Make it Memorable for your Delegates

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design

A must see during your delegates visit to our Island is the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in downtown Sydney. The stunning Gallery Shop contains the work of over 70 Cape Breton artisans. Hundreds of unique and one-of-a-kind items are on display. In addition, this modern Charlotte Street facility houses four world class craft studios specializing in pottery, jewellery, metal and textiles. Customized group workshops are available from 7-15 participants which are generally 3.5 hours in duration and available for all ages. Allow 1 hour. Pre-arranged workshops 3.5-4 hours.

Cape Breton Miners’ Museum

Situated on one of the most picturesque coasts of Cape Breton Island, on a 15-acre site filled with wild roses and grasses, the Museum pays tribute to the region’s long and rich history of coal mining. It is home to profound stories of miners and their families, and the resource that helped build a nation. The Museum is also home to the famous choir of miners – The Men of the Deeps. While visiting, don’t miss an underground tour of the Ocean Deeps Colliery, a coal mine located beneath the museum building. Retired coal miners are your guides for this excursion underground, and promise to entertain and inform you in a custom that has become treasured by visitors all over the world.

Beggar’s Banquet

Join your hosts for a tantalizing evening of lobster and crab, storytelling and Louisbourg tales. This unique 18th century style event features fresh seafood, entertainment and lots of good fun! Choose to dress in 18th century costume for the full Beggar’s Banquet experience. Based on the historical tradition of holding a secret banquet for the poor, is unlike any other dining experience. Although the meal and traditional setting are representative of what beggars had to endure in 1745, you are assured a feast fit for a king. Immerse yourself in the area’s history and culture and learn of the French colonial settlement’s fisheries and trade industries, as well as its society and culture.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada

On Cape Breton’s rocky shoreline, east of Sydney, Nova Scotia, the Fortress of Louisbourg brings you back into one of North America’s busiest 18th-century seaports. Founded by the French in 1713, it fell under siege twice to the British before being demolished in the 1760s. Reconstruction began in the 1960s, rebuilding one quarter of the original French town and fortifications. Today, the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg is the largest – and best – of its kind in North America, offering a wealth of experiences for visitors to enjoy.

Hiking/Scenic Touring

Enjoy hiking and exploring the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a region known for its spectacular highlands and ocean scenery. Steep cliffs and deep river canyons carve into a forested plateau bordering the Atlantic Ocean. One third of the Cabot Trail, a world-famous scenic highway, runs through the national park along the coasts and over the highlands. The cool, maritime climate and rugged landscape permit a unique blend of Acadian, Boreal and Taiga habitats, including old-growth forests of international importance.

Golfing in Cape Breton

Cape Breton is an internationally acclaimed hot-bed of golf, offering opportunities for customized golf tournaments, stay and play packages and the chance to network with colleagues and associates on some of the top courses in the world.
Cabot Links and Cabot Cliff: Canada’s only true links course, when Cabot Links opened, it almost immediately made Cape Breton the golf destination of choice in Canada. Cabot Cliff has surpassed its sister course and is No 1 in Canada (SCOREGolf Magaazine), The Links No 3.
Highlands Links: The course has garnered accolades a-plenty as Stanley Thompson’s one of kind design, including earning Canada’s No. 5 spot from the SCOREGolf Magazine.
Bell Bay: This Thomas McBroom masterpiece has incredible views from virtually every hole.
Le Portage: This course offers breath taking views of the Cheticamp highlands.

Membertou Heritage Park

This state of the art five acre heritage facility honors the culture and spirituality of the Mi’kmaq people of Membertou First Nation. The park provides both indoor and outdoor educational and interactive exhibit and program areas which fully immerse the visitor into a celebration of Membertou’s exclusive and ancient traditions. Experienced interpretive guides and respected community elders are available to provide customized tours, personalized workshops and presentations upon request. Visitation will be of interest for all ages. Allow 1:00- 3:00 hours. The park is within walking distance from the Hampton Inn and Membertou Trade and Convention Centre and less than 10 minute drive from most Sydney area hotels. Individual and or group visits welcome.

Sydney’s Historic North End

Sydney’ s rich colonial past comes alive in four museums throughout the north end district, Cossit House, Jost House , St. Patrick’s Church and the Centre for Heritage and Science. Sydney’s north end skirts The Esplanade along Sydney Harbour and lower Charlotte and George Streets. Each museum offers individual visitation opportunities and The Old Sydney Society offer pre-arranged guided walking tours for your group of delegates. Hours of operation may vary with the season for each building. Allow 1-3 hours.

Sydney Mines Heritage Museum and Fossil Centre

Visit this one of a kind and explore over 350 million-year-old natural artifacts that formed the Sydney Coal Fields. The Sydney Mines fossil forest site rivals even Joggins here in Nova Scotia. This educational hands-on experience includes over 1300 plant fossils some pre-dating the dinosaur period. Interpretive field trips with the museum curator are available upon request in consideration of weather and tidal conditions. Allow 1 hour, prearranged field trip 3-4 hours.