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Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Maritime Canada, is a land quite distinct, with a divergent culture, stunning scenery and often large, empty roads. Halifax, known for its long maritime history and its notorious donair kebabs, it is emerging as a hip capital and because of its sprawling length is best enjoyed with a car rental Halifax. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Halifax has to offer so you can take full advantage of this bright city, with a car hire from Halifax Airport also available. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website to provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a rental car that fits your specific rental needs.
General Information
From old fishing villages to ancient forests to a vibrant downtown, Halifax is a large city that sprawls out far, but still manages to retain an intimacy thanks to its famous waterfront and compact entertainment quarter. Compared to other North American and US cities, however, the city is small, and residents enjoy a slower pace of life and are quick to welcome visitors. The city’s beautiful natural harbor, the second largest in the world, drew the British to the area in 1749, and its rich maritime history derives from this strategic location. Nowadays, it is a busy Atlantic seaport, functioning efficiently as the region’s financial, educational and transportation heart, and many of the major sites are located along the harbor or downtown core.
To Do
A visit to the Halifax Farmer’s Market is a must for any traveler. If not for the massive range of food and trinkets on offer, the vibrant group of people and live music with an excellent view is worth the trip alone. Nearby is the longest wooden waterfront boardwalk in North America which gives you the perfect way to experience the city and harbor life. For your shopping fix, take a car rental Halifax to Spring Garden Road, the main shopping district. Alongside the swathes of shops the street makes for an excellent people-watching destination. For some quality rest and relaxation, head to Alexander Keith’s Brewery – the brew master and three time mayor of the city offers an exciting and immersive brewery tour where you learn about Halifax in 1863, with some beers served at the end.
Attractions
The Fort George Halifax Citadel is a National Heritage Site and one of the mainstays of any visitor’s itinerary. Situated on top of Citadel Hill, the classic star fort gives a spectacular view of the harbor and is especially electric on Canada Day. A walk down to the waterfront reveals Pier 21, the National Immigration Museum. This historic waterfront building used to process over a million immigrants, but now it functions as a modern museum. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is another fine museum, dedicated to the sinking of the Titanic and Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage, including the Halifax explosion which tore the city apart in 1917.
Eating
While there is no such thing as Nova Scotia cuisine, it does make full use of seafood, mussels and scallops come quick and cheap in Halifax. Other foods to seek out are Sea Pie and seafood chowder. The Halifax donair is much like a typical doner kebab, but uses fresh, lean ground beef and a slightly sweet milk-based garlic sauce. Today you can order donair pizza and donair subs in addition to the original.
Excursions
Traveling with a Halifax car rental is perfect to open up the capital and the surrounding area. From the Lighthouse Route that leads you south through the different cultures of Nova Scotia’s South Shore, to Peggy’s Cove, a site of fantastically rugged rocks and cliffs with its distinct lighthouse, there is much to discover in the local area. Halifax is conveniently connected to the rest of Canada by provincial highways, and a Halifax car rental is an excellent way to explore the country’s stunning array of scenery, with Quebec just over a day’s drive away.