Hi -

I'm going to be in Halifax for three nights July 28-July 31. I'm not flying out of Halifax until August 4th.

So - what should I do between the 31st and the 4th? Could I drive up to Cape Breton and spend a few days up there? Should I make reservations for this time of year (I already have reservations for Halifax)? Is there a good base for Cape Breton?

Also - my flight on the 4th is at 9am. What's a good place to stay the night before without stressing about getting to the airport?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Gwot! You shd make rez's for Cape Breton. Baddeck wld be a good base for you. The Inverary Inn is very nice. Order your "Doers' & Dreamers' Travel Guide" from www.novascotia.com

The Inn on the Lake is near the airport. Stay there the night b/f your flight on Aug 4th. Or, there may be a place right @ the airport. I am not sure. I will check or maybe somebody here knows? Is there an airport hotel @ the Halifax airport?

Two choices for airport hotel - Airport Hotel or the new Garden Hilton.

I assume the three nights you are in Halifax it will be on business? Make sure you take time to explore the city itself.

Entry to Cape Breton Island is about a 3-3.5 hour drive from Halifax. You could look at hitting the trail directly through Port Hood and stay the night in Cheticamp area. Next day travel to Inverness and third day through to Baddeck and back to Halifax. Another option, like the post above mentioned, is make Baddeck your centre point and do the trail in one day. Depends if you want to hike or not - if yes, you will need to spend a couple of days on the trail. Baddeck itself is a small but vibrant village. The Alexander Graham Bell Museum should be on your list of to do's. Stop in at the marina for a cold one.

If you enjoy music, check out the Riverfront Jubilee in New Glasgow running from Aug 2-5. Great music in an outdoor venue. http://www.jubilee.ns.ca/ New Glasgow is halfway between Cape Breton and Halifax. Also a great spot to enjoy the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait.

I'm always promoting the southern half of the province over Cape Breton. Cape Breton is well-known and beautiful. The South Shore and Evangeline Trail are less well-known, less touristy, but just as beautiful and diverse. You can make a very easy circle down the south shore and back through the Annapolis Valley Bay of Fundy to Halifax.

I would not personally recommend the Inn on the Lake. The Airport Motel is exactly that--a motel (and fairly expensive). My personal choice is the Hilton Garden Inn--comfortable rooms, good services, and near the airport.

Finally, late July is peak season, so definately make plans and reserve in advance. Check out www.novascotia.com.

2 Q's for Granadino:1. Is the Airport Motel right @ the airport? Is it connected to the airport the way the Sheraton Gateway is to T3 in Toronto?

2. How far is Inn on the Lake from Halifax airport & why wld you not recommend it?

no hotels connected to the terminal in Halifax. Airport and Hilton are about a two minute drive away and both have shuttles to and from the airport.

Inn on the Lake is a quaint "Inn". Smaller rooms - more of an Inn than a hotel. It does have a lovely dining room and is directly on the water. Guess it depends on what you are looking for. If simply a place to lay your head for the night, it probably doesn't matter. I assume they also offer a shuttle to the airport. You are about a 5-7 minute drive away.

Thanks for the replies! We do want to hike a bit, but nothing too hard. We're into wildlife and birds.

When driving from Halifax to Baddeck, are there any suggestions for stops on the way?

As for Baddeck, is there anything to do at night there?

So far I'm thinking this:

Day 1:

We don't get in until 3pm or so. Check into hotel, walk around. Visit Alexander Keith's.

Day 2: Halifax

Day 3: Day trip around South Coast as per Granadino's suggestion

Day 4: Journey up to Baddeck.

Day 5: Cape Breton/hike

Day 6: Cape Breton

Day 7: Journey back to (as yet undecided) airport hotel via New Glasgow and the music festival.

Day 8: Fly out am.

Again any suggestions are welcome, thanks to all!

I absolutely love Baddeck. Many visitors come back year after year once they get a taste of it. A very small charming village, it is nestled on the Bras d'Or Lakes which is a boater's paradise. There are a variety of restaurants. Probably the most popular is the Yellow Cello which ususally has live entertainment, great pizza and packed every night. The village is "dry" which means there are no lounges/taverns. The marina has a club house that is open to visitors. For a local flavor, drop in for a cold one. It has a great deck to enjoy the busy waterfront. For breakfast there is a small deli/bakery on the main drag. Enjoy a cup of coffee on their small patio and get takeout and sit along the waterfront. There is also a small restaurant tucked around the corner of a building. Can't remember the name but big breakfasts.

There used to be a boat tour on a large power boat. The captain personally knew/knows the Bell family and he has lots of historic information to relay to his shipmates. If he is still around, I would highly recommend this tour prior to exploring the Alexander Graham Bell museum. It lends a lot to what is an exciting place to spend some time.

Baddeck also offers "Lobster Suppers" each evening. They are ususally busy with bus tours, but I haven't heard any complaints about the food.

Not sure if they are still offering "Kitchen Parties" in the area. A group travels from community to community and offers a typical Kitchen Party evening for locals and tourists. Usually a piano, fiddle, stepdancers, etc.

In Mabou, stop into the Red Shoe Pub www.redshoepub.com It is a fabulous place to hear some local music.

You might want to consider a whale tour out of Pleasant Bay. There is a small interpretation Centre and several operators.

In Cheticamp, you may be lucky enough to get some fresh snow crabs - totally delicious!

And of course, I would be remiss if I didnt' encourage you to fit in the Fortress of Louisbourg. It is a spectacular sight and worthy of a 1/2 day visit.

Tanya, what a lovely post you have written. I did not know that Baddeck was "dry"! Can you get a glass of wine in the dining room @ The Inverary Inn?

Yes, Tanya, thank you!

But what does "dry" actually mean? Can I drink beer there?

Hi, Gwot! I don't know the extent of the "dryness" in Baddeck. That's why I was asking Tanya about wine w/ dinner. It sounds as if they do not have any beer/wine/liquor stores in Baddeck. Is that so? If so, why are they "dry"?? Weird

Yes, you are able to get liquor, wine, beer at a diningroom or a private club (marina or legion), but Baddeck has a by-law that doesn't allow taverns or lounges. There is a liquor store. Clark's Harbour in Nova Scotia was similar - but an "all-dry-town". Their legion was the only place allowed to sell liquor and that was once a month! These are old laws that for some reason, were never changed.

After reading my post I should clarify, Clark's Harbour did have a liquor store. The only "licensed" place allowed to sell drinks was the Legion, however the once-a-month thing was for real. This law was changed several years ago.

What about the Thistledown Pub at the Inverary? Isn't that a tavern?

As long as I can drink beer I'm happy. I can forgo hard liquor for a week!

You might want to check out Chestico Days in Port Hood (early August). Haven't been there in many years, but a vibrant rural festival. I seem to remember a cow dung drop contest. A cow was put into a roped off small field, and the field was divided into sectors. You bought a ticket on a spot and if the cow "dropped" one, you won! Lots of music, step-dancing, beer tent, etc. Port Hood has some of the most beautiful beaches! We took a small boat over to Port Hood Island and had the chance to see a multitude of osprey. Also a quaint little wooden church.