Just a few years ago, Halifax’s Waterfront was looking tired. As one of Nova Scotia’s popular attractions, tourists still came in the summer to stroll the boardwalk, stopping for lobster rolls or ice cream, but it certainly wasn’t a glamorous spot.

However, after an almost $200 million private investment, the maritime city has suddenly become achingly cool with a new upscale ’hood. Billed as the Queen’s Marque district, this waterside neighbourhood sparkles with trendy restaurants, a residential building, and has a collection of public art to rival many galleries, including the big glam showstopper: The Muir.

Stay in Luxury

The five-star Muir hotel provides guests with more than luxury surrounds and posh amenities. An enormous gym features a chic spa pool, icy plunge bath and a halotherapy salt room. But it’s the design touches like the gentle curve of the walls in your suite mimicking the waves outside your floor-to-ceiling windows that create a sense of place. The harbour is invited in with a muted colour palette complemented by custom-made tartans laid carefully at the foot of each bed. Borrow a bike and cycle the boardwalk to the historic Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market or play skipper on the hotel’s very own yacht or motorboat.

The Boardwalk’s Calling

See how closely art imitates life by climbing the steps to admire Tidal Beacon, an installation that responds to the tides sending shafts of coloured lights up the structure. Stroll to the Queen’s Landing, the only place on the boardwalk where you can touch the water. Peer through the transparent wire and mesh sculpture Sail by Italian sculptor, Edoardo Tresoldi for different harbour perspectives. It resembles a ghost ship with seafaring tales to tell.

Outside the Muir hotel, there’s the Light Chocks, which use columns of Fresnel lenses like those in lighthouses. By day the glasswork catches the sun and at night, illuminated, they guide visitors home like a beacon.

What to Eat?

The investment in this new district has welcomed a collection of innovative restaurants, cafés and gourmet food stores, from the elegant French bistro Café Lunette, and Peruvian fusion bites at the playful Bar Sofia, to the inventive cocktails on offer inside Muir’s speakeasy, BKS (short for best kept secret.) For amazing waterfront views while you eat, dine at Daryâ, serving eastern Mediterranean dishes like jumbo shrimp kebabs and fattoush. Pick up a souvenir at Peace By Chocolate where the Hadhad family rebuilt their lives after the war forced them to leave their chocolate factory in Damascus, Syria.

Why Go Now?

This seaside gem is shining; there’s no better time to visit.

Travel Planner

For Halifax trip planning see discoverhalifax.ca