Making the most of Sydney Cape Breton Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Sydney’s cruise terminal is downtown.
Make sure to photograph the World’s Largest Fiddle on the dockside.
Bring a printable map with you.
Sydney’s garrison church when the town was founded was St. George's Anglican Church. Nearby, Cossit House was built in 1787 and is probably Sydney’s oldest house. Cape Breton's first Anglican Minister and St. George's Church’s first rector, the Rev. Rana Cossit, lived there. Its period furnishings follow an inventory of Cossit's estate from 1815.
The waterfront-parallel Esplanade has plaques and monuments that commemorate some famous people and events from the city.
Across from Government Wharf on the Esplanade stands the old stone St. Patrick's Church Museum. The island’s oldest standing Roman Catholic Church, built in 1828, now holds early Sydney artifacts and begins guided historic-north-end walking tours.
The Cape Breton center for Science and Heritage is a museum with changing exhibits and a museum shop selling local-interest books, jewelry and souvenirs. Jost House, a 200 year old building, traces the evolution of a Sydney wooden dwelling house. It has special displays on local marine artifacts and an apothecary shop, plus an authentic bake-oven and cooking fireplace.
In Whitney Pier, all three churches open for regular services. The richly decorated Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church, east of Montreal’s only one of its kind, has Byzantine-style holy pictures, scrollwork and icons. St. Mary's Parish Church has a white gothic pulpit carrying Poland's eagle national symbol. St. Phillips, originally founded by West Indians settling in Cape Breton, is Canada’s only African Orthodox Church.
Getting around
Sydney is very small and easy to walk, but reaching sites further out needs a tour, taxi or rental car.
Cross Seal Island Bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway to Boularderie Island and you enter Cape Breton’s 'Northside'. Bras d'Or has picnic sites, swimming areas and many campgrounds. Route 223 follows St. Andrew's Channel’s shore towards Georges River and Barachois harbor, with several stores, restaurants and service stations.
Nearby places
Beside Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Louisbourg has magnificent seascapes, beaches and a beautiful island as well as this historic treasure. As taxis can be in short supply when you dock, reserve one in advance or choose the ship's tour, particularly for larger groups.
Food and shopping
A 10-15% restaurant tip is considered normal. Bell hops, cab drivers, concierges, hotel attendants, hairdressers and room cleaners usually receive tips too, and savvy drinkers tip bar staff.
Money
The currency is the Canadian dollar.
Most ATMs, found in airports, malls, grocery stores and elsewhere, connect to international networks, notably Star, Cirrus, Maestro and Plus. A major credit card can provide ATM cash, but the method tends to be more expensive because interest is charged immediately alongside a service fee.
Staying connected
Canada’s main languages are English 59.3% and French 23.2%, both official; other languages are 17.5%. New Brunswick and Quebec are the most "French", while the rest of the country is English speaking.