Monthly Archives: October 2018

How to Enjoy Halifax, NS

Places to Visit/Things to Do


The Citadel is a hilltop that looks over downtown Halifax. In previous years, the Citadel was a military spot, with four forts occupying the hill since 1749, housing British soldiers under the command of Colonel Cornwallis. The current fort dates back to the mid-1800s. At the Citadel, visitors can explore the passages and learn about the city’s history of wars. Halifax played important roles in several major wars, such as America’s War for Independence, American Civil War, and World War I and II. For more history, visit the on-site Army Museum. If you come around lunchtime, the traditional noon gun is fired. Free guided tours of the fort are led by members of the 78th Highland Regiment. There is no admission or fee for entrance or tours. The Citadel National Historic Site is open daily, but hours change upon the season.

 


Halifax contains much from the Victorian Era. The Halifax Public Gardens is a prime example. The serene gardens were established in 1867, and it features manicured flower beds, peaceful pathways, a beautiful gazebo, and more. The Halifax Public Gardens is a popular picnic spot within the city. A major reason the gardens are so popular is that it provides a peaceful haven from the city life. During the spring, summer, and fall, they open daily from 8 am to dusk. The gardens are closed from December to the middle of April. There is no admission costs, so you can enjoy a quiet, peaceful time without paying a dime.

 


The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the oldest and one of the largest maritime museums in Canada. It makes perfect sense that it belongs in Halifax, where ages of maritime activity took place. In the past, Halifax used to be a haven for pirates and plunderers of the seas. It also played a large role in both World Wars. The highlight of the museum is the exhibit of the Titanic sinking. The exhibit includes artifacts from the ship and offers more information on the incident. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, with extended hours on Tuesdays. On Sundays, they open at 1 pm and close at 5 pm. Entrance costs about $5 to $9 for adults, with the exact price depending on the season.

 


Known as Canada’s oldest Protestant church, St. Paul’s Church was founded in 1749 by English King George II. The place of worship features beautiful architecture and design, both inside and outside. St. Paul’s was modeled after another church in England, the St. Peter’s Church in London. Within the church, you can still find pieces of history from both Protestantism and the city of Halifax. The church welcomes visitors from Monday through Friday from 9 in the morning to 4:30 in the evening. Free guided tours of the attraction are available, but you must call ahead to set tour times. There is no entrance costs to St. Paul’s Church.

 

  • Province House


The Province House is a three-story Palladian building that is the oldest house of government. It is the place where the Nova Scotia House of Assembly has gathered since 1819. Guided tours of the legislative building are offered for free. In the tours, one can learn about customs and the area’s government history. The Province House welcomes visitors every weekday from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. During the months of July and August, extended hours are offered. To explore and learn about this historical, government building, there is absolutely no cost. If you have time, you shouldn’t miss checking out the Province House.

Best Way to Tour Halifax, NS

  • The best way to tour the city of Halifax (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through Prompt Charters, you can order the buses you need. Prompt Charters is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Prompt Charters can help you. Prompt Charters offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most activities and destinations listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit the website www.promptcharters.com to book your rental bus today!

 

Best Places to Eat/Shop

  • Halifax Shopping Centre – The Halifax Shopping Centre is the city’s main shopping center of the city. It features over 160 stores and services, as well as plenty of dining options. The mall is also the host of several events and activities.
  • Mic Mac Mall – The Mic Mac Mall is the largest shopping mall of Atlantic Canada. It’s located in the nearby city of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It also features over 160 stores and services, as well as plenty of places to eat at.
  • Stories Fine Dining – Everyone enjoys a great sit-down restaurant meal at some point or another. The Stories Fine Dining is known as the #1 fine dining restaurant in Halifax by tripadvisor in 2018. This is a great place to eat a meal with your loved ones.
  • Fredies Fantastic Fishhouse – The Fredies Fantastic Fishhouse is a popular seafood, fast food joint. The Canadian restaurant provides great local food to all visitors. They are rated the #1 local cuisine restaurant in Halifax by tripadvisor in 2018.

 

Have fun in Halifax!

 

Have Fun in Quebec City, QC

Places to Visit/Things to Do


Quebec is one of the oldest European establishments in Canada as well as throughout North America. Located around and near the St. Lawrence River is where the first French colony was founded, as we know it today as Old Quebec. The historic neighborhood gives off an interesting flare, mainly due to what’s within. It features historic sites that have been revamped with more modern characteristics. One such site is the Quartier Petit-Champlain, the oldest shopping district on the continent. Here and throughout other areas of Old Quebec, you can find various shops and dining options. Another popular attraction located in Old Quebec is the Citadel (read on). While exploring Old Quebec is free at all hours, some attractions may charge an entrance fee during their operating hours.

 


If anyone is interested in colonial history, they should visit the Battlefields Park. Also known as the Plains of Abraham, this is where the French was forced to surrender Canada to England. Today, the 267-acre park is where one can enjoy fresh air as they gaze at historical features of the park. A popular section of the park is the manicured gardens and the Joan of Arc Garden. The park also features the Plains of Abraham Museum, where you can learn about the history of the strip. Battlefields Park is open every day of the year for the whole day. Although there is no price for the park, the Plains of Abraham Museum charges a slight fee ranging from $10.50 to about $13 for adults.

 


The Citadelle is the largest English-built fort in North America. It took over 30 years to build and has been active since 1850, when it housed British troops. Today, it is the home of the Royal 22 Regiment (R22R) of the Canadian Armed Forces. If you want to learn more about the regiment or the Canadian Armed Forces, a museum is located on-site. It offers an insight on the military as well as displays various artifacts. What’s more unique about the fort is the tours. Not only are they guided, but they’re guided by soldiers from the Royal 22. The tour, as well as entrance to the museum, is included in the price of entry. Admission for adults costs almost $13 and almost $5 for kids under 18. The Citadelle is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm during May through October; during the months of November to April, they open at 10 am and close at 4 pm.

 


The Aquarium of Quebec is a popular, public aquarium in Quebec City. It features more than 10,000 marine animals, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, and more. Popular animals include polar bears, walruses, seals, and more. The Aquarium of Quebec is not only features marine animals, but it also features a variety of activities. During the sumer, you can picnic or get wet during the water games. During the winter, use the aquarium’s illuminated walkways to explore. The Aquarium of Quebec is open from 9 am to 5 pm during June 1st to October 8th 2018.  From October 9th to May 31, 2019, the aquarium is open from 10 am to 4 pm. Adult admission is about $30 and about $15 for kids under 18.

 


One of the most cultural and artistic places in Quebec City is the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. This basilica is a beautiful honoring of St. Anne, the patron saint of Quebec. While the outside of the basilica is beautiful, the inside is even more breathtaking. Inside, you can find different architecture styles combined with many mosaics and 240 stained glass windows. The Basilica of Sainte Anne is open daily from 8 am to 5, 5:30, or 9 pm (depending on the season). There is no cost of admission, but donations are graciously accepted. Keep in mind that this is still an active house of worship, so plan your visits so you don’t disturb any gatherings and meetings.

 

Best Way to Tour Quebec City, QC

  • The best way to tour the city of Quebec City (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through Prompt Charters, you can order the buses you need. Prompt Charters is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Prompt Charters can help you. Prompt Charters offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most activities and destinations listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit the website (www.promptcharters.com) to book your rental bus today!

 

Best Places to Eat/Shop

  • Old Quebec – Old Quebec is one of the most iconic places to shop and eat within Quebec City, due to its historic appeal. Inside the neighborhood, you can find several sections for great shopping and a cup of coffee.
  • Laurier Quebec – Laurier Quebec is one of the largest malls in Canada. It is also the largest mall in Quebec City in terms of the number of stores, featuring over 300 tenants. Other than amazing shopping, you can find a great deal of restaurants and quick bites here.
  • Les Galeries de la Capitale –Galeries de la Capitale is another huge shopping mall, the largest in Quebec City in terms of land space. This is not to say they don’t have many stores, as they feature 280 tenants.
  • Place Sainte-Foy – Place Sainte-Foy is an upscale shopping center located in Quebec City. They feature over 135 tenants, 5 of which are anchor tenants. They feature tons of name brands stores as well as some luxury brands.
  • iX pour Bistro – The iX pour Bistro is a popular, international sit-down restaurant. They have a variety of exquisite items on their menu. The bistro is rated the #1 fine dining restaurant in Quebec City by tripadvisor in 2018.
  • Chez Rioux & Pettigrew – Chez Rioux & Pettigrew is a popular local French restaurant. Their items on their menu are mostly made of local ingredients. Chez is rated the #1 local cuisine in Quebec City by tripadvisor in 2018.

 

Enjoy Quebec City!

 

Vacation in Vancouver, BC

Best Places to Visit/Things to Do


A popular outdoor attraction is Stanley Park, Vancouver’s largest urban park. The park is almost 1000-acres, giving you plenty of room to enjoy. It features many things to do, such as beaches, trails, and more. The special attraction at Stanley Park is the Seawall. The Seawall is a wall with the purpose of preventing erosion from Vancouver’s waterfront. If you’re bringing kids to the attraction, you might want to check out the park’s outdoor water park and an outdoor pool. There are also playgrounds and a little train that chugs through some of the forest. Stanley is also the host to several performances throughout the year, especially during the warmer months. Stanley Park is open all day every day. There is no admission to the actual park, but certain amenities might cost you.

 


Another popular park in Vancouver is the Queen Elizabeth Park, bringing in more than 6 million park goers every year. The 130-acre park features plenty to do such as a rose garden, a rock garden, and an arboretum that holds more than 1,000 local and international trees. The Bloedel Conservatory, which houses more than 100 exotic birds and 500 tropical plants, is also located within Queen Elizabeth Park. The park also offers spectacular views of the city, as it sits at the highest point in Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth Park is open all day every day. There is no admission into the park, but parking will cost money. During different times of the year, parking can range from about $1.90 to about $2.70 per hour. If you choose to pay per day, it will cost about $5.40 to $10.

 


If you enjoy beautiful nature, you must visit the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Among all their exhibits and sections, its hedge maze is one of the most popular among visitors. Another major attraction within the garden is the Laburnum Walk, where you can walk between nature’s beauty. The whole garden can explored by just yourself, or you can take a guided tour that is included with the price of admission. The VanDusen Botanical Garden is open every day, although hours change depending on the season. Admission for adults ranges from about $6 to about $7.80, also depending on the season.

 


If you enjoy the great outdoors, you should head to Grouse Mountain. The main views visitors flock to the mountain is for its beautiful views of Vancouver. Other than the gorgeous views of the city, there are plenty of activities to do on Grouse Mountain. Grouse Mountain was originally used only for skiing, but many more activities have been added. While skiing is still one of the things to do, there are also trails, zip lines, a skating pond, a wildlife refuge, and more. The Grouse Grind, a trail that’s almost 2 miles long, is also located on the mount. General admission to Grouse Mountain sits at about $34 for adults and about $19 for kids. This fee covers many of the activities on the mountain, except Grouse Grind. Grouse Grind is free to hike up, but hiking down is not allowed and visitors must take the Skyride back down for about $7.70. Grouse Mountain operates 365 days of the year, from 9 am to 10 pm.

 

  • Vancouver Aquarium


Who doesn’t like animals? Take the time to learn about interesting aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium. Vancouver Aquarium is a very large aquarium, featuring over 50,000 different animals comprised of 734 different species. The aquarium features several exhibits that represent different habitats, from icy tanks to the Tropic Zone. A popular exhibit is the Graham Amazon Gallery, where you can watch sloths and tree frogs hide under the canopy during the simulated rainstorms. Located within Stanley Park, the aquarium is open every day from 9:30 am to 6 pm. For parking in Stanley Park, you will have to pay (read above “Stanley Park”). Admission for adults costs about $30 for adults and about $23.10 for kids 13 to 18. For kids aged 4 to 12, admission costs about $17.

Best Way to Tour Vancouver, BC

  • The best way to tour the city of Vancouver (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through Prompt Charters, you can order the buses you need. Prompt Charters is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Prompt Charters can help you. Prompt Charters offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most activities and destinations listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit www.promptcharters.com to book your rental bus today!

 

 

Best Places to Eat/Shop

  • Gastown – Gastown, one of Vancouver’s oldest areas, is filled with restaurants, pubs, cafés, artists, fashion shops, and more. If you’re fine with a bit of history with your meal, head to Gastown.
  • CF Pacific Centre – If you’re in the mood for some serious shopping, visit the Pacific Centre Mall, the largest mall in the downtown Vancouver area. The mall features over 100 stores, many of which are located underneath the surface.
  • Oakridge Centre – Oakride Centre Mall is one of the most luxurious places to shop at in Vancouver. The mall features over 150 stores, some of them being luxury and big name brands. Other than shopping, you can find theatres, a food court, and a play area for the kids.
  • Richmond Centre Mall – Richmond Centre Mall is another huge place to shop at in Vancouver. The mall is home to many stores, services, dining options, and more. If you plan to shop at many stores on one trip, Richmond Centre Mall might be the place to go.
  • Blue Water Café – Blue Water Café is one of the most popular sit-down restaurants in Vancouver. The Japanese restaurant serves a variety of dishes, with many seafood options such as sushi. Blue Water Café is rated the #1 fine dining restaurant in Vancouver by tripadvisor in 2018.
  • Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro – Everyone loves a great local restaurant to eat at. This restaurant serves food cooked with fresh ingredients grown locally. Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro is rated the #1 local cuisine restaurant in Vancouver by tripadvisor in 2018.

 

 Have fun on your trip!