Sydney Highlights and Coastal Drive

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Named by "Travel & Leisure" magazine as "The #1 Best Island to Visit in the Continental United States and Canada," Cape Breton Island boasts a rugged shoreline, rolling hills, and miles of unspoiled beauty and is the only place in North America where Gaelic is still spoken. As the island's largest town, Sydney has a rich and colorful history as a home to the Mi'kmaq people when French settlers arrived in 1604, and later as a British colony, a major Canadian seaport, and a port of entry for the 50,000 Scottish immigrants who arrived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Your transportation will travel by many of Sydney's treasured buildings dating back to the early 1700's, including beautifully restored colonial homes that line the quiet tree lined streets of Wentworth Park and Whitney Avenue. You'll continue on through the centuries-old industrial section of coal mining plants and steel mills. Your first stop is the Whitney Pier Historical Museum. Built around a steel plant and housed in a former Jewish synagogue, the museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy and culture of the 55 different ethnic groups that settled here and made Sydney their home. Enjoy complimentary tea and oatcakes as you view the photographs, newspaper clippings, and artifacts that reflect the area's diverse, rich culture.

Next you'll visit Fort Petrie Historical Site, home of Fort Petrie, one of seven fortifications that were used to protect Sydney Harbor during World Wars I and II. Today the two-story site includes two World War II gun emplacements and a museum in the observation post. Walk up to the viewing platform for panoramic views of Sydney Harbor and sea birds such as puffins, gannets, razorbills and bald eagles - yes, bald eagles. In fact, Cape Breton has the largest population of bald eagles on the east coast.

Continue to the First Nations community of Membertou, a modern-day blueprint for all aboriginal communities in North America. Return to the pier where you can end your tour with some shopping at the cruise terminal and visit the Interpretation Center and The Big Ceilidh Fiddle.

Special Notes:

A portion of the proceeds from this tour is donated directly back to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This tour may be operated in reverse order to avoid congestion at the sites.

Child Price:

12 & under reduced