10 Museums in Halifax, Nova Scotia You Shouldn’t Miss

If you’re heading to Canada’s East Coast, make sure to stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This small but mighty city is a great place for unwinding and learning about Canada’s history. One of the best ways to do that is by exploring the museums in Halifax that tell a story of the past.

Top museums in Halifax for culture buffs

Whether you’re curious about the fate of the Titanic, want to learn more about the tragic Halifax explosion or explore how many immigrants entered Canada in the past, there is a museum for you. Here are my picks for the top museums to add to your Halifax itinerary.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Halifax has a deep connection to the sea, and you can learn all about it at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. There are many permanent exhibits about ships, explorations and everything navy. You can even see the CSS Acadia, a real ship docked outside. However, the two main areas I recommend are those dedicated to the Halifax explosion and the Titanic disaster.

Visiting museums in Halifax? Grab the Nova Scotia museum pass for a better value.

The unsinkable Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, off the shores of Halifax in the Atlantic Ocean. While the survivors went to New York, those who didn’t make it out alive ended up in Halifax. The Titanic collection takes you through the ship’s history, historic photographs and numerous artifacts recovered from the shipwreck. You can also visit the graves of the victims in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

The Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917, was one of the biggest disasters in North America. The SS Mont-Blanc carried explosives and collided with the SS Imo ship as they were trying to pass each other in the harbour. After Mont-Blanc caught fire, it was abandoned by the crew who feared an explosion. Unfortunately, the ship then drifted to the pier where it exploded. The blast killed over 2,000, injured thousands more and caused widespread destruction.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Between 1928 and 1971, over one million immigrants came to Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax. This former ocean liner terminal turned immigration shed is the last surviving facility of this kind in Canada. Today, it’s the official home of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

Learn about the history of Pier 21 (hint: it wasn’t the first immigration centre in Halifax!)

The permanent exhibit takes you through the immigration experience and the history of the facility. Interactive exhibits let you feel what it was like to arrive in a new land and explore first-person stories. Temporary exhibitions change throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. Book your tickets today.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

This star-shaped fort sits high above the city. Built by the British in 1749 and completed in 1856, the Halifax Citadel has protected the city for centuries. It was one of four overseas naval stations in the British Empire. It served as a command post, housing the 78th Highland Regiment of Foot and the 3rd Brigade, Royal Artillery. 

The Citadel is open all year and offers different activities, including firing of the gun at noon, regiment re-enactments by soldiers in period uniforms. It’s a great way to learn about army life in the 1800s. The fort also offers fantastic views of Halifax Harbour from the clock tower. Explore it as part of a small group tour.

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is home to contemporary art and classic pieces from well-known artists. The building itself is beautiful, with galleries spread across multiple floors. You’ll find work by local artists alongside pieces from across Canada.

The gallery often hosts creative workshops for kids and adults. Thursday nights feature special events and talks. The diverse collections include paintings, sculptures and mixed media. There’s also a gift shop where you can buy artwork by local artists.

Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History

If you love learning about the natural world, then the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History should be on your list of museums in Halifax. The museum focuses on promoting Nova Scotia’s natural landscapes. It has an extensive collection of archeological, ethnological, mammal and marine exhibits.

The main floor has live animals, including reptiles and local wildlife. But the museum covers everything from dinosaurs to modern animals. You might see a gopher tortoise or other live reptiles. It’s the perfect place to learn about botany, geology and zoology of the province.

Africville Museum

Housed in a replica of the Seaview United Baptist Church, the Africville Museum tells an important story about a historic Black community in Halifax. Africville was home to families for over 150 years before the city destroyed it in the 1960s.

You can also visit the Africville Museum virtually!

The museum sits in what was once the heart of the African Nova Scotian community. Here, you can learn about the people who were forcibly removed from their homes to make way for development. It’s a place that reconnects former residents and their descendants, and those who want to learn more about the history of Africville and its contribution to the Canadian story.

Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum

The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is the place to learn about and celebrate everything aviation. Celebrating the history of flight in Atlantic Canada, the museum offers vintage aircraft, engines and displays about aviation pioneers. You can also learn how flying developed from the first flights to modern jets.

The exhibits include military aircraft, civilian planes, engines and weaponry. You can also learn about the events following the 9/11 attacks and how the local community came to the aid of over 7,000 visitors whose flights were diverted to Halifax.

Discovery Centre

If science museums are your thing, make sure to add the Discovery Centre to your list of must-visit museums in Halifax. This interactive museum makes learning exciting for kids and adults. Here, you can explore many hands-on exhibits that cover everything from space to the human body. The museum hosts many seasonal and temporary exhibits in addition to the permanent galleries. Check the official website before you go for upcoming and ongoing events to help you plan your visit.

Alexander Keith’s Brewery

While a brewery might not come to mind when you think of museums in Halifax, it’s actually a great place to add to your list. Alexander Keith started making beer here in 1820, and you can learn all about the brewing process, original equipment used and the local connection.

The brewery, one of the oldest in North America, offers tours that blend history with Halifax’s famous beer-making tradition. The guides even dress up in costume, which makes the tour (and tastings!) a lot more fun. Even if you don’t drink beer, it’s a great place to learn about local history and a local institution.  

Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre

The Mi’kmaq Heritage Centre, also known as the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre, is located in Truro, Nova Scotia—about 90 minutes from Halifax. It offers an engaging introduction to Mi’kmaq culture, history, language, legends and traditions.

The museum offers guided tours, cultural activities and drum-making workshops. To learn more about the Mi’kmq people, you can also head to the Membertou Heritage Park in Cape Breton or Kejimkujik National Park, where you can find ancient petroglyphs.

Final thoughts

These museums make Halifax a perfect spot for learning about Maritime history, indigenous culture and natural science. Each one offers a unique window into the stories that shaped this Atlantic Canada city. If you find yourself in Halifax (and you absolutely should), make sure to explore some of the museums here.