Lakes, park trails and canal history shape the attractions in Dartmouth. Shubie Park lies between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles, while Lake Banook invites you to paddle and row. There are also walking opportunities along the Dartmouth Waterfront and historic houses with different focuses. This lets you put together nature and cultural attractions based on your interests.
Lakes and trails in Dartmouth
Shubie Park is a 40-acre urban park in Dartmouth, between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles; both lakes have beaches. The park has well-maintained multi-use trails, as well as numerous information signs. The park offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, camping and cross-country skiing. Its trails, beaches and activities make it a versatile destination if you want to alternate between being active and spending time by the water during your stay.
Lake Banook is a popular spot for paddling and rowing among beginners, professional athletes and Olympians. Dartmouth has 23 lakes that offer opportunities for kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. Along with the trails, these provide a range of water-based activities to choose from during your time in the city.
At 8 km long, with a water-bound gravel surface and a mostly flat route, the Shearwater Flyer Trail offers some practical details to help you choose a trail. There are benches along the route. The trail starts in Dartmouth and connects to the Salt Marsh Trail in Cole Harbour. Another option for walking is the waterfront promenade along the Dartmouth Waterfront.
Shubie Park and the Shubenacadie Canal
At the entrance to Shubie Park is the Fairbanks Centre, the main information centre for the Shubenacadie Canal Waterway. It has a working model of the canal locks. Flowing water and a scale model canal steamer illustrate how the waterway works. Lock 3 is next to the Fairbanks Centre and Shubie Park’s main parking lot. The park, centre and lock therefore offer several points of interest close together if you would like to explore the canal’s history.
Historic houses and their stories
Quaker House is the oldest surviving building in Dartmouth and is listed as a municipal and provincial historic property. The restored house is furnished to reflect the period in which it was built, in 1785. Its rooms tell the story of Dartmouth’s Quaker whalers. Their work and the associated industry lasted there for only a few years.
Evergreen House offers a different historical focus: the restored Victorian home was built in 1867. It is furnished with antiques from the period and features permanent and rotating exhibitions from the museum collection. The two houses offer different perspectives on Dartmouth’s history: Quaker House connects its rooms to a brief period of economic activity, while Evergreen House brings together the history of domestic life and museum exhibitions.
Discover more destinations: Lake Charlotte, Herring Cove, Oakfield, Wellington, Indian Harbour, Halifax, Prospect, Timberlea.
See the main travel overview: Halifax County.
