Province House
Province House
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Oldest provincial Parliament building still in use in Canada; a visit to its legislative library is recommended.
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Neighbourhood: Downtown Halifax
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
96 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
39
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,523 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
This is a very imposing building located toward the center of town and near the government functions. It is older than most structures in the center and has housed some important provincial offices. We took a peak inside and liked the look.
Written August 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
backpacker31
Boynton Beach, FL5,873 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
We found out about this place from the friendly bank security guard across the street. Our self guided visit was accompanied by a provided, informative map/pamphlet. The rooms are filled with period furniture and historical art. The library was most beautiful. One of the friendly security guards mentioned to look carefully at the floor as there are fossils embedded in the stone. The visit was free of charge and the building itself is quite impressive. Definitely worth an hour of your time.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YYZ T
Toronto, Canada102 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Nova Scotia Province House (Halifax) is open for visits and guided tours are offered. A brief history of the workings of the legislature is given and some interesting facts will amaze you.
I recommend you put this on your to do list if you're visiting Halifax.
Highly recommended, see pictures.
I recommend you put this on your to do list if you're visiting Halifax.
Highly recommended, see pictures.
Written August 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inge1854
Minneapolis, MN53 contributions
Jul 2012 • Solo
Definitely spend about an hour visiting Province House, I found it well worth the visit during an impromptu walking tour of Halifax. It's free, and I had an interesting guided tour - she provided a wealth of information regarding the building's architecture, history, process of government, and details of the various material culture and portraits displayed in the building. The interior is stunningly beautiful, especially the legislative library.
Written August 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnTheRoadFromTO
Chicago, IL40 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
We walked over and although it is a very non-descriptive building walked right in the front door, went through security, and got our own private tour.
This is the oldest provincial legislature in Canada, and it was the first responsible government in the British Empire.
The guide was very knowledgeable and we were very impressed not only with the building itself, but with all of the well preserved paintings and displays.
This is a must of anyone interested in Canadian history.
You can do this in 30 - 45 minutes.
This is the oldest provincial legislature in Canada, and it was the first responsible government in the British Empire.
The guide was very knowledgeable and we were very impressed not only with the building itself, but with all of the well preserved paintings and displays.
This is a must of anyone interested in Canadian history.
You can do this in 30 - 45 minutes.
Written July 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlatlandMan
Steinbach, Canada21 contributions
May 2011
You would be silly not to stop by Province House (Nova Scotia) if you are in the area. The only thing it will cost you is going through security and metal detector at the entrance. Aside from that you will get to visit the C.D. Howe museum and you can see some of the old rooms where the great history of Canada was begun. A fantastic yet small structure, and the oldest function legislative building in Canada!
For me one of my favourite views is with the Union Jack, Maple Leaf, and Nova Scotian flag flying above this grand building. These flags symbolize the fantastic living history of this building right before your eyes!
For me one of my favourite views is with the Union Jack, Maple Leaf, and Nova Scotian flag flying above this grand building. These flags symbolize the fantastic living history of this building right before your eyes!
Written May 30, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crispypina
England111 contributions
This was one of the highlights of our sightseeing tour of Halifax. An important piece of national history and the seat of Nova Scotia’s Parliament.
We went there one afternoon; entrance was free, but there were no guided visits as such. We had gathered a few information and could tour it by ourselves; also, we had an interesting chat with the staff present, who provided us with lots of precious anecdotes and other information. We felt welcome and honoured to be able to access the site.
The building itself was beautiful - a great example of Palladian architecture - and every wall, chair and painting spoke to us from the past. There were portraits of former kings, queens and politicians; a room devoted to journalist, politician and civil servant Joseph Howe; a grand staircase leading up to the library, which used to be the Superme Court of Nova Scotia and where J. Howe defended himself against the charge of defamation for six and a quarter hours (his acquittal is regarded as the beginning of a free press in Nova Scotia); the Red Chamber where the Council used to meet; and the Parliament (green) Chamber, with headless hawks beheaded because they looked too much like American eagles!
A very interesting place indeed.
We went there one afternoon; entrance was free, but there were no guided visits as such. We had gathered a few information and could tour it by ourselves; also, we had an interesting chat with the staff present, who provided us with lots of precious anecdotes and other information. We felt welcome and honoured to be able to access the site.
The building itself was beautiful - a great example of Palladian architecture - and every wall, chair and painting spoke to us from the past. There were portraits of former kings, queens and politicians; a room devoted to journalist, politician and civil servant Joseph Howe; a grand staircase leading up to the library, which used to be the Superme Court of Nova Scotia and where J. Howe defended himself against the charge of defamation for six and a quarter hours (his acquittal is regarded as the beginning of a free press in Nova Scotia); the Red Chamber where the Council used to meet; and the Parliament (green) Chamber, with headless hawks beheaded because they looked too much like American eagles!
A very interesting place indeed.
Written March 4, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gdubya2000
Valdosta, GA124 contributions
We originally decided to go to Province House just to fill time between other attractions around downtown, but we left feeling like it is much more than just a "time filler". When you enter, there are guides waiting to take you through the building. Basically, we got a personal tour of a beautiful, historic building. Our guide shared many interesting stories about Nova Scotian and Canadian history connected to Province House. Be sure to note the 13 headless birds carved into the decorative trim in the parliament chamber. Our guide even let me sit in the speaker's chair. Province House is a great historical stop on your tour of Halifax, and it's free!
Written August 21, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert J
Lake Jackson, United States430 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Like many other reviewers, we stumbled onto this tour. We went by Province House intending only to view the outside, not realizing there was a free tour of the inside. But as we were viewing the exterior, taking photographs, a friendly guard told us that if we went inside we could tour it. We did so, and after a security check by friendly guards, we were met by a young lady who gave us a personalized tour of the public rooms that was quite interesting. The more so since several photographs depicted a distant relative of mine! The history of how Nova Scotia got freedom of the press and responsible government is told, and I won't spoil it for you, but it was a fascinating story. Well worth the visit, and one of the highlights of our Halifax stay.
Written August 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DONNAandJANET
Chesterfield, VA621 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We were walking from the Citadel down to the waterside and happened upon this building where there was a sign on the sidewalk offeriing free tours and, not knowing what it was, we went inside. It is where the Nova Scotia Legislature has met since 1819 so it was akin to visiting a US state capital building. A young woman gave us our own private tour of it and I can guarantee you I came out of there knowing more about Canadian provincial government than I knew going in...but please, don't test me. Being in the historical legislature room reminded us of our own Virginia State Capital building in Richmond. We also really liked the old libary - beautiful wood work. So, if you are ever passing by and it is open, it is worthy of your 30 to 45 minutes.
Written October 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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