The Strait Area eases into summer this week with a pair of community jam sessions at the Evergreen Seniors' Club — jam on Monday and again on Sunday, bookending a midweek open mic night at the Carriage House — open mic with host Rob Smith. Tuck in some coastal hiking and fresh seafood between the music and the week shapes up beautifully.
A weekly jam session where musicians of all levels can play together. Light lunch is included with the $5 entry fee. The group takes a summer break until Sept 8th.
Performance schedule: Every Sun at 2:00 p.m., May 17 – Jul 5 (9 performances)
Sun, May 17 · Sun, May 24 · Sun, May 31 · Sun, Jun 7 · Mon, Jun 8 · Sun, Jun 14 · Sun, Jun 21 · Sun, Jun 28 · Sun, Jul 5
Every Wednesday from 7–10 pm, the Carriage House in Port Hawkesbury welcomes local musicians and newcomers alike to its lively open mic night, hosted by Rob Smith. It's a relaxed, drop-in experience where singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists take the stage in a friendly lounge setting — a great way to catch authentic local talent in Cape Breton.
The Evergreen Jam Session with Duncan Gillis is a welcoming weekly musical gathering held at the Evergreen Seniors' Club in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, hosted by local musician Duncan Gillis every Sunday afternoon. The session runs at 2 pm each Sunday and is open to all, with a light lunch included for just $5 — making it a warm and affordable taste of community music-making on Cape Breton Island. Drop in, join the circle, and enjoy the easygoing East Coast spirit that makes these informal jam sessions a beloved part of Nova Scotia's musical culture.
jam ; @$ 5; light lunch included ; MC- Duncan Gillis. come and join in;
The week gets off to a musical start on Monday afternoon when the Evergreen Seniors' Club — jam fires up at 2:00 p.m. The session costs just $5 and includes a light lunch — the kind of unpretentious, community-rooted Cape Breton music experience that visitors often cite as a trip highlight. It's worth arriving a few minutes early to settle in and chat with the regulars.
With the first half of the week free for exploration, the Ceilidh Coastal Trail (part of Celtic Shores Coastal Trail) offers a 22-kilometre linear route from the Canso Canal to Long Point, passing natural surfaces, beach cobble, and hard-packed sections along the Northumberland shore. Cell service is available throughout, making it accessible for solo hikers as well as families. For a shorter outing with a payoff, the hike to Ghost Beach covers 7.5 kilometres return over crushed stone and natural surface trail, with interpretive signage along the way.
Wednesday evening brings live music back indoors: the Carriage House — open mic with host Rob Smith kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Open mics here draw a mix of seasoned local players and first-timers, and the relaxed format makes for an entertaining night whether one is performing or simply listening over a drink. Before the show, Miller's Seafood & Chophouse in Port Hawkesbury is a natural dinner stop, with fresh local seafood, steaks, and a summer patio that looks out over the Strait.
Thursday and Friday open up for further discovery around Isle Madame. Lennox Passage Provincial Park on the north shore of Isle Madame offers picnic tables and calm water views — an ideal spot for a packed lunch. Nearby, the Jerome Point Lighthouse is a piece of living coastal history, its wooden pyramidal tower first constructed in 1883. After a day of exploring the islands, Papa's Pub and Eatery in Port Hawkesbury offers Canadian cuisine with a modern touch, craft pizzas, and an extensive wine list in a welcoming room. Overnight guests will find comfortable lodging at Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury, a four-star property well positioned for day trips in all directions.
The week wraps on Sunday afternoon with the Evergreen Jam Session with Duncan Gillis — another $5 session with a light lunch at the Evergreen Seniors' Club, this time with Duncan Gillis as MC. It's the kind of afternoon that exemplifies the Strait Area's easy, music-first pace of life. Those staying a bit longer can arrange a cruise on the Bras d'Or with Bras d'Or Lake Boat Tours out of St. Peter's, taking in the UNESCO Biosphere lake from the water before heading home.
This 22-km trail runs from the Canso Canal to Chisholm's Brook along the eastern shore, with surfaces ranging from gravel to hard-packed beach. Cell service is available, and dogs are permitted on leash. The route passes through tide-washed sections, abandoned rail bed, and coastal views with interpretive panels about local history and culture.
A 7.5 km crushed stone and natural surface trail along the Strait of Canso with interpretive panels about the historic Inverness and Richmond Railway (1901-1980s). The narrow route between the causeway and water can feel exposed when wind and waves are heavy. Dogs are permitted off-leash.
Located on the North Shore of Isle Madame, this provincial park has a saltwater beach, picnic areas, and 2 km of walking trails. An operating lighthouse is open to visitors. Swimming, kayaking, and biking are available in summer; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible in winter, though the park is unserviced then and parking is at the gate only.
This square wooden lighthouse was built in 1883 and rebuilt in 1956 without its original attached dwelling. It marks the entrance to St. Peter's Canal National Historic Site, where tidal locks connect the Atlantic Ocean to Bras d'Or Lake. The lighthouse sits at Battery Provincial Park on Highway 4 near the St. Peter's swing bridge.
Casual dining with a professional touch. Adjoining Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury, Miller’s offers a casual relaxed atmosphere, with summertime patio dining. Our menu features a variety of local flavours. Start with a delicious seafood appetizer, such as our homemade seafood chowder or crab cakes. Then choose from the wide variety of dishes on our main menu – from steaks and ribs to salmon and mussels – or opt for the nightly feature, carefully chosen and prepared by our culinary team. Port Hawkesbury is a perfect base from which to start your Cape Breton vacation, and Miller’s offers meals for every taste along with the professional, friendly service you will come to expect in Nova Scotia.
4-star property in Port Hawkesbury with a guest rating of 4.2/10 (927 reviews).
Amenities include Wheelchair accessible, Conference space, Cross-country skiing nearby, Hiking/biking trails nearby, Breakfast available (surcharge), Laundry facilities, Garden, Free newspapers in lobby.
Bookable directly through CapeBretonFirst.
Our restaurant offers a unique dining experience that will leave your taste buds tantalized. Our cuisine is inspired by the best of both worlds – traditional Canadian dishes with a modern flare. Our cuisine is sure to leave you wanting more. Our chefs have crafted a unique menu that includes everything from Starters, Main Course to Dessert. Our wine list is extensive and includes both local and international wines. Our Papa’s Pub and Pizzeria is located in a beautiful town of Port Hawkesbury. Our wait staff is attentive and polite and our atmosphere is warm and inviting. We look forward to serving you and making your dining experience a memorable one.
Cruise the UNESCO-designated Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere from the historic St. Peter's Canal. A relaxed, narrated tour through one of the largest inland seas in North America, with eagles, seals, and history at every turn.
Dundee Resort & Golf Club is located in West Bay, Cape Breton Island where you are surrounded by rich forests, lush lawns, a championship golf course and the brilliant Bras d’Or Lakes. Spend the day golfing at our world-class course or visit our onsite Lakeside Adventure Centre and enjoy paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, tennis, volleyball and beach swimming. We are just a short drive from the legendary Cabot Trail and the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a preserved and recreated French fortification dating back 300 years. Our accommodations include 61 hotel rooms (Queen, King) with balcony (view of golf course or the Bras d’Or Lakes), some with fireplace or jacuzzi; 38 one- and two-bedroom cottage units (Twin, Double; light housekeeping facilities) with a large deck, lake view; and all with 4-piece bath. No cribs; however, we do have playpens. Cots are available for rooms in the hotel only. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi (in hotel rooms only). Enjoy complimentary scheduled summer recreation activities (July – August) including canoeing and kayaking from our lakeside adventure centre. Guest features include dining room and pub; pro shop; banquet and conference facilities; 18-hole golf course; indoor and outdoor pools; sauna; walking trail; canoe, kayak, and paddleboats; and barbecues. Small pets are permitted in the cottages at a minimal charge. Check out our golf, family and all-inclusive packages! All major credit cards are accepted.
Battery Provincial Park is situated on a hillside overlooking St. Peter’s Bay adjacent to the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site. The park entrance is on the east side of the bridge at the canal. Battery features a small saltwater beach (unsupervised), an interpretive display, picnic area with ocean frontage, and 3.4 km / 2.1 mi of hiking trails. Jerome Point Lighthouse is located on the entrance road to Battery Provincial Park. Nearby: Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park, Nicolas Denys Museum (St. Peters), and LeNoir Forge Museum (Arichat). Campground accommodations include: 53 open and wooded overnight sites (4 with electrical service, 3 with electrical and water, 46 unserviced). Park amenities include: flush toilets, showers, disposal station, fire grills, wood, and ice. Boat launch nearby. Wireless Internet access available at the administration building. This is a Campground Host park. Leashed pets permitted. Detailed Information: Outdoor activities: Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, SnowshoeingDirections: On east side of Canal Bridge.
The Strait Area rewards visitors who lean into its rhythms — coastal trails in the morning, fresh seafood at lunch, and Cape Breton music in the afternoon or evening. June 8–14 is a fine week to find out what that feels like firsthand.
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