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Despite being the largest city in the Canadian Maritimes, Nova Scotia’s sea-swept capital has managed to maintain its small-city feel. The harbor town of Halifax is filled with cozy neighborhoods, monumental harbor fronts, historic attractions and plenty of good beer and live music to keep everyone happy.

Halifax sits on one of the largest harbors in the world, and the city offers no shortage of coastlines marked with sandy white beaches, rugged shores and charming lighthouses. Along the coast, you’ll also find quaint communities like Peggy’s Cove, a small fishing community where you can spend the day canoeing, deep sea fishing, whale watching or simply enjoying the view of waves crashing against Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.

In town, you’ll find historic buildings define the city. The brick Alexander Keith’s Brewery, for example, is one of the oldest commercial breweries in North America and also home to the Halifax Farmers’ Market, the oldest such market in North America. On a brewery tour, guests learn about the history of the brewery from guides in period costumes who dance and sing guests through the beer’s past. Throughout town, you’ll find equally historic, though admittedly less animated, sites like St. Mary’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Church. Want to take it all in? Climb up Citadel Hill for views of the city and harbor below.

Or, get a glimpse of Halifax through this photo tour:

(Main image: Tim Green aka atoach)

About the author

Marissa WillmanMarissa Willman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before downsizing her life into two suitcases for a teaching gig in South Korea. Seoul was her home base for two years of wanderlusting throughout six countries in Asia. In 2011, Marissa swapped teaching for travel writing and now calls Southern California home.

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