About Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Waterfront museum at 1675 Lower Water Street tracing Nova Scotia's seafaring past, with a dedicated Titanic exhibit, the story of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, and the 1913 survey ship CSS Acadia berthed alongside. Admission is $11 for adults in summer (May through October), $5.15 from November through April, and free every Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm, when live music often fills the galleries. Allow about two hours.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
Located at 1675 Lower Water Street on Halifax's waterfront, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic stands as Canada's oldest and largest maritime museum, guiding visitors through Nova Scotia's rich seafaring heritage. With over 30,000 artifacts spanning centuries of maritime history, this iconic institution has become a cornerstone of Halifax's cultural life. The museum's prime location at 1675 Lower Water Street makes it easily accessible from the Harbourwalk boardwalk, attracting cruise ship passengers, history enthusiasts, and families alike. From the poignant Titanic exhibits that recount Halifax's role in the 1912 disaster to the legendary Bluenose schooner displays, the museum lays out Nova Scotia's deep connection to the sea, gallery by gallery.
Practical Information
Address
1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S3. The museum is perfectly situated in the heart of Halifax's historic waterfront at the base of Prince Street and is easily accessible from the 3-km Halifax Harbourwalk.
Hours of Operation
Hours vary by season.
- Summer (April 27 - October 31): Open Monday and Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; Tuesday, 9:30 am - 8:00 pm.
- Winter (November 1 - April 26): Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday, 9:30 am - 8:00 pm; Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Cost
Ticket prices are seasonal.
- Summer Rates: Adults $11.00, Seniors $10.00, Youth (6-17) $6.50, Family Rate $27.00. Children 5 and under are free.
- Winter Rates (Nov-Apr): Adults $5.15, Seniors $4.35, Youth (6-17) $3.00, Family $11.90. Group booking rates are also available.
Accessibility
The museum is fully accessible. Key features include automatic doors at the main entrances, a passenger elevator to all galleries, and wheelchair-accessible washrooms. Three wheelchairs are available for visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. A curbside drop-off zone is located on Lower Water Street, and seating is available throughout the exhibit galleries.
Additional Details
Contact the museum directly at 902-424-7491. On-site amenities include a Marine Heritage Store. Please note that visitors are always advised to check the official museum website or call ahead for the most current information. For the full guide to the museum's Titanic artifacts, Halifax Explosion exhibit, and CSS Acadia, see our Maritime Museum of the Atlantic guide.
Give yourself at least two hours. The Titanic gallery holds the world's largest collection of wooden artifacts recovered from the wreck — deck chairs, window frames and other objects from the ship, each tied to the role Halifax played in the disaster's aftermath in April 1912. The 1917 Halifax Explosion exhibit is the museum's most affecting room, telling the city's worst catastrophe through recovered objects and first-hand accounts. Outside, the century-old CSS Acadia, a steam-powered hydrographic survey ship built in Halifax in 1913, rests at her permanent berth, and the Age of Sail galleries tell the Bluenose story through models and artifacts. Admission is free every Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm, timed to the museum's Tuesday Night Tunes live music series on the waterfront. With a 4.6-star rating from more than 8,000 reviews, the museum is a reliable highlight of any Halifax itinerary; cruise passengers can walk from the pier to the front door in minutes (see our Halifax Cruise Port Guide for what else sits within reach of the harbour).
At a Glance
| What it is | Canada's oldest and largest maritime museum, tracing Nova Scotia's seafaring past with over 30,000 artifacts |
|---|---|
| Location | 1675 Lower Water Street on the Halifax waterfront, at the base of Prince Street on the Harbourwalk |
| Summer admission (May-Oct) | $11.00 adults, $10.00 seniors, $6.50 youth 6-17, $27.00 family; children 5 and under free |
| Winter admission (Nov-Apr) | $5.15 adults, $4.35 seniors, $3.00 youth, $11.90 family |
| Free night | Every Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm, timed to the Tuesday Night Tunes live music series |
| Hours | Summer 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Tuesday to 8:00 pm; closed Mondays in winter |
| Allow | About two hours; fully accessible with elevator to all galleries |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the museum's flagship exhibits?
The Titanic gallery holds the world's largest collection of wooden artifacts recovered from the wreck, while the 1917 Halifax Explosion exhibit tells the city's worst catastrophe through recovered objects and first-hand accounts.
What is the CSS Acadia?
A steam-powered hydrographic survey ship built in Halifax in 1913, resting at her permanent berth outside the museum; the Age of Sail galleries nearby tell the Bluenose schooner story through models and artifacts.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Give yourself at least two hours. With over 30,000 artifacts spanning centuries of maritime history, visitors consistently find themselves captivated for far longer than they expect.
When is admission free?
Every Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm, timed to the museum's Tuesday Night Tunes live music series on the waterfront; regular seasonal rates apply for the rest of the week.
Is the museum accessible?
Fully. Automatic doors at the main entrances, a passenger elevator to all galleries, wheelchair-accessible washrooms, three loaner wheelchairs on a first-come basis, a curbside drop-off zone and seating throughout the exhibits.
Can cruise passengers walk there?
Yes, the museum sits at 1675 Lower Water Street in the heart of the historic waterfront, and cruise passengers can walk from the pier to the front door in minutes along the Harbourwalk boardwalk.
