What to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia?

[KruiseT]

We'll be in Sydney on Friday, Oct. 1 from 8-5. We'd rather not take a shore tour. What can we do and see on our own? Is there any kind of shuttle or public transporation system we could use? How could we get to the Fortress of Louisbourg on our own?

[maryann ns]

To get to Louisbourg you could rent a car or hire a taxi. I have read here that there will be taxis at the port. You can walk around downtown Sydney from the port.

 

However, the main attractions for this port are outside the town and there is no public transport to them. Why not go to the roll call for your particular cruise and find others who want to go to Louisbourg? You will save money by booking a van.

[alabama ghost]

Just make sure that Louisbourg is open! I believe last year they closed for the season sometime in late September. Check it out.

[maryann ns]

Louisbourg is open after Oct. 15 but not with animators (people dressed in costume of the times describing their lives.)

 

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/index.aspx

[Host Caroline]

One thing to consider as well with Louisbourg in fall is fog... we were there late Sept. a couple of years ago - the animators were no longer there and the fog was so thick you could hardly see anything until you were right up on it.. and this was not the case in Sydney so just might be a consideration b4 you head out there? I'd love to go back in mid-summer to see it again as it is a wonderful historic landmark.

[travelbig]

http://www.downtownsydney.ca

This site has a lot of info about Sydney including an interactive map which you can find the dock. Look for the large fiddle on the map. Not much to do here in town. There are a couple of historic churches in the neighborhood across from the pier but not much to the town. Since you don't want a tour, rent a car to see the countryside.

Budget car rental,will pickup at the pier if called ahead. Their number in Sydney is 902-564-2611

[Smack664]

To get to the Fortress you would need to rent a car, it would probably cost $40 each way for a cab and there is no public transportation to Louisbourg. There are options of the Miners Museum in Glace Bay (about 20 minutes away from port), Baddeck has the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and sailing tours although I don't know when they stop doing those for the season. A scenic tour towards Margaree or Ingonish might be an option if that's what you like to do. There isn't much locally though.

[rsquare]

For those who enjoy restored houses, there are two within about two blocks of the dock on Charlotte Street. If your time is limited, go to the Cossit house, which is a better restoration; Joost house is across the street and a few houses up. Both date to the late 18th century.

 

Also, there are typically a number of cabs waiting outside the cruise terminal which offer tours to Louisburg, Baddeck (where there is an interesting Alexander Graham Bell museum) and the Scottish Highland Village. There is a written pricelist, so you needn't bargain with the cabbie. We enjoyed our trip to Baddeck, which included a stop by a lighthouse just outside Sydney.