Cape Breton Island 
Cape Breton almost feels like it is a world away from Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. You can reconnect with nature at the parks, beaches, and forests, or spend time learning about the unique people who call this beautiful island home.
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
You could easily spend the whole summer on the island and still have things left to see and experience. Here are the 25 ‘must do’ summer activities you should experience on this magical island.
1. Visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cape Breton Highlands Park is a must visit for any trip to Cape Breton. The main attraction is the Cabot Trail, which will take you around the beautiful park and the spectacular coastline. There are viewpoints along the Cabot Trail where you can stop and take in the breathtaking views. There are also stops that let you connect with nature, so take a break on one of the gorgeous beaches around the park.
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2. Walk the Bog Trail
The Bog Trail is a part of the Cape Breton Highlands Provincial Park. Keep your feet dry by walking on the boardwalk as you explore the bog. From the trail, you can spot frogs, dragonflies, pitcher plants, and even giant moose. The trail is a 0.5km loop that is a fun nature walk and the signage helps you appreciate the fascinating plants growing in this unique setting.
3. Get Ice Cream at Neil’s Harbour Lighthouse – Neil’s Harbour
The Neil’s Harbour Lighthouse is also an ice cream parlour. Along with the lighthouse, there is also a wrap-around patio that overlooks the coastline. It is worth the detour to enjoy delicious ice cream along with a breathtaking view of the harbour.
4. Fortress of Louisbourg – Louisbourg
An exciting adventure awaits you at the Fortress of Louisbourg, where you can travel back in time to the 18th century at this living history museum. During the summer, you can feel the ground shake when the cannons are being fired. You can also learn how to fire a replica musket or just spend the day exploring the fortress.
5. Baddeck Lobster Suppers – Baddeck
6. Cape Breton Miners Museum – Glace Bay
Learn what it was like to be a miner in the 1800s to 1900s at the Cape Breton Miners Museum. Along with the museum, there is also the Miners Village to visit, and you can head underground with the mine tour. Only during the summer, you can attend a ‘Men of the Deeps’ concert.
7. Hike the Skyline Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The Skyline Trail has some of the best views of the Cabot Trail and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The hike can be challenging at times, but the views are definitely worth the effort. You can spot whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and it is common to spot moose and bears from the trail.
8. Whale Interpretive Centre – Pleasant Bay
Whales can be spotted around Cape Breton, and you can learn about this magnificent creature at the Whale Interpretive Centre. This Interpretive Centre has various exhibits and interactive media presentations about the 16 species of whales that may be spotted in the waters around Cape Breton. You should also be sure to view the life-size model of a pilot whale and the saltwater livestock tank.
9. See a Show at Savoy Theatre – Glace Bay
Enjoy a live show at a Victorian-style theatre. The Savoy Theatre seats 761 people. Along with live stage performances, they also have dinner theatre performances and host other events. Over 30,000 people attend performances at this theatre every year.
10. Cape Breton Lobster Adventure Tours – Baddeck
Head out to the open sea to spot seabirds and do some deep-sea fishing on one of the Cape Breton Lobster Adventure Tours. The deck of the boat is a great place to take photos and relax while trying your hand at fishing. You can even feed the eagles.
11. Black Brook Beach – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
12. Big Spruce Brewing – Nyanza
Visit the only organic, on-farm craft brewery in Atlantic Canada. Big Spruce Brewing features a screened-in tasting patio with a gorgeous view of Nyanza Bay. They also feature a local food truck and live music on-site three nights a week. So, grab a flight of beer, take a seat on the patio with your friends and get ready for a fun time.
13. Ride Cape Smokey Gondola – Ingonish
Visit Cape Smokey for breathtaking ocean views and Cape Breton Highlands National Park from its gondola. At its summit, enjoy the unique sights of Ingonish, the Keltic Lodge, and the vast ocean.
Credit: Cape Smokey
14. Hike the Lone Shieling Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The Lone Shieling Trail gets its name from the replica of a Scottish crofter’s hut that is found near the start of the trail. Along with learning why the hut is there, you should take the 15-minute hike. You can spot moose in the forest of 350-year-old sugar maple trees. This is one of the most protected areas of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, so public access is restricted to only the trail.
15. Go Camping with Live Life in Tents – Margaree Forks
Live Life in Tents makes it easy to go camping wherever and whenever you want. They offer rental equipment and can create customized camping adventures that meet your unique needs. Their unique services make them the ultimate one-stop shop for outdoor adventures in Cape Breton!
16. Highland Village Museum – Iona
This is the best place to learn about the Gaelic culture and language. The High Village Museum will take you back in time to the 1830s-1900s. The village allows you to take part in a traditional ceilidh, where you will surely become captivated by the spirit of the staff in their period costumes. There is always something happening around the museum that you can take part in.
17. Eileanan Brèagha Vineyards – River Denys
If you are a wine lover, you should be sure to visit Cape Breton’s first and only estate winery. Eileanan Brèagha Vineyards are located on a 200-acre former homestead on Mable Mountain. The vineyards have a fantastic view of the Bras D’Or Lake. You can visit the tasting room to try the wines or to pick up a bottle to take with you.
18. Parks Canada Interpretive Programs
Join Parks Canada programs at Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Activities range from beach strolls and stargazing to storytelling and Acadian evenings. Programs like Bat Walk, Skyline Sunset Hike, and Lantern Walk invite exploration at all times of day and night.
19. Galloping Cows Fine Foods – Port Hood
Galloping Cows Fine Foods is where you can find handcrafted preserves, jams, and jellies, along with maple syrup and sauces in fiddle-shaped bottles. It is a wonderful place to visit, especially if you’re looking for tasty souvenirs of your trip to Cape Breton.
20. Lunch Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Centre
Experience the Lunch Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Centre, offered at the Ceilidh Pub, seven days a week from June to the middle of October. You can enjoy authentic live Celtic music while dining on some of Nova Scotia’s favourite dishes and tasty desserts.
21. KitchenFest – Cape Breton
Enjoy this annual celebration of Cape Breton-based Gaelic music, and gain up-close-and-personal insight into this distinct and vibrant living culture, bringing the kitchen-ceilidh feel to the forefront. The festival takes place at 35+ venues across the Island.
22. Dominion Beach Provincial Park – Dominion
Dominion Beach Provincial Park is home to 1.5 km of sandy beach that you can relax on, or you can go swimming in the ocean. It is a popular beach destination during the summer, as it is located just 5 km from Sydney. During low tide, there are sand bars for you to explore and beachcomb on.
23. Ben Eoin Provincial Park – Bras D’Or Lakes
This small, secluded park is an old farm near the hardwood forest. Much of the park is undeveloped and this contributes to regional biodiversity by providing habitat for uncommon plants. There is a lookout with a view of the East Bay at the top of the hill in Ben Eoin Provincial Park. There are picnic tables at the edge of the fields, so you should pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park.
24. Drive the Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail is world-renowned and a ‘must drive’ at least once. This stretch of highway will take you up mountains and down into valleys. You can drive the Cabot Trail in one day, but most people take their time and make many stops along the way. Therefore, plan to spend several days on the trail to have a truly memorable experience.
25. Meat Cove Campground – Capstick
You should plan to camp at the northernmost tip of Cape Breton at the Meat Cove Campground. There are 30 campsites available, each equipped with a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. There are also beautiful cabins for rent, if roughing it isn’t your thing. You can swim, kayak, hike the trails or just reconnect with nature at this beautiful location.
I love that Rita’s Tea room is on here. Unfortunately, it is no longer operating.
You may want to check these places…Rita’s tea room is closed permanently.
I have most of these and have camped in Meat Cove very cool place. Like they mention the night sky at black Brook beach i had forgotten there were that many stars in the sky.