If you do nothing else while you’re in Halifax, go to the waterfront.
It’s at the top of my list of Halifax kids’ activities because there is so much to do along the Harbourwalk. You’ve got shops, restaurants, public art, and places to play. Plus, several of the main attractions I recommend in my Guide To Halifax With Kids are right on the boardwalk.
Walking the full length of the boardwalk, from the Seaport Market to Casino Nova Scotia, takes about 45 minutes if you don’t stop. But with kids, you can stretch that into a full day without even trying.
On our day in Halifax, we spent about four hours enjoying the free activities, browsing the shops, and stopping for a quick snack and dinner. And that was without stopping at any museums or major attractions.
Here are all the fun things to do with kids on the Halifax waterfront, starting from the south end of the boardwalk.
Halifax Waterfront Review: Quick Verdict
Worth it? Yes
Best for: Families looking for free things to do in Halifax
Time needed: 3-6 hours
Budget-friendly? Yes
Our visit: 4 hours
What to Do at the Halifax Waterfront with Kids
1. Watch the cruise ships come and go
One of the simplest things you can do here is just watch the harbour activity.
Seeing a massive cruise ship up close is incredibly fun for kids who have never been on a voyage. On our trip, Brie spotted the giant waterslides at the top of one of the ships right away. She pointed them out to Zen and me, thrilled by the sight.
If your timing is right, you can watch a tugboat turn a cruise ship around before it heads back out to sea. On our summer trip, we joined the crowd along the docks to watch two ships leave the harbour. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to be that entertained. But watching that small tugboat manoeuvre something that massive was genuinely impressive.
Mom Tip: You don’t have to guess when the ships are leaving. Check the online Halifax cruise ship schedule the morning of your visit. That way, you can plan to be on the south end of the boardwalk right around departure times.
2. Do the Painted Obstacle Course
Near the Salter Boardwalk, you’ll find an awesome sidewalk chalk-style obstacle course painted right onto the pavement. It’s a simple activity that’s perfect for kids who have a bit of energy to burn while exploring the waterfront. The course is filled with fun little challenges like classic hopscotch, lily pad jumps, jumping jack steps, a tire run, and a skipping line at the end.
I first tried out the course during my winter trip to Halifax. The boardwalk was pretty empty then, so my niece and I stopped to do a few of the obstacles. Even in the cold, we had fun.
Naturally, on our summer trip, Brie noticed it right away. She joined right in with the other kids and did every obstacle from start to finish. It’s a small thing, but kids absolutely love it. And honestly, it’s little things like this that make a long waterfront walk so much more doable with children.
3. Relax in the Hammocks
If you need a moment to sit and take a breath while the kids rest, head to the Salter Boardwalk. The wooden decks here are lined with bright orange hammocks, along with comfortable Adirondack chairs facing straight out toward the water.
In summer, the hammocks are usually taken. But if you visit in the off-season or early in the morning, you are much more likely to find a free one. I tried one out during my winter trip. It was cold, obviously, but still really peaceful. Just sitting there looking out at the harbour with the wind and water moving around was a nice reset point between busier stops.
If you don’t get a hammock or chair, there’s also a grassy area nearby. This green space has double-wide lounge chairs and picnic tables, too. These are popular as well, but if you manage to grab one, this is the best spot for a break while enjoying the Halifax waterfront with kids.
4. Stop at the Salt Yard
Open May through October, the Salt Yard is a mini kiosk village. These colorful kiosks house local food vendors and unique shops. With plenty of seating, plus public washrooms, it’s another great place to take a break mid-walk.
If you haven’t had a BeaverTail yet, this is the perfect place to get one. It’s a classic Canadian staple and worth trying at least once. If you’ve never heard of them, it’s fried dough stretched flat to look like a beaver’s tail and covered in whatever toppings you choose. My absolute favorite is the Bananarama, which comes topped with hazelnut spread and fresh banana slices.
Right next to the BeaverTail kiosk, there’s a small play area with musical instruments set up. Brie noticed them before I did and ran right over to try out the pipe xylophone and drum set. It is another simple, free activity that keeps kids entertained while you wait for your snacks or enjoy a coffee.
5. Play at the Yellow Submarine Playground & The Wave
Further along the boardwalk, you’ll hit the main play area. There is a cute, yellow submarine-themed playground with a slide, but that’s not the real highlight here for kids.
The Wave is.
It’s a giant blue sculpture built right onto the boardwalk, and the signs saying “no climbing” are ignored by essentially everyone. It has become an iconic, unofficial playground for visiting families.
Like all the other kids on the boardwalk, Brie ran straight for it the moment she saw it. She sat up there for a good ten minutes, happily taking in the harbour views before sliding back down the smooth blue curve. It’s simple, but it becomes one of those “highlight” moments because kids feel like they’ve conquered a giant mountain right in the middle of the city.
6. Take in the Views at Queen’s Landing
If you want to get right up close to the Atlantic Ocean, make a stop at Queen’s Landing. This architectural feature consists of massive, wide granite steps that lead directly down into the saltwater. On a warm day, it’s tempting to head all the way down and let the kids splash around.
That said, after sharing videos of Queen’s Landing online, I had a few locals comment warning to stay out of the water. I wasn’t sure what the issue was until one commenter bluntly specified, “Stop going into the poop water.” That particular comment prompted me to do some research.
Apparently, for more than 250 years, raw sewage went directly into Halifax Harbour. The Harbour Solutions Project finally fixed this by building three new wastewater treatment plants in 2010. This project significantly improved the water quality. However, occasional wastewater releases still happen for maintenance, and the city still issues occasional warnings to stay out of the water. Because of that history, many locals still choose never to swim here.
On our visit, it was a really windy day. So, I kept the kids a step above where the water was hitting anyway, just for safety. For us, it was more of a place to stand on the steps and watch the waves rather than to dip our toes in the water.
It really is a beautiful spot to sit, but if you’re visiting with young children, you need to keep a very close eye on them here. There is no barrier or railing between the stone steps and the deep water.
7. Climb to the Top of the “Rise Again” Steps
Right next to the stairs going down into the ocean, you’ll see a wide wooden staircase going up called the “Rise Again” steps. This unique architectural structure goes up two storeys above the ground level of the boardwalk.
It is a bit of a climb, but the panoramic harbour views at the top are well worth the effort. It is also the perfect spot to take a quick family photo before you head back down to finish your walk. It’s not a massive attraction, but it’s an easy, free stop to add to your day.
8. Catch the Talented Street Performers (And the Busker Festival!)
On any given day in the summer, the waterfront is alive with talented local street performers. You will find musicians, magicians, balloon artists, and acrobats setting up shop along the wide wooden decks. It is the ultimate casual entertainment for kids. If something catches their attention, you can stand and watch for fifteen minutes. If they start to get squirmy, you can simply keep moving down the path.
We didn’t see too many performances on our stroll, aside from one guy singing and playing guitar. Of course, it caught Brie’s attention since she absolutely loves music. We didn’t stop for too long, but hearing the music play in the background as we walked added such a fun, lively energy to our afternoon.
Now, if you happen to time your Nova Scotia family road trip for late July or early August, you are in for a massive treat. The city hosts the annual Halifax Busker Festival, which transforms the waterfront into a giant, six-day outdoor theatre. It is an absolute must-visit event if you only have one day in Halifax.
It features hundreds of family-friendly shows from top international street performers, like extreme fire-breathers, acrobats throwing themselves through the air, hilarious comedians, and illusionists. Plus, there’s even a Fun Zone with carnival rides and inflatables.
Major Halifax Attractions Located on or Near the Waterfront
You can easily pair your boardwalk walk with these nearby stops without having to move your parking space:
- Discovery Centre: This interactive science museum is a playground for curious young minds. The hands-on exhibits kept Zen completely engaged. You can read our Discovery Centre review to see exactly why it is worth a visit.
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: Located right on the boardwalk, this museum houses an incredible collection of boats and history. Kids will love seeing the massive models, and parents will enjoy the Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits.
- Canadian Museum of Immigration: This historic gateway is Canada’s version of Ellis Island. It features great, interactive family activities where kids can pack a digital suitcase or step inside a replica immigrant train car.
- HMCS Sackville: You can’t miss this historic naval ship docked right in the harbour during the summer months. It is Canada’s oldest surviving corvette warship from World War II, and it is a fascinating, real-life boat for kids to explore.
- Tour of Georges Island: Take a quick ferry ride out into the middle of the harbour to explore this historic island. Kids will have a blast on the tour of the underground tunnels.
- Harbour Hopper Tour: This is the iconic bright green amphibious vehicle you will see driving around downtown. It drives straight off the land and splashes directly into the water for a narrated cruise, which always gets huge giggles out of the kids.
- Tall Ship Silva: This historic three-masted schooner docks right along the boardwalk at Cable Wharf. If conditions are right during the cruise, the crew invites the kids to help haul the lines and raise the massive sails.
- Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market: Located at the south end of the boardwalk, this is the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in North America. It is a fantastic weekend stop to grab fresh pastries, local snacks, and unique handmade souvenirs.
Mom Tips for a Great Waterfront Day
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you head out to the Halifax waterfront with kids:
- Go on a weekday if you can: The boardwalk gets incredibly busy on summer weekends, especially near the playground and The Wave. Weekdays are much quieter.
- Check the Cruise Schedule: If you want a quiet walk, pick a morning when there are no major cruise ships docked. But if your kids want to see the giant ships and watch the tugboats work, pick a departure evening!
- Sun Protection is Essential: Because you are right on the water, the sun reflects heavily off the wooden planks and waves. Hats and sunscreen are a must.
- Budget more time than you think you need: Walking the boardwalk takes about 45 minutes. But with stops, four hours went by incredibly quickly. Don’t try to rush it.
- Take the cheapest boat cruise in town: If the kids get tired of walking, head to the Halifax Ferry Terminal, and hop on the public transit ferry over to Dartmouth for just a few dollars.
- Consider Sensory Needs: The boardwalk can get loud, bright, and crowded during peak summer days. If you’re planning for a child with sensory needs, check out my full guide: Is the Halifax Waterfront Autism Friendly?
If you are trying to stick to a budget for your trip, I highly recommend looking into local university student rentals like we did. You can check out my MSVU residence review to see if booking a university suite is a good fit for your family. For even more accommodation ideas, don’t miss my complete guide on where to stay in Halifax with kids.
Top Halifax Hotels for Kids
If you’re staying overnight to explore more Halifax attractions, here are my top four hotel recommendations for families:
- Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites ($): The most budget-friendly choice. It’s a 20-minute drive from the Discovery Centre, with an indoor pool, splashpad, and waterslide, plus free breakfast.
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Halifax Downtown ($$): About a 20-minute walk away, with an indoor pool and outdoor terrace.
- The Westin Nova Scotian ($$$): The closest option to the Discovery Centre, with an indoor pool and hot tub.
- Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel ($$$$): Located right on the north end of the boardwalk, with an indoor pool and hot tub.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Halifax Waterfront with Kids
What I love most about the Halifax waterfront is how many free, low-effort activities are built into one walkable space. You don’t need a strict plan. Instead, your afternoon naturally breaks into small, easy activities: watching ships, climbing sculptures, sitting in hammocks, grabbing snacks, and taking it all in. That mix makes it incredibly easy for parents to sightsee and shop without constantly hearing “I’m bored.”
I’ve been here twice now, once in the quiet winter and once in the busy summer, and I’d go back again in a heartbeat. It truly is one of the best spots on Canada’s East Coast for families.
No matter how many days you have planned for your Nova Scotia vacation, make sure you carve out at least one full afternoon to just slow down, grab a pastry, and explore the Halifax waterfront with kids. It is an experience your children will remember long after you head home.
Have you visited the Halifax Waterfront with kids? Let me know what you enjoyed most on my Facebook post, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook to see more attractions and guides for kids from our East Coast trip, or check out my TikTok for some visual inspirations!
More Halifax Planning Resources
- Is the Halifax Waterfront Autism Friendly?
- Best Things to Do in Halifax with Kids
- Discovery Centre Review
- One Day in Halifax Itinerary (coming soon)
- Best Places to Stay with Kids in Halifax (coming soon)
- MSVU Summer Residences Review
More Family Travel Planning Resources
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