Cape Breton Island is a beautiful island at the northern tip of Nova Scotia. While Cape Breton is a part of Nova Scotia, it has its own culture and history. This island is home to many fun, interesting experiences. Here are just 24 ways for you to discover Cape Breton.
1. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Travel back in time to the 1700’s and see the French soldiers march down the streets and local artisans’ work hard to make items. Play 300-year-old games, walk through the town and watch how life was like in the past. There are always interesting activities going on at the Fortress of Louisbourg.
Price: Adult: $17.60, Senior: $14.95, Youth: Free
Hours: January 2, 2019 to May 19, 2019, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4 pm
May 20, 2019 to September 2, 2019, Daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
September 3, 2019 to December 31, 2019, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4 pm
Address: 259 Park Service Rd, Louisbourg
Website
2. LeNoir Forge Museum – Blacksmithing Experience
In one of the oldest stone buildings on Cape Breton is the LeNoir Forge Museum. Learn about the traditional art of the blacksmithing. The Blacksmithing Experience is held on Thursdays in July and August. You will even get to forge a piece to take home.
Price: Adult: $65, Youth (under 15): $30, materials are included
Hours: July 3, 2019 to August 30, 2019, Thursdays from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Address: 708 Veterans Memorial Drive, Arichat
Website
3. Sydney Mines Heritage Museum and Cape Breton Fossil Centre
Sydney Mines has a vast history and played a huge role in the Island’s growth. The museum is in a 1905’s restored train station and is home to artifacts from the town’s coal mining era. You will see one of the largest Carboniferous Plan Fossil collections in North America when you visit the Cape Breton Fossil Centre.
Price: Adult: $8, Senior: $7, Children (under 12): $5, Family (4 to 6 people, max 2 adults): $20
Hours: May 29, 2019 to September 8, 2019, Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: 159 Legatto Street, Sydney Mines
Website
4. Groovy Goat Farm & Soap Company
Located along the Cabot Trail, just outside of Ingonish is the Groovy Goat Farm & Soap Company. When you visit the farm, you can meet the friendly goats who produce the milk for the soap. You can also take the self-guided farm tour and check out their new barn.
Price: Varies
Address: 36028 Cabot Trail, Ingonish
Website
5. Highland Village Museum/ Baile Nan Gaidheal
Visit North America’s only living history museum for Gaelic language and culture. The Highland Village Museum has breathtaking views of the Barramens Strait and has buildings from the 1830’s to 1900’s. Take part in a traditional ceilidh, learn some Gaelic phrases and see traditional skills demonstrated.
Price: Adult: $11, Senior: $9, Child (6-17): $5, Child (5 & under): Free, $25 Family (max 2 adults): $25
Hours: April 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019. Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
June 1, 2019 to October 20, 2019. 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 4119 NS 223, Victoria
Website
6. Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Take a rare glimpse into the life of the world-famous inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, who is credited with inventing and patenting the first telephone. This National Historic Site pulls back the curtains on all of his interests and inventions, from airplanes and kites, to artificial respirations to deaf education.
Price: Adult: $7.80, Senior: $6.55, Youth: Free
Hours: May 17, 2019 to October 30, 2019. Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: 559 Chebucto St, Baddeck
Website
7. Seagull Restaurant
Located on the Cabot Trail, the Seagull Restaurant has become a popular location for both locals and travelers alike. You can savor a delicious home-cooked meal while you enjoy amazing views of the ocean. The best views are on their deck.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Year Round, Sunday to Saturday from 12 pm to 8 pm
Address: 35963 Cabot Trail, Ingonish
Website
8. Centre for Craft & Design
Celebrate art and even make a craft of your own at the Centre for Craft & Design. The centre displays the work of over 70 Cape Breton artisans. You can even take a piece of art home because there are pieces available for purchase.
Price: Varies depending on item purchased
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday: Closed
Address: 322 Charlotte St, Sydney
Website
9. Ziplining Experience
Get a bird’s eye view of Cape Breton by going zip lining with Mountain Pine Adventures. You can zip around the forest and see breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains on the two 500ft cables. Mountain Pine Adventure also hosts gourmet adventure tours if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground.
Price: Single: (Age 10 to 65) $35 per person, Group of 5 or more people: $30 per person
Hours: Year Round, Sunday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Address: 30001 Cabot Trail, Dingwall
Website
10. Kiju’s Restaurant
Kiju’s Restaurant is one of Sydney’s top 10 restaurants and is located in the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. The menu is made from local ingredients and is a gastronomical experience worth coming back for. While you are there, be sure to try their Award-Winning Coconut Cream Pie.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday & Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm
Address: 50 Maillard St, Membertou
Website
11. Dixon’s Zodiac Seafire Whale & Coastal Tours
On the northeast corner of Cape Breton Island is the quaint fishing village of Neil’s Harbour, which is just two minutes off the Cabot Trail. Explore the Atlantic Ocean on the Seafire Whale & Coastal Tours which is a 1 ½ hour journey. On the tours, you may spot Minke Whales, Humpbacks, Fin Whales, Pilot Whales, Porpoises, Dolphins and much more.
Price: Varies depending on tour and number of people
Hours: Daily at 10 am, 12:30 pm, 3 pm, and 5:30 pm
Address: 36 Lighthouse Road, Neil’s Harbour
Website
12. Cape Breton Lobster Adventure Tours
Cape Breton Lobster Adventure Tours has 3 different tours you can choose from: Lobster Tours, Scenic & Feed the Eagles Tour, and Fishing Tours. Each tour will offer you a different experience where you can take pictures and enjoy the wonderful views of Cape Breton.
Price: Varies depending on tour/number of people, check website
Hours: Flexible days/times, contact business
Address: 2 Jones Street, Baddeck
Website
13. Lone Shieling Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The Lone Shieling Trail is located in the Grande Anse Valley, which is one of the largest old growth hardwood forests with over 350-year-old maple trees. Along the trail is a replica of a Scottish crofter’s hut, which is a ‘must visit’ during the summer. The trail is 0.6km long or around a 15-minute hike.
Price: Adult: $7.80, Senior: $6.80, Youth: Free
Family/Group (Up to 7 people in one vehicle): $15.70, Commercial Group, per person: $6.80
Hours: May to October, with full services in July and August.
Spring hours: 9 am to 5 pm, Summer hours: 8:30 am to 7 pm, Fall hours: 9 am to 5 pm.
Address: Cabot Trail at the Base of North Mountain
Website
14. Skyline Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The Skyline Trail has some of the most iconic views of Cape Breton and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail follows the cliffs that will take you around the rugged coast. The trail is looped and takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. It is suitable for all skill levels.
Price: Adult: $7.80, Senior: $ 6.80, Youth: Free
Family/Group (Up to 7 people in one vehicle): $15.70, Commercial Group, per person: $6.80
Hours: May to October, with full services in July and August.
Spring hours: 9 am to 5 pm, Summer hours: 8:30 am to 7 pm, Fall hours: 9 am to 5 pm.
Address: On the Cabot Trail at the top of French Mountain
Website
15. Whycocomagh Provincial Park
Whycocomagh Provincial Park is located on a steep hillside that overlooks the Bras d’Or Lakes and the Skye River Valley. It has a series of 3 well-marked hiking trails that are approximately 5 km / 3 miles total. These trails lead to five Salt Mountain look-offs that have breathtaking views of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Whycocomagh was actually Nova Scotia’s first provincial park.
Price: Hiking is free
Hours: June 7, 2019 to October 21, 2019
Address: 87 Provincial Park Rd, Whycocomagh
Website
16. Centre de la Mi-Carême
Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent), one of the oldest Acadian traditions, is a celebration involving masks and disguises. The Centre de la Mi-Carême has a unique display of locally crafted masks and interactive exhibits that depict the evolution of “La Mi-Carême”. Visitors can learn more about this celebration by watching a series of short theatre pieces at the Centre.
Price: Adult (17 to 64): $5, Senior: (65+): $4, Student: $4, Child (5 and under): Free,
Family (2 adults, 2/3 children): $12
Hours: June 3, 2019 to Sept. 1, 2019. Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
September 2, 2019 to October 18, 2019. Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 51 Old Cabot Trail, Grand Etang, Cabot Trail
Website
17. Les Trois Pignons
Les Trois Pignons is a museum that combines the story of the Acadian’s settlement in the area with that of the evolution of hooked rugs. It also houses the Museum of the Hooked Rug and Home Life, an Acadian, cultural, genealogical and visitor information centre. Guided tours are available with bilingual staff members and visitors can watch rug hooking demonstrations by local craftspeople.
Price: Adult: $7, Senior: $5, Students: $5, Child (5 and under): Free
Hours: mid-May to mid-October from 8:30 am to 5 pm, 6:30 pm in July & August
Address: 15584 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp, Cabot Trail
Website
18. Two Rivers Wildlife Park
Two Rivers Wildlife Park is situated on over 500 acres where you can see many native Nova Scotian wildlife in a natural setting, including white-tailed deer, black bears, cougars, and wolves. The park also has a spectacular view of the Mira and Salmon Rivers. When you are at the park, you can also go to the petting zoo, playground or go swimming, hiking, or even a wagon ride.
Price: Adult: $8, Senior (55+): $6, Youth (3-17): $6, Child (2 & under) – Free
Hours: June 10, 2019 to September 5, 2019. Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Off Season – Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 4581 Grand Mira North Road, Huntington, Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro
Website
19. Cape Breton’s Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Cape Breton’s Celtic Music Interpretive Centre is a unique establishment that is designed to preserve, promote, and share Cape Breton’s traditional Celtic music and unique culture. Visitors can enjoy live music demonstrations, fiddle, and piano workshops, an interactive exhibit room, and gift shop. The Ceilidh Pub has great food and live music during their daily lunch ceilidhs. They also have Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon ceilidhs.
Price: Varies depending on activity, check website
Hours: June 11, 2019 to October 14, 2019, hours vary, check website
Address: 5471 Highway 19, Judique, Ceilidh Trail
Website
20. Whale Interpretive Centre
If you plan to go whale watching while you are in Cape Breton, the Whale Interpretive Centre is a ‘must’ visit place where you can learn about these amazing creatures. The centre also has a life-size model of ‘Hook’, the pilot whale, suspended above a saltwater livestock tank that contains live creatures found in the whale’s environment.
Price: Adult: $5, Senior/Student: $4, Family: $16
Hours: June 1, 2019 to October 15, 2019.
Address: 104 Harbour Rd, Pleasant Bay, Cabot Trail
Website
21. Cape Breton Farmers’ Market
The Cape Breton Farmers’ Market is the largest market of its kind serving producers and customers in Cape Breton. It has approximately 50 full-time vendors and many more seasonal and casual vendors that include farmers, bakers, cooks, herbalists, apiarists, wood-workers, jewelers, crafters, and much more.
Price: Varies depending on items purchased
Hours: Year-round, Saturday from 8:30 am to 1 pm
Address: 15 Falmouth St, Downtown Sydney
Website
22. Cape Smokey Provincial Park
If you want to see spectacular coastal views while you are traveling in Cape Breton, be sure to stop at Cape Smokey Provincial Park that is located at the top of Smokey Mountain on the Cabot Trail. You can also hike 10 km (6.2 mi) return trail to get more exciting views and photo opportunities of the beautiful coastline. The trail takes approximately four hours to hike and it also has rest stops.
Price: Adult: $7.80, Senior: $ 6.80, Youth: Free
Family/Group (Up to 7 people in one vehicle): $15.70, Commercial Group, per person: $6.80
Hours: May 17, 2019 to October 14, 2019.
Address: 40301 Cabot Trail, Cape Smokey, Cabot Trail
Website
23. Donelda’s Bird Island Puffin Tours
This is the Cabot Trail’s only Bird Island boat tour that goes to the nesting grounds of the Atlantic Puffin where you are guaranteed to see the Puffins. You may also see grey seals on the rocks, other seabirds, and possibly even bald eagles.
Price: Adults: Charge – $52, Cash – $48, Senior: Charge – $50, Cash – $46
Youth 7-12: Charge -$22, Cash – $19, Children (6 & under): Free, Taxes and gratuities are extra
Hours: May 6, 2019 to September 15, 2019, times vary – check the website
Address: 1099 Highway 312, Englishtown
Website
24. Big Spruce Brewing
If you are a craft beer lover, then a visit to Big Spruce Brewing is a ‘must do’ activity for you. They are Atlantic Canada’s only organic, on-farm craft brewery and hop yard that brews only unfiltered and unpasteurised beer. They also have gourmet food truck featuring local, sustainable cuisine and live music on their screened-in patio from Thursday to Sunday, May to October.
Price: Varies depending on items purchased
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Address: 64 Yankee Line Road, Nyanza, Cabot Trail
Website