Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

This museum is a hidden gem. The tour is filled with stories about immigration to Canada from the immigrants themselves and the exhibits include some of the things they brought with them. After the tour we stopped in to the archives and found information about our families and their immigration stories. Wonderful!

I've enjoyed my time here. The staff members are friendly, the 22-min documentary is touching and inspiring, and the view of the water and lighthouse is beautiful. I've spent times reading the stories from people who've made the extremely brave decision to come to Canada, and also the messages from their family and friends. The stories really moved me. I hope everyone and their loved ones get to pursue and live the lives they deserved.🧡

The Missus and I along with our Maritimes travelling group found the museum very informative and educational as we were first and second generation Canadians.

The museum is spread over two floors covering the immigration into Canada of peoples from throughout the world starting from the 1800's and to date. The exhibits were well displayed with artifacts, photographs and digital presentations. On the first floor, there was a resource centre that can trace your ancestor's history entering into Canada prior to 1935. We were able to find information relating to a grandfather. It was a very humbling feeling to be standing in the same building where people with difficult backgrounds in their homelands who immigrated to Canada to start a new life.

There is an admission fee along with guided tours for those who wish. Highly recommend for a learning experience.

This museum moved me. As someone who immigrated to Canada as a boy, the exhibits reminded me of how I felt moving to a strange, new land where I had to learn a new language.

For me, this museum offers an honest view of the immigrant experience in Canada. You will hear stories of immigrants like me who see Canada as a beacon of hope, while also learning about some dark chapters in Canada’s history that were filled with racism. Intertwined with these tales, you can experience what it was like to cross the ocean by sea to reach Canada, and then for those heading further west to travel by train.

It's definitely worth a visit if you want to learn more about Canada’s immigration history.

Canadian Museum of Immigration is truly a unique museum that shows the history of Immigration in the country from the 18th century to the current era. There are two main halls on the second floor. One hall is where you can explore on your own, and in the other hall, a guide will take you through the place, and very good insight is given on different aspects of the Immigration process. The best part of my visit was the tour given to our group by Nadia. She very well integrated her own personal story during the tour and kept everyone in the group engaged.

Whether you are an immigrant yourself or not, this museum has a lot to offer about the history of what has made Canada what it is today. Don't forget to watch the film after the tour.

I learned about the British war (WW2 Canadian soldier romances with British girls) brides from Canada's perspective. How imigration has been from different regions at different time. Most harrowing was the story of the M.S. St. Louis cruise ship Jewish immigrants sent back to Europe, and thier death by Nazism.

This place and now a museum is Canada's version of the iconic Ellis Island in NY.

Canada is a cultural mosaic, a wonderful tapestry of different races that all live together in our great Nation.

Aside from the people of the First Nations, we are all immigrants to Canada. And we or our parents and grandparents have a story to tell or a memory to cherish when he first set foot in our adopted homeland. I definitely do.

Please visit this museum to hear the echoes of the people who have traveled from distant lands to make Canada their home and to cherish their memories. Because their stories deserve to be heard and remembered. This is what makes our country special.

When you finished here. Then you can drop by Pier 23 next door for their farmers market etc.

Peace

There's a cafe on the ground floor beside where you buy the admission. And there's a gift shop as well. The admission was about $15 for adults.

There's a movie theater and there's a guided tour on the second floor. The movie has English and in French being spoken and subtitles. There are 2 tour guides: an English one, and a French one. The tour guide is knowledgeable and informative. The "In Canada" documentary was good.

There is history of all sorts of immigrants that went through Pier 21. There's information about the immigrants throughout the history of Canada.

When we went, they had a Chinese immigration exhibition. And there was a Indigenous exhibition beside it.

The museum was good to learn about Canada's history of immigration and how the government handled things. Come here to learn more about Canada's history.

Informative and novel exhibits. Loved the movie almost for teary eyed. Enjoyed the free tours and review of canadian history formed with immigration. Wish we had more time.

There is a lot of information and displace throughout the museum. The guided tour was good. Very enjoyed my 2+ hours visit.

Visiting Pier 21 is worth every visit. The ticket prices are reasonable. Every half hour there is a guided tour for 30 minutes in English and French. You should definitely take this tour. Afterwards there is a short film about immigrants to Canada.
The museum is very lovingly designed. For children there are various activities.

An interesting place with a huge number of historical artifacts. Each exhibit has proof and explanation. Lots of multimedia screens for self-study of the exhibition. The premises are clean, spacious, with soft lighting, plenty of seating. Guided exhibitions are held at certain hours. There are places where you can leave outerwear. Most of the exhibits can be interacted with. A wonderful place that keeps the history of Canadian immigrants. I advise you to visit.

Such a unique place for so many whose families saw Pier 21 as their first view of Canada. The staff at the resource center were able to find my father's landing card from 1923 after only 5-10 min. They are unbelievable.

As an immigrant, I had to go here. The museum is wonderfully curated and beautifully designed. At first, when I went to one hall, I thought it was just about European immigrants. But the other hall is where the history of immigration from all parts of the world was located and it did not disappoint. I wish it wasn't separated and I wanted more content on Indigenous relations.

Take your time and also spend time at the video stations. The museum has a good mix of items, showcases, and interactive elements. I felt enriched and fulfilled after visiting.

Stopped here while visiting the farmers market next door. They give yours every hour in French or English. I don’t typically enjoy guided tours, preferring to explore on my own but decided to give it a shot. The tour guide was extremely well versed in the history of Pier 21 and kept the tour interactive. Very well done. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn about Canada and how immigration shaped the country.

I was suprised how good this museum was. It was very honest in celebrating immigration in Canada but also highlighting some of the prejudices at the time. My favourite part was looking at some of the items from the ships and trains that brought new immigrants to Canada.

There were people in front of us who had a personal connection to the location (their parents landed here). I can see that having special meaning.

There is a lot of reading. A consideration when deciding to bring kids.

Incredible and interesting to see how so many people traversed such hardships to get here. Humbling to stand in the exact same spot as they first stepped on Canadian soil.

Excellent museum. I learned so much about the history of Canada and the various immigrant experiences, past and present. Was able to trace down the history of my husbands grandparents and their journey to Canada during the war with help of a real life in person human being - such a treat. Would highly recommend.

One of my favorite places in all of Nova Scotia. Less than an hour drive from Halifax. We were in port for a cruise rented a care and drive to Peggy’s Cove and the surrounding area. So charming. The lighthouse is one of the most dramatic. However the Cove area is my favorite.

Located right in the heart of Halifax with parking just across the street.As the name suggests it's on Pier 21 - Pier 22 is just next to it and if you are lucky will get to see those big cruise ships docked. Yes we saw one of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships docked there.
Now back to Pier 21 - it is more pertinent to immigrants who have come to Canada via Pier 21.
Downstairs a room is dedicated to the famous photographer Yousuf Karsh - he has taken pictures of all famous people over the years. Needless to say they are beautiful photos.
Then you go up and are transported back in time - shows you how people traveled back then and the conditions they endured to reach here.
It was amazing the way it was set up - seeing is believing and you get the feeling that you are frozen in that time.
At the far end of the room is a wall of gratitude and happiness.
People over the years have scribbled things and hung it up.
Paper and a pen is provided and you can write whatever you like.
Then on the other side of the hall is another room which is beautifully done.
It shows Canada over the years and all the different communities and people that have formed it.
Hats of to the person who thought of this idea - for those who have no idea what it was like back then.
If you are ever in Halifax pay them a visit - family of 4 cost 35 dollars to get it.