Location: Cheticamp
Top Things to do in Cheticamp
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Top 10 Things to do in Cheticamp, Canada
Chéticamp (locally [ʃetikɑ̃]) is a fishing village on the Cabot Trail on the west coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia at the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park which contains Acadian Trail. The downtown area overlooks a harbour that is protected from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Chéticamp Island. The Cheticamp River flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence approximately 5 km northeast of the village. Having a number of public facilities it performs a service function for the northernmost part of Inverness County. The community has almost 4,000 residents, a large majority of whom are Acadians and speak French natively. Together with its smaller neighbour, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Chéticamp makes up the largest Francophone enclave on Cape Breton Island. The 2006 population was 3,039 people.
Restaurants in Cheticamp
1. Les Trois Pignons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
This was a beautiful museum. It represented Cheticamp in the past as well as today. They showed how they lived, their furniture, their bed, as well as their utensils, their tools.
Fishermen, lumber jacks and other careers were displayed here as well.
The displays were well made and attractive!
My highlight was manmade rugs. They were more paintings than rugs. So beautiful. There was one with the crucifixion of Jesus and its birth. Another one was the resurrection of Jesus. Wow!
Another one was a seagull. There were wo rugs about politicians.
I was quite impressed by all that. It's a must to see! And all for free!
2. Saint Peter's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
This is the most attractive church in Cape Breton. Buses filled with tourists stop at this church.
When I entered inside the church, it took my breath away. Wow!
There are wooden pews on the main floor, as well as on the second floor. It can accomdate quite a lot of people.
The organ on the second floor was beautiful as well.
Wherever I looked in that church, I saw solely beauty! The altar was beautiful with a beautiful painting behind it and three statues.
A priest named Fiset is buried here. Next to the altar, we are welcomed to visit his memorial.
In front of the church is a statue of Jesus, welcoming anyone in his vicinity.
I was quite mesmerized by the beauty of this church. It's a must to see!
3. Acadian Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Paul L - Bristol
I knew this was going to be the highlight of our vacation to NS; it was all I expected; great scenery/views of the Atlantic Ocean, small fishing villages, mountainous and green; I would have rated higher but didn't expect so much road construction with dirt and muddy roads in part of the drive.
4. Sunset Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By maritimeexplorer - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Our first stop of the day on a recent trip around the Cabot Trail was at the Sunset Art Gallery where legendary folk artist William Roach and his family run a gallery and coffee shop. I first came across Bill over 25 years ago when I was setting out to drive the Cape Breton Highlands N.P. portion of the Cabot Trail. You simply cannot help but notice the brilliant colours and whimsical pieces that adorn the property on the edge of Cheticamp. You have to stop.
When I first saw his work way back in the 1990's, I was blown away by his imagination and humour. There are those who think folk artists are one step up from whittlers, but not me. Sure there's a lot of crap being hawked as 'folk art', probably most, but when you see the works of a true folk art genius like Bill, you know it has inherent artistic merit. Here's what his gallery looks like with the works of numerous artists on display, but mostly Bill's.
The best thing about visiting Sunset Art Gallery is that the artist has his studio on site and is more than willing to sit down and chat as he and I did this morning over coffee and fresh pastry from the Frog Pond Café. He described how disappointed his father was with him when he announced that he didn't want to work in the woods or on the water, but rather wanted to be an artist. Back then that would be received about as well as if he had said he was gay. Despite familial objections, Bill persevered and today is recognized as one of Canada's leading folk artists. He even has his own book.
The best way to describe the place is with the pictures that follow.
5. Gallery La Bella Mona Lisa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By alkeni - Monterey Park, California
This shop had a variety of good quality artisanal items. Because of that, it is not cheap. If you are not sure if you should stop or not, I would. I purchased a Scottish spurtle, which is a like a stirring spoon, but the end of the stick is a ball so that you can reach the curvature around the bottom edge of your pot. I haven't tried it yet though to see if it works.
6. Enragee Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Anne C - Ely, United Kingdom
Enragee Point Lighthouse is on Cheticamp Island. We go there year after year just for the fun of it. Cattle roam free there. They are brought over at the start of the summer and stay until late fall. Go slow and watch out for roaming cows. At the other end of the Island is a great beach. The waves always seem to rolling in and out there so it makes for fun in the surf for the children (and adults) If you venture a little further and go up the hill where the tower is, you might see eagles and assorted seabirds over the cliffs. Depending on the time of day you are visiting, you might even catch a glimpse of a pod of Pilot Whales going by.
7. Cheticamp Island Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Summer J
This is a great beach for lounging. It's very easy to get to, there was adequate parking when we were there, and lots of room along the beach to camp out and enjoy the Sunshine. An interesting feature of this beach is that the water stays shallow for quite a distance from the shore--you could be 100 meters from the shore and still have the water at waist height (for an adult). That made the water warmer and comfortable.
I don't recall seeing many facilities at the beach, so be aware of that. We brought some water and snacks, and then left after a few hours.
8. Cheticamp Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
The Visitor's Center in Cheticamp is quite busy. While I was there, one clerk helped a guy to find a hotel, the other clerk was busy with tourist attractions. Within 15 minutes they helped me.
The clerks were very nice and they had so many pamphlets.
There was also a souvenir shop, as well as the famous "Les Trois pignons."
Here is the best place to get some help for our trip. It's worthwhile!
9. Cheticamp Harbour Range Front Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
This is a boardwalk, that leads to several souvenir shops, restaurants and other attractive goods for tourists. There is parking lot, all for free.
We can walk for quite a while.
There is a mock lighthouse here, painted in the colors of the Acadians. Quite attractive. While we were there, a sailing ship was moored nearby.
We enjoyed walking on the boardwalk. It's truly worthwhile and refreshing.
10. Gypsum Mine Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
It wasn't hard to find the Gypsum Mine. Go on the Cheticamp Back Road and park on the trail head to your right.
The Gypsum Mine was where they used to mine gypsum. Eventually the mine was closed. They turned this for trails and a lovely lake, where people swim in it, generally in the evening.
Everyone we met, encouraged us to visit this abandoned mine. It was amazing. I liked the lake the most, especially since the sun was reflecting its rays on it.
We had a great time here and all that for free. At the entrance, there was parking. We came with our trailer. We had no problems parking.
We met several people and talked to one another as if we had known each other. Wow!
Worthwhile to see. Don't forget your swimming suit!
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