Halifax....questions, questions, questions

[Debbie]

Thanks for all of the opinions offered. DD clicked and accepted today (fog day, no school), and put a deposit on her residence.

I've booked our flights, but not the hotel or car yet. (Heck, I haven't hardly been on the computer the past few days!)

Yes, the "Bedford" hotel is a direct drive from the airport which appeals to me. I drive that distance each day to work, so the straight drive appeals to me, especially knowing that it will be midnight or better when we arrive. Knowing that it is a mere few minutes from Bayers Lake is a plus. And a 20 minute (fairly straight) drive to Dal for move in wouldn't faze me, at all.

DD got really excited as the flight was booked. I am SO glad that I learned of the seat sale!!!! Christmas will be a different matter, though. Good thing it will just be her.

Keep the information coming!!! Thanks again!

 

[hockeymom3]

Debbie,

Thats wonderful that everything is coming together for your trip - and your daughter's schooling!!!

 

[Honeystar120608]

I dont have too much to add here. Seems like you are getting lots of good advice. I live in Moncton NB, which is about a 3 hour drive. We haven't been to Halifax in a few years, and will be going down in 3 weekends. YAY! We are going for the casino mind you. Also, across the river is Dartmouth. There is a mall called MicMac mall. They have a Disney Store. (we had one here but they pulled out last year). Its the only one in the maritimes, so it's exciting for us...ok...me! That mall is probably a ways away from the university. Halifax is BEAUTIFUL in the summer. Downtown is just gorgeous. So much to do there.
Congrats to your daughter! I know she will enjoy herself!!
Oh, yes, if you are looking for a restaurant, and Im curious about this one, we will be going to a restaurant called McKelvies. Never been, just seemed nice with a great selection of food. lol I have researched all the restaurants because it's my mothers birthday while we are down there.
Good luck to you all!!
(I dread when the time comes for my kids to off and leave the house. They are only 4 and 3, so I have some time, but I keeping tell dh, I feel so sorry for him when they go. lol)

 

[Raye3201]

I live in Cape Breton, but we go to Halifax often to shop and I lived there for a year or two many years ago. We book through priceline on priceline.com - you can bid on hotels and we often get the Westin which is a 4 or 5 star downtown Halifax for $50 a night (cheapest price direct through Westin is $159). You can choose the different star levels and the area of Halifax and priceline is a great deal. That's my little tip!

Congrats to your daughter. I am sure all will go well. Dalhousie is a top notch school and a beautiful campus.

 

[Debbie]

IThere is a mall called MicMac mall. They have a Disney Store. Oh, yes, if you are looking for a restaurant, and Im curious about this one, we will be going to a restaurant called McKelvies.

Thanks! You'll have to let me know how the restaurant is after you've tried it. I never thought about there being a Disney store! Hmmmm. Google maps, here I come!

I live in Cape Breton, but we go to Halifax often to shop and I lived there for a year or two many years ago. We book through priceline on priceline.com - you can bid on hotels and we often get the Westin which is a 4 or 5 star downtown Halifax for $50 a night (cheapest price direct through Westin is $159). You can choose the different star levels and the area of Halifax and priceline is a great deal. That's my little tip!

Congrats to your daughter. I am sure all will go well. Dalhousie is a top notch school and a beautiful campus.

I've never done priceline, although I have read about it. Thanks for the information!

DD actually got her offer from Guelph yesterday. Her comment: Fresh water marine biology in a tank......salt water marine biology beside the ocean......which would you choose, Mom? I am definitely going to miss her humour!

 

[weezy26nm]

There is a place called Bayers Lake about a 5 minute drive from HI Express that has lots of "university-prep shopping"

There is a Value Village at Bayers Lake (second hand store) that is great for used dishes, furniture and such.

 

[Debbie]

There is a place called Bayers Lake about a 5 minute drive from HI Express that has lots of "university-prep shopping"

There is a Value Village at Bayers Lake (second hand store) that is great for used dishes, furniture and such.

It's great to know about VV. DD likes to be thrifty, that's for sure!

 

[redrosesix]

I have lived in Halifax most of my life, went to Dal, and used to operate the International Student Reception for the universities. I think you've gotten a lot of good advice, but I'll just add to it:

1. hotel -- definitely not Bedford. But book it in advance, as every available room is usually booked at that time. There is a free reservation service that can help you set it up (Check In Nova Scotia) at https://novascotia.com/en/home/accommodations/reservations/search.aspx
They are also very helpful over the phone and are usually the most up to date with availability, rates and discounts.

Holiday Inn on Quinpool and the Lord Nelson are both good choices (Dal students used to get a discount at Lord Nelson - not sure if they still do) There are B&B's closer to Dal, and some are very nice. If you go with a B&B, most only serve breakfast but there are a lot of restaurants right around Dal.

2. Shopping -- Dartmouth Crossing has everything but Zellers, and also has a Jysk store. Jysk also has online shopping. The closest Zellers to there is at MicMac Mall. Alternatively, you would want to go to Bayer's Lake (which has neither Canadian Tire or Jysk). There are many other places to shop in Halifax, but I assume you want to do the one day blitz and save some time to do other things.

3. Take some time to tour the campus -- Marine Biology is very close to everything including DalPlex (the athletic facility), the Killam Library, and the Dal SUB (Student Union Building, where most undergrads spend a lot of downtime) For this reason, I would definitely try to stay close to the university, since neither Bedford nor downtown are much like the area where your DD will be staying (although the DalTech campus - engineering, architecture, etc is right downtown)

 

[Debbie]

There are many other places to shop in Halifax, but I assume you want to do the one day blitz and save some time to do other things.

Yes, that's the plan!

 

[redrosesix]

Sorry I didn't think of this before, but I was just on the Dal website for something else and found some info you might be interested in. All of these hotels offer a preferred rate for Dal students and their families:

The Westin Nova Scotian (1-877-9 WESTIN or www.westin.ns.ca)

The Lord Nelson (1-800-565-2020 or www.lordnelsonhotel.com)

Cambridge Suites (1-888-41-SUITE or www.cambridgesuiteshalifax.com)

Holiday Inn Select (1-888-810-7288 or www.hihotelhalifax.ca)