My husband, dog and I are planning a car trip next summer through the Maritimes. Fortunately we live in Maine so we are practically there! We will spend a few nights here and there in Nova Scotia at dog friendly motels but want to rent a cottage for a week, either in Cape Breton Island or in Shediac, New Brunswick (these places were chosen slightly at random but they seem nice).

My main question right now has to do with the weather in Cape Breton in late July. Is it likely to be rainy, windy, foggy, cold? If not, it seems like there would be a lot to do there for a week, and hence a good choice.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be welcome.

Clarification: reading though old threads, I see that the weather varies from one part of Cape Breton to another. I would be staying in Baddeck.

Late July SHOULD be a great time to visit either location. Coming from Maine, though, you know how fickle the weather can be. All I can say is that when I visited Cape Breton with my husband in late July we enjoyed mostly good weather, with a little rain/fog thrown in.

Weather will be same as Maine, only a day later! Dog friendly hotels, try the Telegraph House in Baddeck - only the rooms are not air-conditioned unless you stay in the Inn itself.

We stayed for one week at the McKenzie House (St. Annes Bay) very close to Baddeck right off the Cabot Trail. Beautiful home and the views are breathtaking. Highly recommended!!
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Have fun

Shediac and Cape Breton are really 2 different places terrain-wise. Baddeck is a very good location for basing oneself on CBI. Weather is as likely to be foggy on/near the sea as not. One summer, for instance, 4 days of our 8-day trip was closed in with heavy fog. This summer was clear, though. Even in mid-summer evenings can be on chilly side, particularly near the water (which Baddeck is). Bring some warm clothing; dressing in layers will do you fine.

I only stopped to suggest that you pack (an extra DAY or two into the itinerary you expect to keep) IF you are driving from Maine this shouldn't be difficult.

THE REASON for this is that the FOG in Cape Breton and all of the maritimes can be so dense as to ruin any vision you might have of the spectacular coastlines.

If you are lucky enough to get through without fog on the first day then you have an extra day to use as you see fit.

Late July would be a good time down here in Baddeck it wouldn't be the height of the season but you would have some good weather.

All your responses are very helpful. CapeBreton01 says late July is not the height of the season, what is? We can really go anytime between early July and early August. I guess I was looking for a guarantee of good weather which I know is impossible. Are there less chilly, foggy options I should be considering. I really would love to see the Maritimes and weather aside, Cape Breton sounds lovely.

The height of the season doesn't really start intil august or sept depending on what your looking for. Much better weather during this time, I would suggest a small cabin on the Mira river south of sydney approx 20 min out of town. try looking in the classifieds in the cape breton post for avaiablity. Most places are reasonable. around $ 500 week ect.

I'm not sure they allow dogs, but we stayed at http://www.lanternhillandhollow.com/ in Ingonish. They have individual cottages.

We also stayed at http://www.baywindsuites.com/ in Cheticamp.

Both places were excellent accommodations and I would return in a heartbeat.

As far as Baddeck, http://lynwoodinn.com/ has a housekeeping cottage that may allow animals.