Trip chapter 03
Fredericton to Halifax
A bagpiper welcome to Nova Scotia, an outdoor wait at YHZ, two nights at the Lord Nelson and a full round of Halifax walks and patios.
We left Fredericton for Halifax on July 5, with family flying in from Scotland to meet us there. The route was familiar, but the airport pickup made this travel day different from the year before.
A bagpiper at the Nova Scotia welcome centre
We stopped again at the Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre in Fort Lawrence to stretch our legs after crossing the provincial border. This time a bagpiper was playing in the gardens, giving our return to Nova Scotia a fitting soundtrack while Tilly explored the windy grounds.
Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre
A dog-friendly border welcome with bathrooms, souvenirs, scenic grounds and, on our 2026 return, a live bagpiper in the gardens.
Open the Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre guide →Waiting outside at YHZ
From Fort Lawrence we continued to Halifax Stanfield International Airport to collect the family. Tilly was not allowed to wait loose inside the terminal, so we parked and stayed outside until everyone arrived. The airport’s published policy requires travelling pets in the terminal to remain in an airline-approved carrier, with an exception for assistance animals.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Our family pickup point at YHZ, where Tilly and I waited outside because she could not wait loose inside the terminal.
Read our YHZ pickup notes →Two more nights at the Lord Nelson
With the family together, we headed downtown for two nights at The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites. We had stayed there the previous summer and happily chose it again for its central location, attached parking and pet-friendly welcome.
Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
My favourite Canadian hotel and our Halifax choice in both 2025 and 2026: central, pet friendly and convenient for walking the city.
Read our Lord Nelson Hotel notes →Citadel Hill and the waterfront
We walked around the grounds of Halifax Citadel National Historic Site with Tilly, taking in the broad grassy slopes and views over downtown. Parks Canada permits leashed pets on the grounds; posted hours during our summer visit were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
A leashed walk around Citadel Hill’s broad grassy grounds, with elevated views across downtown Halifax and the harbour.
Open the Halifax Citadel guide →We also returned to the Halifax waterfront, taking in the harbour views and city sights with the whole family. The boardwalk made an easy route with Tilly and gave us a clear view across to Georges Island.
Halifax Waterfront
An easy harbour walk with Tilly, full of city sights, boardwalk activity and views across to Georges Island.
Open the Halifax waterfront guide →Argyle Street patios
We ate on the patios at Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub and The Stubborn Goat Gastropub. At both places, staff brought Tilly a bowl of water without us needing to ask — a small gesture that made the busy downtown patios feel immediately welcoming.
Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
A lively Argyle Street Irish pub where Tilly joined us on the patio and staff immediately brought her a bowl of water.
Open the Durty Nelly’s guide →The Stubborn Goat Gastropub
An Argyle Street gastropub where Tilly sat with us on the patio and staff brought her a bowl of water.
Open the Stubborn Goat guide →Drinks at Garrison Brewing
We rounded out the Halifax stay with drinks at Garrison Brewing Company on Marginal Road. Tilly joined us in the outdoor area near the waterfront, giving us one more relaxed stop before the next leg of the family trip.
Garrison Brewing Company
A Halifax waterfront brewery where Tilly joined us outside for drinks on our family visit.
Open the Garrison Brewing guide →