Must-see attractions in Cape Breton Island

  • Exterior of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in the town of Baddeck at the start of the Cabot Trail, Bras dOr Lakes, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Bell was a famous inventer who among many other things invented the telephone.

    Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

    Cape Breton Island

    Telecommunications pioneer and inventor Alexander Graham Bell fell in love with Bras d'Or during a family holiday – apparently the hilly scenery reminded…

  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park

    Cape Breton Island

    One of Atlantic Canada's most famous and spectacular national parks, Cape Breton Highlands occupies 20% of the Cape Breton Island landmass. It's…

  • Glenora Inn & Distillery

    Cape Breton Island

    The first distillery in North America (and the only one in Canada) to make single-malt whisky, this renowned producer claims to take its secrets straight…

  • Cape Breton Miners' Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    Coal mining played a central role in the development of this part of Nova Scotia, so you shouldn't pass up the chance to venture into a disused mine in…

  • Les Trois Pignons

    Cape Breton Island

    This excellent museum explains how rug hooking went from home-based activity to international business. Artifacts illustrate early life and artisanship in…

  • Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

    Cape Breton Island

    This well-run center is one of the region's best places to experience Celtic music. The main exhibit room explores the origins and styles of the local…

  • Membertou Heritage Park

    Cape Breton Island

    This First Nations reserve has an interesting visitor center where you can learn about Mi'kmaw culture, and workshops (from $25) where you can try your…

  • Cabots Landing Provincial Park

    Cape Breton Island

    Stop in this wonderful provincial park, 10km north of the Cabot Trail en route to Bay St Lawrence, to enjoy Aspy Bay and its spectacular beach.

  • Highland Village Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake, this living-history museum explores the region's Gaelic heritage. Costumed Scots demonstrate the day…

  • Gampo Abbey

    Cape Breton Island

    This abbey, 8km north of Pleasant Bay past the village of Red River, is a monastery for followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Ane Pema Chödrön is the founding…

  • Ingonish Beach

    Cape Breton Island

    Ingonish's long, wide strip of sand is sheltered in a bay surrounded by green hills. It's a popular spot for some shore time in summer, even though the…

  • Louisbourg Lighthouse

    Cape Breton Island

    Canada's first lighthouse was built on this wild, rugged and extremely scenic site in 1734. The present lighthouse, a handsome concrete structure, was…

  • Jost Heritage House

    Cape Breton Island

    In Sydney's North End, well-preserved Jost House belonged to merchant Samuel Sparrow. It has a modest collection of artifacts and furniture illustrating…

  • Le Centre de la Mi-Carême

    Cape Breton Island

    Mi-Carême, celebrated in the middle of Lent, is Chéticamp's answer to Mardi Gras. Locals wear masks and disguises, and visit houses in a bid to get people…

  • Cossit House

    Cape Breton Island

    Built in 1787, Cossit House is the oldest residence in Sydney and one of the oldest surviving buildings in Nova Scotia. It was the home of Reverend Ranna…

  • Inverness County Centre for the Arts

    Cape Breton Island

    Inverness County Centre for the Arts is a beautiful establishment with several galleries and an upmarket gift shop featuring works by local and regional…

  • Meat Cove

    Cape Breton Island

    This small crescent of sand is pretty much as far north as you can get in Nova Scotia. The name is believed to derive from the beach's popularity as a…

  • Whale Interpretive Centre

    Cape Breton Island

    Get some background on cetaceans at this modest visitor center, which has illustrations of 16 whale species, and a life-size model of a pilot whale…

  • St Patrick's Church Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    Built in 1828 in Pioneer Gothic style, St Patrick's is the oldest Catholic church on Cape Breton Island and now houses a museum recounting Sydney's…

  • Église St Pierre

    Cape Breton Island

    The unique and photogenic 1893 Église St Pierre dominates the town with its silver spire and colorful frescoes.

  • Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre

    Cape Breton Island

    Just south of Baddeck, Wagmatcook First Nation (www.wagmatcook.com) is composed of two Mi'kmaq communities. You can learn a little more about them at this…

  • Great Hall of the Clans Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    At the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts, about 20km north of Baddeck, this museum traces Celtic history from ancient times to the Highland…

  • Margaree Salmon Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    This small village museum explores the history of fishing in the Margaree Valley, with a collection of rods, reels, flies and vintage photos.

  • Margaree Fish Hatchery

    Cape Breton Island

    This fish-rearing facility keeps the Margaree Valley stocked with salmon and trout; you can learn about the process and feed the fish.

  • Inverness Miners' Museum

    Cape Breton Island

    In the old train station just back from the beach, the Inverness Miners' Museum presents local mining history.

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