This review is for the City of Halifax. I'm reviewing it as a tourist/visitor and not as a…read moreresident. My husband and I come to Halifax every couple of years, so I feel pretty familiar with the downtown core. I've noticed that the food scene has really diversified in the last few years. I personally come to Halifax for the seafood, so I'm happy with just lobster rolls and fish tacos, lol, but I was happy to see more ethnic restaurants around. Admittedly, most of the shops in the downtown core are touristy, but I'm happy that there are lots of shopping options, ranging from vintage clothes at Elsie's and KingsPier (which recently moved to downtown Halifax from Dartmouth), to high end consignment items at Brilliant, to independently owned boutiques like Sweet Pea and Wildflower (that sell locally made/designed pieces), to Atlantic Canada chain stores like Samuel & Co and Pseudio. I like poking around Park Lane Mall and Spring Garden Place (with its quirky multi-level layout). The waterfront is really pretty. I like the hammocks and Adirondack chairs along the water. I find the water really romantic and it makes me happy to walk along the boardwalk hand-in-hand with my husband while eating ice cream, lol. Growing up in Toronto and now living in Ottawa, I find that Halifax is a bit more laid back. People are not in such a hurry and they are a little bit nicer. I also noticed that there are less douchebag drivers in Halifax than in Ottawa and Toronto, haha. Halifax remains one of my favourite vacation destinations :)

Our cruise ship docked into Halifax on very foggy Sunday morning. Also, because it was a national…read moreholiday, most of the businesses were closed that day. Pretty bummed because I think this city has a lot to offer for the visitor. Halifax has a lot of maritime history, especially with the Cunard ocean line and the Titanic. After we came departed from our ship, we took a half mile walk along the Harbourwalk toward downtown. Even with the fog, it was a very nice walk along the water front. For an industrial port, the water along the edge is so clear, I could see to the bottom. Kids could see jellyfish bobbing on the surface, and starfish at the bottom. Lots of shops and restaurants along this walk and downtown., but as I mentioned earlier, many of them closed. I would like to visit this place again, but hopefully will chose a time when the weather is clear, and when the city is bustling with activity

Love this branch of Access NS. I have never gone in there and had to wait any longer than 20…read moreminutes. Most times, I'm in and out in under 10 minutes.

22 wickets but only 7 are staffed and seeing customers. Middle of the afternoon in the middle of…read morethe week! I hate this agency. In Alberta they use private independant registries. CAA is one of them in AB.

I'm in a bureaucratic nonsense pile currently, dealing with the intricacies of securing…read moredual-citizenship. I'll save you the gritty details of my dealings with a different Country's system, and instead give a loud round of applause to Nova Scotia's Vital Stats department. Thank you for making my life easier! I found out yesterday that I needed a long form birth certificate, and that I needed it in a hurry. I applied online for the document and called the Hollis Street office pronto to find out if the document could be quickly prepared. I spoke with a nice gentleman who sent an email and asked me to call back today. I made the call this morning and was told I could pick it up anytime today! I was also told that the priority post fee of $20 that I paid would be refunded since I was going to pick it up in person. When I got there today, I was greeted by multiple people offering me assistance. I had my certificate in hand within a matter of minutes and was so relived to deal with real people, in person, who seemed to genuinely care about what I needed. I wasn't just a number, and for that Service Nova Scotia, I am very grateful. Thanks again for the great service.

I have used this service a few times. I had to get long Birth Certificates printed for us…read more I thought this was going to be a huge process, but it was very quick and efficient. The lady behind the counter was very friendly and assisted me with filling out the sets of paperwork. She came back with them very quick. Every time I have been here, it has been pretty busy. You go here for just about everything, from wedding licence, birth certificates, etc.

Plenty of parking available at this Bus Terminal, located next to the Pet Works Veterinary Hospital…read moreand Finbar's. There is one single occupant unisex restroom inside the terminal, and there are two vending machines (one each snacks & drinks). Some form of ticketing machine that enables you to purchase tickets / monthly passes would have been great, maybe someday....

Ok, I admit it, I'm not the squeaky clean guy I pretend to be. It's time to come clean…read more ...I had a speeding ticket once. I know, I know, I'm a monster, but hey, what can you do? I won't tell the story of driving a little too fast, only the story of paying my ticket. I went to the courthouse with a heavy heart and a fat wallet and was greeted by a hilariously jovial guard working the metal detector. He told some jokes and asked if I was carrying a bazooka when I set off the metal detector. It was a nice way of being put at ease in a rather tense situation. Lines were fast and efficient, which was nice because I had no interest in being there any longer than I had to be. The lady who served me was cold and unfriendly. It was an annoying experience - I don't think it takes a lot to be polite with somebody who is about the drop a couple hundred dollars on a mistake - but perhaps that is just me. So yeah, the lines are fast, the guards are friendly, but I never want to step foot in this place again - a fact I'm sure the Halifax Provincial Court is very happy about!

Our second stop on the DoorsOpenHalifax tour brought us to the Halifax Provincial Court…read more In other words.. I am probably going to be the only review in here not having a somewhat unpleasant experience. You are ushered through security with the full metal detector treatment, and then they corral you up in groups to be taken through. They showed three of the courtrooms (not the big one that is set aside for murders and longer lasting trials.) Then there was a bit of a wait to head down to the jail cell areas, where they hold the various accused before and after trial. One of those places in life you are interested in seeing for the fact that you never plan on having to see yourself. It appeared to be one of this year's big attractions. Thanks to DoorsOpenHalifax for letting us see.

Took about 25 minutes from Halifax to Dartmouth... Pouring rain, I enjoyed the views, boats…read more Dartmouth was very underwhelming. View of Halifax the best part.

AKA "The Old Bridge." If you need to remember which bridge is which, try this:…read more Old MacDonald had a bridge, EE-I-EE-I-O And on that farm he had a car, EE-I-EE-I-O, With a BEEP-BEEP] here and a BEEP-BEEP there Here a BEEP, there a BEEP, everywhere a BEEP-BEEP Old MacDonald had a bridge, EE-I-EE-I-O. Uh... Where was I going? Anyway, that's now I remember the MacDonald is the old (smaller) bridge in town. It's also the only one with a pedestrian cross and cycle crossing. On opposite sides. Don't mix them up, people! The cycling path apparently sucks. I wouldn't know, I've never done it for fear of the Halifax side with their giant steep U-turn. The pedestrian crossing is fairly good. Though the new fencing they put up (...for no particular reason that we'll discuss...) does make it hard to get those beautiful panoramic shots of the downtown that were a staple of bridge crossings in the past. If you do walk across (and it doesn't take very long), bear in mind it gets quite windy up there. But stop for a moment and you'll realize who much the bridge moves with each and every car. It's both scary and fascinating. It's a great walk; I just wish there were more immediately on both sides to draw you in more. BEEP-BEEP

If I had written this a few months ago I would have given this location a mere 2 stars. But some…read moretime has passed and 3 seems appropriate. Here's why: Pretty much all Canadian Posts location suck the very soul I walk in with every time I need to mail something. I'm not sure what the criteria is to work at the C.P. but there must be a "must be able to work at the snails pace at all times" requirement. That being said, speed of service is not why I'm opting for 3 stars. I know now when I need to do business with C.P.; allow at least an extra 30 minutes. This location is getting 3 stars because while it is slow in service they are kind in customer service. Always friendly and a few of them know my face well enough to strike up a conversation about the weather, or my latest package being sent back to the states. Convenience of location makes it that much more 3 star-able in my yelp book. And hey if it's extra slow there at least I have time to check my Yelp mobile app (shoot that should make it 4 stars right there...no. No it shouldn't)

The first stop on our DoorsOpenHalifax trip brought us to the second oldest fire hall in Canada…read more They are still functioning as a normal fire hall, so you will see signs all over reminding you to just move to the side as they go on the call. There an older fire engine there on display, called the Queen (for the hotel fire it fought for over 24 hours).. as well as much of the gear they use. They let you venture upstairs to see where they live and spend their time when not on calls. They even let the little ones climb up into the truck. Something I know I loved to do when I was young. A great addition to the DoorsOpenHalifax event. And a huge thanks to all first responders in our lives. They who rush in, as the rest rush out, we shall forever be grateful.