What to do in Sydney NS

We will be in Sydney on September 29, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Anyone have suggestions for a good way to spend the time?

I have read that the Cabot Trail is beautiful, but long and twisty.

Is the Alexander G Bell museum worth the trip there?

Any comments on Celebrity's Sydney excursions?

Thanks!

We went to the Fortress at Louisbourg and had a nice day.

 

https://markandkarencanadanewengland.shutterfly.com/pictures/99

We went to the Fortress at Louisbourg and had a nice day.

 

We went there also, and I want to return! It was great. We cruised in August last year, and we were able to experience the Fortress with all its costumed reenactors present. Here's a link to the Parks Canada Louisbourg site, particularly the Visitor Information page showing the Park's hours of operation and what you might expect to see when you go: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/visit/heures-hours.aspx

You will be in Sydney in what is called the shoulder season for Fortress Louisbourg. I have not been there at that time of year so cannot comment.

 

Here is a previous thread with some information for Sydney: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2241756

Sydney is a lovely little city but unfortunately I feel it's one of the quietest tourist cities. Charlottetown, Saint John and Halifax have more things to do. However make the most of your trip to Sydney by walking the waterfront and you could even visit the cole miners museum. My grandfather worked down in the mines for years.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g609110-d1539376-Reviews-Cape_Breton_Miners_Museum-Glace_Bay_Cape_Breton_Island_Nova_Scotia.html

Not to disparage Sydney, but we found it quite lacking for a cruise port. But that is the city itself, there are quite a few things to do if you get out of the city. Rent a car and go, but for the city itself, and no disrespect meant to our posters from Sydney, it just wasn't one of my favorite places.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Not to disparage Sydney, but we found it quite lacking for a cruise port. But that is the city itself, there are quite a few things to do if you get out of the city. Rent a car and go, but for the city itself, and no disrespect meant to our posters from Sydney, it just wasn't one of my favorite places.

 

Cheers

 

Len

 

No offence taken. My moms side of the family is all from Sydney and I live a 5 hour drive in Halifax. In the past 8 years I've gone to Sydney a total of TWO times.... There really is very little to do.

That being said, it's a lovely place to just relax, rent a car, and take things slow.

Not to disparage Sydney, but we found it quite lacking for a cruise port. But that is the city itself, there are quite a few things to do if you get out of the city. Rent a car and go, but for the city itself, and no disrespect meant to our posters from Sydney, it just wasn't one of my favorite places.

 

Cheers

 

Len

 

I agree. It was our least favorite port on our recent HAL Veendam cruise. If you go to Fortress Louisbourg, go in the afternoon. There are more of the costumed re-en actors, if that's your thing, in the afternoon.

Hi there

 

We too went to Fort Louisbourg, it was great. The problem is that you won't have enough time to see everything.

 

Rent a car, get going as soon as possible and enjoy.

 

have a great cruise

Cape Breton is famous for its scenic beauty. As mentioned above in the links I gave, you could (should) rent a car and get out to see it. You can do a partial Cabot Trail or a loop around the Bras D'Or Lake.

Suggestions for car rentals and are they close to the pier?

Thank you all for your help

We visited Baddeck and the Alexander G. Bell Museum a few years ago (not on a cruise) - it was very interesting and the scenery in the area was beautiful. Fortress of Louisbourg was great too.

 

This year we will be in Sydney on a cruise in October - if the weather is decent we're thinking of renting bikes and visiting the Breton Brewery. Hubby is a big fan of craft beer. If it's cold or wet we will rent a car and explore instead.

Nonna, See post #4 Also look here: http://canada411.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Car+Rental/Sydney+NS

Suggestions for car rentals and are they close to the pier?

Thank you all for your help

Budget came to the pier and took us to their office. On returning the car, they drove us back to the port. We will definitely use them again when we're in Sydney next May.

We hired a taxi and went to Baddeck and then to Louisbourg to see the lighthouse.

I thought the lighthouse was great with views of the rugged shoreline.

It's about a 50 min car ride from the port.

I doubt the lighthouse is on many ship shore excursions as it is off of some very narrow and winding roads.

There was more to do in Baddeck but I was interested in seeing lighthouses.

We also had lunch at the Lobster Kettle in Louisbourg.

 

 

We rented a car from Budget (they pick you up and return you) and drove to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum which we thoroughly enjoyed--much more than we expected. (Be sure to borrow some of their kites and act like a kid again!) After a couple hours there, we drove down to Little Narrows, took the ferry across and then took a very scenic drive back to Sydney along Route 223.

 

This trip requires an early start and does not allow for a sit-down lunch anywhere. (We ate a snack at the museum cafe.) It was well-worth it to us, but if that doesn't appeal to you, I'd go to the museum and then spend some time puttering around Baddeck. It looked like a nice town as we drove through.