Halifax is getting annoyed with the way you pronounced banal
January 26, 2012 5:02 PM Subscribe
Tell me what you love to do in Halifax!
I've lived in Halifax, NS for four years. I've done all of the touristy stuff; I love the farmers' market and enjoy a lot of hiking and biking in the area. But thanks to grad study and the people I hang out with (fellow science grad students), I've stayed mostly downtown and in the south end - shopping, doing sporty stuff, hitting the bars and occasional live music scene, and hanging out at people's homes. I've only lately begun to visit Agricola more, by dropping in to Bike Again and Turnstile Pottery, both of which I absolutely love.
I'm looking to discover more about my city, especially the quirkier, artier side - anything less well known. I've been reading the Coast for more ideas, but could use some personal recs. Awesome shops, activities, indie art galleries, anything - tell me what you like to do in Halifax for fun!
As an addendum, a friend is leaving soon, and I'd like some ideas for an inexpensive day/two-day trip to take with her next weekend. We often go for hikes together - Duncan's Cove, Musquoduboit and the like, but I'd like something special this time. Something to do with birdwatching or other wildlife - especially owls - would be great.
I've lived in Halifax, NS for four years. I've done all of the touristy stuff; I love the farmers' market and enjoy a lot of hiking and biking in the area. But thanks to grad study and the people I hang out with (fellow science grad students), I've stayed mostly downtown and in the south end - shopping, doing sporty stuff, hitting the bars and occasional live music scene, and hanging out at people's homes. I've only lately begun to visit Agricola more, by dropping in to Bike Again and Turnstile Pottery, both of which I absolutely love.
I'm looking to discover more about my city, especially the quirkier, artier side - anything less well known. I've been reading the Coast for more ideas, but could use some personal recs. Awesome shops, activities, indie art galleries, anything - tell me what you like to do in Halifax for fun!
As an addendum, a friend is leaving soon, and I'd like some ideas for an inexpensive day/two-day trip to take with her next weekend. We often go for hikes together - Duncan's Cove, Musquoduboit and the like, but I'd like something special this time. Something to do with birdwatching or other wildlife - especially owls - would be great.
Bird watching in the area, and you could rent a gorgeous cottage in Duncan's Cove for a small fee, I think. Famous NS composer/conductor/musician Scott MacMillan frequently has a Monday big band performance at Stayner's in downtown Halifax by the ferry terminal, and the ferry, btw, is the best harbour tour deal going! Get the one to Eastern Passage if you can: it's longer and you may see seals and lots of seabirds.
posted by fish tick at 6:58 PM on January 26, 2012
posted by fish tick at 6:58 PM on January 26, 2012
This is a summer recommendation. When I was visiting my aunt in 2010 she took me to see a play out in the middle of a field one summer evening and it was absolutely magical. It was put on by the Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company. If you are around in the summer I highly recommend it--the sun was setting as the play was going on and they had torches all around on the grass to light up the stage area. It was very quiet so when the chorus sang it was the only thing you could hear.
posted by costanza at 7:42 PM on January 26, 2012
posted by costanza at 7:42 PM on January 26, 2012
How about visiting a zine library, archive, and silk screening facility? You'll find them all (for now, anyway, their lease is up in May and they have to move) at the Roberts Street Social Centre on Roberts Street at Agricola in the North End!
posted by kuppajava at 8:29 AM on January 27, 2012
posted by kuppajava at 8:29 AM on January 27, 2012
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Man, this is hard. I don't think there's really a 'hidden' side to Halifax but I haven't been there in ages. When I do go back, I go to downtown Halifax and enjoy the live music (even the Lower Deck, now that I realize how unusual it is), go to the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, wander through the little shops. There's a little farmer's market in Dartmouth at the ferry terminal and Celtic Corner for a beer. MicMac Mall if you feel like a mall but that's the opposite of indie.
Birding-wise, this isn't the best time of year. There are probably Dovekies off Cow Bay (get on Pleasant Street in Dartmouth and keep driving) at this time of year. There are also apparently sea ducks to visit around the Southshore/Digby but that might be too far away for you. Interesting gulls hang out near sewage outfalls in the habour. Otherwise you could look at the Rare Birds Alerts or this one for Nova Scotia. I know my mother went on an owl tour somewhere close to Halifax but I thought it was conducted by the natural history museum but I guess not. Ah, maybe this place.
posted by hydrobatidae at 6:48 PM on January 26, 2012