Halifax

Halifax's harbour is one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, and the city makes the most of it. Ships dock at Pavilion 22, right on the boardwalk, and the 78th Highlanders pipe band sometimes plays at arrival. The Halifax Citadel, a star-shaped fort on the hill above downtown, fires a noon cannon daily. Pier 21, nearby on the waterfront, was Canada's main immigration entry point from 1928 to 1971 and now operates as a museum. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic holds Titanic artefacts and covers the 1917 Halifax Explosion, which levelled much of the city's north end. The Seaport Farmers' Market, the oldest continuously operating market in North America, sells local cheese, smoked fish, and crafts. Peggy's Cove, about 45 minutes by car, has the lighthouse that shows up on every Nova Scotia postcard. Try a donair, Halifax's local fast-food signature, or lobster rolls at one of the waterfront spots.