Exploring Brunswick Street

Staying with our theme of D-I-Y Cruise Ship Excursions with Free Family Fun in Halifax, during your time here in Halifax, you may wish to explore Brunswick Street, called Barrack Street during Halifax’s early years.  Barrack Street did  not have a great reputation and was renamed Brunswick Street after the Royal Family’s name Brunswick which itself was changed during WWI to Windsor which was considered more English sounding than the German name Brunswick.

Brunswick Street begins at Spring Garden Road and ends at North Street, running from the Halifax Public Library (circa 1950) along the eastern slope of Citadel Hill into what were once called the northern suburbs and ending at the roadway that leads to the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge (1955).  There are both historical and contemporary sites along this historic street.

To get to our starting point, you could walk from the Cruise Ship Pavilion or you might also avail yourself of the Metro Transit bus called FRED (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown).  Using FRED or going by foot and heading north, you’ll pass the Saint David’s Church Complex, ahead on your left is RA Park (circa 1815) which contains the largest British Military library outside of Great Britain.  The Cambridge Suites Hotel is on your right.

Keeping northward and crossing Sackville Street, the brick building ahead right is the old Halifax Academy building currently used as offices by the school-board .  On your left is the Citadel Hill Complex (circa 1826) and the Old Town Clock (circa 1803).  As you continue along Brunswick Street,  the Metro Center will be on your right.  It is used for a variety of purposes such as hockey, basketball, trade shows, concerts, The Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Saint Mary’s University Convocations, etc.  The Metro Center is joined to the World Trade & Convention Center.

Crossing Duke Street, you’ll find The Citadel Inn on your left (one of sites of original garrison barracks) and apartment complexes on the right.  Keeping north and crossing Cogswell Street, the vacant lot ahead left was the site of one of our earlier churches, soon to be home to yet more condos!  Just north and on the left of the old church property is The Twelve Apostles (circa 1880's) which were originally built as residences for unmarried British Army Officers of the Citadel Fortress (the British Army garrisoned the Fortress until 1906).  The townhouse development is now individually & privately owned.

Ahead on the right is Brunswick Street United Church noted for it’s very extensive works of charity in the local community .  A few hundred feet ahead, the small brown bungalow with the two dormers is the oldest separate residence in Halifax (circa1750).

As you cross Cornwallis Street, on the left is Saint George’s Church, known as the round church (circa 1803), the Duke of Kent (Queen Victoria’s father) had a prominent role in both it’s design and construction.  The church was almost completely destroyed by fire a few years ago by young boys playing with matches, but was fully restored with funding from many sources, including a large donation from Prince Charles.

A few hundred feet north of Saint George Church on the right is the gem of a north end church, the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Patrick’s (circa 1880's).  Both churches are open to visitors and once inside you will be able to see the beautiful interiors of each, and contrast the differences in denomination and in time.

The next block north on the right hand side (or harbour side of the street) is the little dutch church (circa 1750) built by German settlers to Halifax, but so named by the local ‘English” population who corrupted the German word deutsche into the word dutch.  On two separate occasions the Dutch Royal Navy painted the church as part of their giving to the community program and, as an aside, it seems the church could use their help again.  Across from the church on the left is a Halifax public housing complex.  

From here, retrace your route to Cornwallis Street, turn towards the harbour and walk to the Casino Building on Lower Water Street.  Between the Casino and the Purdy’s Wharf Complex you will find a walkway that leads to the Harbour Walk and your southward walk back to the Cruise Ship Pavilion and you ship. 

And so, another aspect, another alternative of our Almost Free Family Fun in Halifax, Nova Scotia /  D-I-Y Cruise Ship Excursions is now available to help you more fully enjoy your stop-over in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Check out our many Port of Halifax Cruise Ship Excursions.  We can customize your excursion by taking elements from a few tours to create your own unique, personal excursion.

Until next time, 

Halifax, the perfect cruise-ship-friendly port of call.

Bob

Blue Diamond Tours

Almost Free Family Fun in Halifax, Nova Scotia / D-I-Y Cruise Ship Excursions