We recently took a 3 day trip to Halifax with our toddler and it was the perfect getaway. We found that 2-3 days is the right amount of time to explore Halifax and take a little road trip to see some more of Nova Scotia. We found the city to be very kid friendly with every restaurant we went to being accommodating for kids and lots of things for kids to do at most tourist locations.

When travelling, we don’t plan our days around kid centric activities but focus on doing family centric activities. This helps us ensure that everyone is having a good time. The most kid centric thing we’ll do on trips is stop at a playground to allow time for play as it can help with self regulation!

Where We Stayed in Halifax (Kid Friendly Hotel Recommendation)

We stayed at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel because of it’s central location which makes it easy to get around with a little one in tow and no car! The hotel was super clean, the staff was kind and the restaurants on site had good food (which doesn’t always happen).

We prefer to have breakfast at the hotel before we get ready for the day and this was made possible by the restaurant in the lobby – Harboustone Pour House. We also had dinner one night on their outdoor patio with views of the harbour. Everything we had at the restaurants was delicious and they have a kid’s menu too!

Things to Do in Halifax with Little Kids

Day 1 – Explore the City

Morning

Grab breakfast at Cabin Coffee and stroll the 4-kilometre Halifax waterfront boardwalk, exploring museums and shops as you go. Take a seat at one of the many chairs by the harbor and use that time to sit and do nothing. A true luxury!

If you’re visiting on the weekend, you can pick up breakfast at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.

Afternoon

Enjoy a sea food lunch at Salty’s and walk deeper into the city of Halifax to explore the Central Halifax Library. They have a fantastic kid’s play area where your kids can spend some time while you sip on a coffee from the library cafe. They also have a rooftop patio where you could find some quiet time to your self while your partner stays with your kids.

Then take a short walk over to the Halifax Public Gardens, a green oasis in the heart of the city.

Evening

Grab dinner at the Harbourstone Pour House and end the day with a boat tour with Sea Halifax. We did the sunset tour with them that was an hour long and it was absolutely beautiful! Then, head up to Spring Garden Road for boutique shopping.

Day 2 – Take a Road Trip

Rent a car and use the day to explore more of Nova Scotia! I highly recommend booking a vehicle online well in advance of your trip. If you aren’t able to find one online, give them a call as that might help you reserve a vehicle. Our car rental also came with a car seat!

Here’s all the stops we made. The total driving time was around 4 hours and with multiple stops, it was manageable with a toddler who doesn’t love long drives.

Queensland Beach: Queensland Beach Provincial Park is situated in the South Shore region.  Although not large, this supervised beach (July and August) is one of the most popular on the South Shore. The warm air and sand draw large crowds, so arrive early on the hot days to find a parking spot. 

Mahone Bay: Recently named as one of Canada’s top ten most beautiful towns by culturetrip.com, Mahone Bay is a must-see town famous for its picture perfect Three Churches photo-op. Explore the calm waters of Mahone Bay, home to hundreds of islands and numerous birds and marine life. Enjoy an easy paddle on your own or guided tour around the sheltered bay. We stopped here only for a quick bite!

Lunenberg: Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seventy percent of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to greet visitors with their colourful façades.

Wander Old Town Lunenburg’s distinctive waterfront with its colourful buildings and listen for salty tales of seafaring and rum-running and discover a charming town filled with amazing restaurants, distilleries, breweries, artisans and unique shops.

You can even book a walking tour with Lunenburg Walking Tours where your guide will wow you with the equally colourful history of the town.

Stop for lunch at Salt Shaker Deli and Inn – both the pizzas and the lobster roll were amazing but the star of the show for me was the seafood chowder. The seafood in Nova Scotia is unbeatable.

Peggy’s Cove: Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is one of Nova Scotia’s most well-known lighthouses and may be the most photographed in Canada. Located in the quaint fishing village of Peggy’s Cove along the South Shore, Peggy’s Point Lighthouse was built in 1915.

We spent a few hours here just taking in the majestic ocean. There is something about being next to the ocean that reminds you how insignificant daily worries are in the big scheme of life.

Time to drive back to the hotel and grab dinner at The Bicycle Thief which is a short walk from the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront hotel.

I hope you find this detailed itinerary helpful! Is there anything else you’d add to this itinerary for when visiting Halifax? Let me know in the comments