Sydney

Sydney, Nova Scotia, combines the city’s history and culture with waterfront experiences. The waterfront is home to a world’s-largest fiddle and offers several ways to explore local crafts, regional offerings and harbour activity. Visitors planning a stay can discover different sides of the city, from museums and theatre to a stroll along the water and the Saturday market.

History and Theatre in Sydney

Cossit House is one of the oldest surviving houses in Sydney. On a guided tour, visitors learn about the daily lives of parents and children in the time of the Cossit family. This offers a glimpse into domestic life in that era and adds a personal perspective on the city’s history to a visit to its museums and cultural venues.

The Highland Arts Theatre also shapes the cultural scene: Located in downtown Sydney, it offers a professional theatre presence year-round. It has a particular focus on artists, stories and songs from Cape Breton. The venue was formerly St. Andrew’s Church. Visitors interested in theatre and regional storytelling traditions can find a different way to connect with Cape Breton here than at a historical exhibition.

St. Patrick’s Church serves as a museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of Sydney and Cape Breton Island. The Sydney Museum offers an interactive look at the history and culture of Sydney and its surroundings. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives: one focuses on the cultural heritage of Sydney and Cape Breton Island, while the other explores the history and culture of the city and its surrounding area.

Waterfront, Crafts and Harbour

The waterfront is considered the heart of the city. It is home to the world’s-largest fiddle, erected in recognition of Cape Breton’s musical talent. It makes a striking impression by the water while also highlighting a theme that features at the Highland Arts Theatre: the region’s music and stories.

Shop the Fiddle brings together 18 unique shops and vendors on Sydney’s waterfront. Along the adjoining promenade, visitors can discover crafts, antiques, local specialties, food and souvenirs. Those who prefer to spend time outdoors can stroll along Sydney’s waterfront and watch ships in the harbour. This makes it easy to plan a browse of local goods and time at the harbour as two different experiences during a stay.

The Gallery Shop at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design features works by more than 90 Cape Breton craftspeople. The centre also hosts exhibitions and various craft workshops throughout the year. For visitors with a particular interest in design and crafts, it offers another cultural highlight alongside a tour of the shops.

Market and Planning Your Stay

The Sydney Public Market’s Saturday market is located on Charlotte Street in downtown Sydney. It offers produce from local farmers and food producers, as well as goods from craftspeople, newcomers to Canada who run businesses, and independent businesses. Live music and international food are also part of the market. Saturday is therefore a useful point to consider when planning your trip: visitors who want to experience the market can plan their stay around that day of the week.

When choosing a vacation rental in Sydney, consider which experiences are most important to your trip: the city’s history, theatre and museums, crafts and food, or walks with views of ships in the harbour. These interests can help guide your choice of destination without any single visit having to replace all the others. For more ideas of places to visit, you can also explore Membertou, North Sydney, Big Pond, Gabarus, French Road, Cape Breton, Port Morien and Bras D'or.

For the overview of the wider region: Cape Breton County.