cape breton question
Dec 8th, 2004, 11:00 AM
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cape breton question
planning my first trip out there next summer. i will be tent camping. most of the information i read, people stay around baddeck. i'm just curious why everyone seems set up their accommodations there as compared to sydney or glace bay?
Dec 8th, 2004, 01:03 PM
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Baddeck is a convenient springboard for the Cabot Trail which is the jewel of Cape Breton. And,Baddeck's location is excellent for "day trips" to historically significant places like Louisbourg. But, if I were to go camping I wld set up in Ingonish b/c I think it is so spectacularly beautiful! In fact, I did just that many years ago on a cycling trip.
Sydney & Glace Bay are industrial towns (although technically I think Sydney is a "City"
Do you have the "Doers' & Dreamers'Guide" from NS Dept of Tourism?
Sydney & Glace Bay are industrial towns (although technically I think Sydney is a "City"
Do you have the "Doers' & Dreamers'Guide" from NS Dept of Tourism?
Dec 11th, 2004, 02:26 AM
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Baddeck is central and has all the amenities you require, plus great boating! Inverness is a must for a few days of camping around the trail - great beach!
Sydney and Glace Bay are more industrial areas.
Sydney and Glace Bay are more industrial areas.
Dec 14th, 2004, 02:40 PM
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It depends on what you want to see.
If you want to see closed mines and boarded up buildings, stay in Sydney or Glace Bay.
But if yoiu want to see nice scenery, come back here in a day or two and I'll give you info from a friend of mine from Cape Breton, and he'll give you lots of info.
Can you tell us more of your plans and interests.
Tent like going into the widerness miles from the next person, or tents in a camp=grounds with showers and running water and a snack bar?
Anyway, more info is coming in the next day or so.
BAK
If you want to see closed mines and boarded up buildings, stay in Sydney or Glace Bay.
But if yoiu want to see nice scenery, come back here in a day or two and I'll give you info from a friend of mine from Cape Breton, and he'll give you lots of info.
Can you tell us more of your plans and interests.
Tent like going into the widerness miles from the next person, or tents in a camp=grounds with showers and running water and a snack bar?
Anyway, more info is coming in the next day or so.
BAK
Dec 15th, 2004, 11:51 AM
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thanks all. BAK - i will not be doing back country camping. i will be travelling solo. i would love to find a campground that had some trees/bushes around the sites for privacy. or, i'd could give this up if the campground was situated with an awesome ocean view. i don't need anything fancy - table, firepit, clean bathrooms, flush toilets and a shower would be nice but not necessary. i will spend three nights on the cheticamp side of the island and then three nights on the other side. any suggestions are appreciated. many campgrounds i've looked at are geared for r.v. and look like one big open field. i really don't want this.
i do plan on driving down to meat cove but was not planning on staying any nights there.
i do plan on driving down to meat cove but was not planning on staying any nights there.
Dec 15th, 2004, 12:54 PM
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You really should consider Meat Cove. It has the awesome ocean view you are looking for, the basic facilities, and I doubt that you would find very many, if any, RVs.
There are also several roadside campgrounds in Cape Breton Highlands National Park which might suit your needs as well.
There are also several roadside campgrounds in Cape Breton Highlands National Park which might suit your needs as well.
Dec 16th, 2004, 10:47 AM
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You might want to look into Inverness Beach Village/Campgound. On one of the best sand beaches ( in my opinion ) in NS. Pet friendly, close to village of Inverness which has grocery/pharmacy/Pub, etc. The view can' be beat. Enjoy.
Dec 16th, 2004, 08:02 PM
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From Everett Moore, an actor, motorcycle rider, and resident of Cape Breton. He's a client of mine.
-----------------
Okay....where do I start? Cape Breton, in a time-restrained nut shell.
The mountainous and most scenic section runs from Cheticamp, or just
north of it, all the way damn near to Ingonish. Cheticamp is the
largest community in those parts and is well equipped with grocery
stores, fuel, bank machines etc. It is a French Acadian Community and
is a very quaint little fishing village. A good rest. would be The
Evangeline. It foesn't look like much form the outside, or the inside
for that matter, but the meals are hearty, tasty and they carry
Acadian meals such as Pico Fricco ... pardon the spelling. There is a
small island off Cheticamp called...Cheticamp Island of course. It is
connected by a causeway south of the town. There is a popular
campground there that is mainly visited by vacationing locals, their
RV's, kids, neighbours etc. It is however, right on the ocean. At the
northern tip of this island there is a lighthouse and a sanctuary for
grazzing farm animals...usually cows.
There is a campground down in Dunvegan I believe it is called
Macleods and I found a link that has their number :
http://www.rvpark.com/canada/novascot.htm
Alot of people rave about this campground because it apparently has a
nice beach and there are tenting lots right on the ocean, however I
was told that there are limited trees around the tent sites which is
why I never ever ventured there.
The Cheticamp National Park campground is heavily wooded, has clean
washrooms with all the trimmings....meaning showers and flush toilets.
There is a path that takes you to a nice river...BUT they are not on
the ocean. This blows my mind because it is so close.
Between Cheticamp and Ingonish is a place called Pleasant Bay. There
is a Buddist Monestary there that gives tours and has a small
bookstore in the basement. I am not highly religious, but consider
myself spiritual and I truly enjoyed the tour of this unique area. The
drive out to the Monastery is as remote as you can get. There are no
signs but there are very few roads in this town. Take the one that
follows the coast towards Meat Cove. About 1/2 km past the monastery
there is a, damnit what is it called, Stuppa, yes a stuppa. This is a
very large gold buddha statue with lots to read.
Near pleasant bay there is a youth hostale that is basic but cheap
and welcoming. I believe they charge $23-25 a night.
There are an awful lot of Moose in the Highlands area right now. Take
youre time and keep youre eyes open 360 degrees. I teach motorcycle
safety and I do not have enough fingers and toes to count the amount
of serious moose/vehicle accidents in those parts, and yes, that
includes the locals.
On the Cheticamp side of the island there is a "scenic route"
alternate roadway that takes you through Neils Harbour. Take It!! The
other way you see nothing more than trees, I swear. Along the
alternate route there is a turn off to White Point, I believe. At the
end of the road, past the two tittles B&B ther eis a dirt road that
heads to the grave of the unknown sailor. This point gives you a
remarkable panoramic view of the mountains towards meat cove...the
ocean etc. The unknown sailors cross makes a nice, yet haunting
picture as well.
On the Cheticamp side I recomend staying at the Broadcove
Camprground....and yes there isa broadcove on both sides of the island
just to confuse you. The Broadcove Campground is heavily wooded, has
clean flush toilets, showers, outdoor sinks with running water, a
beautiful beach and YOU WILL hear the roar of the ocean no matter how
far you camp away from the beach. There are limited sites with a fire
pit at both the Cheticamp and Broadcove camprground so book ahead.
Then if you get there and hate the site you can look for a better one.
If they have no more.....well at least you have a fire!!! Camping
without a fire just isn't camping in my opinion.
There is a nice waterfall near the campground called Mary Anna Falls
I believe. There is a good pool at the bottom for swimming if you like
it cold. There is another secret falls in those parts that locals go
to where you can slide down a rock slide into an awaiting pool. Yes,
of course ask around for it but where jeans to save your butt. It is
south of the campground, on youre right and there are alot of no
parking signs near the trailhead. There also used to be a horseshoe
attached to a tree at the trailhead. I slowed down on my last trip
through there but didn't notice the horseshoe.
Black Brook beach is nice. Ingonish Beach is great as well and has
both freshwater swimming along with the salted ocean. You can get a
great view of the Keltic Lodge. This is an upscale haunted former
mansion that has been converted into higher end accomodations. There
is a hiking trail at the head of it called....Middlecape I believe.
Good Lord why am I having such difficulties remembering my own island.
Anyway, it is a great windin little trail with nice views.
If you haven't already, order a free copy of the N.S. Doers and
Dreamers Guide from www.novascotia.com It will have all the
attractions, campgrounds etc listed and is very very helpful. My
family owns a motel in North Sydney called www.theclansmanmotel.com
They have some great tourist links on their site and a handy travel
mileage counter. If you find yourself looking for a room in that
area...ask them about the overflow basement rooms. READ ULTRA CHEAP
AND CLEAN!! Around 30 bones.
It would be hard to miss Louisbourg so consider it if you have a
penchant for history. There is a provinicial camprground about 10
minutes down the road which is on a penisula in the MIra River...it is
heavily wooded and well equipped and usually extremely quiet.
You mentioned Glace Bay earlier. They do have a nice Mining Museum
where you can go underground in a coal mine. There are no hotels
there, or camping.
I apologise for spewing all this unsorted info at you. I can clarify
and/or go into further detail on any part of the island that you have
questions. I really need to know what you like? If you liked scotch, I
would send you to North Americas only single malt scotch brewery. That
is just one example of course. Feel free to email me, or anyone else
for that matter, at [email protected]
Take Care - Everett
-----------------
Okay....where do I start? Cape Breton, in a time-restrained nut shell.
The mountainous and most scenic section runs from Cheticamp, or just
north of it, all the way damn near to Ingonish. Cheticamp is the
largest community in those parts and is well equipped with grocery
stores, fuel, bank machines etc. It is a French Acadian Community and
is a very quaint little fishing village. A good rest. would be The
Evangeline. It foesn't look like much form the outside, or the inside
for that matter, but the meals are hearty, tasty and they carry
Acadian meals such as Pico Fricco ... pardon the spelling. There is a
small island off Cheticamp called...Cheticamp Island of course. It is
connected by a causeway south of the town. There is a popular
campground there that is mainly visited by vacationing locals, their
RV's, kids, neighbours etc. It is however, right on the ocean. At the
northern tip of this island there is a lighthouse and a sanctuary for
grazzing farm animals...usually cows.
There is a campground down in Dunvegan I believe it is called
Macleods and I found a link that has their number :
http://www.rvpark.com/canada/novascot.htm
Alot of people rave about this campground because it apparently has a
nice beach and there are tenting lots right on the ocean, however I
was told that there are limited trees around the tent sites which is
why I never ever ventured there.
The Cheticamp National Park campground is heavily wooded, has clean
washrooms with all the trimmings....meaning showers and flush toilets.
There is a path that takes you to a nice river...BUT they are not on
the ocean. This blows my mind because it is so close.
Between Cheticamp and Ingonish is a place called Pleasant Bay. There
is a Buddist Monestary there that gives tours and has a small
bookstore in the basement. I am not highly religious, but consider
myself spiritual and I truly enjoyed the tour of this unique area. The
drive out to the Monastery is as remote as you can get. There are no
signs but there are very few roads in this town. Take the one that
follows the coast towards Meat Cove. About 1/2 km past the monastery
there is a, damnit what is it called, Stuppa, yes a stuppa. This is a
very large gold buddha statue with lots to read.
Near pleasant bay there is a youth hostale that is basic but cheap
and welcoming. I believe they charge $23-25 a night.
There are an awful lot of Moose in the Highlands area right now. Take
youre time and keep youre eyes open 360 degrees. I teach motorcycle
safety and I do not have enough fingers and toes to count the amount
of serious moose/vehicle accidents in those parts, and yes, that
includes the locals.
On the Cheticamp side of the island there is a "scenic route"
alternate roadway that takes you through Neils Harbour. Take It!! The
other way you see nothing more than trees, I swear. Along the
alternate route there is a turn off to White Point, I believe. At the
end of the road, past the two tittles B&B ther eis a dirt road that
heads to the grave of the unknown sailor. This point gives you a
remarkable panoramic view of the mountains towards meat cove...the
ocean etc. The unknown sailors cross makes a nice, yet haunting
picture as well.
On the Cheticamp side I recomend staying at the Broadcove
Camprground....and yes there isa broadcove on both sides of the island
just to confuse you. The Broadcove Campground is heavily wooded, has
clean flush toilets, showers, outdoor sinks with running water, a
beautiful beach and YOU WILL hear the roar of the ocean no matter how
far you camp away from the beach. There are limited sites with a fire
pit at both the Cheticamp and Broadcove camprground so book ahead.
Then if you get there and hate the site you can look for a better one.
If they have no more.....well at least you have a fire!!! Camping
without a fire just isn't camping in my opinion.
There is a nice waterfall near the campground called Mary Anna Falls
I believe. There is a good pool at the bottom for swimming if you like
it cold. There is another secret falls in those parts that locals go
to where you can slide down a rock slide into an awaiting pool. Yes,
of course ask around for it but where jeans to save your butt. It is
south of the campground, on youre right and there are alot of no
parking signs near the trailhead. There also used to be a horseshoe
attached to a tree at the trailhead. I slowed down on my last trip
through there but didn't notice the horseshoe.
Black Brook beach is nice. Ingonish Beach is great as well and has
both freshwater swimming along with the salted ocean. You can get a
great view of the Keltic Lodge. This is an upscale haunted former
mansion that has been converted into higher end accomodations. There
is a hiking trail at the head of it called....Middlecape I believe.
Good Lord why am I having such difficulties remembering my own island.
Anyway, it is a great windin little trail with nice views.
If you haven't already, order a free copy of the N.S. Doers and
Dreamers Guide from www.novascotia.com It will have all the
attractions, campgrounds etc listed and is very very helpful. My
family owns a motel in North Sydney called www.theclansmanmotel.com
They have some great tourist links on their site and a handy travel
mileage counter. If you find yourself looking for a room in that
area...ask them about the overflow basement rooms. READ ULTRA CHEAP
AND CLEAN!! Around 30 bones.
It would be hard to miss Louisbourg so consider it if you have a
penchant for history. There is a provinicial camprground about 10
minutes down the road which is on a penisula in the MIra River...it is
heavily wooded and well equipped and usually extremely quiet.
You mentioned Glace Bay earlier. They do have a nice Mining Museum
where you can go underground in a coal mine. There are no hotels
there, or camping.
I apologise for spewing all this unsorted info at you. I can clarify
and/or go into further detail on any part of the island that you have
questions. I really need to know what you like? If you liked scotch, I
would send you to North Americas only single malt scotch brewery. That
is just one example of course. Feel free to email me, or anyone else
for that matter, at [email protected]
Take Care - Everett
Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:07 AM
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Dear Itt, cif you want to stay at campgrounds just for scenic beauty I would pick the bras dor lakes campgrounds just outside baddeck iits located right on the bras dor lakes and is run by some fantasic people who know how to treat there customers. as for staying sydney . I would suggest a small hotel called the royal hotel its cheap but clean and sydney is a spot if you want local history about the harbour & its people try it anyway its worth it.
Apr 23rd, 2005, 03:17 PM
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Glace Bay is a former industrial town but the Miner's Museum is definitely worth a visit. Besides giving a good history of coal mining in the area, you get to go underground into a real coal mine. The tours are led by retired miners who usually have all kinds of great stories.
It is also the home base of the Men of the Deeps, a men's chorus made up of miners. They put on a great show.
Another place to see good music in Glace Bay is the Savoy Theatre. The original theatre has been beautifully restored and plays host to a wide variety of musicians both traditional and contemporary. Just ignore the newer addition that added some great space but is not much to look at!
To see who's playing go to their web site:
www.savoytheatre.com
(There's a picture of the restored interior in the About section)
While there is no hotel in Glace Bay, there is a B & B that is in a former convent located by the sea:
www.vespersbythesea.com/
Have a great trip!
It is also the home base of the Men of the Deeps, a men's chorus made up of miners. They put on a great show.
Another place to see good music in Glace Bay is the Savoy Theatre. The original theatre has been beautifully restored and plays host to a wide variety of musicians both traditional and contemporary. Just ignore the newer addition that added some great space but is not much to look at!
To see who's playing go to their web site:
www.savoytheatre.com
(There's a picture of the restored interior in the About section)
While there is no hotel in Glace Bay, there is a B & B that is in a former convent located by the sea:
www.vespersbythesea.com/
Have a great trip!
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