All About Dartmouth
Dartmouth, founded in 1750, is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality, is a provincially designated Metropolitan Area, and a former city in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Downtown Dartmouth also home to the eastern part of the Capital District of Nova Scotia.
On April 1, 1996 the provincial government amalgamated all the municipalities within the boundaries of Halifax County into a single-tier regional government named Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). While Dartmouth and its neighbouring city of Halifax, the town of Bedford and the Municipality of the County of Halifax were dissolved at this time, the former city forms part of the urban core of the larger regional municipality and is officially labeled the "capital district" by the HRM government. At the time that the City of Dartmouth was dissolved, the provincial government altered its status to a separate community to Halifax however its status as part of the metropolitan "Halifax" urban core existed prior to municipal reorganization in 1996. Dartmouth still has the same geographic name that is still used by the local residents and all levels of government for mapping, 9-1-1, planning, and is recognized by Canada Post as a municipality. The official place name did not change due to the confusion with similar street names and planning set out by the "City of Dartmouth" and public pressure. Today the same development planning for Downtown Dartmouth and the rest of the community is still in force as well as specific bylaws created prior to April 1, 1996.
The population of Dartmouth according to the 2021 census is 96,165.
Dartmouth is known as a place where the four seasons are refreshingly distinct. Average daily temperatures are -2 to 1°C in the Winter. Rainfall on an annual basis averages 1,178.1 millimeters / 46.38 inches. Up to date weather forecast can be found online here.
Transportation
Metro Transit is a regional public transportation service and operates a fixed transit system, Access-A-Bus for persons with disabilities, Community Transit and the harbour passenger ferries. Metro Transit Service is a business unit of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). HRM Call Centre provides callers with route and schedule information daily from 7:00AM to 11:00PM at (902) 490-4000. Metro Transit services the Bedford Highway, please call the above number for specifics regarding the route. Information is also available on their website Halifax Transit.
Government
The HRM is governed by an elected council, which includes one councilor for each of the 16 districts and a mayor elected at large. Dartmouth is represented municipally in Halifax Regional Council.
Residents of Dartmouth are known as Dartmouthians. As a community, Dartmouth has often tended to distinguish itself from the community and former city of Halifax, even under the present municipal amalgamation. Dartmouth is also the Halifax Regional Municipality's Public Works Eastern Region.
For more information, please contact:
Halifax City Hall
1841 Argyle Street
Website: www.halifax.ca
Halifax, NS Phone: 311/902-490-4000
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!
Health Link Nova Scotia
Phone: 811 or visit: Website
Health Link 811 is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week telecare service that provides confidential health advice and information to concerned callers. There’s no cost to the caller and a Nova Scotia health card isn’t required.
When a person dials 811 from any telephone registered in Nova Scotia, they are directed to an experienced registered nurse who will ask the individual to describe the symptoms they or their family member are experiencing. The nurse will then assess the urgency of the caller's symptoms or health condition and advise them on the next steps, such as appropriate self-care, or to seek services from a family physician or another health-care provider, or to visit an emergency department.
Utility Providers
Things to See
and DO
Shopping
Hospitals
and Clinics
As Canada's historic gateway to North America, Halifax oozes with culture and history. Buildings dating back to 1749 share waterfront vistas with technically wired office towers. Fashionable boutiques, whimsical craft shops and galleries line cobblestone walkways which entwine the heart of the city. Waterfront boardwalks are alive with local artisans. High fashion clothiers reside alongside one of the oldest formal Victorian gardens in North America. One of the most visited national historic sites in Canada, the Citadel, preserves the past while six degree granting institutions invest in the future.
Museums
Citadel National Historic Site
Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax
Experience the Halifax Citadel, where the sounds of a modern, bustling port city are exchanged for the crack of rifle-fire and the skirl of bagpipes. The present Citadel was completed in 1856 and is the fourth in a series of British forts on this site. Today, the restored Citadel is a national landmark, commemorating Halifax’s role as a key naval station in the British Empire and bringing history to life in Atlantic Canada’s largest urban centre.
Museum of Natural History
1747 Summer Street Website
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-424-7353
Discover the natural wonders of Nova Scotia's land and sea. See whales, fossils, dinosaurs, birds and even a moose. In summer, catch the magic of live exotic butterflies in the Butterfly House. At the Nature Centre, a naturalist will introduce live displays of local species of fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes and creatures from the seashore.
Acadian House Museum/ L'Acadie de Chezzetcook
79 Hill Road
West Chezzetcook, NS
Phone: 902-827-5992
Experience Acadian life as lived in Chezzetcook/Grand Desert. Built in the 1850s, the museum houses displays on local heritage, complete with a period kitchen. The grounds feature artifacts, plus a Cabana outdoor oven and a wooden outhouse.
Army Museum
Cavalier Barracks of the Halifax Citadel
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-422-5979
This museum presents hundreds of artifacts reflecting Atlantic Canada's military heritage.
Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum
20 Sky Blvd Website
Goffs, NS
Phone: 902-873-3773
Atlantic Canada's Aviation Museum is Canada’s most comprehensive aviation museum, with many civilian and military aircraft on display, as well as artifacts and exhibits depicting Atlantic Canada's vast aviation history, including a replica of the Silver Dart. The original, developed by Alexander Graham Bell and associates, made the first flight in the Canada from Bras D'or Lake, NS in 1909.
Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum
471 Poplar Drive
Dartmouth, NS
Phone: 902-434-0222
This small, community-run museum features farm animals, heritage buildings, old farm tools/equipment and old-fashioned gardens. The site adjoins a natural marsh and woodland walk.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
1675 Lower Water Street
Website
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-424-7490
Dive into Atlantic Canada's maritime history in the heart of the historic Halifax waterfront. Experience the life of a sailor, learn of the province's ship-building heritage and uncover the meaning behind colourful ship flags. Explore the museum's exhibits and galleries, including North Atlantic Convoys, Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, the Days of Sail, the Age of Steam, Nova Scotia Small Craft, the restored early 20th century ship chandlery of William Robertson and Son and Shipwreck Treasures of Nova Scotia. Explore Canada's first hydrographic vessel, CSS Acadia, at dockside during the summer.
Recreation
Community Recreation Services (CRS) offers a wide range of recreation programs and services to over 196 communities throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. For further information you can view their Recreation Guide online by clicking this link: Rec Program Catalogue. The guide is also a great introduction to the area as it lists all the community facilities, local business and upcoming events.
Theatre
Neptune Theatre
1593 Argyle St.
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-429-7070
Neptune Theatre's activities revolve around the creation, development, production and dissemination of live professional theatre.
Shakespeare by the Sea
Point Pleasant Park
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902- 422-0295
Enjoy a hot summer evening with the Bard in Halifax's beautiful Point Pleasant Park. This renowned outdoor theatre company offers you lively and highly original entertainment that all ages can enjoy.
Area Attractions
Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery
1496 Lower Water Street
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-455-1474
One of the oldest working breweries in North America, where citizens of Halifax escort you back in time to the year 1863. Learn how Mr. Keith makes his famous beer, sample some ale and listen to fun stories and toe-tapping songs in the Stag's Head Tavern.
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
1 Challenger Drive
Dartmouth, NS
Phone: 902-426-2373
Canada's largest oceanographic research centre. Guided tours are offered by appointment only.
Casino Nova Scotia
1983 Upper Water Street
Website
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-425-7777
Casino Nova Scotia is located on the Halifax waterfront, with over 750 ways to play, from blackjack to poker.
Discovery Centre
1593 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
Phone: 902-492-4422
Nova Scotia's hands-on science centre is dedicated to making science fun for all ages. Interactive exhibits allow for experimentation and individual discovery. Visit the Bubble Room, spin on a rotating chair, experiment with magnets and see optical illusions.
Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame
Phone: 902-421-1266
The Hall of Fame is a state-of-the-art facility. Its 6,000 square feet include colourful displays highlighting the diverse backgrounds of Nova Scotia's athletes, builders and teams. The simulator allows visitors of all ages to test their hockey, baseball, soccer, football, and basketball skills. Interactive kiosks allow visitors to access detailed information about inductees using the new website, while the theatre area showcases great moments in Nova Scotian sport.
Shopping
The major shopping areas in Halifax and the surrounding areas are:
Halifax Shopping Centre
7001 Mumford Road
Halifax, NS
Bayers Lake Park
Junction of Highways 102 and 103
Halifax, NS
Mic Mac Mall
21 Mic Mac Blvd
Dartmouth, NS
Dartmouth Crossing
Located via Burnside / Hwy 118, Exit 12 (off Hwy 111)
Dartmouth, NS
Downtown Halifax
Website: www.downtownhalifax.ca
Quinpool Road
Website: www.quinpoolroad.ca
The Hydrostone Market
Website: www.hydrostonemarket.ca
Bishop’s Landing
Website: www.bishopslanding.com
The Farmer’s Market in the Brewery Marketplace
Website: www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com
Public Library
The Halifax Public Libraries system includes 15 libraries (4 in Dartmouth), one mobile library (which serves the residents of the Musquodoboit Valley, Fall River, Lake Echo, Porter’s Lake, Eastern Passage, Prospect Road, North Preston and East Preston), Books-by-Mail and Home Delivery services, and the library website. The library collection consists of more than 1,164,578 items – including books, magazines, videos, compact discs and cassettes. To locate the library closest to you, please visit Halifax Public Libraries.
