Tag: Restaurants

We did not stay at the Garrison House, but we did enjoy brunch there. The house itself is fascinating as it’s a restored heritage property, right across the street from Fort Anne, which, not surprisingly, had a garrison of soldiers throughout history.  If you were to stay there, you’d be in walking distance of everything in Annapolis Royal. Our brunch was great.  You choose something like French Toast, and then they bring a plate of toast, bacon, sausages and others that people like me really enjoy, because I live with vegetarians. For more information:  garrisonhouseinn.ca Where to Stay in Annapolis […]

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The people of Annapolis Royal sure know what they’re doing about baked goods.  It was the first morning and I was fairly jet-lagged and breakfast was at Arch & Po Bakery.  We were on a weekday and despite it being lunch time for locales, it was not too busy.  The baked goods taste as good as they look.  You go to the counter to order and self-serve coffee.  I had their breakfast croissant.  My wife had an almond croissant and a maple scone that were best in class. Because everything in Annapolis Royal feels like you are in an antique […]

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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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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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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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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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The city of Sydney is often referred to as the unofficial capital of Cape Breton Island.  Much of the island’s population lives in and around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality which includes Sydney and much of the smaller towns and villages in Industrial Cape Breton.  It is also the place that most incoming visitors will experience first and it is worth the extra time to spend a day visiting the many attractions that are located in the city. There is a couple of museums in the downtown area of Sydney including St. Patrick’s Church and Cossit House in the North […]

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One of the highlights of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the town of Ingonish.  Ingonish may be small but there are many things to do in every season. The most popular attraction in the village is the long, sandy beach of Ingonish Beach.  In the summer months, hundreds of people gather on the beach to swim and spend the day relaxing in the sun.  A freshwater lake suitable for swimming in located nearby and a walking trail surrounds that entire lake. Ingonish is home to a number of other beaches including Black Brook and North Bay Beach.  There […]

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Cape Breton Island Overview Just a little bit east off the Coast of mainland Nova Scotia in eastern Canada is the tiny island of Cape Breton. While the island belongs to the province of Nova Scotia and is a part of Canada, it is nothing like any other place in the country … or in the world for that matter. It is hard to know where to begin in telling you what the island has to offer because there is so much. The culture, the history, the scenery, the beaches, the hiking, the food, the nightlife! One can travel to […]

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