Strait Area, Cape Breton: What's On May 18–24, 2026

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.

Halfway to Heaven: The Music of John Prine is a live tribute show celebrating the beloved folk and Americana songwriting of John Prine, performed by Nova Scotia musicians and presented at Legion venues across the province, including Antigonish and Guysborough. Expect an evening of heartfelt acoustic storytelling drawn from Prine's rich catalogue of classic songs, delivered in an intimate, community hall setting.

Waterfall Season Select! Embree’s Brook Falls Height: 6 m Distance (one way): 1.7 km Difficulty: Easy Hiking Time: 1 – 1.5 hours Cellphone Coverage: Yes Finding the Trailhead: In Port Hawkesbury, turn east onto MacSween Street. Turn left onto MacQuarrie Drive and then turn right onto Pine Ridge Drive. Turn left onto Crandall Road, then drive 350 m to the designated parking lot for the trails on the left Trailhead: 45°37’36.9"N 61°21’21.3"W Waterfall: 45º38’17.6”N, 61º21’30.7”W The Hike: From where are you parked, follow the signs to Maple Trail. Continue on the trail as it changes from a gravel path to a more traditional Woodland Trail. After 700 m of hiking, you will cross a small brook. A nice sturdy bridge has been constructed over it, and wooden stairs enable you to get uphill with minimal effort. Once you have reached the plateau, a short hike of a few minutes eventually leads to the intersection of the Maple and Hemlock trails. Here, a nice deck over looks a small ravine. Continue heading north for another 500 m along the Maple Trail to reach the top most fall. On the trail itself look for a small, well-worn path on your left and take it; it leads to an area overlooking the fall. There is no signage for the fall, so be sure to be on the lookout for it as you proceed. The waterfall is a stunning beautiful slide type that has been carved into shale. Visit this waterfall after a heavy rainfall or during the spring melt, as it tends to run dry in the summer months. Continuing downstream into the ravine leads to two smaller falls of 2 m each and the deck mentioned above.

Length: 7.5 km (4.7 mi) return Hiking Time: 2+hr Type of Trail: crushed stone, natural surface, rock Uses (no snow): walking, ATVs Uses (snow): snowshoeing Facilities: interpretive panels, garbage cans, benches Dog Use: off-leash permitted Gov’t Topo Map: 11F11 (Port Hawkesbury) Rating (1-5): 2 Trailhead GPS Reference: N 45 38” 53.4’ W 61 24” 46.0’ Access Information: On the Canso Causeway, turn left (north) immediately after crossing the canal. Park in lot next to trail pavilion. From Port Hastings, turn right just before the steel truss swing bridge. Introduction: The Inverness and Richmond Railway Company was incorporated in 1887 to construct a railway from the district of Margaree to Mabou, and Port Hood, and Port Hawkesbury, with a branch to Whycocomagh. In the end, they developed a route from Port Hastings to Inverness, the first train running in 1901. Following financial problems, the line was leased to Canadian National from Feb, 1, 1924 until they purchased it in 1929. CN operated the line until the late 1980’s, when its biggest customer, the Evan’s Coal Mine in Inverness, was shut down due to flooding. Although it is part of the much longer Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Ghost Beach is more like its own separate trail, because it cannot be biked. Its setting in the Strait of Canso so close to the causeway and all its human activity gives it the feel of a walk in a city park – until the wind howls down and dashes waves completely over the narrow land bridge that is your route. Despite its proximity to these busy communities, it can have the feel of a challenging hike. When a rain or snow squall descends, which happens often in the shoulder seasons, the exterior world disappears and it is easy to imagine that you are trekking on the edge of the earth. It is exhilarating, and if you are lucky enough to have a pod of pilot whales cruise past at the same time: unforgettable. Cautionary Notes: High winds and waves. Ratings are designated from 1 to 5 indicating suitability for all fitness and experience levels, with 5 being suitable only for experienced and very fit outdoor people. Novices should only choose level 1 and 2 hikes, and work their way up. Level 4 and 5 hikes have indicators associated with their ratings.

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.

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.