Halifax Explosion Smartphone Audio Walking Tour
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Halifax Explosion Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Active
(3 reviews)
1h - 2h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Instant confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Join tour guide Jeff on your smartphone as you discover one of the greatest tragedies in Canadian history. You'll not only see historical sites & landmarks, but hear stories of survival & perseverance during the 1917 Halifax Explosion.

You'll see the Memorial Bell Tower, Hydrostone District, learn about the miracle of Ashpan Annie, the adventures of Billy Wells, the ensuing tsunami & much more!

GPS map shows where you are and where to go next. As you get close, tour guide commentary will automatically play.

The tour also comes with a location based trivia game. After the commentary plays, look at your device and tap your answer.

Keep the professional tour guide experience, ditch the crowded tour groups, tight schedules and high prices.

It’s yours! Enjoy anytime, not just on your booking date. Stop & start anywhere along route.

The number of travelers selected is the number of devices you can download the tour to.

Trust the platform with over 75 tours & 25,000+ happy customers.

Available options

Halifax Explosion Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

What's included

Download on WIFI before (no signal required or data used during tour)
Live GPS map shows route & your location
Flexible dates - tour is yours to keep and enjoy anytime on Tripvia Tours.
Customer Service via Phone & Email
Trivia questions at each stop (optional)
Tour guide commentary automatically plays at each point of interest

Detailed itinerary

1

Join tour guide Jeff as you discover one of the greatest tragedies in Canadian history. You'll not only see historical sites & landmarks, but hear the stories of survival & perseverance that surfaced during the 1917 Halifax Explosion.

During the 5km tour you'll see the Memorial Bell Tower, Hydrostone District & various memorials, learn about the miracle of Ashpan Annie, the adventure of Billy Wells, the ensuing Tsunami & much more!

Live GPS map shows where you are and where to go next. As you get close, tour guide commentary will automatically play.

The tour also comes with a location based trivia game. After the commentary plays, look at your device and tap your guess at the answer.

Keep the professional tour guide experience, ditch the crowded tour groups, tight schedules and high prices.

It’s yours! Enjoy anytime, not just on your booking date. Stop & start anywhere along route.

Note: the number of travelers you select is the number of devices you can download the tour to.

2

Three moments in time...we'll tell you about the memorial to the Catholic Parish of St Joseph’s.

3

We'll tell you how the park began as military grounds to it's rebuilding of a neighbourhood park and memorial today.

4

SS MONT BLANC, SS IMO & THE EXPLOSION. Here we'll tell you about the ships involved and the events leading up to the explosion.

5

We'll tell you about the impressive monument to the people of Halifax and Dartmouth, who experienced first-hand, the devastation of the Halifax explosion.

6

RICHMOND STAIRCASE. We'll tell you the symbolism of the staircase and railings, into which are the names of businesses that were destroyed in the blast.

7

RICHMOND SCHOOL. Here we'll tell you how this building, originally built to house a school, was constructed immediately after the explosion and the tragedy of the Roome School.

8

SECRET OF THE TREES. We'll tell what secret made them infamous in lumber mills from Canada to the southern states of America.

9

THE STORY OF FRANCIS MACKEY. You'll hear his story, the pilot onboard the Mont-Blanc, and how his life was profoundly changed after the explosion.

10

ROBIE STREET WATER RESERVOIR. We'll tell you about the reservoir, built in 1913, it's survival as well as it's special designation.

11

PATRICIA & HER CREW. Here stands a monument to the firefighters of Halifax who lost their lives on that day in 1917. We'll tell you a bit about the "Patricia" as well.

12

FIRE & ICE & BLACK RAIN. As you are walking, we'll talk about the horrific conditions the explosion and weather caused for the survivors.

13

TSUNAMI. We'll tell you how it swept up this hillside and would have reached your feet had you been standing here then.

14

HOUSE HOLES AND THE RAZING OF RICHMOND. You'll see the changes in the land around you and hear about the ghostly markers of where people once lived and died.

15

VINCENT COLEMAN. Hear why Haligonians will always remember Vincent Coleman as a hero who is credited with potentially saved hundreds of lives

16

CAMPBELL ROAD as it was once know, was a simple wide dirt road lined with shops and houses. We'll tell you a bit about it.

17

ASHPAN ANNIE. We've got a wonderful surprise at this stop - good news about a baby’s miraculous survival!!

18

We'll tell about the controversy around this structure and why it ended up being built here.

19

THE AMAZING ADVENTURE OF BILLY WELLS. We'll tell you his incredible story.

20

HALIFAX PROTESTANT ORPHANAGE. You'll see a colourful memorial on the white picket fence painted by the children of the Veith House.

21

THE ROYAL NAVY COLLEGE once stood across the road, we'll tell you how the efficiency of the co-commander helped everyone survive.

22

TO THE RESCUE. We'll tell you about the amazing help Halifax received from around the world and a tradition that is still followed today.

23

HYDROSTONE DISTRICT. You'll hear about the town planner and how he brought the idea of English garden cities to Halifax.

24

QUAINT FUNCIONALITY - THE HYDROSTONE'S BACK LANES. Hear about the reason for "back-lane" business!

25

DESIGN: TUDOR REVIVAL. As you walk along you'll see a block of rowhouse cottages, built using the English style, for surviving families.

26

HALIFAX RELIEF COMMISSION BUILDING. We'll tell you about the committee formed to deal with the emergency in this building, now designated a cultural historic site.

27

We end our tour here at the Hydrostone Market. This tour was not about monuments or buildings but about the people who lived through that awful day and those who raced to help them. We hope their stories are an inspiration. Our starting point is just across the road in the park.

What's not included

Smartphone/tablet/headphones (audio will play from device speaker)
**Recommended attractions may be closed/inaccessible due to season or reasons beyond our control.

Reviews breakdown

Viator 3.5
2 reviews
5★
0
4★
1
3★
1
2★
0
1★
0
Tripadvisor 5.0
1 reviews
5★
1
4★
0
3★
0
2★
0
1★
0

Important information

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Meeting point

The tour begins and ends at Hydrostone Park.

Important notes

Thanks for booking the Explore the Halifax Explosion audio walking tour.

**HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE TRIPVIA TOURS APP & START THE TOUR**

Tour Code HALE38
1. Download and install the Tripvia Tours app (look for the logo with the multi-coloured letters). If you're reading this on your phone, tap on this link www.onelink.to/tripvia.
2. Open the app and find the tour you booked
3. Enter tour code HALE38.
4. Tap 'download tour', ​ ​***It is very important to ensure you have a good Wi-Fi or mobile data connection for the download process.
5. Follow the tutorial before leaving for your tour to learn how the app works.
6. Enjoy your tour!

Help → info@tripvia.tours | 1-866-874-7842

About Halifax

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a vibrant coastal city known for its rich maritime history, stunning waterfront, and warm local culture. With its picturesque harbors, historic sites, and lively arts scene, Halifax offers a unique blend of urban and maritime experiences.

Top Attractions

Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk

The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk is a vibrant, 4 km (2.5 miles) long pedestrian promenade along the harbor, offering shops, restaurants, and scenic views.

Waterfront 2-4 hours Free to explore, attractions vary

Peggy's Cove

Peggy's Cove is a picturesque fishing village known for its iconic lighthouse and stunning coastal scenery.

Natural 2-3 hours Free to explore, parking fee: $3.00 CAD

Citadel Hill National Historic Site

Citadel Hill is a star-shaped fortress that played a significant role in Halifax's defense. It offers guided tours, reenactments, and panoramic views of the city.

Historical 2-3 hours Adult: $13.00 CAD, Youth: $7.50 CAD, Children under 6: Free

Halifax Public Gardens

The Halifax Public Gardens is a beautiful Victorian-style garden featuring a variety of flora, walking paths, and a bandstand for summer concerts.

Nature 1-2 hours Free

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic showcases the rich maritime history of the region, including exhibits on the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, and local fishing communities.

Museum 2-3 hours Adult: $12.00 CAD, Youth: $6.00 CAD, Children under 5: Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Seafood Chowder

A creamy, rich soup made with fresh local seafood, potatoes, and vegetables.

Soup Contains dairy, seafood

Donair

A Halifax specialty featuring spiced beef, onions, and sweet donair sauce served in pita bread.

Main Course Contains beef, gluten

Lobster Roll

A buttered bun filled with fresh lobster meat, often served with lemon and butter.

Sandwich Contains seafood, butter

Popular Activities

Hiking Kayaking Whale watching Spa treatments Waterfront dining Beach lounging Museum visits Art gallery tours

Best Time to Visit

June to August

Summer is the peak tourist season with warm weather, outdoor festivals, and vibrant waterfront activities. Expect crowded attractions and higher prices.

15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) 59°F to 77°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: English
  • Widely spoken: English, French
  • English: Widely spoken

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Time Zone

GMT-4 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Halifax is generally a safe city with a low crime rate. However, as with any urban area, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure your safety.

Important Precautions:
  • • Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
  • • Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services.
  • • Be cautious when using ATMs and credit cards.

Getting there

By air
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport • 30 km (18.6 miles) from downtown Halifax
By train

Halifax Station

By bus

Halifax Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

Halifax Transit operates a network of buses that serve the city and its suburbs. The system is efficient and affordable.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike

Neighborhoods

Downtown Halifax North End Halifax South End Halifax

Day trips

Lunenburg
100 km (62 miles) • Full day

Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colorful buildings, rich maritime history, and the famous Bluenose II schooner.

Bay of Fundy
200 km (124 miles) • Full day

The Bay of Fundy is known for its dramatic tides, which are among the highest in the world. The area offers stunning coastal scenery, hiking trails, and whale-watching opportunities.

Annapolis Valley
100 km (62 miles) • Full day

The Annapolis Valley is a picturesque region known for its vineyards, orchards, and scenic landscapes. The area offers wine tasting, hiking, and historic sites.

Festivals

Halifax International Busker Festival • July Halifax Jazz Festival • October Halifax Christmas Festival • November to December

Pro tips

  • Visit the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk for a taste of local culture, shopping, and dining.
  • Explore the historic sites of Halifax, such as the Citadel Hill National Historic Site and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
  • Enjoy the vibrant arts and music scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and live music venues throughout the city.
  • Take a day trip to Peggy's Cove for stunning coastal scenery and the iconic lighthouse.
  • Try local seafood specialties, such as seafood chowder, donairs, and lobster rolls.
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Adults
Age 15-99
1
Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 15
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
Instant confirmation

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