Help - I'm going TO Halifax!

[DisFam95]

ok I know this is Canadians going to Disney forums but when in doubt I turn to the Disboards for my ?'s to be answered and I knew they had a Canadian board

So we're going to Halifax, Digby, Hopewell, and back to Halifax next August while it's 43C in Texas we're getting the heck out! We've been with my family twice and LOVE it but this time we're taking DH's mom/sister (and husband - and husbands mother). We all get along great - it's super weird!

My issue is they just told me that sisters husbands mother gets tired when she walks?? And had a knee replacement I guess before they made 'women's knee's' and it's still hard on her.

Halifax is sort of a walking city - with a big gigantic hill !!!! We're staying at the Cambridge Suites on top of the hill. We don;t recall seeing cabs anywhere and from what I recall the bus line was not going to work for us (I cant; recall why right now).

Anyone know if it's easy to get a cab when you need it or do you need to call ahead. I'm so stressed now that her knee issue will be a problem on our plans. I'm not sure how easy it will be for us to take our car out of the hotel and get parking near the harbour due to the Int. Busker Fest going on. Also will the cabbies be mad at a short fare? It's basically 8 blocks from the bottom to the top to our hotel. We had a cabbie gripe about a short fare to us. We had our young kids and just could not make it back. I understand they lose their spot for a possible more expensive fare but dude you just lost your tip!

ANy tips appreciated -

ooh tell me good local restaurants too

 

[darwinsrule]

Don't live in Halifax but have visited for work and have stayed at the Cambridge Suites. Really nice hotel. Great rooms. Roof top terrace and a with great view of the harbour. Close to the Citadel if you are into history. When I eventually go back with the family it will be my choice of place to stay.

Mixed on the cabs however. There have been times when there have ones out front already. Majority of the time I have just gotten the front desk to call one. Couple of minute walk over to Spring Garden Rd which has a lot of shops for all those things you end up forgetting. Restaurants are all over the place as you go down the hill.

At the top of the hill so worst case is you could always roll her down.

 

[mtmbyck]

Oh man. That hill is a killer! Even for a walker I needed a break at the top! I stayed at Marriott Harbourfront which was amazing cause it's on the boardwalk which is where I wanted to tour - maritime museum, port, ships........

That said, there has to be cabs and your hotel will get them for you. You may have to pay a minimum to just go up and down the hill as it's all pretty compact in that city. Have a meal at Five Fisherman and ask them to tell you the ghost stories and history of the hotel (served as a morgue during the Titanic disaster). The maritime museum is pretty cool - the Titanic stuff and the Great Fire - Halifax has had some major disasters!

Perhaps Ted from Halifax ( a regular Diser on this board ) will chime in!

 

[Tinkershelly]

Cabs are everywhere downtown, shouldn't be a problem. There are enough hotels along the waterfront whose bell captains would call one for you if needed. I wouldn't try to park your car near the waterfront during Buskerfest, you'd probably wind up parking further away than your hotel anyway!

Since you're so close to the Citadel maybe the members of your party who don't have knee replacements can try this, the after-dark ghost tour of the Citadel. Super cool and inexpensive. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/visit/visit9/visit9b.aspx

I'm rather partial to the pubs as restaurants, you get less expensive food, quicker service and often live music, the best combination in my mind. Try The Old Triangle for the most upscale and my favourite! http://www.oldtriangle.com/home.php?site_id=1

For more of a restaurant try Salty's http://www.saltys.ca/downstairs/index.html Upstairs is more of a formal restaurant, downstairs is more casual and there is plenty of outdoor seating, the building is on a wharf and there are windows on three sides overlooking the harbour.

There is a casual restaurant near the Cambridge Suites called The Cellar and a microbrewery-pub called The Rogue's Roost, I recommend them both. Also if you like an outrageous selection of beers try Maxwell's Plum, also a couple of blocks from the hotel. Just pub-type food but something like 100 different beers on tap and bottled to choose from. There are a few along Spring Garden Road that have patios or roof-top terraces. Ask at your front desk where they are if the weather is good, but be careful if the fog rolls in, it can get pretty cold, pretty fast.

Also if you're going to be around during the weekend of August 11th there is going to be a DisBoards Give Kids the World fundraising event. There aren't many details quite yet but stay tuned to this thread for plans as they unfold. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3008847 Last year's event was so much fun, an auction and some other meets around food and music. If you listen to the Dis Unplugged podcast, we had Kathy and Teresa attend and they gave us an awesome review on the podcast.

Have a great time! And if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

[endy]

I can't be any big help for you but I have to ask why Hopewell? I grew up close to there and can't think it's a touristy spot.
Go to Cidital Hill if you have the chance. I was there as a kid and took my son a few years ago, totally awesome.

 

[myramsy]

I am a Halogoian (live and am from Halifax)...taxis should not be a problem.
I would recommend going to the Lower Deck some evening for great East coast music and good food and beer...I love that place.
As a pp said I also love the Old Triangle.
Have a great trip!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Cabbie's won't have a problem with short drives. I travel in cabs back and forth between offices in downtown Halifax multiple times a day. No problems here. Cambridge Suites is a good hotel and they will call your cab. I would suggest that you look to Salty's, McKelvie's and the five fisherman (http://fivefishermen.com/) as restaurants. I've spend a fair amount of time in Texas (i.e DFW, Abilene, Houston etc), so the best comparison for Halifax would be ... just think of us as Boston's baby brother.

This thread might help your planning
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2694937

Let us know if you have any additional questions.

Ted

 

[Jadak]

If the Harbour Hopper is still running, that might work well for you. Its a free hop on, hop off downtown shuttle that runs in the summertime. Great for tourists looking to explore the downtown district. There are tons of cabs, so you won't have an issue there.

I am also curious what brings you to Hopewell. I live very close now, and there's not much to do here!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Harbour hopper is loaded and unloaded at the waterfront, you basically will already be at the bottom of the hill when you get on or off this. The hop on hop off bus is a double decker tour bus, which charges a fee and only stops at certain points. At the top of the Citadel Hill would be the closest to the Cambridge suites (this really doesn't help you). The bus called FRED is free, but it basically runs along Barrington Street and may not be in service and for all purposes was sort of useless. Trust me ... take a cab, save your time ... the cabbies will understand.

 

[DisFam95]

Thanks for all the great suggestions - esp the restaurants! We love to hear where the locals like!

As far as Hopewell goes we live in a land-locked, flat as a pancake city (Dallas) so a region such as Hopewell and Cape Enrage is just pure magic to us. We are taking the ferry from Digby and staying at the Innisfree B&B at Hopewell for 2-3 days for some relaxation, nature, hikes Fundy Nat'l Park and then driving up and around back to Halifax for the last 4 days. I guess if you live in these areas they might not seem as spectacular but we are just so excited to see some cliffs and ocean

Keep any suggestions coming -

****************************
New question

Oh who has the best Donair?!?!? nom nom nom We had KOD at Pizza Corner which I hear is no longer there.

 

[FayeW]

Ah, I see. You are going to the Hopewell Rocks in NB. We Nova Scotians (well, me, anyway) thought you were visiting Hopewell, NS. Not that it isn't a lovely place, just not a pinpoint on many tourist maps.

 

[DisFam95]

Ah! Did not know there was a Hopewell NS We did go up to Pictou last time on our way to PEI. Beautiful area.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

New question

Oh who has the best Donair?!?!? nom nom nom We had KOD at Pizza Corner which I hear is no longer there.

There are still Donair places at Pizza Corner, so either one will do fine.... basically this is just behind your hotel. Eat at your own risk!

 

[DisFam95]

There are still Donair places at Pizza Corner, so either one will do fine.... basically this is just behind your hotel. Eat at your own risk!

ok - do tell. Are they bad? I'm familiar w/ the places. we picked up a slice of pizza for my son across from KOD when we stayed at Cambridge last time. They did look quite 'interesting' and I'm not sure what the health code laws are like but the KOD seemed questionable - but tasty! Again it's something we can't get here so I think that somehow makes it better that what it really is

 

[endy]

Ahha I didn't know there was a Hopewell, NB. That helps explain things. It sounds very pretty and a great scenic area. I grew up in the Pictou County area, not overly scenic when I was a kid tho I'm sure I would think differently now after being away for a bizillion years.

We did the Harbour Hopper tour a few years ago. Well worth the price. It was great and the history they go over is so interesting.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Donairs - the place across the the street is "Sicilian Pizza" I have eaten donair from there and they were fine. A few years ago they (Donair venders and other) created a working group with health professional to improve the quality of Donairs (i.e Food safety). In my opinion they are safe, with the exception that you are really eating a big glob of meat, with a little pita bread.

I usually eat donairs while intoxicated .... the end of an evening out. Not something you want video taped

Ted

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we like a mano restaurante italiano. its on the water front. i might have the name turned around....four month old is teething and had her needles yesterday. no sleep in this house! we also like the saege on spring garden road. very yummy and limited menu so you arent overwhelmed.

i would recomment the harbour hopper for a fun outing. it is on the water front and does have a price per person. it takes you around down town and points out several facts about our fair city. things i didnt even know! if youre a beer person, try the keiths brewery tour. dont miss the public gardens, very pretty victorian garden, sunday afternoons there is usually a band playing in the bad stand. just dont feed the ducks! lol citadel hill is another tourist spot, but at the top of the hill that will be higher than your hotel. i do not recommend walking, but you can take vehicles up there.

enjoy your time here! were a friendly bunch!