Sydney, Canada
Cape Breton is fabled as a magical travel destination and the Port of Sydney is the gateway. Known for its beauty and unique Celtic music and culture, Sydney puts some of the Island's greatest sights and attractions at your fingertips when you disembark into the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.
The dockside pavilion offers an array of Shopping Boutiques, a Craft Market and the World's Largest Fiddle. You will also find wireless Internet services, a Visitor Information Centre, and the Cape Breton Island Exhibition Centre featuring artifacts, images and an overview of the rich culture and heritage of this historic Island. Or you can simply sit and savour our local seafood cuisine at the Range Light Cafe, or enjoy a glass of wine on our second level balcony.
The city of Sydney has a deep history and was originally founded in 1785 by British Loyalists fleeing the perils of the American Revolution. The rich natural resources led these new settlers to establish prosperous coal and steel industries, which attracted immigrants from a myriad of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. To this day, Sydney remains a haven of multiculturalism.
The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is just a short drive from the community of Baddeck and the breathtaking Bras d'Or Lake where Alexander Graham Bell lived, worked and studied. On the east coast of Cape Breton lies the largest historic reconstruction in North America, the Fortress of Louisbourg. The Fortress is a Parks Canada National Historic Site and is described as a Williamsburg-style attraction that is not to be missed.
Points of Interest
- Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
- Bras d'Or Lake
- Baddeck
- Celtic Heritage
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Highland Village & Museum
- Cabot Trail
- Fortress of Louisbourg
Spirited Sydney - A Historic Walking Tour
Join us on a spine-chilling ghost tour through the haunted streets of the Historic North End of Sydney.
Moderate Activity
$39.95
Sydney Old Town Walking Tour & Celtic Experience
- Celtic Heritage
Enjoy a leisurely guided walking tour of historic Sydney. See St. Patrick's Church Museum and the 225-year-old Jost House, once the home of a prominent merchant, and the Cossit House, Sydney's oldest home. You'll continue on tothe historic Bank of Montreal for tea and oatcakes before your stroll back to the ship.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$39.95
Celtic Heritage: Sounds of Cape Breton
- Celtic Heritage
Cape Breton is world renowned for the revival of Celtic music and the unique style of playing the fiddle. This presentation is in recognition of that musical heritage.
Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity, Includes snack
$69.95
Easy Sydney Highlights and Coastal Drive
Journey through historic Sydney past rows of beautifully restored colonial homes and the city's noted industrial community. Visit Whitney Pier Historical Museum for refreshments and learn about the area's unique history. Explore the grounds of Fort Petrie Historical Site, offering panoramic views of Sydney Harbor.
Easy Activity
$79.95
Highland Village and Museum & Gaelic Experience
- Bras d'Or Lake
- Highland Village & Museum
Take a picture-perfect drive through the heart of the Bras d'Or Lakes region of Cape Breton, then step back in time with a visit to the Highland Village, the only living history museum for Gaelic language and heritage in North America.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$89.95
Best of Cape Breton: Bell Museum, Baddeck & Bras d'Or Lake
- Bras d'Or Lake
- Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
- Baddeck
Visit the charming village of Baddeck on the shores of picturesque Bras d'Or Lakes in the heart of Cape Breton Island. En route to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, you'll pass Boularderie Island and its landmark Seal Island Bridge, and Kelly's Mountain on St. Ann's Bay.
Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity
$99.95
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
- Fortress of Louisbourg
Take a scenic ride through Cape Breton's verdant highlands and past the Mira River to the Fortress of Louisbourg, the largest reconstructed 18th century French fortified town in North America. Explore the site which until modern times lay untouched. when archaeologists began to reconstruct the fortress.
Moderate Activity
$99.95
Local Connections: Sydney Pub & Cider House Tour
Cheers! Embark on a festive walking tour, complete with city sights and local craft beverages.
Easy Activity
$99.95
Local Connections: Eskasoni Cultural Experience
Eskasoni First Nation is the largest Mi'kmaq community in the world with close ties to traditional culture and beliefs.
Immerse yourself into Mi'kmaq life with a guided tour along the Goat Island trail. Join a Mi'kmaq cultural interpreter, who will take you to visit several villages along the 1.5 mile route, each one offering a unique experience. Learn about our way of life and join in incredible experiential activities, indulge in a tradtional snack and shop for keepsakes.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$169.95
Road Trip Along the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Cabot Trail
Venture along the east coast of the awe-inspiring Cabot Trail, renowned as one of the world's most scenic drives. Admire the rugged headlands, sandy beaches and lush green valleys en route to Ingonish Beach, the gateway to the spectacular Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$179.95
Ultimate Cape Breton: Highland Village, Bell Museum & Baddeck
- Bras d'Or Lake
- Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
- Baddeck
- Highland Village & Museum
Spend the day exploring the breathtaking Bras d'Or Lakes region with an escorted tour of Highland Village, which celebrates Nova Scotia's Gaelic heritage. Stop for a complimentary lunch at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck, home of Alexander Graham Bell. Later enjoy a visit of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site and Museum for a special presentation and exploring the exhibits before spending some free time shopping or taking in Baddecks's panoramic views.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$199.95