Visiting Halifax Citadel, Nova Scotia

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If you’ve ever seen any aerial photos of Halifax Nova Scotia, you’ll notice the Halifax Citadel right away! This large star shaped fortress was built to protect Halifax from any invaders by sea. Now you can visit the Halifax Citadel and step back in time to see what life was like for soldiers and their families who lived in the fort.

Important Information

Address & Parking

The address is 5425 Sackville St. Halifax, NS. There are two roads to access the Citadel, one entrance is on Sackville St, and one is on Rainnie Drive. The Halifax Citadel is well serviced by Halifax Transit as well, with bus stops close by.

There is a limited amount of parking onsite for a fee of $3.15. Parking in Halifax can sometimes be difficult and you may have to park close by and walk up to the Citadel. Be aware it is a large hill in case anyone in your group may have trouble walking.

Moneywagon [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Hours & Cost

The hours vary depending on the season, so be sure to check before you go!

May 7th – June 30th: 9am-5pm

July 1st – August 31st: 9am-6pm

September 1st – October 31st: 9am-5pm

November 1st – May 6th: Grounds are open but you cannot access inside the fortress

Fees also depend on the season

Peak season is June 1st to September 15th, and shoulder season is May 7th to 31st and September 16th to October 31st.

Adult price is $11.70 in peak season and $7.80 in the shoulder season. Youth under 17 is free, and there are discounts for seniors.

You can also get a seasonal pass for $29.40 per adult, or if you’re visiting a lot of National Parks this year, look into getting the Parks Canada Discovery Pass for $67.70 per adult.

Food

If you’re hungry on your visit, there is a small cafe inside the fortress serving up coffee, sweets and light lunches. There are also many delicious restaurants within walking distance in the downtown area of Halifax.

What Is The Halifax Citadel?

Being that Halifax is on the Atlantic ocean, of course it needed to be protected from attacks coming from the sea. The Halifax Citadel was built high above the city so that soldiers could see into the harbour. There have been 4 fortresses on the site, but the one that stands today was built in 1856, and was officially called Fort George. Our fortress must have looked intimidating because it was never attacked.

Wondering what else to do in Halifax? Check out my One Day In Halifax post, or these other Halifax articles!

What To Expect On Your Visit To The Halifax Citadel

Guided Tours

If you’re interested in a guided tour, there are many throughout the day starting at about 5 past the hour that take around 45 minutes to 1 hour. There are offered in both French and English.

Exhibits

When you first arrive to the fortress, make sure to pick up a map so you don’t miss out on anything! There are so many exhibits to check out, and there’s usually someone there to explain how things worked in the Victorian era.

There are so many things to see, you’ll want to make sure you have a couple of hours so you don’t miss anything.

The Halifax Citadel Army Museum showcases Canadian Military history from WW1 to Vimy Ridge and to the present. You can see firearms, outfits, and learn about how soldiers lived overseas to protect our country.

There are classrooms to explore, bunks, and even a recreation of WW1 trenches. We got a kick out of the ambulance parked in the middle of the fortress, since my husband is a paramedic!

Sentry Change

Every hour while the fortress is open, you can watch the changing of the Sentry at the front gate.

Soldier For A Day

If you really want to know what it’s like to be a Victorian era soldier, then you can sign up to be a Soldier for a day! They’ll dress you up in uniform (complete with kilt!) and you’ll march into parade square, practice drills and even get to learn how to fire a rifle or play the drums! You’ll also be provided with light refreshments with your fellow soldiers.

This is an extra cost of $199 per adult or $175 per child. There are discounts for groups of 2-4. You must reserve this experience at least 48 hours in advance. The whole experience is about 3 hours.

Halifax Citadel Ghost Walk

Of course any good National Historic Site is haunted right? After dark on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays mid July through the end of October you can take a ghost walk with a guide dressed in period costumes. Carrying only a lantern for light they’ll take you down into the prison cells, and a few other places where unexplained things have happened. A man who fell down a well, as well as bride whose husband never made it to the altar are both said to haunt the fortress.

We had a great time when we took this tour in 2017.

Tickets for the tour cost $14 for adults and $8 for youth. There are seniors discounts, and discounts for a family of 2 adults/2 children.

Tickets go on sale on Sunday the week of the tours, so you must buy them for the same week you plan to attend. They are for sale on their Eventbrite page. The tour begins at 8:30 and lasts about 70 minutes.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy National Historic Sites and/or military history then you’ll love spending time at the Halifax Citadel. The Ghost Walk is also worth experiencing.

Check out my post about the Fortress of Louisbourg if you’re headed to Cape Breton and learn about their fortress!

Have you been to the Citadel? What was your favorite part?

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