In Nova Scotia, we decided to concentrate on Halifax rather than driving the circumference of the island. This would give us a good rest from all of those hours on the road and a chance for some much needed exercise while exploring the historic city on foot. We also gave up the “ring road” and its picturesque fishing villages to provide time for Prince Edward Island.

We’d arrived late in the day after having an early dinner on the road. We had a bit of a walk and soon afterward called it a night. The next morning, however, we were up and out the door. I checked my phone to see if Halifax had the Cora breakfast and lunch chain we’d enjoyed in New Brunswick, and sure enough, found one in a shopping/university district within a good walk of our Hampton Inn. It was a sunny morning and the temperature was just right for late September—in fact, that was the case throughout our trip. More about Cora in another post, but a conversation we had there led us to the Halifax Public Gardens after breakfast.

These 151-year-old gardens, the oldest Victorian gardens in North America, were all but destroyed after Hurricane Juan in 2003. The restoration sparked renewed community interest and a better-than-ever comeback. Frankly, I’ve never met a botanical garden I didn’t like, but this one truly is a treasure. The pathways are beautifully designed and the place definitely had the feel of a beautifully tranquil Parisian parc.

Our morning stroll resulted in a few purchases, too. More about the harbor, the landmarks, and the people we met along the way in future posts!