Maintained by a dedicated team of gardeners and horticulturalists for more than 100 years, this park’s diverse gardens are connected by a series of manicured paths, statues, and bridges. Enter the park through an ornate wrought iron gate and lose yourself among the bright dahlias, colorful tulips, Victorian carpet beds, and an Agave Americana that blooms only once every 40 years.
The Halifax Harbour Hopper amphibious vehicle visits the gardens, though many travelers head there on their own. Free weekly tours of the gardens are available from May to November; languages offered include English, German, Russian, Dutch, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
The Halifax Public Gardens is lovely for first-time visitors to Halifax and anyone looking for a quiet respite from the city.
History enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the Victoria Jubilee Fountain and the miniature model replica of the Titanic in Griffin’s Pond.
Admission to the gardens is free.
Get a snack or lunch on the Uncommon Grounds Café terrace, or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens.
Copies of the Urban BioKit for visitors, available in English and French, can be collected at Horticultural Hall.
The park is accessible to wheelchair users.
The Halifax Public Gardens is located in the center of downtown, across the street from the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. It is easily accessible by car, public transit, walking, and taxi, and there is a sightseeing tour bus stop out front. Paid parking is available nearby.
The gardens are maintained and open from 8am to dusk April to November—if the gates are open, so are the gardens. The best time visit is summer: even though the park may get crowded, there are loads of flowers and plants in bloom. Don’t forget to check what’s blooming during the time of your visit.
After visiting the Halifax Public Gardens, take a stroll along the Halifax boardwalk, one of the world's longest downtown boardwalks which is dotted with eateries and beer gardens. You can also climb Citadel Hill for great views over the city, before heading to one of the longest-running farmers' markets in North America—the Historic Farmers' Market, held every Saturday morning.