Dartmouth, Halifax

After having seen most of Halifax's architectural heritage, we registered for a trip to Lunenberg at the youth hostel, but not enough people registered and the tour was cancelled. So instead we ended up taking the ferry to Dartmouth.

My Greater Halifax Visitor Guide (2002) contained a map of Dartmouth Downtown, including a self-guided walking tour which took us to the town's heritage sites, the park surrounding Sullivan's Pond and small but cute churches. I suppose, or hope, that if you order a newer edition of the Greater Halifax Visitor Guide, it still contains such a map. The Guide can be ordered at: http://www.destinationhalifax.com/order-planners.php.

The walk is not very long and can easily be completed in a couple of hours.

Most people that come to the area just visit Halifax. Dartmouth is on the other side of the harbour and was it's own city before 1996 and the political amalgamation of the whole county into one municipal government. Take the downtown dartmouth ferry from Halfiax. It affords a great view of the Halifax Skyline and t here are some interesting things to see in Dartmouth.

The ferry terminal building contains a good restaurant, a library, a weekend farmer's market and a local community theatre.

Not far away, there is a lovely tea room called Two if by Sea. The Shubenacadie Canal and visitor center details the old transportation route cross country using a series of canals. There are 23 lakes in Dartmouth with beaches and boating. The largest shopping mall in the area is here. There are some lovely old historic churches downtown dartmouth as well as a couple of historic houses, Quaker House and Evergreen House.

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Dartmouth is Halifax's counterpart just across the harbour and it was founded in 1750. Essentially it is a residential area with not so much charm and bustle as Halifax. However, it is worth a visit and you can travel by ferry across the harbour (the ferry terminal is conveniently located along the waterfront broadwalk of Halifax). In faxt, this is the oldest sea ferry system in North America, dating back to 1752.

The Ferry Boat on its way to Dartmouth. June 2001. We had a free trip in June 2000 to the International festival which started after we left this year.