Staycation Series: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Looking for an epic stop-over while in Canada’s eastern provinces? Add Halifax to your must see list; with a growing foodie scene, beautiful seaside views and an ever-expanding small business town, this Nova Scotia capital doesn’t disappoint. An easy direct flight from Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal, Halifax is the perfect long-weekend getaway and an excellent opportunity for travelers to explore this friendly and laid-back town.
For those who aren’t as familiar with Canadian geography; Halifax, located on the east coast of Canada, is a vibrant and historic city that offers a great place for a long weekend staycation. The city is known for its friendly people, charming architecture, and scenic waterfront. It's a place where visitors can enjoy a mix of culture, history, and outdoor activities while experiencing the unique coastal charm of the Maritimes.
We love Halifax for the friendly locals (who treat you like family!) and the variety of activities the city offers. Visitors can explore the historic Citadel Hill, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, take a scenic walk along the waterfront, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife and local seafood. The city also offers an abundance of parks and outdoor spaces, like Point Pleasant Park and the Halifax Public Gardens, where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Did we mention that Halifax is also a great place for female entrepreneurs? The city is home to a growing number of small businesses and startups, and there's a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The city has a diverse range of industries, including technology, finance, and creative industries, and it's known for its supportive and collaborative business community; including a laundry list of badass women-owned businesses and femme-focused organizations.
Here are a few we are supporting and cheering on from afar!
GENERAL INTEREST
Nature Folk
This modern bathhouse, sauna and bodywork facility is located in the beautifully refurbished former Dartmouth city hall. Founded by Ashley Cluett, Anna Tremblay, and Kristen Morse, Nature Folk is a space that’s all about escaping the stresses of everyday life, with packages and retreats you can treat someone to, or join them and treat yourself too!
Daytime People (formally maggie jayne)
A small, sustainable-oriented clothing and textile brand, Daytime People makes classic pieces with a fun and modern twist. Their manufacturer in Jaipur, India, is registered through World Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade Federation US, and Craftmark (an initiative that helps denote Indian genuine craft). They work primarily with GOTS certified organic cotton that is hand block printed using AZO free, low impact dyes. The print unit is located in Sanganer, where block printing has been practiced for centuries. They are conscious in their processes not to contaminate the environment with dye waste.
Rejecting fast fashion and overconsumption, Slowly Slowly invites its shoppers in its name and its practices to slow down. They strive to solely carry brands and designers who are making a positive impact on their community, environment, and makers. With apparel, accessories, beauty and home goods, Slowly Slowly is a quick way to get a few gifts sorted all in one place.
These handmade, hand cut soaps with a natural and rustic aesthetic are the perfect gift for a friend or a beautiful addition to your skincare routine. Made in small batches using all natural and high quality ingredients; Alannah pours her heart into making truly one-of-a kind products that are kind to your skin, look beautiful and smell great too!
FOOD & DRINK
The perfect example of a small family-owned and operated restaurant/bar. If you haven’t checked out their droolworthy instagram page, we suggest you stop reading and go take a look. You won’t be disappointed with the colours, the flavours or the ambiance!
Fawn is an elegant, full-service restaurant open seven days a week serving modern classics to discerning guests and is the result of over 20 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry by three young professionals. A women-led institution designed and built to stand the test of time, Fawn delivers a big city experience with East Coast hospitality. Chef Natalie Rosen, Katie and Ceilidh have truly created a unique experience for guests and a welcoming and supportive environment for those working in the hospitality industry. And if we couldn’t adore them enough, the owners of Fawn also worked with another woman-owned business, Bricks & Birches led by Robyn Manning, to create and build their space. Women supporting women for the win!
Local Source Market has been a staple shop at 2530 Agricola Street, supplying Haligonians with locally-grown produce, baked goods and all manner of high-quality grocery items for year. This community staple encourages participation in the local food economy by purveying fresh seasonal farm goods, and they stand by the adage that a good meal can make (or break!) your day and that enjoying local food can help foster a feeling of belonging and being connected to place. Owner, Krista Armstrong, truly believes that quality ingredients make great food - we couldn’t agree more! Open 6 days a week, they are a fully operational, peanut free and GMO free bakery. Must try: Molasses Seed Bread or their Sour Dough.
Anemone, created and designed by Chef Dany Duguay, was born from the idea that private dining should be available and accessible to more of Halifax, no matter the event size, especially within the downtown core. After years of hearing clients say they have difficulty finding a venue to accommodate their needs for small events, it only made sense for them to create a space that could allow for these types of boutique functions, while also still allowing them to accommodate offsite events and catering, all while focusing on quality over quantity.
While not female-owned, The Narrows, located in Halifax’s North End gets a resounding shoutout from Sororal. Owned and restored by Tyson McDow and Miles Baldwin, this heritage building has been beautifully restored to create a warm and welcoming environment. Their delicious take on old-timey recipes doesn’t disappoint and it’s very clear, upon entering the building, that no detail was overlooked when creating the concept for this traditional public house. Definitely pop in for a Sunday meal, listen to some live music, tip the staff (😉) and don’t forget to tell Tyson you know the gals from Sororal!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
Mirror Image Media is a full-service video production company that creates compelling video content and documentaries, founded by twin filmmakers, Meaghan and Marie Wright. Through concept development, creative direction, filming, and post-production, they are dedicated to bringing stories to life. They have worked with all sorts of local and international brands and are truly exceptional when it comes to curating a visual experience and telling unique stories through film. If you’re in need of a marketing product, both Meaghan and Marie (and their extraordinary team) are your go-to!
If you are looking for a curated long-weekend tour of Halifax and its surrounding areas, including private dining with some of the city’s best chefs and sommeliers, please email us at hello@sororal.travel
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We’re a community of women obsessed with supporting one another, whether through commerce or charitable endeavours. Subscribe to our newsletter for more femme-focused recommendations and be the first to know when we launch trips to destinations like Kenya, Denmark, Costa Rica, Morocco and others.