Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor combines beautiful, crisp weather with glorious sightseeing opportunities. Maine is a wonderful state to visit anytime of the year, and in the spring and summertime you could not ask for a more scenic location. In the winter, the weather is cold, but the new-fallen snow will have your eyes begging for more. The soft powder covers the area and it is an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold. There are several standout museums in Bar Harbor, and the Mount Desert Oceanarium, in particular, is outstanding. This city is a great place for the whole family, as there is a wide array of activities to captivate young and old alike. The dining in Bar Harbor is magnificent, and if you are a fan of lobster, you will adore the possibilities here. You can find surf and turf specials in numerous high-end restaurants, and a few places prepare magnificent meals that you will not soon forget. Pubs and bars line many of the streets, and if you enjoy good ale, Bar Harbor will definitely fit your style. The city is set up in a way that pleases the Maine locals and impresses tourists. There are a number of great historical spots, and you cannot visit Bar Harbor without visiting Acadia National Park. This destination is truly one of Mother Nature's greatest achievements, and the local government has made tremendous efforts to keep this park in its natural form. There is plenty for you to do in Bar Harbor, and both the shopping and the nightlife are rocking. From live music to the theater, the city offers plenty of great activities once the sun goes down.
The harbor and docking area are exquisite, and seem like they have remained the same for years. The locals don't want their small town to change, but it is changing, and they are accepting this fact graciously. They understand that tourism is starting to grow as an industry, which is no wonder to anyone who has visited the area. Experience Bar Harbor and see the best of the Eastern United States.
Sydney
The Mi'kmaq Indians, who lived undisturbed for thousands of years, originally settled Nova Scotia. John Cabot was the first European to step ashore, reaching Cape Breton Island in the late 15th Century. While the French were first to settle here, King James I of England proclaimed the area New Scotland, or Nova Scotia in Latin. The French and British fought bitterly over the area, with the French finally ceding the land in 1713 after signing the Treaty of Utrecht.
Sydney is Nova Scotia's third largest city. With over 26,000 people calling Sydney home, the city has certainly come a long way from its roots as a British Loyalist haven. In 1785, Loyalists from New York decided to settle here and remain under British rule. Soon after, immigrants from Scotland arrived. Sydney didn't explode population-wise until the early 20th Century, when a steel plant opened in town, attracting people from all over Nova Scotia. Coal was discovered in mines nearby, and even more people came to Sydney.
Sadly, all of this industry fouled up the environment around Sydney, and only now is the city taking proactive steps to fix the problem. More land has been designated for parks, and the people of Sydney have taken an active interest in repairing the damage done by their parents and grandparents.
Today, Sydney is a town trying to forge a new identity as a naturalist's haven and a cultural center. There are museums that have preserved Sydney's roots, as well as outdoor adventure companies to cater to those who want a closer look at Sydney's natural beauty.
Halifax
Halifax is an historic site full of natural beauty and fun-filled learning centers. The museums that make up the downtown sector are tremendous, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which is an ocean lover's dreamland. The Halifax Harbor is gorgeous, and the area around it is exploding with life and activity. It is well protected and serene, and an afternoon by the harbor will calm even the most rattled nerves. The city is very close to major fishing spots, and if you are in the mood for some outstanding fishing opportunities, you will not have to look far. Halifax is home to 115,000 people, and in the last three decades, this charming port city has become the financial and commercial center of the Maritimes.
Incredible as it may seem, behind Sydney, Australia, Halifax is home to the second-largest natural harbor in the world. As your cruise ship pulls in, you will instantly realize why you came to this youthful and pleasurable destination. There are a few top universities in Halifax, and there is certainly no shortage of top notch dining and shopping facilities. A few of the restaurants are absolute knockouts, and you could shop for days in this spectacular seaport. At night, Halifax is alive and kicking, with numerous desirable nightclubs, bars, and theatrical venues to catch your attention. The Citadel is a fortress made out of stone that is a popular landmark, and Spring Garden Road is the liveliest portion of Halifax. Recently, a great deal of work and construction has gone into improving the waterfront. The port and nearby area have enjoyed wonderful transformations, and the result is an elegant harbor that is more picturesque than ever. Boutiques and cafes have sprung up all over the place, and entertaining events such as the International Busker Festival occur all year long.
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