Halifax, Nova Scotia, Recreation and Leisure

Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada as well as the home of many Universities so there is lots to do here. A person once said to me that " Halifax has everything a bigger city has but on a smaller scale". I think that is accurate. Halifax has a professional hockey team but it's not NHL. It is a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team that is still as much fun, if not more, to watch and people love it. The Halifax Moosehead's hockey team will sell out for almost every game.
Halifax has several entertainment and sports venues. The Halifax Metro Center has 10,000 seats. The metro center hosts concerts and entertainment year round. World class acts such as Elton John, Neil Young, Sarah Brightman Cher and many many more have played there. Broadway plays such as Cats have also been performed there. It is also the home of the Halifax Moosehead's.
On a smaller scale, the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in the Dalhousie University Arts Center hosts slightly smaller acts. This 1000 seat facility has acoustics that are second to none.
If you like theater productions you will enjoy the Neptune Theater. This fairly new 480 seat facility presents many plays throughout the year. It has put on plays such as Cats,Chicago and Beauty and the Beast. You can get a yearly subscription or buy individual tickets. Neptune also has theater school for young aspiring actors.
Halifax some of the best restaurants in the country so eating dinner out is a big passtime in metro. The bar scene is one of the best anywhere. Downtown Halifax has almost 200 bars and 60 outdoor patios in a relatively small space. There is every kind of entertainment from light Jazz to hard rock playing at any given weekend. Irish and local music is the most common genre played at the local bars.
Halifax has one of only two casinos in Nova Scotia. This casino is located downtown on the Halifax waterfront. The Casino Nova Scotia offers excellent entertainment as well as gambling.
If you are interested or involved in sports Halifax is a good place to be. For indoor sports the Dalplex has it all. Dalplex is on the campus of Dalhousie University but is open to the general public. This facility has pool, fitness centers, field house, several gyms and much more. This is one of the largest indoor sports facilities in Canada. St Mary's University also has an excellent indoor sports facility called the Tower. This is an excellent facility as well but without a pool. There are several indoor pools in Halifax including the Centennial Pool , Spryfield Wave Pool and the pool at Northcliff in Clayton Park.
Halifax has identified the Mainland Common area in Clayton Park as a future major recreation center. As of 2009 the Mainland Common area currently has 2 outdoor playing fields with artificial turf, an indoor soccer field, a baseball field,beach volleyball court and more. Construction began in December 2008 on metro's newest recreation facility called the Mainland Common Center. This $40 million facility will a have an 8 lane 25 meter indoor swimming pool, 3 special use pools, 52,000 sq ft field house , a 6 lane indoor track , 11,000 sq ft fitness and wellness center and more. This facility will be used in the 2011 Canada Games.
Halifax is a University town so there are always University sports such as basketball, hockey,football, volleyball to enjoy watching. Halifax has hosted the final 8 University basketball tournament for many years. .
Running, Walking or biking in one metros many parks is popular in Halifax. Point Pleasant Park is probably the most used with miles of walking trails along the Halifax Harbour.
Boating is very popular in Halifax. There are several yacht clubs throughout the area including Armdale Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Club, Bedford Yacht Club and Dartmouth Yacht Club. Sailing is the most popular form of boating but there are many power boats at the various clubs as well.
There is one golf course in Halifax city limits called Ashburn - Old Course. This is a shorter Par 67 course that is private but green fee players are allowed with to play with members.
There is an opportunity to play any sport you like in Halifax. Sports are usually run by volunteer associations with support from HRM Recreation Repartment. For a list of coomunity groups click here - GROUPS.
There is lots to do in Halifax. From an active bar scene to excellent local theater there is something for everyone.

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