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101 Things to do This Fall on Cape Breton Island

Story by: Team Destination Cape Breton

As the crisp autumn air settles over Cape Breton Island, the landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of red, orange and gold. This season is the perfect time to explore the Island’s natural beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality. Cape Breton Island offers countless ways to enjoy the fall season. Our list of 101 things to do will inspire you to embrace the season and #FallForCapeBreton.

If You Love Culinary Experiences…

1. Take a Tour at Glenora Distillery

2. Experience the Cape Breton Farmers Market

3. Taste Your Way Around the Trail During the Cabot Trail Food Truck Rally

4. Dine Around at the Fortress of Louisbourg

5. Sample a Flight with a View at Big Spruce Brewing

6. Enjoy a Locally Crafted Beer at Breton Brewing

7. Indulge in Local Cider at Island Folk Cider House

8. Learn the Art of Truffle Making at Cabotto Chocolates

9. Embark on a Cape Breton Island Culinary Experience at Woodroad Restaurant

10. Experience Earth-to-Table Dining at GRÁ

11. Enjoy the Taste of Local at the Chanterelle Inn & Cottages

12. Visit a Culinary Gem by the Water at The Bras D’Or Lakes Inn

13. Unwind with Local Flavour at The Cellar Bar

14. Savour Autumn Flavours at The Brixton

15. Warm Up This Fall at La Goelette à Pépé Café

16. Sink your Teeth into a Burger during the CB Burger Bash

If You Love the Outdoors…

17. Watch the Stars on the Plateau

18. Discover Fall Beauty at Gypsum Mine Quarry

19. Chase Fall Colours at Beulach Ban Falls

20. Embark on a Fall Adventure with Cape Breton Backcountry Adventure

21. Explore the Cape Breton Highlands National Park

If You Love Hiking…

22. Take a Guided Hike with Live Life in Tents

23. Explore Gairloch Mountain Falls

24. Hike the Aspy Trail

25. Take a Sunset Hike of the Skyline Trail

26. Hike to the Waterfall at Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park

27. Hike the Cape Mabou Highlands

28. Discover Bats on a Nighttime Walk

29. Explore Fall Colours on Le Buttereau Trail

30. Wander Through Ancient Forests on the Lone Shieling Trail

31. Fall for the Views on Wilkie Sugarloaf

If You Love Adventure…

32. Shoot Arrows at Highland Bow & Arrow

33. Ride the Gondola for a New Perspective at Destination Cape Smokey

34. Zipline at Mountain Pine Adventures

35. Explore Cape Breton’s Rugged Landscapes on a Guided ATV Tour with TNT Outdoor Adventures

36. Book a Fall Glamping Experience

37. Rent EBikes and bike the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

If You Love Animals…

38. Explore Nature with Goat Walks at Twisted Roots Farm

39. Walk, Feed, Play, and Learn About Alpacas at Albert Bridge Alpacas

40. Groove with the Goats at the Groovy Goat

41. Visit the Wildlife at Two Rivers Wildlife Park

42. Dive Into Maritime History at the Whale Interpretive Centre

If You Love the Coast…

43. Discover the Restored Louisbourg Lighthouse

44. Drive the Cabot Trail

45. Kayak on the Bras d’Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

46. Go Surfing at Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park

47. Embark on a Whale Watching Adventure 

48. Take a Walk on Inverness Beach

49. Take a Scenic Drive Around the Bras d’Or Lake

50. Set Sail on a Scenic Boat Tour

51. Take a Guided Kayak Tour with North River Kayaks

52. Cast a Line on a Deep Sea Fishing Charter

53. Go Salmon Fishing on the Margaree

54. Go for a Paddle at the Mira River Provincial Park

If You Love Golf…

55. Experience Authentic Links Golf at Cabot Links

56. Experience Coastal Golf at Cabot Cliffs Golf Course

57. Tee Off Amidst the Fall Foliage at Cape Breton Highland Links

58. Golf Through History at Bell Bay Golf Club

59. Discover Dramatic Elevations at The Lakes at Ben Eoin Golf Club & Resort

60. Embark on a Sunrise Golf Adventure at Dundee Resort & Golf Club

61. Experience Golf and Culture at Le Portage Golf Club

62. Golf Under the Lights at The Nest

If You Love Live Music…

63. Dance the Night Away at a West Mabou Square Dance

64. Experience Traditional Cape Breton Music at The Red Shoe Pub

65. Attend a Lunchtime Ceilidh at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre

66. Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Highland Arts Theatre

67. Enjoy Live Music at the Doryman Pub & Grill

68. Take a Workshop at the Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College

69. Discover Acadian Music at École de musique RAVESTON

70. Enjoy a Musical Celebration of Rita MacNeil with a performance of Dear Rita at the Savoy Theatre

If You Love Fall Festivals…

71. Experience the 2024 Celtic Colours International Festival

72. Stomp Your Feet at Wednesday Ceilidhs at the Gaelic College

73. Make Memories at Blueberry Jam Harvest Series

74. Celebrate 30 Years of Cape Breton Alternative at Gobblefest

75. Get Spooky at the Sinister Soirée

76. Join the Cabot Trail Writers Festival

77. Experience Lumière Art-at-Night

If You Love Art…

78. Visit the William Hess Exhibition at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts

79. Indulge Your Creative Side on the Downtown Sydney Art Walk

80. Relax at Salty Roses and The Periwinkle Café

81. Explore Creativity at Customs House Artisan Incubator

82. Snap a Photo with the Big Fiddle & Visit the Shops in Sydney

83. Explore Local Art at Flying Kite Artisan Shop

84. Discover original art and wearable creations at Driftwood Gallery

85. Explore Wildfire Pottery

86. Discover Local Treasures at the Louisbourg Market

87. Create and Explore at the Unama’ki Cape Breton Island Centre for Craft and Design

If You Love Culture & Heritage…

88. Take a White Glove Tour at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

89. Experience Gaelic Culture at the Highland Village Museum/Baile nan Gàidheal

90. Explore the Legacy of Salmon Fishing at Margaree Salmon Museum

91. Uncover Prehistoric Cape Breton at the Cape Breton Fossil Centre

92. Discover Mi’kmaw Culture at Wagmatcook Cultural & Heritage Centre

93. Discover the Art of Rug Hooking at Les Trois Pignons

94. Immerse in Mi’kmaw Heritage at Eskasoni Cultural Journeys

95. Take a Stroll at the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site

96. Take a Lantern Walk Through Time

97. Discover Blacksmithing History at LeNoir Forge Museum

98. Experience a Day in the Life of a Coal Miner at the Cape Breton Miners Museum

99. Learn About Mi’kmaw Culture at the Membertou Heritage Park

100. Step Back in Time at Cossit House Museum

101. Experience Acadian Culture at Centre de la Mi-Carême

Cape Breton Island offers a rich blend of natural beauty, culture and adventure, making it a perfect destination for a fall getaway that is tailored to your specific interests.

Team Destination Cape Breton 3

Team Destination Cape Breton

Our team at Destination Cape Breton is always exploring our beautiful Island. We love discovering our hidden gems, working with partners, and putting our Island on the pedestal it deserves!

Locals Know

Set against a spectacular kaleidoscope of fall colours, a world of seasonal experiences and packages awaits you, whether it’s a helicopter tour along the coast or taking a trip back in time at Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site.