In the 18^th century Halifax held the reputation for being one of the four important overseas naval stations in the British Empire. It was to defend Halifax that this citadel was built in the 19^th century and it took 28 years to build. However, it never got to see any action and it has never had to fire a weapon in aggression. The Halifax Citadel was designated as a National Historic Site in 1951.

Today, Halifax Citadel is looked after and operated by Parks Canada and is a major tourist attraction in this area. The Citadel is a great example of what 19th-century bastion fortification was all about and visitors get to see ramparts, defensive ditch, musketry gallery, signal masts, and powder magazine here.

Visitors to the Citadel can take part in guided tours which are conducted for free. You will be taken around the compound, into the barracks and even into the walls of the fortress. There are even audio-visual presentations and you can also see several modern exhibits in the Citadel. Every day at noon, the gun in the Citadel is fired, and it can be heard throughout the city. The people you spot wearing period clothes in the Citadel and conducting guided tours are actually soldiers of the 78th Highlander regiment.

Even though the grounds are open throughout the year, the Citadel is only open from May to October. Tourists who arrive in the winters will find that there are no services available for them in this season. The only exception is for Christmas, when the Citadel hosts a Christmas celebration in the Victorian style. Yet another big day is the Canada Day on July 1, when the fortress is free and there are several activities to celebrate this day.

The Halifax Citadel definitely merits a trip, even during the off-seasons. The view from the Citadel is breath taking and the walk up the hill is also pleasant. The military museum also has a lot of interesting exhibits and you can spend some time at the library here. Should you feel a little hungry, you can head towards the coffee bar and for souvenirs of your memorable visit, there’s always the gift shop.

There are over 140 rooms in this hotel that offer visitors a unique resort style accommodation. When planning a vacation, if you are wondering what to do with your pet, stop thinking right there. This hotel is pet friendly and will extend the same courteous welcome to your precious pet as it will to you. No need to make alternate arrangements for them and fret about their welfare – the Chocolate Lake Hotel has it all under control.
Since it is located near the Chocolate Lake, guests have convenient access to it, and they can enjoy a host of recreational activities by the lake, such as water sports, fishing, skating, and sunbathing, fishing, and skating. As you step outside Chocolate Lake Hotel, you find yourself at Peggy’s Cove where you see the most photographed lighthouses in the world. This widely popular symbol of Nova Scotia is a major tourist attraction and visitors can go for a walk around the cove.

Apart from the natural beauty, Halifax is also known for its hip and happening night life as guests of this hotel can explore the various dance clubs, fine dining restaurants, casinos, shopping areas, and cultural centers that will entice the party animal within you.

The rooms at Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel have a modern theme and feature every amenity needed to make guest’s stay comfortable. No expense has been spared to offer the very best to those who walk into the hotel. All rooms have high quality, lush linens, cable satellite television, refrigerator, complimentary toiletries, in-room movies, and high-speed Internet access. Other hotel amenities include an entertainment area, exercise facility, indoor heated swimming pool, business center, and cocktail lounge.

Whether you are looking for a room with a stunning view or something for that perfect romantic getaway, or even a more professional business meeting to impress your clients, Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel is the place to be. The spacious Business Plus Rooms make it perfect for corporate get-togethers while the backdrop of the Chocolate Lake make it a great setting for some of the most special events in your life. Great rooms and amenities, world class facilities, a courteous staff, pet friendly policies, and central location –Best Western Chocolate Lake has everything you could ask for in a hotel.

When you consider the history of The Forks, you are immediately intrigued by it. To begin with, what is a major tourist attraction now used to be actually a railway repair facility. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Effort has gone into restoring and revamping the buildings of this facility and when you stroll along the shopping arcade, you will find hardly any evidence of its connection with locomotives of any sort. There is a lookout point in one of the buildings and from there you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire area.

There are walking trails along the riverfront and one of them leads to the Legislative Buildings of Winnipeg, yet another crowd puller in this area. Give yourself another 5 minutes and you will reach the Osborne Village, a tourist spot in its own right. Finally, if you have the time to spare and if you are a baseball enthusiast you can make a trip to the Can West Stadium, the place where the Winnipeg Goldeyes play minor league baseball.

The first floor of The Forks Market has a lot of food shops, and you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables along with various other specialty items. On the second floor, the craft store and the ballet conservatory are two places definitely worth a visit. And, in the basement bits and pieces from history can be bought from the large antique store looked after by the cooperative.

The skatepark near The Forks is a relatively new addition. It is one of the biggest skateparks in Canada. The size of this skatepark isn’t the only noteworthy feature. It is also known for its diversity and pleasant style. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk chose this place to shoot scenes in 2006. The skatepark encompasses a skate plaza that spans close to 30 000 square foot along with a 8,500-square-foot bowl complex. All the artwork in this skatepark is well, ‘skateable’. After all, nothing should be allowed to come in the way of the enjoyment of skateboarders and bikers.

Finally, The Forks is also mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as it is home to the ‘Longest skating rink in the world’. The ice rink on the Assiniboine River and the Red River is over 8 kilometers long, 8.54 kilometers to be precise. Keep that in mind when you slip on your skating shoes and step onto the rink for some fun with your friends and family.