills take focus.
Here you will enjoy tastings of their many different wines as well as an included cheese tasting from their farm-to-table restaurant, Le Caveau.
Enjoy some time in the vineyards learning about their harvesting strategies while taking advantage of all of the photo ops! They also have a great wine shop where you can purchase bottles and gifts.
After sipping and perusing, it will be time to board the bus for your next stop!
Gaspereau Winery
Just a short 7 minute drive down the road is the beautiful Gaspereau Winery. This boutique winery is located on the gorgeous hills of the Gaspereau Valley. They specialize in Rieslings, fruit forward blends and robust reds – something for everyone!
This farm-inspired location has a relaxed vibe. Enjoy your tastings on their outdoor patio or explore the winding vineyards. Gaspereau also provided charcuterie tastings to pair, which was a pleasant surprise!
Benjamin Bridge Vineyards
The last stop on your wine tour is, in my opinion, the best. Benjamin Bridge is known as Canada’s premier sparkling wine house!
This family-owned vineyard spans acres and acres of lush environment in the Gaspereau Valley, producing every kind of sparkling, non-sparkling, and even non-alcoholic bottle you can think of!
This was the last stop of the day, just in time for a spectacular golden hour!
I literally felt like I was in a fairytale. We were given plentiful servings of tastings of their most popular sparkling wines and frolicked on the huge estate!
The best wine I had all day was Benjamin Bridge’s Nova 7. It’s a Riesling blend with notes of key lime and floral honeysuckle.
Our entire group ordered another glass of this one and we even bought a bottle to take with us. Absolutely 10/10.
Unfortunately they don’t ship to the United States… otherwise I’d have bottles and bottles of this in my wine fridge!
We also may have gotten a little excited while we were cheers-ing… oops! Don’t worry, we told the host and she laughed about it 🙂
This experience is by far the best wine tasting tours Nova Scotia offers. You MUST book it if you love wine.
End the Day With Dinner Nearby Halifax Port
Your incredible day of wine tasting and vineyard hopping will sadly come to an end, with your driver dropping you off right where you started nearby Halifax Cruise Port.
Since we had all been to this port many times, we knew exactly where we wanted to go for dinner and our driver was so nice to drop us off at our reservation! (10/10 service, let me tell you!)
Ristorante a Mano
This Italian spot is less than a 15 minute walk from the port and, is the best restaurant near Halifax Cruise Port.
Ristorante a Mano is a cozy and chic Italian restaurant right near the waterfront that has some of the best pizza, pasta, and tiramisu.
They also have Nova 7 wine on the menu! I’ve ordered both the pizza and the seafood pasta and both are to die for. Also, the Tiramisu is incredible… don’t skip out on that!
Other Great Restaurants on Halifax Waterfront
The Bicycle Thief, Sea Smoke Restaurant and Bar, Black Sheep Restaurant, and Waterfront Warehouse.
All of these spots are an easy walk back to the port and are delicious!
Journey back to the ship before all aboard time and reminisce on the amazing day you just had in the vineyards of Nova Scotia.
Itinerary #2: Explore Halifax by Foot
If guided tours aren’t for you, itinerary #2 is a great fit! This itinerary is for cruisers that don’t want to venture too far from the port and like to explore on their own.
In my opinion, the best tour of Halifax is one that is done on your own time, by foot!
This itinerary will give you all the best Halifax waterfront things to do. From amazing shopping and dining, to exciting maritime museums, this walking, self-guided tour of port of Halifax is perfect for cruisers that like to go with the flow.
Start off by Visiting Pier 21: The Canadian Museum of Immigration
One of the first things you’ll see after walking off the ship is the large Pier 21 building, home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration.
Stop here first on your day in Halifax Cruise Port to learn about its rich immigration history. Admission is $15.50 per person and they are open from 9:30am to 5:30pm most days.
Walk Along The Halifax Waterfront Harbour Walk
Harbour Walk is a picturesque waterfront boardwalk filled with unique shops, restaurants, and bars! Watch boats and water sports as you meander along the way. The walkway is just a short walk from the port and one of the best cruise port activities.
Stop by East Coast Lifestyle Store to pick up some maritime-inspired casual wear!
Along the boardwalk you’ll also come upon Garrison Brewing Company – a great spot to taste some craft brews with killer views.
As you continue on your way down the Harbour Walk, you’ll also pass some Halifax historical monuments: The Samuel Conard Statue as well as the Emigrant Statue. Take some time to soak in the history and snag some pics at these important historical figures!
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Continue to walk down until you reach the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Stop in if you’d like to experience the art culture of modern and historical Nova Scotia for just over $10 per person.
Don’t miss the adorable Peace By Chocolate convections shop to pick up a few handmade chocolates before you head on with the rest of your day 🙂
Go to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Did you know that Halifax and the Titanic crossed paths in history?! It’s true! Cable ship crews from Halifax were in charge of recovering all the deceased from the sinking of the Titanic. All recovered bodies were taken to Halifax and buried there.
If you are a Titanic history buff, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has a ton of fascinating exhibits. Sit in a replica deck chair, view recovered artifacts, and learn how the community of Halifax played a role.
Other exhibits include the Halifax Harbour explosion, the History of Pirates and more! Located on the picturesque Halifax pier, this is one of the best things to do on the Halifax waterfront for history lovers.
Visit Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
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Just about a 15 minute stroll from the Harbour Walk, you will come upon The Halifax Citadel. This site was the original fortress for colonists arriving from Great Britain in 1749.
With its hilltop location providing the best vantage point, the community used the Citadel as a fortress to protect themselves against British troops.
Spend some time at the Citadel exploring with either a self-guided or guided tour. Admission is $10.50 per person and they are open 9-5 daily. Guided tours are included in the admission fee and are 45-60 minutes in length.
This is one of the best Halifax Nova Scotia port attractions!
Stroll Through The Halifax Public Gardens
Just another 15 minute walk from the Citadel is the beautiful Halifax Public Gardens. Enjoy gorgeous blooming flowers, bird watching, topiaries, and sacred statues in Halifax’s most lush area!
This is one of the Halifax top things to do for cruisers that want to relax in nature.
Dinner in Downtown Halifax
By this time, you’re probably ready for some food. After spending time in the Gardens, you’ll be in range of a ton of great restaurants in Downtown Halifax. Here are some of my top picks:
Press Gang Restaurant and Oyster Bar
Standing as one of the oldest stone structures in Halifax, this charming restaurant offers a formal dining experience. The menu includes choice beef, seafood, and of course.. oysters! When on the water, am I right? Check out the Press Gang if you are a seafood lover in the mood for a more formal experience.
Black Sheep Restaurant
This is a more casual spot in Downtown Halifax offering a locally sourced menu and an impressive cocktail selection. Enjoy shareable small and large plates at this charming spot.
The Auction House
Enjoy a mouth-watering burger paired with one of the 26 beers on tap at the Auction House. This casual spot is perfect for anyone who likes wings, burgers, and craft beers.
These are just a few great spots – Downtown Halifax has a huge selection of restaurants. Try out any and you won’t be disappointed. Also grab dinner at one and drinks at another!
Itinerary #3: Take a Day Tour of Peggy’s Cove
Peggy’s Cove is one of the most popular Halifax cruise excursions for guests looking for a fully guided day out.
There are many touring companies that offer day trips to Peggy’s Cove. Your cruise line will also offer this is a Halifax shore excursion as well.
About Peggy’s Cove
Located just about 28 miles from Halifax Cruise Port is the charming fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. It is also home to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, one of the most well-known lighthouses in Nova Scotia.
The lighthouse was built in 1915 and serves as a popular tourist attraction for those in the area. Visitors come for the beautiful rocks, waves, and East Coast style homes in this active fishing village.
Tour Peggy’s Cove
Besides booking this directly through your cruise ship, there are plenty of tour companies that offer a day tour to Peggy’s Cove. Viator and Halifax Cruise Ship Shore Tours are the top ones.
You could also rent a car from Halifax Cruise Port if you wanted to take a day trip to Peggy’s Cove on your own terms. There is an Enterprise in Downtown Halifax – rates start at around $90 for the day (probably the best bang for your buck for a Halifax Cruise port car rental).
Most guided tours will be with a medium-sized group on a tour bus. Your tour guide will pick you up close to the port and take you to the charming village, while telling fun facts about Halifax and Nova Scotia. You’ll get time to check out the lighthouse and explore the town.
Luckily, there are some tours that include other stops in Halifax including the Maritime Museum and the Citadel!
Most tours will be all or most of the day. I recommend this itinerary for those that enjoy a tour by bus and like to have a plan for the whole day. Peggy’s Cove is one of the best things to do in Halifax!
How to Spend a Day in Halifax Cruise Port Wrap Up:
And there you have 3 complete itineraries for a day in Halifax Cruise Port! No matter what you decide to do, the charming and historical town of Halifax, Nova Scotia will leave you wanting more as you embark back to sea. If your ship cruises to Nova Scotia, be sure to save this article for future planning.
Enjoy it and leave a comment about your favorite itinerary, sites, and restaurants in Port of Halifax!
Address of Halifax Cruise Port: 1215 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P8, Canada
Port of Halifax Cruise Ship Schedule can be found here!
Halifax Cruise Terminal Map can be found here!
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