Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax (must see)

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is the nation's premiere museum of immigration. It rests on Pier 21 as the pier is the last remaining ocean immigration shed in the country.

The museum was founded in 1999 by the Pier 21 Society. The goal was to celebrate the 1.5 million immigrants who pass through the pier on the way to their new homes in Canada. The Canadian government first worked as a partner with the Pier 21 Society, and then began fully operating the museum in 2011.

Permanent exhibitions in the museum include the Pier 21 Story, which shows the immigration process. It is a hands-on display that allows visitors to walk through replica train cars. Another permanent exhibit is the Canadian Immigration Hall, which has oral histories and an immigration map.

The museum also features a number of temporary exhibits, memorials and tributes to community members and cultural groups.