Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Tourism

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Tourism

Cape Breton is an island off the Atlantic coast that is part of the province of Nova Scotia. In addition to spectacular coastal views, you'll find a vibrant culture shaped by the traditions and heritage of the Mi'kmaq, Acadian and Gaelic peoples who have shared this land for hundreds of years.

Explore beautiful beaches, the magnificent Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and quaint coastal villages. During your Matitimes road trip, you will have many opportunities to enjoy freshly caught seafood by local fishermen. Lobster season begins in early May.

INVERNESS BEACH

Inverness Municipal Beach is the perfect family beach with warm, shallow water and beautiful soft sand. It's also a great place to stop and admire the view!

Stroll along the 1.5 km boardwalk and soak up the sea air while taking in the beautiful views of the ocean and golf course. Make sure to grab some ice cream in the cafeteria.

Beaches are watched in July and August. Parking is available just down the road.

CABOT TRACK

The Cabot Trail is at the top of the list of things to do in Nova Scotia. With sharp bends, steep sea cliffs, beautiful beaches and brightly colored landscapes, this 300 km scenic road is one of the most beautiful in the world.

A third of the Cabot Trail traverses Cape Breton Highlands National Park and for beautiful views, it is one of the most visited areas in Canada. Its striking beauty will leave you breathless. Take time to relax and enjoy the many beautiful sights and attractions along your way.

Heading to Cape Breton

Most travelers to Cape Breton arrive via Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia. If flying into Halifax International Airport, you can rent a car and drive three hours to Cape Breton Island. Access to the island is via the Causeway, which is a short bridge from mainland Nova Scotia to the island of Cape Breton.

Sydney, a city on the southeast side of the island, also has a small airport.

Cape Breton Weather and Climate / When to Visit

The most popular times to visit are July, August and September; however, spring and late fall still see tourist activity - especially the week in October when the Celtic Color Festival takes place.

The weather can be unpredictable at any time and it is best to pack clothing that can be layered and suitable for different conditions. It can also change quickly; one of the Cape Bretoners joked to me that it was possible to experience four seasons in one day. Summers tend to be hot and humid, but fog, strong winds and cold weather are also common. Fall is a wonderful time to visit for the fall foliage, which is bright and broad, especially along the Cabot Trail. Spring and winter are less popular, and thus offer tourists the potential for budget travel. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Tourism

Cape Breton Highlights

Cape Breton has more than just the Cabot Trail and Louisbourg to offer visitors; however, the two are perhaps the most famous. Nature lovers can watch whales and explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Foodies can enjoy fresh seafood such as lobster and crab and other local dishes. Music lovers will be surprised by the high quality of entertainment even in the smallest of venues. There's also golf, shopping and more.

Cabot Line

Named for explorer John Cabot, the Cabot Trail meanders around the northern tip of Cape Breton island. A tough driver or cyclist starts and ends at many points on the circuit, but tourists usually do so in the town of Baddeck. The 300 km (185 mi.) long Cabot Trail is famous for the views that the Bay of St. Lawrence, the Atlantic Ocean and lush landscapes, especially spectacular in the fall. Cape Breton National Highlands Park is at the trail's northernmost point and where the trail reaches its highest elevation. The trail takes several hours to drive, but tourists usually spend a day or two, stopping in a town or two along the way.

Accommodation in Cape Breton

The only hotel chain in Cape Breton is in Sydney, which, outside of Halifax, is Nova Scotia's only other city: nowhere else is considered a town or village. So, visitors mostly stay in Bed and Breakfast or local hotels, mostly small to medium sized and privately run. Some accommodations may strike you as being on the rustic side and you may find the plumbing clunky or the walls thin, but generally the charm of the owners will let you overlook the flaws. Visitors will also find elegant resorts, such as the Keltic Lodge

Eat at Cape Breton

If you like lobster, you can eat it morning, noon and night in Cape Breton. McDonalds even serves the McLobster sandwich, which is the original chilled lobster sandwich. Other local favorites include crab cakes, seafood chowder (try Glenora Distillery's), and oatmeal cookies for breakfast or tea. Try Nova Scotia wines, such as L'Acadie with dinner.

Cape Breton Events and Festivals

Cape Breton's biggest festival is the Celtic Colors Festival where people gather to play music and enjoy Celtic culture and autumn leaves.

Lopsterpalooza is a month-long seafood and lobster extravaganza along the Cabot Trail.

The Stan Rogers Festival, also known as Stanfest, celebrates Maritime-loving musicians with a lineup of folk, rock, Celtic, and other musical acts. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Tourism