ARUCC 2008: Families/Guests Activities
Halifax, NS
On Wednesday, June 25, members of the ARUCC community will gather in historic Halifax, NS and enjoy a program designed to explore changes and developments in our professional environment.
ARUCC 2008 will also provide a welcoming environment for family members, partners and guests who accompany our conference participants.
Our Families and Guests Activities (check out our list on the ARUCC 2008 web site) highlight a broad range of tours and outings to entertain your guests during the conference and beyond. Each reference on the list includes the web site or contact information for you to check details, open hours, dates of tours and costs, etc.
During ARUCC 2008, we will have an area near the Registration Desk dedicated to Family and Guests Activities. We will have brochures on many of the activities on our list along with sign up sheets for those who want to coordinate a group activity. While many family members and guests may wish to go on their own, others may wish to be part of a group. If you are interested in taking part in any of the tours or outings and make reservations to do so, let us know and we will post the information for others who want to go along as a group.
Families and Guests Activities—What To Do While in Halifax
Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk - The Westin is located at the south end of the Boardwalk. The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, said to be the world’s longest waterfront boardwalk, extends from the Halifax Casino to Pier 21.
Spend the day on the Waterfront Boardwalk and explore many of the following:
Historic Properties (www.historicproperties.ca), history, food and shopping on the waterfront, open 7 days a week.
Halifax-Dartmouth Ferries (www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/ferries.html), enjoy a trip across the Halifax Harbour from the upper deck of the ferry. Take the ten minute ferry to Dartmouth and return.
Theadore Too (www.theadoretugboat.ca), Eastern Canada’s most popular tugboat is open for daily tours and is sure to entertain the youngest members of your group.
Pier 21 (www.pier21.ca), Canada’s Ellis Island, is the showcase of Canada’s immigration experience. Open daily, you can trace many of your family’s immigrant arrivals to Canada and military departures during the First and Second World Wars and enjoy interactive exhibits. Pier 21 is a must visit experience.
Nova Scotian Crystal (www.novascotiancrystal.com), the showroom is open daily and you can watch the mouth-blown, hand-cut process of creating crystal.
Casino Nova Scotia (www.casinonovascotia.com), located at the north end of the Waterfront Boardwalk, is open daily.
Murphy’s on the Water (www.murphysonthewater.com), where we will host our Friday night lobster banquet and party, offers many water adventures including Deep Sea Fishing and McNab’s Island Tours, Nature and Whale Watching Cruses and Tall Ship Cruises. Be sure to check out their web site for information and video presentations.
Harbour Hopper Tours (part of Murphy’s on the Water), these amphibious creations provide the ultimate land and water adventure through downtown Halifax and into the inviting waters of Halifax Harbour…a great family adventure.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (www.museum.gov.ns.ca), where we will host one of ARUCC’s receptions, is the oldest maritime museum in Canada, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic showcases Nova Scotia’s marine history. Whether your interest is the Age of Sale, steamships, the Canadian Navy or the romance of the Titanic, you will be entertained by the exhibits and interactive displays. The Museum is open daily.
Downtown Halifax
Just off the waterfront and located in the downtown core:
Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery, (www.keiths.ca/k_brewery/k_brewery_index.htm), the oldest working brewery in Canada, is open daily for tours.
Halifax Public Gardens (www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca), a 20-minute walk from The Westin, the Public Gardens is a jewel in the middle of the City. Open daily, family and guests of all ages can enjoy quiet paths, duck ponds, fountains and the bandstand.
The Discovery Centre (www.discoverycentre.ns.ca), a science centre located in downtown Halifax, the centre offers exhibits, programs and day camps to entertain inquiring minds of all ages.
Historic Halifax Citadel (www.parcscanada.pch.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index_e.asp), a national historic site, the Citadel has watched over Halifax since the 18th century. Spend an afternoon at the Citadel and explore life as it unfolded in the mid 19th century. The “noon gun” fired daily can be heard throughout the city.
Grand Parade began as a military parade square and now is a centre of activity adjacent to City Hall. A gathering place in the downtown core, Grand Parade hosts daily concerts and entertainment.
St. Paul’s Church (www.stpaulshalifax.org/), the oldest building in Halifax and Canada’s first Protestant church is located on the south side of Grand Parade.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (www.agns.gov.ns.ca), housed in heritage buildings in the downtown core, The Gallery is open daily.
Halifax Ghost Walk (www.thehalifaxghostwalk.com), a night walking tour exploring the mysteries of historic Halifax—ooooooohhhhh!!!
Across the Harbour in Dartmouth
Fisherman’s Cove Marine Interpretive Centre (www.fishermanscove.ns.ca), this 200-year old fishing village offers shopping, boardwalk, local artisans, boat tours and dining) in Eastern Passage, 30 minutes from The Westin.
So you want to venture outside the Metro area
Peggy’s Cove Express (www.peggyscove.com), part of Murphy’s on the Water, take this whale watching cruise from downtown Halifax to Peggy’s Cove and return. The day includes a tour of Peggy’s Cove, lunch and the sights of the sea.
Skipper Dave’s Charters (www.skipperdavescharters.com), off Sambro, offers deep sea fishing, diving and diving on shipwrecks.
Can’t go without golf?
Chose from a dozen courses on the outskirts of Metro and beyond:
Glen Arbour (www.glenarbour.com), located in Hammonds Plains, 40 minutes from Halifax
Granite Springs (www.granitespringsgolf.com), located in Bayside, 45 minutes from Halifax
Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club (www.hartlenpoint.com), located in Eastern Passage, 30 minutes from The Westin
Ashburn Golf Clubs (www.ashburngolfclub.com), located in Halifax Central (15 minutes from The Westin and Fall River, 45 minutes from Downtown Halifax)
Brightwood Golf and Country Club (www.brightwood.ns.ca), located in Dartmouth Central, 15 minutes from The Westin
Tours of Halifax and Mainland Nova Scotia
Aberdeen Tours (www.aberdeentours.ca) provide personalized tours along the South Shore of Nova Scotia
Ambassatours Gray Line (www.ambassatours.com), offers daily tours in “the trolleys” and famous “double deckers” in Halifax and couch tours to Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, the South Shore and beyond.
If wine is your passion!!! Valley Wine Tours (www.valleywinetours.ca), offer the enjoyment of wine in the famous, scenic Annapolis Valley setting. Day tours and evening tours are available.
