Things to Do in North America

The Halifax Public gardens were opened in 1867 -- the same year as Canadian Confederation. A large team of superintendents, horticulturalists, and gardeners has kept everything blooming for over 100 years, and in 1984, the gardens became a National Historic Site of Canada.

Once you’re through the impressive main gates, you’re free to wander the footpaths at your leisure. There are over 100 species of trees here, as well as a collection of flowerbeds. Peruse the Tropical Display beds for exotic plants from around the world, or take in the colorful dahlias.

Cross the Upper and Lower Bridges and visit The Victoria Jubilee Fountain, added in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The most impressive fountain, however, is the double-tiered Boer War Memorial Fountain, erected in 1903 to honor the service of Canadian soldiers in the South African war.

Titanic lovers will want to check out Griffin’s pond, where a model of the ship floats, donated by the Maritime Ship Modellers Guild. This follows a tradition of displaying ships’ models in Victorian gardens.

And finally, to wrap up the whole experience, grab a coffee and some treats from the Horticultural Hall and Uncommon Grounds Café, and enjoy a lunch from the terrace.

On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean is Halifax, the largest city in Atlantic Canada and the Maritimes. Get out on foot and explore what this east coast capital has to offer, whether it’s strolling the waterfront’s boardwalk, navigating Citadel Hill, or listening to live music at a local pub.

How to get to Halifax

Cruises dock at the Seaport, where there is immediate access to the Metro Transit bus system, Halifax taxis, and limousines. A 10-minute walk will take you straight to the downtown area, where you can peruse local boutiques, visit museums like the Canadian Museum of Immigration, or simply snap photos of the city’s busy waterfront and boardwalk area.

One Day in Halifax

Fortunately, many of Halifax’s highlights are just a short distance from the city’s port. If you love history, visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration, or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Visit Citadel Hill for some insight into Canada’s earliest years, or take in the view of the city from the tower.

Take your pick of shopping options along Spring Garden Road, and wander through the Public Gardens. When the sun sets, indulge in a lobster dinner and head out to the nearest pub for some live music and pints of Alexander Keith’s.  

Port Information

Of all the Atlantic Canadian cities, Halifax gets the most cruise traffic. More than 15 different cruise lines operate here, including Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, and more. All local businesses accept Canadian currency only, and English is most widely spoken (although French is Canada’s other official language).

Between San Francisco and Santa Cruz sits Half Moon Bay, a sleepy beach resort community with a population not quite reaching 12,000 people. The Victorian-era Main Street harkens back to its early days as a tourist destination in the 1800s when it slowly evolved from a fishing village with a Spanish mission to a booming town with a major stagecoach depot.

Many of the town’s historic buildings now house upscale restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, but the coast is the real draw here. While temperatures can fluctuate quickly, the long stretch of beach, parts of it now lined with multimillion dollar estates, draws surfers, students and weekend picnickers throughout the year. If you’re looking to catch big waves, head to Maverick’s at Pillar Point, but be sure to wear a wetsuit.

During the winter months, whale watching excursions depart from Pillar Point to see gray whales and sometimes orcas make their way south and back north again. In the summer, you can still spot some marine wildlife in the colorful tide pools of the James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

The heart of every Mexican city is its cathedral, and Guadalajara is no exception. Officially known as the Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Virgen María, the Guadalajara Cathedral towers over the city’s central plazas. A mishmash of Gothic, baroque, Moorish, and neoclassical styles, the building is atypical for a Mexican cathedral, and its unusual design has made it an emblem of the city.

Since 1561, the massive cathedral has weathered eight earthquakes, two of which did serious damage. An 1818 quake demolished the central dome and towers. The distinctive tiled towers you see today date back to1854. The interior is awesome in the original sense of the word; the stained glass windows are reminiscent of Notre Dame, and 11 silver and gold altars were gifts from Spain’s King Fernando VII. But it’s not all just finery --- the cathedral also has its share of macabre relics. Under the great altar you’ll find the crypts of bishops and cardinals, which date back to the sixteenth century. And to the left of the main altar you’ll see the Virgin of Innocence, which contains the bones of a 12-year-old girl who was martyred in the third century, forgotten, and rediscovered in the Vatican catacombs 1400 years later. The bones were shipped to Guadalajara in 1788.