Excursions
Halifax has a wide variety of activities/excursions. Something will appeal to everyone. Almost all the suggestions below are easily accessible from the conference site. The ICMRM conference will not be organizing specific excursions the afternoon of Wednesday August 16th, prior to the conference dinner. People can choose for themselves; there will be a table among the exhibits with additional tourist information.
Harbour Cruises
Take in the charming views of Halifax from aboard Tall Ship Silvia in a one and a half hour cruise. Enjoy a drink and snack from the fully licensed pub and keep a look out for marine life. If you like, you can even haul on lines with the crew, set sails or steer from the helm. Daily tours are at 2:30pm and 4:30pm for 1.5 hours. Evening tours are at 8:30 pm Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays. We recommend booking online in advance. Tickets cost $29.99 for adults and $26.99 for seniors. For more information, please visit this link: https://www.mtcw.ca/tall-ship-yacht..
Harbour Hopper
Journey the streets of historic downtown Halifax aboard the Harbour Hopper - the most popular tour in Atlantic Canada! Visit historical points of interest such as St. Paul's Church, Citadel Hill, Public Gardens, Government House, City Hall, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and more! Then, brace yourself as you cast off into Halifax Harbour without even leaving your seat! Enjoy a mariner's view of Halifax's naval fleet, spectacular harbourfront and beautiful skylines of both Halifax and Dartmouth. This is a fully narrated tour that includes many interesting historical topics including the Halifax Explosion and charming Halifax folklore! Tours begin and end at 5050 Slater Street, along the harbour boardwalk. Daily Tours begin every 15-30 minutes starting at 9 am until 7:30 pm. It is highly recommended that you book your tour at least 24 hours prior to departure. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $31.50 for seniors. For more information, please visit this link: http://store.mtcw.ca/p/52/harbour-hopper (Please note that the schedule on the MTCW website is subject to change).
Harbour Boardwalk & Museums
Discover our historic port city of Halifax when you walk along the Halifax waterfront. Start at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – the gateway into Canada for one million immigrants (adult tickets $12.61). Our conference dinner will be held at this museum with a reception before the dinner. Connected to the museum is the Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers' market in North America, which hosts a plethora of artisanal goods, fresh produce, specialty goods and gifts.
Continue walking down the boardwalk and view the ships docked in the harbour, including the HMCS Sackville - the last of the WWII convoy escort corvettes. Be sure to learn about Halifax's seafaring history through exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which includes displays on the city's link to the Titanic disaster (adult ticket $9.55). End at the timber-frame & stone warehouses of Historic Properties, originally built to safeguard booty captured by legalized pirates called privateers. Finally, for arguably the best ice cream in the city, visit Cow's - located just past the Historic Properties
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Learn about Nova Scotia’s rich maritime history by exploring a range of exhibitions featuring everything from the Titanic disaster to the Royal Canadian Navy, shipwrecks, pirates and small craft boatbuilding. Hop aboard for a tour of the CSS Acadia, docked in front of the museum, for a more tangible historical experience. Adult tickets are $9.55. Please note the CSS Acadia is closed for tours on Wednesdays, but the main museum is still open. For more information, visit: http://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/.
Halifax Harbour Ferry
The Halifax Harbour Ferry is the oldest, continuous, salt-water passenger ferry service in North America, and provides a short trip between the two sides of the Halifax Harbour. This 20-minute ride costs $2.50, and is a cheap harbour tour for visitors that allows you to view the Halifax skyline from the water. If you wish to visit Dartmouth as well, you may ask for a transfer pass. For more information on departure times from the Halifax Ferry Terminal please visit: https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/ferry-service
Art Gallery:
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax offers a unique selection of visual arts with strong ties to Nova Scotia as well as international visual artists. Amongst these artists is Maud Lewis; one of canada's most famous folk artists known for her colorful depictions of Nova Scotia life. The recent movie “Maudi”, starring Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins, was based on this famous artist. The gallery exhibits some of Maud Lewis' most famous artwork as well as a permanent display of Lewis' fully restored house. For more information on exhibitions, please visit: https://www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/exhibitions
Included within the admission, the gallery offers daily tours from Tuesday to Sunday at 2 pm. The Art Gallery is open during the following hours;
Mon - Sun 10am - 5 pm
Thursdays 10am - 9pm (Free Access on Thursdays from 5pm - 9pm)
Citadel Hill
When the British military founded Halifax in 1749, among the first buildings constructed was a wooden guardhouse on top of what would eventually be called Citadel Hill. Now, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, gives visitors the opportunity to explore the history of the fortress and the soldiers who were stationed there, walk within its walls – both inside and out –, and literally touch a piece of Halifax’s military history. For more information, please visit this link: http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/halifax-citadel-national-historic-site/1440.
The conference opening will be held at Citadel Hill.
Point Pleasant Park
Point Pleasant Park situated in the south end of the Halifax peninsula is a historic 75-hectare wooded park crisscrossed with 39 km of easy winding trails and wide paths, many wheelchair-accessible. Visitors can experience preserved ruins of early fortifications, coastal ecosystems, as well as cultural resources. The park is only a 5-minute drive from downtown Halifax. For more information, please visit:http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/point-pleasant-park/1461
Peggy's Cove
Peggy's Cove is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret's Bay in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality, which is famous for the Peggy's Point Lighthouse. Peggy's Cove is 43 kilometers (26 miles) southwest of downtown Halifax and comprises one of the numerous small fishing communities located around the perimeter of the Chebucto Peninsula. For more information, please visit: http://www.peggyscoveregion.com/.
Recreational Sea Kayaking
Looking for a coastal adventure, a leisurely kayak, or simply willing to try something new? Then kayaking is for you. Whether you're a first timer or already a pro, the Paddle Canada certified staff of the Saint Mary's Boat Club will take you on a safe, comfortable, and fun journey. You will follow the shores of the Northwest arm as you explore the coves and inlets that shape Canada's east coast. August activities include:
Adult Paddle Night ($15 per person); Mondays and Wednesdays*, 5:30 - 8pm
Free Canoe Rental (1 Hour Maximum): Saturdays and Sundays: 11 am - 7:00 pm
All safety equipment is provided. For more information, visit: http://www.halifax.ca/smbc/kayaking.php.
* Please note the conflicts with the Conference schedule: The Conference Dinner held at Pier 21 is scheduled for Wednesday August 16th at 6:30 pm. The reception before the Conference dinner begins at 5:30. The opening reception is to be held Sunday at 6:30 pm, and Poster sessions are at 5:15 on Monday.
Sea Kayak Tour
Get a tour of Halifax while paddling a kayak! The downtown/historical tour led by Kayak Halifax is a two-hour guided kayak tour incorporating history, folklore and waterfront architecture. Tickets for adults are $49.95 + HST. This tour is available during the week at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm. It is highly recommended that you book your tour the day before. For booking information, please visit: http://kayakhalifax.com/tours/sunset-tour/. Other guided tours are also available at http://kayakhalifax.com/.