Hotel at a Glance: Days Inn Dartmouth

This family-firendly hotel occupies an enviable spot, near the Dartmouth Heritage Museum, and within easy driving distance of downtown Halifax. Free breakfast and WiFi access help you feel at home during your stay, but the hotel puts you in prime position to explore the lighthouses along the Atlantic Coast or head out in search of the perfect seafood restaurant.

• Rise and shine!: Start your day with a complimentary breakfast of bacon and eggs, and a cup of fresh coffee.
• Make a splash in the indoor pool, which is filled with therapeutic saltwater, or unwind in the hot tub.
• The on-site restaurant serves traditional American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Distance to downtown Halifax: about 15 minutes by car
• Must-see nearby attraction: The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, once a British fort and now one of Canada's most-visited historical sites.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia: "City of Lakes" across the Harbor from Halifax

Roughly 15 minutes from the heart of Halifax, Dartmouth has a culture that revolves around the water. Ferries and charter fishing boats bob in Dartmouth's Halifax Harbour, and more than two dozen glacial lakes dot the surrounding landscape, earning it the nickname "City of Lakes." Each summer, travelers visit the area to explore the lakes by canoe, waterski, or sailboat. In winter, the frozen lakes are perfect for curling and ice skating.

In downtown Dartmouth, used bookstores, yarn shops, and funky boutiques help shape the city's artsy side. Works by local artists deck the walls of the art galleries at Alderney Landing Cultural and Community Centre. Here, you can also sample local produce at the weekend farmers' market and groove to live jazz music when the weather's nice.

At the heart of Halifax is its natural harbor, the second largest in the world after Sydney, Australia’s. For up-close views, head to the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk. The wooden footpath runs about a mile along the downtown Halifax waterfront, which is lined with pubs, fish ‘n’ chips shops, and boutiques. At the boardwalk’s center is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum. Here, you can peruse exhibits detailing local shipwrecks, the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917, and the city’s golden era of shipbuilding.

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