10 Best Museums in Halifax
Where to Discover Halifax History, Art and Culture?
The best museums in Halifax are testament to the city’s storied seafaring tradition. Halifax has several excellent maritime museums, including Canada’s oldest and biggest. But there are plenty of other interesting and colourful options.
You can take a tour of a historic citadel guided by a kilted Scottish highlander, visit a historic lakeside home with picturesque wilderness trails or delve into Nova Scotia’s flora and fauna at its natural history museum. Halifax’s art galleries display regional art and indigenous artifacts, while science centres offer insights into the province’s natural wonders. Whether you’re a history buff, art enthusiast or nature lover, Halifax’s best museums offer immersive and memorable experiences.
1. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
The history and heritage of immigration in Canada
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Foto
Discover the story of Canada’s immigrants at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. This museum is a national historic site in the beautiful port of Halifax at the very spot where 1 million immigrants disembarked to begin their new lives in the country between 1928 and 1971.
The museum immerses you in the moving stories of newcomers and investigates their impact on the country’s culture. The Family History Centre allows you to conduct your own family’s genealogical research. This can be an emotional and memorable experience for both visitors and Canadian descendants of immigrants who came to the country through this port.
Localização: 1055 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7, Canada
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 902-425-7770
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
2. Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Viagens alternativas
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, located on the beautiful Halifax harbourfront, invites visitors to explore the rich seafaring history of Nova Scotia. You can delve into the backstories of pirates, mutinies and disasters, explore the Small Craft Gallery collection of original seacraft or step aboard the CSS Acadia, the sole surviving Royal Canadian Navy ship to serve in both world wars.
Popular highlights include the permanent Titanic exhibition, with its heart-rending artefacts such as the shoes of the unknown child. The Halifax Explosion gallery is a fascinating exploration of the largest explosion to occur before the atomic bomb, which claimed nearly 2,000 lives in Halifax harbour.
Localização: 1675 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1S3, Canada
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 902-424-7490
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
3. Museum of Natural History
Interactive museum popular with families
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Foto
The Museum of Natural History in Nova Scotia is a family-friendly destination that offers an easy-to-navigate experience, making it perfect for a quick visit when you’re pressed for time. Packed with interactive activities, it’s a hit with kids and provides an engaging exploration of Nova Scotia’s forests, marine environments, local flora and fauna, as well as the wonders of the cosmos.
Among the museum’s top attractions are its impressive displays of dinosaur skeletons, live reptiles and amphibians and carefully preserved birds and mammals. Plus, it has its own planetarium, offering a fascinating journey through the mysteries of space.
Localização: 1747 Summer St, Halifax, NS B3H 3A6, Canada
Abre: Daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Telefone: +1 902-424-7353
Museum of Natural History
4. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Historic hilltop fortress with panoramic views
Ideal para: História, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a hilltop fort with panoramic views of the city and its harbour. Built as a military fortress in the 18th century, it was pivotal in the development of Halifax and aided city in becoming 1 of 4 principal naval stations of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Its intriguing star shape is typical of many 19th century forts built by the British military. Over the years, the citadel has been staffed by the Scottish 78th Highlanders and their bagpipers, and the Royal Artillery. You can take an entertaining tour behind the scenes and learn about the history of the fort guided by costumed guards and witness the firing of the cannon.
Localização: 5425 Sackville St, Halifax, NS B3J 3Y3, Canada
Abre: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Telefone: +1 902-426-5080
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
5. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Local, indigenous and historic art in Atlantic Canada’s largest museum
Ideal para: Famílias, Casais, História
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is in 2 heritage buildings in Halifax and Yarmouth. With an expansive collection of 19,000 artworks, it’s the largest art museum in Atlantic Canada. It is also host to a wide range of important temporary exhibitions and events and a cultural hub of downtown Halifax.
The museum is known for its permanent collection of acclaimed Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. You can see her entire, tiny painted house in the museum. Other popular highlights include the extensive selection of indigenous art, and ‘Miss Chief’s Wet Dream’, the largest work of artist Kent Monkman. Kids and adults alike enjoy the scavenger hunt bingo so be sure to give them a go.
Localização: 1723 Hollis St, Halifax, NS B3J 1V9, Canada
Abre: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Telefone: +1 902-424-5280
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
6. Africkville
Exhibits on a historic Black community demolished by the city
Ideal para: História, Casais, Famílias
The Africkville museum in Halifax is a replica of a church that stood at the heart of a family-centered community for 120 years. Despite being tax-paying citizens, the African Canadian residents of the community were denied basic rights such as running water. In the 60s, Halifax bulldozed the church, then the entire village, in the name of urban renewal.
In 2010 the Halifax council issued an apology and erected this museum to preserve the memory of the 400 residents who called Africkville home. Through its exhibits and narratives, the museum serves as a reminder of the racism and marginalization endured by the community and stands as a symbol of the struggles of African Canadians to defend their culture and rights.
Localização: 5795 Africville Rd, Halifax, NS B3K 2R9, Canada
Abre: Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm
Telefone: +1 902-422-1116
Africkville
7. Discovery Centre
Interactive science centre for young children
Ideal para: Famílias, Viagens alternativas
Discovery Centre is a family-focused science museum located near the Halifax waterfront. The centre is brimming with hands-on exhibits that encourage curiosity, imagination and give hours of educational entertainment and learning for families with children under 8.
You can test alternative energy types in the Power Energy Gallery, soar in the skies above Halifax in a flight simulator in the Aerospace Gallery or take environmental action in the Murphy Ocean Gallery. The RBC Someday Street gallery is designed for young children to learn through immersive play. The Dome Theatre shows documentaries on the natural world for all the family, for a separate ticket fee.
Localização: 1215 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3S8, Canada
Abre: Wednesday–Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Discovery Centre
8. MSVU Art Gallery
Contemporary art exhibitions by local and female artists
Ideal para: Casais, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery is located in the Seton Academic Centre of the University on Mi’kma’ki, which is ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. The impressive art gallery focuses on temporary art exhibitions highlighting the artists of Nova Scotia and addresses subjects relevant to the University’s programmes.
The gallery also devotes a significant part of its programming to female artists often at the start of their careers. With its professional focus on mentoring, it has launched the careers of many artists. Past events have included flag making and pottery workshops so make sure to check the website to find out what’s on.
Localização: 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada
Abre: Friday–Saturday and Tuesday–Wednesday from 11 am to 3 pm, Thursdays 11 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Telefone: +1 902-457-6160
MSVU Art Gallery
9. HMCS Sackville
Canada’s oldest WWII warship and a floating museum
Ideal para: Econômico, História, Viagens alternativas
HMCS Sackville, Canada’s oldest warship and a National Historic Site, is the last surviving 123 corvette battleship from World War II. Restored to its magnificent 1944 appearance, the ship also features exhibits detailing the lives of navy personnel during the war.
Visitors can board the ship and be immersed in the daily challenges faced by sailors in the unforgiving North Atlantic in wartime. Admission is free, with a suggested donation. The ship is docked at Sackville Landing near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where it opens from late June to late October. In winter, it moves to Sackville Landing for maintenance and access is limited.
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 902-210-1694
HMCS Sackville
10. Uniacke Estate Museum Park
Picturesque historic home surrounded by scenic hiking trails
Ideal para: História, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Step back in time at the Uniacke Estate Museum Park, a well-maintained example of Georgian architecture. Built in 1818 by Richard J Uniacke, an Irish abolitionist lawyer, politician and former Attorney General of Nova Scotia, the estate was held in his family for 7 generations. This lakeside heritage home is perfectly preserved with original furnishings, family portraits and heirlooms.
You can take a tour with well-informed guides through the estate or explore the surrounding grounds with their scenic hiking trails. These vary from short loops with historical landscape features to moderately difficult wilderness trails passing through wetlands, woods and ravines. This beautiful residence is open spring to autumn, and the trails all year.
Localização: 758 Nova Scotia Trunk 1, Mount Uniacke, NS B0N 1Z0, Canada
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 902-866-2560
Uniacke Estate Museum Park
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