Posts by: Andrea MacEachern

North Sydney is a small town located about twenty minutes from the city of Sydney.  The town is known mostly for being The Gateway to Newfoundland because the ferry terminal that houses the ferries that go back and forth between the two provinces is located in the town.  It is also known for being in a scenic area overlooking Sydney Harbour and for having plenty of things for visitors to do. The downtown area of North Sydney is full of restaurants, fast food joints and boutique shops.  The scenic waterfront area makes for a great place to take a break […]

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There is a song about it and there are countless stories about summer days and nights spent there.  I’m talking about The Mira River and the surrounding area known simply as The Mira.  Although the area consists of forest and countryside, a small year-round population and countless summer homes, Mira is only a mere twenty minutes or so from the city of Sydney in Industrial Cape Breton. Mira is mostly known for The Mira River upon which locals and tourists alike spend summer days swimming, boating and barbecuing along the banks.  Evenings are spent around bonfires along the river or […]

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The small village of Orangedale may have gained much fame with Celtic music lovers who are familiar with the song The Orangedale Whistle by the Rankin Family but not many people know where it is located or that it is even located in Nova Scotia.  Well, it is in fact located in Nova Scotia almost right in the center of Cape Breton Island. The roads leading to Orangedale are distinctly rural; mostly gravel roads through thick forest with the odd stream or field thrown in the mix.  In “Downtown” Orangedale, old buildings line the main street and this is where […]

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Louisbourg is probably the most visited town on Cape Breton Island because that is where a famous, reconstructed French fortress lies at the end of town.  The reconstructed version of The Fortress of Louisbourg is only a very small fraction of the original fortress that stood in the 18th century but it is still big enough to require at least an entire day to see the whole thing!  There are guides in period costume and you can choose to avail of one of these guides for a guided tour or you can explore the fortress on your own.  The grounds […]

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High up in the Highlands of Cape Breton is a place so remote, most people who have lived on the island have never heard of it.  The ones who have heard of it don’t believe there is such a place.  I’ve been to this mystical place and I can confirm that it does, in fact, exist. Cape Clear Look-off can be found by turning off the 105 Trans Canada and heading towards Margaree until you reach the turn-off towards Hunter’s Mountain.  This gravel road keeps going upward into the highlands of Cape Breton – quite literally on top of the […]

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I often call the Southern part of Cape Breton the neglected part of the island.  Isle Madame, L’Ardoise, Grand River and Framboise are just some of the small villages located in this part of the island that few people think to visit.  I’m not sure why that is; the area is vastly different from other parts of the island but the rugged and serene beauty rivals anywhere else in Cape Breton.  Framboise is most popular with locals as a fishing and hunting destination but it is also a great place to spend the day if you love being, quite literally, […]

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Port Morien is located just outside the town of Glace Bay in the industrial part of the island.  Once a thriving fishing and coal mining town, it is now a quiet place where many Cape Bretoners come to retire after spending their working years in the oil fields of western Canada. The best way to get to Port Morien is via the scenic route – from Glace Bay, along Tower Road and through the village of Donkin.  Along the way, it is well worth it to stop at Big Glace Bay Beach and take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic […]

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When it comes to hiking trails in Cape Breton, there is certainly no shortage of trails of varying lengths and levels all over the island.  However, there is one trail that many people neglect because it is a bit off the beaten track and somewhat hard to find.  North River Falls are located deep in the woods of central Cape Breton not far from St. Anne’s Bay.  Not many people go to the falls because not many people will take the 19-kilometre return hike into them.  For those who have done the hike, they know it is well worth it. […]

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Along the Cabot Trail between Cheticamp and Ingonish is the small and scenic village of Pleasant Bay.  The village is surrounded by mountains and ocean which is why, I assume, it received it’s name – the area is quite pleasant! Pleasant Bay is a popular stopping area along the trail because there are a number of restaurants and gift shops in the village.  The Rusty Anchor is a popular restaurant serving up all sorts of popular local fare.  Cardinal Points Gift Shop and Mountain View Gift Shop are great places to find some unique and local souvenirs.  Folk Art Enthusiasts […]

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Mabou is a small village in Western Cape Breton, not far from the town of Inverness.  The village is surrounded by rolling hills and forest and the ocean not very far away.  Mabou is mostly known across North America for being the hometown of the famed musical group, The Rankin Family.  The main street in the town is lined with little shops and restaurants including the famous Red Shoe Pub which is actually owned and operated by several members of The Rankins.  Live entertainment by well-known and emerging artists, delicious homemade meals and desserts, friendly staff and a down-home atmosphere […]

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