Old Town Clock
Old Town Clock
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The area
Neighborhood: Downtown Halifax
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653 within 3 miles
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147 within 6 miles
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- Adetoyese OEdmonton, Canada579 contributionsIconicThis icon tourist attraction site is very easy to spot from most places in the downtown area. One of the signs there says the clock has been there since 1803. The sound of the clock bell can be heard even at the horbourfront and far away from the clock. This spot is good for your exploring and seeing all the areas in the downtown, especially towards the harbourfront.Visited March 2023Traveled soloWritten March 18, 2023
- PavlaPavlaChrudim, Czech Republic6,539 contributionsInteresting octagon towerWe passed this building on our way to the Citadel. It was a white building with irregular octagon tower. The shape of the tower I found interesting. Although the Old Town Clock is an Halifax iconic building, is not open for public, so you can only see it from the outside.Visited July 2023Written July 18, 2023
- Stirling BOttawa, Canada619 contributionsIconic Halifax LandmarkPassed the Old Town Clock on my way to visit the Citadel. When walking up the street towards the Citadel the Old Town Clock it sits at the foot of the Citadel. Built in the early 1800s it has been synonymous with Halifax ever since.Visited July 2023Written July 21, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
316 reviews
Excellent
99
Very good
136
Average
74
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Tanya v
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada9 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
I just love the history and old world charm of Halifax. I always wanted to check out the old town clock. It is visible from many vantage points all over the city. So on a recent visit very early one morning I took the time to head on over to investigate it up close. It sits at the top of Citadel Hill, the and has been keeping time for 200 years. The inner workings arrived in Halifax from London in 1803 after being ordered by Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.
It gave me a warm feeling whenever i saw it in pictures and it didn't disappoint when I finally got to see it up close. I love the architecture of it and I could imagine people looking up at it to tell them the time a hundred years ago. I took many pictures from all angles. While in Halifax definitely take a walk by to check out this lovely old working clock. It is significant landmark that is worth the visit :)
It gave me a warm feeling whenever i saw it in pictures and it didn't disappoint when I finally got to see it up close. I love the architecture of it and I could imagine people looking up at it to tell them the time a hundred years ago. I took many pictures from all angles. While in Halifax definitely take a walk by to check out this lovely old working clock. It is significant landmark that is worth the visit :)
Written April 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia B
Melbourne, Australia52 contributions
Oct 2019
We saw this beautiful clock in the way to the military citadel. The taxi diver explained that it had survived the great explosion of 1917 and that it was meticulously maintained by clock experts.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CeEmDee
North Wales, UK187 contributions
Oct 2019
Imposing building on a hill top. Worth the walk up to it to get a closer look and at the landscape/oceanscape beyond
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Micki R
Edmonton, Canada79 contributions
May 2013
Walking around the clock on the hill or just sitting on the grass watching Halifax below is a great way to relax in the summer.
Written May 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dan j
Port Coquitlam, Canada724 contributions
Jun 2023
As you leave the Citadel you can't miss the Old Town Clock, it's on the path down the hill from the Citadel.
Written June 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,548 contributions
Jun 2022
East of Citadel, Old Town Clock was construct in 1803. Almost 220 years, how time flies! It was commissioned in 1800 by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. The Duke was then commander-in-chief of all British North America military personnel and decided to resolve the local garrison’s tardiness. The irregular octagon-shaped 3-story clock tower rests in the middle of a 1-story rectangular building. There are four clocks, each facing a cardinal direction. Notice the Roman numerals. Although 4 should be depicted as IV, clockmakers long ago, for aesthetic purposes, used the incorrect IIII. Eye yi yi! A 13-foot pendulum is an impressive mechanical feature.
Try to imagine when this was constructed. It must have been the most prominent feature in the city, much as exceedingly tall steeples dominate small New England towns. Tall buildings now surround the area somewhat diminishing the architectural and practical features. My rating is based on what it was, the purpose it served, and that Halifax chose to preserve the structure.
Try to imagine when this was constructed. It must have been the most prominent feature in the city, much as exceedingly tall steeples dominate small New England towns. Tall buildings now surround the area somewhat diminishing the architectural and practical features. My rating is based on what it was, the purpose it served, and that Halifax chose to preserve the structure.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tammyBaltimore_Md
Baltimore, MD2,294 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Sits right below the Citadel, recently remodeled, looks much nicer, always great views from the top of the hills that it sits on, unfortunately you can't go inside.
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,350 contributions
Sep 2019
Prince Edward was a stickler for punctuality and ordered the clock built so that there would no longer be excuses for the tardiness of his troops. He was the Commander-in-Chief of all military forces in British North America, so in 1803 a clock was installed.
It keeps pretty accurate time (there may be a 5-minute wiggle-in-time here and there) but the only time it really stopped (outside of repairs) was when Halifax Harbor exploded in 1917. That was a very dark time in Halifax history.
The clock is wound twice a week by professional clock people who are able to balance the pulleys, gears, weights, etc. It's easily seen from the lower part of the city.
It keeps pretty accurate time (there may be a 5-minute wiggle-in-time here and there) but the only time it really stopped (outside of repairs) was when Halifax Harbor exploded in 1917. That was a very dark time in Halifax history.
The clock is wound twice a week by professional clock people who are able to balance the pulleys, gears, weights, etc. It's easily seen from the lower part of the city.
Written September 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad D
Drayton Valley, Canada19 contributions
Aug 2019
Unfortunately, the clock was under renovations when we arrived. It looked to be a wonderful historic feature and it was unfortunate that it was closed.
Written August 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GordHill
Bradford West Gwillimbury, Canada59 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
When you go to visit the Halifax Citadel, you will see the old clock tower directly below. You cannot miss seeing it as you come out of the Citadel and should definitely drop by.
Written June 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingOld Town Clock - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Town Clock
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Old Town Clock:
- Half-Day Historical Tour of Halifax (From $131.73)
- Historic Halifax by Foot (From $26.35)
- Halifax Churches, Gardens & Graveyards: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour (From $5.26)
- Halifax Boardwalk & Seaport: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour (From $5.26)
- Halifax Self-Guided Audio Tour (From $6.00)
- Hotels near Old Town Clock:
- (0.07 mi) Prince George Hotel
- (0.11 mi) The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax
- (0.18 mi) Cambridge Suites - Halifax
- (0.18 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Halifax Downtown
- (0.23 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Halifax-Downtown, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Restaurants near Old Town Clock:
- (0.08 mi) Gio
- (0.07 mi) The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Halifax
- (0.11 mi) The Wooden Monkey
- (0.13 mi) The Auction House
- (0.10 mi) Chop Steakhouse & Bar
Old Town Clock Information
Excellent Reviews | 99 |
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Very Good Reviews | 136 |
Old Town Clock Photos | 159 |