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Cape Breton Island

Rugged, wooded and genuinely wild, the northwestern region of Nova Scotia almost feels like a province apart. Famous for its circuitous coastal road, the 297km-long Cabot Trail, which dips and dives round the edge of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it's a dream destination for road-trippers, and figures pretty high on everyone's must-see list – so expect traffic jams aplenty in summer. The best time to visit is in fall, when the area's roads are quieter and the forests light up with color.

Beyond the borders of the national park, Cape Breton has a rich Celtic and Acadian heritage, so you'll almost certainly hear live music wafting out from many pubs and bars, especially during the Celtic Colours festival in October. Also well worth visiting is the historic fort at Louisbourg, arguably the most evocative fort in all of Nova Scotia.

Explore Cape Breton Island

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Cape Breton Island.

  • National Park

    Cape Breton Highlands National Park

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

  • Distillery

    Glenora Inn & Distillery

    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…

  • Museum

    Cape Breton Miners' Museum

    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…

  • Museum

    Les Trois Pignons

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

  • Museum

    Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

    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…

  • Cultural Center

    Membertou Heritage Park

    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…

  • State Park

    Cabots Landing Provincial Park

    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.

  • Museum

    Highland Village Museum

    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…

  • Monastery

    Gampo Abbey

    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…

  • Beach

    Ingonish Beach

    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…

  • Lighthouse

    Louisbourg Lighthouse

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

  • Historic Building

    Jost Heritage House

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

  • Museum

    Le Centre de la Mi-Carême

    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…

  • Historic Building

    Cossit House

    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…

  • Cultural Center

    Inverness County Centre for the Arts

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

  • Beach

    Meat Cove

    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…

  • Museum

    Whale Interpretive Centre

    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…

  • Historic Building

    St Patrick's Church Museum

    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…