Halifax Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Halifax, Nova Scotia - NS, Canada)



Halifax has an enviable coastal setting, on the southeastern side of the province. Much of the city is centered on a large peninsula, which is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and affords many exceptional views.

Over the years, the cityscape has changed dramatically and in the mid-1990s, the city officially merged with nearby Bedford, Dartmouth and Halifax County, becoming known as simply the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), with a combined population in excess of 300,000 people.


Now divided into a number of large districts, communities and locations, notable areas of Halifax include the Downtown, South End and West End districts. The Harbor District is also of great importance and one of the world's biggest natural harbors, connecting to nearby Dartmouth via two stunning suspension bridges and regular ferries. A number of nearby towns and villages lie on the South Shore, which stretches to both the south and west of Halifax along to Yarmouth, including Bridgewater, Chester, Lahave, Liverpool, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Shelburne and Peggy's Cove, one of Canada's most notable fishing villages.

Downtown District

The downtown district of Halifax is the true heart of the city and dates back to the area's earliest settlement, in the mid-18th century. Extending to the west along Lower Water Street to the Citadel area, downtown is bounded by Spring Garden Road on the southern side, and Cogswell Street on the northern side. One of the best ways to travel around the downtown district is on foot and many of the city's main attractions and amenities and closely clustered together here, including an array of shopping centers, the Casino Nova Scotia and the eye-catching Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, which dominates the area. Close to the waterfront, downtown is particularly lively at night, when the restaurants and bars quickly fill up. Major landmarks in historic downtown include Government House, Province House, St. Paul's Church, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Old Town Clock.

Harbor District

The city of Halifax is based around the enormous harbor, which is famous for being one of the biggest natural harbors on the planet. Spanned by two impressive suspension bridges, which connect nearby Dartmouth, Halifax Harbor spreads in three main directions, with both Spring Garden Road and Sackville Street running westwards from the coastline.

South End District

One of the most exclusive parts of Halifax, the South End district is home to wide and spacious avenues, lined with mature trees and impressive houses. The main attraction in this part of the city is Point Pleasant Park, which covers almost 200 acres / 80 hectares and includes ocean views, playing fields, plenty of picnic spots and a small beach area.

West End District

Although much of this area is residential, the West End district of Halifax contains a cluster of shopping centers and high-street favorites, including the Halifax Shopping Center, a large shopping mall with over 150 shops. Other shopping highlights in this district include the West End Mall on Mumford Road, and The Village along Bayers Road, both of which are worthy of a visit.

Dartmouth

Almost a twin city of Halifax, nearby Dartmouth stands to the east of the city, across from the harbor, and can be easily reached by traveling across two large suspension bridges. The MacDonald Bridge is located on the eastern side of North Street and is near to downtown Halifax, while the MacKay Bridge is situated to the north. Both bridges require a small toll for cars and lead to the northern highways, which link to Halifax International Airport. Dartmouth is home to a population of around 70,000 and can also be reached by regular passenger ferries, with the scenic journey lasting around ten minutes. Often known as the city's East End district, Dartmouth was founded in 1750, shortly after Halifax, and offers many similarities, including the impressive waterfront location. Attractions in Dartmouth include a number of notable restaurants, the Quaker Whale House, the Bedford Institute of Oceanography and the Shubie Park campsite, which is close to the Shubenacadie Canal.

Bedford

Lying to the north of central Halifax, Bedford stands on the western side of the Bedford Highway. This old and important residential area features many important business and companies. Bedford is also known for its nearby shopping malls, fashion boutiques, independent local stores, numerous restaurants and easy access to Halifax Airport.