As one of Canada's oldest municipalities and one of the country's most historically important seaports, Halifax has long prized its limited real estate, and in the downtown area, nothing is too far away by foot.

It's "the only city east of British Columbia to break the 10 per cent barrier on walking commuters to work," judge Chris Turner observes.
Locals are joined by legions of strolling visitors marvelling at the small city's bounty of parkland (82 square kilometres, the second- most in the country).

"A compact downtown with winding streets and charming historic buildings propped on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean make Halifax a pleasure to explore," says judge Gil Penalosa.

Neighbourhood Walk: Old Halifax

Start with coffee on a park bench watching the skateboarders on the Halifax Common. Criss-cross through the Halifax Citadel (a national historic site) to get to Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street and fuel up with some of the world's best fries from the Bud the Spud chip truck for lunch.

Then head down to the Historic Properties and end your day with a sunset beer on a patio along the wharf.

This story was originally published in the May 2010 issue of up! magazine as part of the Canada's Most Walkable Cities 2010 feature, profiling 10 of Canada’s most pedestrian-friendly urban centres. Take a look at more of Canada's Most Walkable Cities.