Port Hawkesbury

Located in Inverness County on Cape Breton Island's west coast, Port Hawkesbury remains the only incorporated town in Cape Breton. The former towns of Dominion, Glace Bay, Louisbourg, New Waterford, North Sydney and Sydney Mines dissolved in 1995 and became part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Granville Green - venue for free summer concerts

The Mi'kmaq called this area Walamkwekukaqnejk, meaning “where there are deep places for fish”. The town was originally named Ship Harbour, and later re-named after Admiral Sir Edward Hawke. Port Hawkesbury was founded in 1789 and incorporated one hundred years later, in 1889. Known for having one of the largest (by tonnage) ports in Canada, today the population of this industrial town is 3,214.

I visited Port Hawkesbury on July 2nd, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie – Nabbed a photo of meself in front of the town's welcome sign where Route 104 becomes Reeves Street.

2. Visitor’s Centre – No Visitor's Centre in the town, but there is one nearby in Port Hastings after the Canso Causeway at the entrance to Cape Breton Island.

3. Museum – There are no museums on Port Hawkebury, the closest one is the Port Hastings Historical Society and Museum located in nearby Port Hastings.

Miller's Seafood and Chophouse Patio

4. Food – Checked out Miller's Seafood and Chophouse located at the Maritime Inn on Reeves Street, where I ran into my old university roommate (Hi Ruthie!) and chowed down on a chicken penne pesto.

5. Drink – Port Hawkesbury doesn't produce any of its own spirits, but while at Millers I enjoyed Jost's Tidal Bay from Nova Scotia's Northumberland Shore.

Along the Boardwalk

6. Public Space – There are a number of trails in Port Hawkesbury, some of which were under maintenance while we visited, so we trotted along the boardwalk off Water Street.

Well hello dear!

7. Art – I had to work a bit to find some public art, (apart from the beautiful veterans memorial located just off Reeves Street) but I did manage to find a groovy gal at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.

8. Swag – Bought a Port Hawkesbury postcard at the Cape Breton Shop just outside the town in Port Hastings, next to the Visitor's Centre.

When should you go? Check out Festival of the Strait (July 1-6), any of the free public concerts taking place all summer at the Granville Green; or the Port Hawkesbury hosted events during the world renowned Celtic Colours Festival in October.

A little bit of trivia: Port Hawkesbury born and raised best-selling author Lynn Coady won the Scotiabank Giller Prize for her 2013 collection of short stories, Hellgoing.

Up next: This once thriving and picturesque town suffered a major blow when the Canso Causeway opened in 1955. Find out where on Sunday.