Baddeck & Area

The village of Baddeck—located more or less in the middle of Cape Breton Island on the Bras d’Or Lake—may be best known as the one-time home of Alexander Graham Bell. But it’s so much more, it’s a beautiful village full of hospitable people and is the unofficial beginning and end to the Cabot Tail.

The Bras d’Or Lake

While the picturesque village may be best known for its most famous inhabitant, the Bras d’Or Lake is the real main attraction in Baddeck. A beautiful way to pass some time is to get a lunch at Tom’s Pizza, Bean There Café, or the Highwheeler Café, sit by the Bras d’Or Lake, and watch the sailboats. You can’t touch the tranquility and the peacefulness of the Lake with its fresh air and clear water. It’s a perfect place to just close your eyes and take it all in. Have a relaxing lunch and a cuppa tea and you’re good to go. Take a walk along the boardwalk and visit the shops on the main street. Baddeck is just a great little village to walk around and take your time exploring.

Let Your Heart Sing

I think the first thing to do when you get to Baddeck is to get your room sorted out and then get outside. That’s me, though. That’s the type of person I am. The big thing for me is to get outdoors. Walk around town and along the boardwalk by the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake. Go for a hike on one of the nearby trails. They’re all easy to get to. Nothing’s complicated. You don’t have to get into “what do I do?”, or “how do I do it?”. Get your place to stay. Drop off your bags. And get outside. Be yourself and do what you like to do—shop, explore, visit a museum, enjoy the hikes, sit by the water and enjoy the views of the Bras d’Or Lake, sail the water and watch the bald eagles soar, swim, but most importantly, do what makes your heart sing.

Get Outside

You can pack a lunch and go to the Uisge Ban Falls for a hike and picnic. It’s stunning out there. Or check out Nicholson’s Trail. It’s a new trail in the Big Baddeck area that follows alongside the Baddeck River. It’s all well-marked and has some gorgeous views. It’s great whether you’re a couple, on your own, or with your family—especially if you’re with your family because the kids will be tired out at the end of the day and ready for a good night’s sleep. It’s also a great place for cross-country skiing in the winter. In summer, you can take the boat over to Kidston Island, a few hundred metres off-shore. The sandy beach is beautiful.  Of course, there’s world-class golfing at Bell Bay Golf Club, another beautiful location with amazing views.

Sample the Seasonal Specialities

One of Cape Breton’s seasonal specialities is fresh seafood. And if you like lobster, you’re going to love Baddeck Lobster Suppers. I have never once had a guest not say they’ve had an awesome experience. For food with a view, there’s Lakeside Restaurant on the grounds of the Inverary Resort. The menu offers a variety of seafood as well as burgers, steak, creative vegetarian options, and decadent desserts. And the big windows provide a view of the Bras d’Or that pair nicely with everything on the menu.

Waterfront Adventure

The Inverary Resort has 11 acres of property to enjoy. People are looking for calm and tranquility. They want to come and enjoy the space to get out and move around. There’s plenty of open property with waterside seating, great water views, and the ability to sit with a glass of wine, a good book, and listen to the water that surrounds the lower property. Whatever you wish to do on site—canoeing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, or water tubing—they’ve got it covered.  You can also rent a pontoon boat, for up to 10 people, and go out on the water for sunrise or sunset. And we have live entertainment as well.

Lakeside Relaxation

S’mores are available at the Inverary’s Adventure Center for your nightly bonfire. There’s an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. We offer Adirondack chairs down by the lake where rubber mats are laid-out going into the water so you can walk into the water and not be walking on the stones.  We do a package here called the Lakeside Sunset Package. This may be booked in advance. There are blankets on Adirondack chairs and you are treated to a chefs’ special “sea-cuterie board”, something different, and wine is brought to you in your chair while you sit and watch the sunset in your own private spot. The winter is a little different with hot chocolate and your fire pit by the waterside.

The Beginning and End of the Cabot Trail

A bustling village, Baddeck is considered the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail. It’s a short drive west to the turnoff to the Cabot Trail at the Red Barn Gift Shop and Restaurant. It’s worth going just past the turnoff, though, to get some goodies at The Herring Choker Deli in Nyanza. Fifteen minutes from Baddeck in the other direction, the turn off to the Trail will take you past Colaisde na Gàidhlig / the Gaelic College. There you can learn about the culture and traditions of the Scottish settlers at the Great Hall of the Clans. For more local history, go beyond the Trail to the Englishtown turn-off, just before Kelly’s Mountain, and visit the Giant MacAskill Museum. And for an unforgettable view of St. Ann’s Bay, head up Kelly’s Mountain to the St. Ann’s Look-off.