Nova Scotia casinos offer some of the province’s only 24-hour weekend entertainment. From concerts and dining to poker and blackjack, casino locations in Halifax and Sydney provide an muted-Vegas-feel experience. Add in that the casinos feature full restaurants, nearby accommodations, plus there are great local attractions, sightseeing, and museums in each city.
Entrance to casinos in Nova Scotia requires guests to be 19 years of age or older with government-issued identification.
Halifax’s Casino Nova Scotia
Halifax’s Casino Nova Scotia sits on the harbor waterfront amidst historic buildings, overlooking Dartmouth. As the casino is constructed overhanging the water, the views stand-out as the top reason to visit. Frequently hosting concerts, the casino is open 24-hours on weekends. On-site restaurants provide a quick casual dinner, a relaxed brunch, or a fine seafood dinner.
The Halifax casino features classic casino games, such as:
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Poker (Three-card, Texas Hold’em, Let It Ride, and Omaha)
- Roulette
- Slots
The casino is a short distance from many Halifax hotels, including the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront. Look for “Stay and Play” packages that offer additional incentives and discounts at Casino Nova Scotia (1983 Upper Water St., Halifax, Nova Scotia; 902-425-7777).
For Halifax sightseeing, visitors needn’t venture far from Casino Nova Scotia. Walk up hill to watch re-enactments at Citadel Hill, or head along the waterfront to Halifax museums such as the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and Pier 21. Outdoors, visit local parks, the Halifax Public Gardens, or an ocean beach.
Casino Nova Scotia in Sydney
The Sydney location of Casino Nova Scotia also opens 24-hours on weekends. The Cape Breton Island casino sits in downtown Sydney, a short walk from the waterfront of Sydney Harbour. It features hundreds of slot machines, poker tournaments, and blackjack tables. A restaurant, the All-Star Grille, serves pub-style meals with an array of seafood options.
Look for discounts on accommodations under the “Stay and Play” packages at Casino Nova Scotia in Sydney (525 George St., Sydney, Nova Scotia; 902-563-7777)
Head out of Sydney to experience the best Cape Breton sightseeing. n Sydney, visit museums and catch live music.
Visiting Nova Scotia
Halifax and Sydney are Nova Scotia’s two largest cities. The ocean and waterfront may be the greatest delight of any Nova Scotia vacation – visit beaches, take boat tours, and stroll harborfront boardwalks. As one of Canada’s smallest provinces, Nova Scotia is packed with attractions that easily combine to create a varied road trip itinerary.
Free Things to Do in Halifax, NS, Canada
Halifax offers visitors many options for entertainment, culture, shopping, history, and exercise. The entertainment part is simply uncountable. There are lots and lots of options. But for those with limited travel funds, adding a few free activities to the itinerary makes a great way to stretch a vacation without stretching the budget.
Below are some details. Enjoy these free indoor attractions and outdoor activities when visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia
Some Interesting Free Things to Do in Halifax – Indoor Activities
As Nova Scotia is a maritime province, the weather can force visitors inside – particularly in the colder months. Thankfully there are free things to do in Halifax that are also indoors. From historic buildings to historic churches, venture out for these free attractions:
- Touring Province House: The provincial legislature welcomes visitors for free tours. Province House (1726 Hollis St.) is the oldest seat of government in Canada.
- Halifax Farmers’ Market: This diverse, indoor farmers’ market runs weekly on Saturday mornings. Located in the Keith’s Brewery Building, the farmers’ market is great for people watching, part of a Halifax shopping excursion, catching busker performances, and picking up supplies for a picnic.
- Shambala Centre: Visit for the weekly open house on Wednesday evenings and learn about meditation or the large Nova Scotia Buddhist community. The Halifax Shambala Centre is located at 1084 Tower Rd.
- Halifax Churches – free to visit: St. Paul’s Church (in Grande Parade) and St. Mary’s Basilica (1531 Grafton St.) are serene and calming destinations for visitors to Halifax.
Some Interesting Free Things to Do in Halifax – Outdoor Activities
The late spring, summer, and early fall weather makes Halifax a great destination from June through October. There are endless coastal beaches and parks, as well as, the summertime festivals in Halifax, writes website betting-malaysia.com. All are great for family activities and active travelers:
- Visit Halifax parks: From the expansive Point Pleasant Park to the in-bloom Public Gardens, Halifax has many excellent parks. In Point Pleasant, the historic Martello Tower offers free self-guided tours in summer while a waterfront walk passes fortification batteries and memorials to veterans. At the Public Gardens, a lively duck pond and bandstand draw many warm-weather visitors. A third fantastic park is the Sir Sandford Flemming Park. The park’s Dingle Tower is a Rapunzel-esque stone landmark that memorializes when Nova Scotia established a representative government in 1758.
- Self-guided Halifax walking tours: Whether it’s the waterside Harbourwalk or an exploration to find Halifax heritage homes (mostly located in the city’s south end), there is plenty to discover.
- Free fun at Halifax beaches: There are countless beaches that make a great Halifax day trip. Family-oriented Lawrencetown Beach, the stunning Martinique Beach, and Point Pleasant’s Black Rock Beach all make fun, free day trips.
- Free Halifax festivals: The summertime Halifax Busker’s Festival welcomes visitors to the waterfront for creative, quirky, and funny shows. Although the festival is free the buskers earn from the generosity of the audience. Likewise, the Halifax waterfront welcomes many impressive vessels for Tall Ships Nova Scotia.
Some Cheap Activities to do in Halifax
In addition to free things to do in Halifax, visitors can spend a little to experience a lot. Exhibits and poignant stories at Pier 21 immigration museum, historic reenactments at Citadel Hill, and a live music show at a Halifax bar all offer great value to Halifax visitors.
Visiting Halifax offers a lifetime experience for people who are coming from far and other countries. There is something for everyone and for all age group. It is a must-to-visit-destination for many.
