Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Region: Canada’s Musical Coast
Community: Judique
Experience the music and culture of Cape Breton Island at Nova Scotia’s Official Celtic Music Centre. Join us for great food, lively t...
Discover Vibrant Living Cultures on Cape Breton Island
When you travel to Cape Breton Island, you’re not only treated to beautiful seascape vistas, incredible hiking and amazing seafood, here you’ll also learn that Cape Breton Island is home to multiple, distinct cultures that enrich our Island. Explore our Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Gaelic cultures on this 5-day Island-wide itinerary.
Day 1
Sydney to Louisbourg – 35 km
Welcome to your first day exploring the Island and its cultures. Today you’ll venture to the 18th century at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site where you’ll learn how French settlers interacted and learned from the Mi’kmaq while trying to establish a colony in North America.
- Depart JA Douglas McCurdy Airport and drive to Louisbourg
- Have lunch at The Bothy or The Spoondrift Café in downtown Louisbourg
- Visit the Visitor Information Centre for the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
- Visit the Mi’kmaq Interpretive Centre onsite at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
- Enjoy supper at the restaurant on site and select a variety of meals that would’ve been available to the French in 18th-century Cape Breton
- Spend the night in Louisbourg
Day 2
Louisbourg to Eskasoni – 73 km
Continue learning about the Mi’kmaq people and their culture as you travel to Membertou and Eskasoni where you will experience the Membertou Heritage Park and Eskasoni’s Cultural Journeys.
- Depart Louisbourg and drive to Sydney
- Have breakfast at Selkie’s Neighbourhood Diner
- Visit the Membertou Heritage Park in Membertou
- Have lunch at Kiju’s
- Drive to Goat Island, Eskasoni to experience Eskasoni Cultural Journeys
- Drive to Iona and eat at Frolic’n Folk Pub
- Spend the night at Iona Heights Inn
Day 3
Iona to Arichat – 146 km
Learn about the Gaels and how they came to settle on Cape Breton Island as you journey through time at the Baile Nan Gael/The Highland Village. Next, drive along the scenic Bras d’Or Lake as your travel to the Acadian community of Arichat.
- Have breakfast at the Frolic’n Folk Pub
- Visit the Baile Nan Gael/The Highland Village
- Have lunch at the Wheelhouse Café
- Drive to Arichat
- Explore the Lenoir Forge Museum in Arichat
- Have supper at the Groundswell Pub and Guesthouse
- Spend the night at the Clairestone Inn
Day 4
Arichat to Mabou – 107 km
Continue to learn about the Gaels and how their musical culture began to shape Cape Breton Island’s, Inverness County, also known as ‘Canada’s Musical Coast‘.
- Depart Arichat
- Get some breakfast goodies and coffee at La Goélette à Pépé Café for the drive
- Travel to Judique’s Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, have lunch and take in a cèilidh
- Drive to Glenora Inn & Distillery and tour Canada’s first single malt whisky distillery
- Have supper at The Red Shoe Pub and take in some tunes
- Spend the night in Mabou
Day 5
Mabou to Chéticamp – 84 km
Continue along Canada’s Musical Coast and the Cabot Trail to Chéticamp to learn more about the Acadians and how they came to call Chéticamp home.
- Have breakfast at the Coal Miner’s Café in Inverness
- Drive north along Route 19 and the Cabot Trail
- Visit Centre de la Mi-Carême in Grand Etang
- Have lunch at Le Gabriel Restaurant and Lounge
- Visit Trois Pignon to learn about the Acadians in Chéticamp
- Enjoy supper at L’abri Restaurant and Bar
- Spend the night in Chéticamp
Cape Breton Island is a proud home to several distinct cultures each with their own unique history, customs and traditions.
Businesses Featured in Itinerary
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Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Region: Louisbourg Area
Community: Louisbourg
French follows below | Le français suit ci dessous A mighty adventure is waiting for you! Located 35 minutes from Sydney, and surrou...
Glenora Inn & Distillery
Region: Canada’s Musical Coast
Community: Inverness
The Glenora Inn and Distillery Resort is situated on a 200 acre site in Glenville, rich in the heritage of its Scottish culture and onl...
Highland Village Museum/Baile nan Gàidheal
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Iona & Area
Discover North America’s only living history museum for Gaelic language and culture when you visit Highland Village Museum | Baile nan Gà...
The Clairestone Inn
Region: Cape Breton’s South Coast
Community: Isle Madame
Experience sea level living on an island off an island at The Clairestone Inn: a newly renovated 17 room boutique hotel nestled in the quain...
Centre de la Mi-Carême
Regions: Canada’s Musical Coast, Cabot Trail
Community: Chéticamp & Area
Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent) is a celebration involving masks and disguises. The Centre de la Mi-Carême offers a unique display of locally crafted...
Coal Miner's Café
Region: Canada’s Musical Coast
Community: Inverness
The Coal Miner’s Café boasts a dining room with a proud, historic atmosphere and a delicious pub style menu. Sure to be a crowd pleaser t...
Eskasoni Cultural Journeys
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Eskasoni
Pjila’si! Nestled along the Bras d’Or Lakes in Cape Breton’s rolling heartlands – where the highlands meet the lowlands – th...
Iona Heights Inn
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Iona & Area
The Iona Heights Inn is centrally located on Cape Breton Island along Highway 223, with an amazing view of the beautiful Bras d’Or Lak...
Kiju’s Restaurant, Membertou Trade & Convention Centre
Region: Sydney and Area / Marconi Trail
Community: Membertou
Fresh. Local. Friendly. Indulge in a unique dining experience in Membertou! We are an urban Mi’kmaq community offering history, hos...
L'abri Café, Restaurant and Bar
Regions: Cabot Trail, Canada’s Musical Coast
Community: Chéticamp & Area
L’abri café, restaurant and bar is located along the Cabot Trail in Chéticamp, NS. We serve homemade food and fresh baked goods to...
La Goélette à Pépé Café
Region: Cape Breton’s South Coast
Community: Isle Madame
Join us at La Goélette à Pépé Café where quality coffees, expresso and loose teas are just the beginning. Choose from ‘the local’s ...
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