Halifax is shaped by the sea (literally) so it only makes sense that the city has a lot of nautical history to check out. Whether you’re in search of Titanic lore or you’re looking for a more Halifax-focused sense of place, you’ll find plenty of maritime history here.
These are some of the coolest spots in Halifax for maritime history buffs — and you can easily fit them all into a single day itinerary:
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a waterfront museum that should be on the itinerary of all nautical nerds. It showcases Atlantic Canada’s seafaring past, covering everything from the Titanic disaster to the Halifax Explosion.
Fairview Lawn Cemetery
It might seem a little weird to have a cemetery on the list of must-visit sites in Halifax, but the Fairview Lawn Cemetery is actually where a lot of those who lost their lives on the Titanic were buried. Don’t worry about getting in trouble as a tourist visiting, as long as you’re respectful, the cemetery welcomes visitors.
HMCS Sackville
This restored Second World War corvette is the last of its kind — and can be visited first hand. It’s located on the Halifax Waterfront, which makes it easy to pop in and get a sense of the harsh reality sailors faced nearly a century ago.
Pier 21
If you’ve visited Ellis Island, Pier 21 is a logical next step. This is where over a million immigrants entered Canada by ship, which makes it a major player in Canada’s maritime immigration history.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site or simply Citadel Hill, should be on everyone’s itinerary when visiting Halifax, especially in the warmer months. This unique star-shaped fortress historically played a crucial role in protecting the Halifax Harbour. These days its more of a museum, or for locals, the perfect grassy spot to stop and enjoy a picnic with a view.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
