Trip chapter 07

Halifax to Sydney

A wildfire-detoured drive to Cape Breton, trading the Cabot Trail for a Sydney stay with a lovely boardwalk and tacos on the esplanade.

Drive timeHalf-day drive to Cape Breton

FromHalifax

ToSydney

After a night in Halifax, we headed towards Cape Breton. We had intended on doing the Cabot Trail, but because of the fire risk we decided to settle for some time in Sydney instead.

Our Sydney base

We stayed at the Comfort Inn Sydney, and they charged a $30 pet fee. There was plenty of green area to walk Tilly, and it was not a long walk to get to the boardwalk to walk around town.

Tilly on the Sydney boardwalk with a cruise ship in the harbour beyond — The walk from the Comfort Inn to the waterfront boardwalk.

The Sydney waterfront boardwalk

The boardwalk was lovely, with a cruise ship in the harbour at sunset. We got some nice photos by the SYDNEY sign and the Big Fiddle.

Tilly on the boardwalk in front of the SYDNEY sign — Sunset on the Sydney boardwalk, from the SYDNEY sign to the Big Fiddle.

Shaun and Tilly together in front of the SYDNEY sign at sunset — Sunset on the Sydney boardwalk, from the SYDNEY sign to the Big Fiddle.

Tacos on the esplanade

We ate at Tide Tacos & Tequila on the esplanade. They provided Tilly with a bowl of water and a treat, and I enjoyed some tacos. There were a few other reported dog-friendly patios nearby, but none appeared to be open the day we were there.

A plate of tacos and a beer at Tide Tacos and Tequila in Sydney — Tacos and a cold drink at Tide Tacos & Tequila.

Worth pulling over for

Stops along the way

Stop 01 / Sydney, Nova Scotia

Comfort Inn Sydney

A practical Cape Breton base with a $30 pet fee, plenty of green space for walks and a short stroll to the waterfront boardwalk.

Address368 Kings Rd, Sydney, NS B1S 1A8

VisitedSummer 2025

Pet fee$30

Best forA practical Sydney overnight with easy boardwalk access

Dog accessOutdoor grounds and green areas

RouteHalifax to Sydney

For the dog

A $30 pet fee. There was plenty of green area to walk Tilly, and it was not a long walk to get to the boardwalk to walk around town.

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Stop 02 / Sydney, Nova Scotia

Sydney Waterfront Boardwalk

A lovely boardwalk along Sydney harbour, home to the SYDNEY sign, the Big Fiddle and sunset cruise-ship views.

VisitedSummer 2025

Best forAn evening boardwalk stroll and photos

Dog accessOutdoor boardwalk

RouteHalifax to Sydney

For the dog

The boardwalk was lovely to walk with Tilly, past the SYDNEY sign, the Big Fiddle and a docked cruise ship at sunset.

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Stop 03 / Sydney, Nova Scotia

Tide Tacos & Tequila

An esplanade taco stop where Tilly received a bowl of water and a treat, with other reported dog-friendly patios nearby that were closed on our visit.

Address144 Esplanade, Sydney, NS B1P 1A4

VisitedSummer 2025

Best forTacos with a water bowl and a treat for the dog

Dog accessOutdoor patio

Tilly's welcomeWater bowl and a treat

For the dog

They provided Tilly with a bowl of water and a treat while I enjoyed some tacos. There were a few other reported dog-friendly patios nearby, but none appeared to be open the day we were there.

View full guide →