Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/651528
TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA For a unique way to get around the city, consider taking a boat tour in the harbour—tall ships to tug boats—or hop on a bicycle with I Heart Bikes and tour the city (www.destinationhalifax.com). Nightlife hot spots in the downtown core include: Durty Nelly's (traditional Irish bar with live music and both local and imported beer); The Carleton Music Bar & Grill (mix of folk, rock, indie); Stayner's Wharf Pub & Grill (jazz, folk, blues); The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (Celtic music); and The Seahorse Tavern (indie, rock, punk, R&B and jazz). In Dartmouth, Celtic Corner is the place to go for traditional Maritime music. Art lovers are always amazed with the city's art scene which ranges from small private galleries to the province's pride and joy, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia ( www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca). Shopping is exceptional in this port city; unique one-of-a-kind items can be found throughout the downtown core. Start your journey at the oceanside boardwalk anchored on the north end by the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market ( www.halifax farmersmarket.com). Looking for performing arts and music? Check out the Neptune Theatre (www.neptunetheatre.com), Shakespeare by the Sea (www. shakespearebythesea.ca ) and the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium (www.dal. ca/dept/arts-centre.html). THE GREAT OUTDOORS By land, by air or by water, think of Nova Scotia as one giant theme park. For example, consider whale watching on the Bay of Fundy. Best locations? The west side of Cape Breton or Digby Neck. Another thrill is to experience the rush of the tidal bore while rafting the Shubenacadie River as the incoming ocean reverses the fl ow of the river in a fl urry of eight-foot waves. Surfers looking for big waves will fi nd them at White Point, Lawrencetown and Martinique Beach. If you'd rather explore Nova Scotia by land, check out the Skyline Trail, Balancing Rock Trail, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park or Taylor Head Provincial Park for specta- cular seaside hiking. Bikers love the 119-km (74-mi.) Rum Runners Trail that connects Halifax and Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( www.rumrunners trail.ca ). Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie is Nova Scotia's fi rst Gran Fondo cycling experience and features three different rides along the panoramic French Acadian Shore —September 24-25 (www.granfondo baiesaintemarie.ca). There's birding galore at Cape Sable Island, Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area Trail and Brier Island. Or, if golf is on your wish list, world-class and award-winning courses span the entire province (www. golfnovascotia.com ). For an adrenaline rush, take to the air for a hot air balloon ride with East Coast Balloon Adventures (www.eastcoastballoonadventures.com). HERITAGE AND CULTURE Roots run deep here. Each region has a multitude of places where you can immerse yourself in the various cultures and take part in some authentic experiences. The new Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, located in Birchtown, commemo- rates the history and contributions of the Black Loyalists who were some of Canada's fi rst settlers ( www.blackloyalist.com). QUICK FACT THE CAPITAL CITY OF HALIFAX IS CLOSER TO DUBLIN, IRELAND THAN IT IS TO VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA. SPECIAL EVENTS JUNE • eastern Shore Cold Waters Seafood festival • Multifest Multicultural festival, Halifax • Privateer Days, Liverpool JUNE – JULY • royal nova Scotia international tattoo, Halifax JULY • Peggy's Cove area festival of the arts • Pictou Lobster Carnival • Stan rogers folk festival, Canso • tD Halifax Jazz festival • Yarmouth Seafest JULY – AUGUST • festival de l'escaouette, Chéticamp • Halifax international Busker festival AUGUST • festival acadien de Clare • Lunenburg folk Harbour festival AUGUST – SEPTEMBER • Wharf rat rally, Digby SEPTEMBER • atlantic film festival, Halifax • Deep roots Music festival, Wolfville • Helm fest, Halifax electronic Live Music festival SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER • nova Scotia fall Wine festival, Province-wide OCTOBER • Celtic Colours international festival, Cape Breton • Halifax oyster festival www.novascotia.com/events LUnenBUrG • SHUtterStoCK/GarY YiM NOVA SCOTIA