Top 10 cultural & heritage things to do in Halifax

1. Private coastal tour of Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg from Halifax

Six-hour private tour in a comfortable vehicle — visit Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg with a dedicated guide, including time to explore at your pace.

2. Halifax Tiki Boat Cruise — two hours on the harbour

Two-hour cruise on Halifax Harbour — view McNabs Island and the waterfront while enjoying drinks and karaoke on a licensed Tiki Boat.

3. Custom private tours of Halifax and Nova Scotia

Personalized tours of Halifax and Nova Scotia with local guides, exploring scenic beauty and cultural highlights at your own pace.

“This tour offers a fantastic overview of Halifax's highlights for a day shore excursion, providing better value than a crowded, inflexible cruise option. A standout moment was visiting the lobster distributor, where we learned about lobsters and saw an impressive 13-pound lobster with a claw larger than my hand. Al, our tour guide, was pleasant and incredibly knowledgeable about Halifax's history. I would give this experience five stars without hesitation.”— Michael_H

4. Full-day private tour of Nova Scotia from Halifax

Eight hours by private vehicle — visit Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Ovens Natural Park, Titanic Graveyard, and Citadel Hill with an English-speaking driver.

“This was a great opportunity to explore more of Halifax beyond the cruise ship terminal area. With Anant, our driver, we tailored our private tour based on our interests. We reached locations inaccessible to larger buses and got closer to attractions, which was beneficial for our older passengers. Our trip allowed us to see a lot!”— Robert_M

5. Private tour of Peggy’s Cove and Halifax highlights

Relaxed full-day tour — scenic drive to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Fairview Lawn Cemetery, and optional stop at Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk.

“The trip to the lighthouse and the city was very enjoyable. Our guide drove us in a private car and took the time to highlight the key points of interest in Halifax, providing clear and tailored explanations. It was a well-conducted and pleasant experience.”— JeanPaul_S

6. Peggy's Cove small group tour from Halifax

Three hours, small group van drive — visit Peggy's Cove, see the famous lighthouse, explore local shops and art galleries, with commentary on highlights along the way.

7. Halifax Harbour historical boat tour

A relaxed tour aboard a 45-foot boat — learn about Halifax's rich history from the Captain and Deckhand during a scenic harbour ride.

“We had a wonderful hour sailing on the beautiful Halifax Harbour with the J Farwell Sailing Tour crew. Since it was just my husband and I, the experience felt even more special. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the time pass quickly. We even had an additional visiting captain, which provided great attention throughout the trip. The weather was perfect, allowing us to sail back to the wharf comfortably. Overall, it was a delightful activity to enjoy while visiting Halifax from the States.”— dsmith918

8. Halifax food walking tour

Three hours of walking through Halifax — sample local food while learning about the city's history from your guide.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the walking food tour. Our guide Emre was not only friendly but also well-informed, managing every part of the tour with skill and efficiency. The food was fantastic as well. We highly recommend this experience.”— Vacation06584793139

9. Three-hour electric bike tour of Halifax

Three hours by electric bike with a local guide — ride to Citadel Hill, Halifax Boardwalk, Public Gardens, and more, with helmets, water, and audio gear provided.

“Our visit to iHeartBikes in May during our cruise stop in Halifax was fantastic. The location was easy to find along the waterfront, and they quickly set us up with bikes and helmets. I used the suggested app, Routzz, for audio route directions and interesting facts, and we were on our way. As experienced cyclists, though in our middle age and not at peak fitness, we managed to bike around the city and to the Titanic graves in about 4 hours. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with multiple stops for photos and lunch, I suggest planning for around 8 hours. We enjoy more active excursions compared to the typical cruise ship options, and this one was perfect. Point Pleasant Park was beautiful, and we had no issues riding in traffic on the suggested downtown roads. I would happily rent from iHeartBikes again and recommend them to anyone looking for an active way to explore the city instead of being confined to a bus.”— Maps188249

10. Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove small group tour from Halifax

Approximately seven hours — visit the UNESCO-listed town of Lunenburg and see Peggy's Cove lighthouse, one of Canada's most photographed sites, in a small group setting.

“We enjoyed a fantastic day visiting Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove with Anchor Tours. Our guide, Jeff, was extremely helpful and provided great insights about Halifax, Lunenburg, and Peggy’s Cove. We strongly recommend this tour company.”— mariannelP1790OG