All men/boys are welcome! Officially, this is because the girls are at the bridal shower. Paul and I think that there may be another bachelor-type thing, possibly in Ontario...this night out in Halifax will be suitable for all ages and heart conditions.
Date: Thursday, July 22
Activities: Start with the Harbor Hopper tour, then proceed to the Alexander Keith's Brewery for a tour and tasting.
Meeting location: TBA
Time: TBA
What to bring: yourself, a designated driver as needed. For more information contact Bill Foster: voyage@eastlink.ca
If you could either comment on this post indicating whether you will come, or e-mail pniefer@hotmail.com, then we will get a better idea of how many to make the reservation for. Thanks!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Girls' Night In
All women/girls are welcome! Officially, this is the bridal shower. The boys will be having a night at the same time.
Date: Thursday, July 22nd
Location: Genevieve Keen's(Burke's) House, 65 Penhorn Drive, Dartmouth
Directions: Here's how to get there from the hotel
Time:TBA. It will be in the evening, after work hours.
What to bring: Yourself
If you could either post a comment to indicate whether you might be coming or e-mail jennifer_foster7@yahoo.ca, it will give Genny a better sense of numbers for planning. Thanks!
Date: Thursday, July 22nd
Location: Genevieve Keen's(Burke's) House, 65 Penhorn Drive, Dartmouth
Directions: Here's how to get there from the hotel
Time:TBA. It will be in the evening, after work hours.
What to bring: Yourself
If you could either post a comment to indicate whether you might be coming or e-mail jennifer_foster7@yahoo.ca, it will give Genny a better sense of numbers for planning. Thanks!
Rehearsal dinner bar-b-que!
Come join us the night before the wedding for an informal gathering. This is a chance to meet others, and socialize with family and friends. All welcome.
Time: 6:30 pm
Date: 23-July-2010
Location: 24 Lakeview Avenue, Dartmouth, NS
Time: 6:30 pm
Date: 23-July-2010
Location: 24 Lakeview Avenue, Dartmouth, NS
Day trips from Halifax/Dartmouth
Don't hesitate to call or e-mail for any tips on day-tripping.
1. Visit the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia’s agricultural center. Visit beautiful Wolfville, home of Acadia University and stop by Hennigars for ice cream. See beautiful Grand Pre and learn the history of the Acadians and of their expulsion. Hike out to Blomidon. Mudwalk in Hantsport when the world’s highest tides are out.
2. Peggy’s Cove visit. Can be done on your own or as part of a tour
3. South Shore drive. Get off of the highway and take this meandering shore road through beautiful Chester. Stop to see the quaint houses. Head next to Mahone Bay. Be sure to note the picturesque 3-churches as you crest the hill coming in to town. Take the time to stop at some of the many artisan’s shops and craft stores along the way. Then head along to Lunenburg, home of the Bluenose. Note the old school, coming into town, and don’t miss the waterfront. A perfect place for an evening seafood dinner.
4. New Ross farm. A period museum of ongoing agriculture. Great for kids.
5. North Shore – see Pictou, home of the Hector. Stop in Stellarton, where you must stop at the fabulous Museum of Industry. If time permits, head farther north to Antigonish, the Catholic Archdiocese for the maritimes and home of St. Francis Xavier University, of X-ring fame
6. Shubenacadie Wildlife Reserve Located about an hour from Halifax/Dartmouth, a great hit when we were kids. Lots of animals. This is different from Shubie park in Dartmouth and the Shubie canal trails.
7. Oak Island – Home of the famous Money Pit and inspiration for the book, “The Hand of Robin Squires”. Digging for pirate treasure here has been going on for over two centuries.
Oak Island Mystery
Oak Island wiki
8. Do the Beaches tour – from Dartmouth take Main street (#7 highway) until the turnoff for Marine drive. Take a right on Marine drive and follow the beautiful coast line. Stop at Lawrencetown beach for some surfing. Get back on Marine Drive, which turns into Lawrencetown Road, and turn off again onto Marine Drive (also called Bisset Road). Follow this to Rainbow Haven, where you can enjoy some nice sandy beach. Continue along Marine Drive and be sure to stop to see the Moose on your way to Cow Bay. In Eastern Passage stop at Fishermen’s wharf for some ice cream, a walk along the boardwalk, and some craft and art stores.
Other good beaches:
Martinique Beach – beyond the turnoff for Marine Drive
Clam Harbour – site of the annual sand castle competition. Even farther along the #7 highway
Crystal Crescent Beach – on the Halifax side. Very cold water, great rock climbing, but you’ll get a surprise if you go too far along the rocks (our nudie beach)
1. Visit the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia’s agricultural center. Visit beautiful Wolfville, home of Acadia University and stop by Hennigars for ice cream. See beautiful Grand Pre and learn the history of the Acadians and of their expulsion. Hike out to Blomidon. Mudwalk in Hantsport when the world’s highest tides are out.
2. Peggy’s Cove visit. Can be done on your own or as part of a tour
3. South Shore drive. Get off of the highway and take this meandering shore road through beautiful Chester. Stop to see the quaint houses. Head next to Mahone Bay. Be sure to note the picturesque 3-churches as you crest the hill coming in to town. Take the time to stop at some of the many artisan’s shops and craft stores along the way. Then head along to Lunenburg, home of the Bluenose. Note the old school, coming into town, and don’t miss the waterfront. A perfect place for an evening seafood dinner.
4. New Ross farm. A period museum of ongoing agriculture. Great for kids.
5. North Shore – see Pictou, home of the Hector. Stop in Stellarton, where you must stop at the fabulous Museum of Industry. If time permits, head farther north to Antigonish, the Catholic Archdiocese for the maritimes and home of St. Francis Xavier University, of X-ring fame
6. Shubenacadie Wildlife Reserve Located about an hour from Halifax/Dartmouth, a great hit when we were kids. Lots of animals. This is different from Shubie park in Dartmouth and the Shubie canal trails.
7. Oak Island – Home of the famous Money Pit and inspiration for the book, “The Hand of Robin Squires”. Digging for pirate treasure here has been going on for over two centuries.
Oak Island Mystery
Oak Island wiki
8. Do the Beaches tour – from Dartmouth take Main street (#7 highway) until the turnoff for Marine drive. Take a right on Marine drive and follow the beautiful coast line. Stop at Lawrencetown beach for some surfing. Get back on Marine Drive, which turns into Lawrencetown Road, and turn off again onto Marine Drive (also called Bisset Road). Follow this to Rainbow Haven, where you can enjoy some nice sandy beach. Continue along Marine Drive and be sure to stop to see the Moose on your way to Cow Bay. In Eastern Passage stop at Fishermen’s wharf for some ice cream, a walk along the boardwalk, and some craft and art stores.
Other good beaches:
Martinique Beach – beyond the turnoff for Marine Drive
Clam Harbour – site of the annual sand castle competition. Even farther along the #7 highway
Crystal Crescent Beach – on the Halifax side. Very cold water, great rock climbing, but you’ll get a surprise if you go too far along the rocks (our nudie beach)
Things to do in Halifax (including a pub crawl)
1. Take the ferry from Dartmouth to Halifax
2. Take the harbor hopper froggy tour. The boys will be doing this as a group on Thursday night (the 22nd). But it is also a good family activity.
3. Do the Halifax Historic Downtown self-walk
4. Have your picture taken with Theodore Tugboat on the Halifax waterfront
5. Walk all along the waterfront, stopping to see the wave, and maybe for a visit aboard a naval ship
6. Climb Citadel Hill, visit the fort, and take time to watch the city from the grassy hilltop.
Halifax Citadel
7. Walk up and down Spring Garden Road and Barrington Road for shopping, Dio Mio’s amazing gelato and a stroll through the Public Gardens at the top of Spring Garden Road
8. Tour the Pier 21 Immigration Museum. This is the port of entry for many immigrants to Canada during the 19th and 20th century. Paul’s grandfather – Papa Neifer – came through here. Can you find his name in the records?
9. Take the kids to the Halifax Discovery Center science museum
10. Explore some of Halifax and Nova Scotia’s Maritime history in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. This is a favorite museum of mine. An absolute must if you have kids!
11. Attend the Sunday morning Halifax Farmer’s Market in the Historic Keith’s Brewery
12. Tour the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery (the boys will be doing the brewery tour and tasting as part of the boys' night on Thursday, the 22nd)
13. Visit the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, premier exhibition site for Maud Lewis
14. Spend an afternoon cruising the Halifax Harbour on a historic tall ship. This can be done on the Mar II. The Bluenose, the pride of Nova Scotia, does tours now and then, but be prepared to pay the big bucks
tall ship tour
15. Walk around Point Pleasant Park. Many runners and cyclists find their way here. You can find old fortifications along the wooded paths.
16. Experience the Halifax night life. Restaurants abound. For good sea food, try Five Fishermen or Salty’s. For interest, try Alfred, Weinstein and Ho, the only Italian/Kosher/Korean deli eatery we know of. For a night out, Halifax has more bars and pubs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Suggested pub crawl:
a. Pacifico – dance club
b. Maxwell’s Plum, English pub. Good foreign and local beer selection.
c. Argyle Bar and grill
d. Mercury Bar and restaurant for some club-style dancing
e. Sea Horse tavern
f. Economy Shoe shop – a must-visit.
g. Old Triangle Irish Ale House
h. Lower Deck. On the waterfront. Squeeze yourself in and sing along. Don’t forget to drink when they yell “Sociable!”
i. If things are closing and you still want to dance (it may be a bit sleazy and remind you of being in college) there is the Dome (or Liquor Dome, 3 bars in one) which is open late. Also open late is the Marquee, on Gottingen street.
j. Don’t forget to finish your night off with a donair (a real donair, which is only available in Halifax) at Pizza Corner.
Pub crawl
2. Take the harbor hopper froggy tour. The boys will be doing this as a group on Thursday night (the 22nd). But it is also a good family activity.
3. Do the Halifax Historic Downtown self-walk
4. Have your picture taken with Theodore Tugboat on the Halifax waterfront
5. Walk all along the waterfront, stopping to see the wave, and maybe for a visit aboard a naval ship
6. Climb Citadel Hill, visit the fort, and take time to watch the city from the grassy hilltop.
Halifax Citadel
7. Walk up and down Spring Garden Road and Barrington Road for shopping, Dio Mio’s amazing gelato and a stroll through the Public Gardens at the top of Spring Garden Road
8. Tour the Pier 21 Immigration Museum. This is the port of entry for many immigrants to Canada during the 19th and 20th century. Paul’s grandfather – Papa Neifer – came through here. Can you find his name in the records?
9. Take the kids to the Halifax Discovery Center science museum
10. Explore some of Halifax and Nova Scotia’s Maritime history in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. This is a favorite museum of mine. An absolute must if you have kids!
11. Attend the Sunday morning Halifax Farmer’s Market in the Historic Keith’s Brewery
12. Tour the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery (the boys will be doing the brewery tour and tasting as part of the boys' night on Thursday, the 22nd)
13. Visit the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, premier exhibition site for Maud Lewis
14. Spend an afternoon cruising the Halifax Harbour on a historic tall ship. This can be done on the Mar II. The Bluenose, the pride of Nova Scotia, does tours now and then, but be prepared to pay the big bucks
tall ship tour
15. Walk around Point Pleasant Park. Many runners and cyclists find their way here. You can find old fortifications along the wooded paths.
16. Experience the Halifax night life. Restaurants abound. For good sea food, try Five Fishermen or Salty’s. For interest, try Alfred, Weinstein and Ho, the only Italian/Kosher/Korean deli eatery we know of. For a night out, Halifax has more bars and pubs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Suggested pub crawl:
a. Pacifico – dance club
b. Maxwell’s Plum, English pub. Good foreign and local beer selection.
c. Argyle Bar and grill
d. Mercury Bar and restaurant for some club-style dancing
e. Sea Horse tavern
f. Economy Shoe shop – a must-visit.
g. Old Triangle Irish Ale House
h. Lower Deck. On the waterfront. Squeeze yourself in and sing along. Don’t forget to drink when they yell “Sociable!”
i. If things are closing and you still want to dance (it may be a bit sleazy and remind you of being in college) there is the Dome (or Liquor Dome, 3 bars in one) which is open late. Also open late is the Marquee, on Gottingen street.
j. Don’t forget to finish your night off with a donair (a real donair, which is only available in Halifax) at Pizza Corner.
Pub crawl
Things to do in Dartmouth
1. Go swimming at one of beautiful lake beaches. I recommend Birch Cove (life-guarded) or Bell lake (not lifeguarded, open your eyes underwater for the beautiful crazy-green-blue water)
2. Rent a canoe/kayak and paddle the extensive lake and lock system. Rent from Graham’s Grove park (it used to be dragon fly rentals). A couple of hours will allow you to explore Lake Banook and Lake Mic Mac. You can actually paddle all the way from the Halifax harbor to Truro NS (an hour’s drive away) though the water is often low by mid-summer, and there are a couple of portage sites where city development or the Shubie Lock system necessitate getting out and carrying. Graham's grove park in Dartmouth
3. Quaker house – oldest house in the area, from the 1750’s. Survived the Halifax explosion.
Quaker house
4. Visit Shubie park. Have a bar-b-que, swim at the lake, walk amongst the wilderness or along the interpretive trail, and visit the interpretation center where they tell of the local flora/fauna and of the native history in the area.
Shubie park wiki info
Here is the map to get from the Hotel to Shubie park:
View Larger Map
5. Have a round of golf at Brightwood golf course (site of the wedding reception)
Brightwood golf course
6. Shopping – box store shopping abounds at Dartmouth Crossing, on the way in from the Airport. Also, Mic Mac Mall is the largest mall East of Montreal. It’s all pretty similar to what you would find in Ontario.
7. Great fine dining at La Perla restaurant or MacAskill’s restaurant, both near the waterfront.
2. Rent a canoe/kayak and paddle the extensive lake and lock system. Rent from Graham’s Grove park (it used to be dragon fly rentals). A couple of hours will allow you to explore Lake Banook and Lake Mic Mac. You can actually paddle all the way from the Halifax harbor to Truro NS (an hour’s drive away) though the water is often low by mid-summer, and there are a couple of portage sites where city development or the Shubie Lock system necessitate getting out and carrying. Graham's grove park in Dartmouth
3. Quaker house – oldest house in the area, from the 1750’s. Survived the Halifax explosion.
Quaker house
4. Visit Shubie park. Have a bar-b-que, swim at the lake, walk amongst the wilderness or along the interpretive trail, and visit the interpretation center where they tell of the local flora/fauna and of the native history in the area.
Shubie park wiki info
Here is the map to get from the Hotel to Shubie park:
View Larger Map
5. Have a round of golf at Brightwood golf course (site of the wedding reception)
Brightwood golf course
6. Shopping – box store shopping abounds at Dartmouth Crossing, on the way in from the Airport. Also, Mic Mac Mall is the largest mall East of Montreal. It’s all pretty similar to what you would find in Ontario.
7. Great fine dining at La Perla restaurant or MacAskill’s restaurant, both near the waterfront.
Car Rental info
Can be picked up at the airport, or if you find it cheaper in Dartmouth we can help organize transport and get you to a car rental agency. Most places will rent all of their vehicles by May. Halifax is a very popular place in the summer. So…if you are going to rent a car, book early to have options.
1. Easycar – seems to be the cheapest option, though not necessarily the most convenient. You will have to get into downtown Halifax to pick the car up. easycar
2. Ace Car rentals - Cheap option. Online booking only. They rent out all of their vehicles early.
Ace car rentals
3. Discount Car and Truck Rentals. Same price at airport as in city. Seemed to have slightly better availability.
City – 1-902.468.7171
Airport – 1-902-468-7171
4. Enterprise. They were sold out months before the summer at all locations in 2009. More expensive than Discount
City – 1-902-469-1689
Airport – 1-902-873-4700
5. National. Also sold out months before the summer in 2009. About the same prices as enterprise.
Airport – 1-902-873-3318
6. Budget – reasonable prices at airport
Airport – 1-902-492-7500
City – 236 Brownlow ave. 1-902-492-7500
1. Easycar – seems to be the cheapest option, though not necessarily the most convenient. You will have to get into downtown Halifax to pick the car up. easycar
2. Ace Car rentals - Cheap option. Online booking only. They rent out all of their vehicles early.
Ace car rentals
3. Discount Car and Truck Rentals. Same price at airport as in city. Seemed to have slightly better availability.
City – 1-902.468.7171
Airport – 1-902-468-7171
4. Enterprise. They were sold out months before the summer at all locations in 2009. More expensive than Discount
City – 1-902-469-1689
Airport – 1-902-873-4700
5. National. Also sold out months before the summer in 2009. About the same prices as enterprise.
Airport – 1-902-873-3318
6. Budget – reasonable prices at airport
Airport – 1-902-492-7500
City – 236 Brownlow ave. 1-902-492-7500
Halifax/Dartmouth info sites
Here are a couple of websites that can give you information about the cities where the wedding and activities will be taking place:
Halifax (site of the boys' brewery tour and harbor hopper):
Halifax info
Halifax wiki
Dartmouth (site of bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, wedding reception, and where Jenny grew up):
Dartmouth info
Dartmouth wiki
Halifax (site of the boys' brewery tour and harbor hopper):
Halifax info
Halifax wiki
Dartmouth (site of bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, wedding reception, and where Jenny grew up):
Dartmouth info
Dartmouth wiki
Hotel reservations and location
Hotel option - Holiday Inn Harbour View has a block of rooms reserved. They will be reserved for our party with a reduced rate until June 20, 2010. To make a reservation, call (902) 463-1100, ask for reservations and say that you are with the Foster/Niefer wedding.
Room rate is $130/night for a standard room. There is an option to upgrade.
Room rate is $130/night for a standard room. There is an option to upgrade.
Accommodations options
*Note* when looking at maps of Halifax and Dartmouth, most don’t give you a sense of just how hilly both cities are. Halifax has flat bits, but is predominantly built around one major hill – the Citadel – and Dartmouth is even more hill-bent. The walk from the Holiday Inn to the Church is very downhill, and the walk to the golf club is slightly uphill. The slight uphill is still bigger than any hills in Ottawa, so something to be considered when planning locations and outings for anyone who may have physical impairments
1. Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview)-Dartmouth, group rate hotel
10-15 minute walk, 2 minute drive to Brightwood Golf Course; 10-15 minute walk, 2 minute drive to Grace United Church; 25 minute walk, 5 minute drive to Jenny’s parents’ house; 10 minute walk to ferry terminal to access Halifax. Phone 1-902-463-1100 for reservations
Holiday Inn Harbourview website
2. Hampton Inn and Suites Dartmouth Crossing
Heart of a (nice) shopping district. A car needed to access the rest of the city. Phone 1-902-406-7700 for reservations. Hampton Inn and Suites website
3. Plenty of hotels in Halifax. Near the waterfront are the Westin, Marriott, and Delta Halifax. All can be found online. If you want historic and swanky (where royalty stay, though the prices are similar to other Halifax hotels, in the heart of Halifax, but farther from wedding action) try the Lord Nelson Hotel.
4. B&B options:
a. Lakeside Point B&B, phone 1-902-461-1549 Lakeside Point B&B
b. Blockhouse Hill B&B phone 1-902-463-1811 Blockhouse Hill B&B
c. Stern’s Mansion B&B, phone 1-902-465-7414 Stern's Mansion B&B
(plenty more if you google-map B&B in Halifax or Dartmouth. Also, there are some nice Inns that can be found online, eg. Inn on the Lake, Halifax Waverly Inn)
5. Cottages:
There are cottages that are privately owned, and those that are part of a resort/hotel.
I don't know any specific privately-owned cottages, but there are websites where you can find them. Most places require at least a 1-week stay. If you are searching for a specific area and would like to be close to Halifax, the best places to look are Peggy's Cove, St Margaret's Bay, and the Eastern Shore heading up to Musquodoboit. Lunenburg and Chester are within 1 hour of Halifax/Dartmouth.
Cottage finder
NS cottage rental
6. Camping around Halifax/Dartmouth
Your best option is Shubie campground (short for Shubenacadie, a series of canals that stretch from the Halifax harbour inland almost to New Brunswick, on which the native Mi'kmaq used to travel every year). I camped there several times as a kid...it's pretty nice, though the bathrooms are like any public campground. It's about a 10-15 minute drive from the church, reception, and rehearsal dinner bar-b-que. It has a lake front, and lots of trails through the woods around. Camping is on open sites.
Shubie Campground
Woodhaven is also within Halifax city limits. I've never been, but here is the website:
Woodhaven
1. Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview)-Dartmouth, group rate hotel
10-15 minute walk, 2 minute drive to Brightwood Golf Course; 10-15 minute walk, 2 minute drive to Grace United Church; 25 minute walk, 5 minute drive to Jenny’s parents’ house; 10 minute walk to ferry terminal to access Halifax. Phone 1-902-463-1100 for reservations
Holiday Inn Harbourview website
2. Hampton Inn and Suites Dartmouth Crossing
Heart of a (nice) shopping district. A car needed to access the rest of the city. Phone 1-902-406-7700 for reservations. Hampton Inn and Suites website
3. Plenty of hotels in Halifax. Near the waterfront are the Westin, Marriott, and Delta Halifax. All can be found online. If you want historic and swanky (where royalty stay, though the prices are similar to other Halifax hotels, in the heart of Halifax, but farther from wedding action) try the Lord Nelson Hotel.
4. B&B options:
a. Lakeside Point B&B, phone 1-902-461-1549 Lakeside Point B&B
b. Blockhouse Hill B&B phone 1-902-463-1811 Blockhouse Hill B&B
c. Stern’s Mansion B&B, phone 1-902-465-7414 Stern's Mansion B&B
(plenty more if you google-map B&B in Halifax or Dartmouth. Also, there are some nice Inns that can be found online, eg. Inn on the Lake, Halifax Waverly Inn)
5. Cottages:
There are cottages that are privately owned, and those that are part of a resort/hotel.
I don't know any specific privately-owned cottages, but there are websites where you can find them. Most places require at least a 1-week stay. If you are searching for a specific area and would like to be close to Halifax, the best places to look are Peggy's Cove, St Margaret's Bay, and the Eastern Shore heading up to Musquodoboit. Lunenburg and Chester are within 1 hour of Halifax/Dartmouth.
Cottage finder
NS cottage rental
6. Camping around Halifax/Dartmouth
Your best option is Shubie campground (short for Shubenacadie, a series of canals that stretch from the Halifax harbour inland almost to New Brunswick, on which the native Mi'kmaq used to travel every year). I camped there several times as a kid...it's pretty nice, though the bathrooms are like any public campground. It's about a 10-15 minute drive from the church, reception, and rehearsal dinner bar-b-que. It has a lake front, and lots of trails through the woods around. Camping is on open sites.
Shubie Campground
Woodhaven is also within Halifax city limits. I've never been, but here is the website:
Woodhaven
Location for cocktails and wedding reception
Brightwood golf and country club, 227 School street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Cocktails start after the ceremony.
Reception will start at 6pm.
Map shows directions from the church to the golf course. Free parking available in front of the country club.
Cocktails start after the ceremony.
Reception will start at 6pm.
Map shows directions from the church to the golf course. Free parking available in front of the country club.
Church and ceremony
Church: Grace United Church, 70 King Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
website: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/grace.church/index.html
Officiating Minister: The Reverend Stephen Fram, BA, MDiv
Organist: Malcolm Bradley
website: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/grace.church/index.html
Officiating Minister: The Reverend Stephen Fram, BA, MDiv
Organist: Malcolm Bradley
Airport to Hotel
Click below to get directions from the airport to the Holiday Inn Harbourview Hotel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)