by Markus Fortune
I recently overheard a conversation between a group of friends on Spring Garden Road. I gathered that the tone of the conversation was on the bitter side. What I overheard was that they had found themselves in the provincial capital of Nova Scotia and could not find anything to do. Initially I thought to myself “I can think of at least 10 things to do in Halifax right now”. If I have learned one thing from living in Halifax almost 15 years is that there is always something to do. And often that one thing usually leads to a bunch of other great activities! As Pre-Employment Support with reachAbility, I usually provide clients with resources to help them gain meaningful employment. But today, I’m excited to use the same knowledge and expertise I’ve built working in our community to provide you with fun and affordable experiences and suggestions that can add some excitement to your summer.
Public Gardens
I knew from the start that my list would begin with The Public Gardens. Aside from being a great place to take a brief stroll, the gardens have far more to offer. Halifax’s Public Gardens offer free guided tours throughout the summer months that highlight the park’s history and installments. The Public Gardens is also a great place to take a moment and practice mindfulness. With everything in bloom, and lots of things to see and hear, this is the perfect place to simply take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty around you. If you get a little too relaxed and need to pick your energy up a bit, the park has you covered there as well. Uncommon Grounds has a location at the Public Gardens where you can get a hot beverage and lunch to enjoy during your visit.
Halifax Central Library
It was not until I started working for reachAbility that I learned libraries are not just for books anymore. While borrowing books continues to be a pillar to libraries everywhere, various forms of media can be borrowed from the libraries here in Halifax. Movies, Ebooks, CDs, magazines, and even musical instruments are available to borrow. Of all of the libraries within the HRM, the Halifax Central Library is one of my favorites. When this library opened in December of 2014, I was still a university student. The Halifax Central Library quickly became my favorite spot to study and research. In the years since it opened, the library has become a place for community learning and engagement through programming and support. reachAbility owes a great deal to all of the libraries within the HRM; the support they provide their clients has very few bounds. From emergency housing help through their Community Navigators to hosting events like free tax return clinics to little things like providing a can opener to a patron so he could eat his lunch, (yes, I did see this happen. They even let him keep the can opener!) the staff at Halifax’s libraries are here to help with a wider range of resources than you might expect. Yes, you can still find a good book at our libraries, but you can also find much, much more.
Halifax Busker Festival
A personal favorite of mine, The Halifax Busker Festival is a great way to take in the talents of travelling artists and performers. While I usually like to see what magicians are here for the Busker Festival, there are music and performance artists that come to Halifax to share their talents on sidewalks and boardwalks all over the downtown core. The Halifax Busker Festival will happen this year between July 30 and August 4, and while the festival itself is free to view and experience, tipping the performers is always encouraged and appreciated! Any amount, big or small, goes towards showing the performers how much we appreciate the experiences they share with us.
Halifax Jazz Festival
Happening July 15-20, the Halifax Jazz Festival has a wide variety of musical artists lined up this year. The festival offers some free day performances if finances are on the tight side, and for $70, you can enjoy Big Boi with opening performers JupiterReign and Kxng Wooz! If you haven’t heard of these artists before (okay fine, I hadn’t either), I encourage you to visithttps://www.halifaxjazzfestival.ca. You’ll find artists you know, but also exciting new musicians and music to discover. One of the best ways to experience everything the Jazz Festival has to offer is by getting involved behind the scenes as a volunteer. There are usually lots of volunteer opportunities available as it takes a lot of work to put on a festival this size!
Alderney Landing
Alderney Landing in Dartmouth is a bustling hub of activity during the summer months. The Alderney Landing Farmers Market is a fantastic way to explore the work of local artists, food vendors, and crafters. The market takes place on Wednesdays from noon until 6PM, Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM, and Sundays from 11AM to 3PM. To make a day of it, you could take the Halifax Ferries and enjoy the views of both Halifax and Dartmouth. If you’re able to navigate the stairs, head up to the exposed top deck to cool off in a nice summer breeze blowing through the harbour. A walk through Downtown Dartmouth is the cherry on top of a day of summer exploration. The streets around Alderney Landing, especially Portland Street, have a lot of hidden gems like small shops, restaurants, and galleries scattered throughout. While exploring the area, take the trail from Alderney Landing Park along the harbour to find a number of outdoor murals painted by local artists.
Lake Banook
A quiet spot of natural beauty, Lake Banook is a great place to gather for everyone young and old. With extensive views and beautiful scenery and walk ways, Lake Banook is a perfect spot to spend a sunny summer afternoon. The possibilities are endless when considering activities to enjoy. Lake Banook’s Dragonboat East Event takes place Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings from May 28 until September 30. With plenty of seating, viewing these boat races is not something you want to miss! Combine these races with a nice picnic afterwards, and you have yourself a perfect Maritime summer day.
Shubie Park
A place that makes for a beautiful walking experience regardless of the time of year is Shubie Park. Creating the illusion of a secluded forest trail between beautiful natural waterways and constructed canals, Shubie is just a hop, skip, and a jump from anywhere in the city. If you have a dog, Shubie is a great place to bring your canine companion for a rejuvenating stroll as the park has a number of off-leash areas. Looking to get into bird watching? Shubie Park has more chickadees than any walking trail I have ever seen. A more avid birder could tell you the many varieties of birds living alongside those chickadees but for now you’ll have to take this amateur birder’s word for it: there’s a lot of birds! The great folks at the Adventure Earth Centre can tell you plenty more about the plants and animals that live in Shubie Park, as the centre is located inside the park’s main entrance. Don’t be surprised if folks here only have time for a short chat about birds and blossoms though, the centre is a popular spot that offers an impressive variety of recreation programming and activities all summer long.
Dartmouth Open Street Sunday
On June 22, Portland Street in Dartmouth from Alderney Drive to Prince Albert Road will be closed to cars and only accessible to pedestrians and cyclists! Without the worry of traffic, you are free to roam Portland Street to take in the events, live music, and other excitement. Portland will be shut down to vehicular traffic from 11AM to 5PM with the events and fun happening from noon to 4PM. This might be the perfect day to explore Downtown Dartmouth and check out some of the spots mentioned above while you enjoy a car-free, summer day on Portland Street.
Halifax Commons
What can’t you do at the Halifax Commons? The Emera Oval has shaken off the chill and rime of the winter season and folks can now rollerblade, bike, and scooter around the oval. If the warm haze of summer gets to you, across the street is the Halifax Commons Public Pool! The pool will be open from June 15 to September 15 for splashing and lounging. If you are a bit more on the active side, you can always bring a soccer ball to kick around the Commons or partake in a Cricket or Softball game on one of the many diamonds dotting the park. Maybe you’re more of a reader? Bring a blanket and lounge in the sun! Perhaps with one of your favorite novels borrowed from one of our libraries.
Art Gallery Of Nova Scotia
Located in Downtown Halifax, The Art Gallery Of Nova Scotia is the place to learn about and appreciate the works of artists local and nationwide alike. Many pieces and installations by Maud Lewis, arguably our most famous local artist, call the Art Gallery Of Nova Scotia home. The gallery is a great place to explore the historic and contemporary work of Mi’kmaw artists, which often leave viewers in awe and with a greater sense of our province’s history and culture. Every Thursday, the Art Gallery Of Nova Scotia offers free admission agto everyone between the hours of 5PM and 9PM. After you take in all the culture and art that the gallery has to offer, you can head to the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk to enjoy a sugary treat, hear some local musicians, and enjoy the warm glow of the sunset disappearing behind Citadel Hill.
There you have it, 10 activities you can enjoy at little to no cost! And this list isn’t only financially accessible, these activities also keep the money you do spend here in your community. This list shows that you do not necessarily have to spend large sums of money or travel great distances to enjoy your summer. I added some ideas and suggestions of mindfulness and encouragement to enjoy the little things as an extra layer of consideration when you are trying to decide what to do with your summer. Sometimes it is not what you do, but what you get out of the activity or what non-material aspect or feeling you take away from the experience that matters most.
