Help with Halifax Itinerary, please!

[MalibuCA]

After reading numerous guide books, 100s of cruisecritic threads, and deliberating about whether or not to visit Peggy's Cove, I think I have finally arrived at a viable itinerary. Please help with your comments, advice, wisdom, experience and especially your sense of direction. Tell me where I'm wrong and where I'm right so I can finally move on to researching my next port. Thanks so much in advance!

We have one day in Halifax aboard the Crystal Symphony next October. After watching many youtube and google videos of Peggy's Cove, I agree that it is a beautiful spot, but I think that our few precious hours in Halifax will be best served by visiting only Halifax. We are in port from 9:00 to 5:00.

1. We begin at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (hopefully missing crowds by beginning our day there.)
2. Next, we will taxi to the Citadel, not so much to explore the Citadel, but to experience the view, and have the Citadel as our starting point for walking. Is there an uphill climb to get to a good viewing spot from the entrance to the Citadel? Is it possible for a taxi to drop us at the optimum viewing spot without climbing?
3. From the Citadel, we will exit and turn right onto Sackville. We will then walk Sackville to Summer. Can we enter the Public Gardens at Sackville and South Park Street, or is the only entrance access at Spring Garden and Sackville? Then, turn left onto Summer Street, and continue until we reach Spring Garden Road. Turn left onto Spring Garden Road.
4. Continue on Spring Garden into Downtown Halifax. Turn left on Barrington Street to Duke Street. Turn right on Duke Street to Upper Water Street where we will see Purdy's Wharf. From Purdy's Wharf, go to Lower Water Street and walk along the waterfront. Of course, these directions are not written in stone, and I'm certain we will not follow exactly, but at least it will take me in the direction I want to go. Can you recommend any other streets in this area that I should not miss exploring? Is most of this walk downhill? Should we take other streets to avoid lots of uphill?
5. Exploring the waterfront: How do we get from Upper Water Street to Lower Water Street? Does most of the activity on the waterfront take place on Lower Water Street? Any other streets that we should not miss? We will continue along the waterfront making sure to spend some time at the Historic Properties.
6. We will continue along the waterfront to Pier 21. How do we get to Marginal Road where Pier 21 is located? Which directions do we turn on and off of Terminal? Is that where my cruise ship will be docked?
7. If we have inclement weather, what should we do intead of all of this walking?
8. If we choose to use FRED, are there long lines of people waiting to get on the bus in October, or is it easy to access whenever we want?

Yes, as you can probably tell, I have done my homework and nearly destroyed my one and only Fodor's Halifax map in the process. Please let me know what you think of this plan. Is all of this doable in about 7 hours? I appreciate all the help that you can provide.

Thanks,
Shelley

[Captain Canuck]

you are way better prepared than I am and I have been there..3 times..only once on a cruise though...we walked from the ship along the waterfront to theodore the tugboat..then up the hill to the citadel..it is worth seeing inside as well as the view..good view from the entrance to the citadel but even better from the walls....it is a bit of a climb but there are places to stop and sit on the hill on the way..also a clock tower half way up..we then just walked back to the ship

peggys cove is nice but its also a crapshoot with weather..fog can make nice pictures but also make getting there slow

[PennyAgain]

Pier 21 is in the same string of builldings where your ship docks and is certainly handy....and wonderful! Once you are there and can see the lay of the land, it will all make sense.

[Acey]

2. Next, we will taxi to the Citadel, not so much to explore the Citadel, but to experience the view, and have the Citadel as our starting point for walking. Is there an uphill climb to get to a good viewing spot from the entrance to the Citadel? Is it possible for a taxi to drop us at the optimum viewing spot without climbing?

I would take some time and explore the citadel if you are going to be there anyhow - I'm sure you will find it interesting.

[MalibuCA]

Do you think that I will have time to do all these things (including the Citadel) in just one day?

Thanks,
Shelley

[rickb]

Originally Posted by MalibuCA

Do you think that I will have time to do all these things (including the Citadel) in just one day?

Thanks,
Shelley

Hi Shelly: I am out of town on business and It is hard to type a lot on my iPod. I will answer most of your questions when I get home on the weekend.

[MalibuCA]

Thanks, Rickb! Hope you're having a good time!

Shelley

[rickb]

Originally Posted by MalibuCA

Thanks, Rickb! Hope you're having a good time!

Shelley

Well, it's work and it's cold here even for me. Good time no, but it's OK and it pays the bills.

[MalibuCA]

You sound just like my husband! Somehow those bills have to get paid! At least it allows for cruises now and then! Let me have your words of wisdom when you get back. Safe travels.

Shelley