'''Baddeck''' [http://www.visitbaddeck.com] is a pleasant little town on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It's a popular spot for boating in the summer and its central location makes it convenient as a base for exploring the island.

Get in

Baddeck is on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 105) about halfway between the causeway to the mainland and Sydney. It is about a five hour drive from Halifax.

Get around

Pretty much everything is located on either Shore Road or Chebucto Street. The town stretches out along these two streets, but if you don't mind walking, everything can be reached on foot.

See

  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. hebucto Street (Route 205). ttp://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index_e.asp. pen from May to Oct, 9AM - 5PM. Opens longer June - mid-Oct. 7.80/$3.90 (adult/child). Although the telephone wasn't invented here, Alexander Graham Bell had a summer home in Baddeck where he did some of his research and experiments. This site has a number of exhibits, photos and videos relating to his life and work.

    Do

  • '''Sail/cruise''' on the lake. Tours depart daily from the pier in summer.
  • For the '''golfer''', the '''Bell Bay Golf Club''', +1 902 295-1333, [http://www.bellbay.ca] is close to town.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Basic groceries and supplies can be purchased from the '''Needs Convenience''' at the corner of of Shore Road and Chebucto Street (it's next to the Lynnwood Inn). There's also a small grocery store just outside of town near where Shore Road intersects with the Trans-Canada highway (Hwy 105). Restaurant options include:

  • Baddeck Lobster Suppers. oss Street. 02 295-3307. unch: 11:30AM - 1:30PM; Dinner: 4PM - 9PM. 30 for the lobster dinner, $19-$25 for other mains. Not fancy but hearty amounts of food. Dinner mains come with seafood chowder, mussels, salad, rolls and dessert.
  • High Wheeler Cafe. 86 Chebucto Street. 02 295-3006. AM - 6PM. 5-10. Little cafe that serves hearty sandwiches and pastries including some sugar-free options. Good spot to buy a sandwich in the morning to take with you on the day's travels.
  • McCurdy's Dining Room. 57 Shore Road. t Silver Dart Lodge. 13-30 for mains. Serves a mix of pasta, seafood and meat dishes with a view of Bras d'Or Lake.
  • Yellow Cello Cafe. 25 Chebucto Street. t the Green Highlander Lodge. pen for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cafe with soup, salad, vegetarian and Italian dishes. Nightly entertainment during the summer months.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Broadwater Inn. ay Road (Hwy 205). bout one mile east of Baddeck. 1 902 295-1101. ttp://broadwater.baddeck.com. :00 PM. 0:00 AM. ooms $90-$135, with the suite and cottages a bit more. An inn and cottages overlooking Bras d'Or Lake.
  • The Dunlop Inn. 52 Chebucto Street. -888-263-9840 (toll-free) or +1 902 295-1100. aterside@dunlopinn.com. ttp://dunlopinn.com. PM - 9PM. 1AM. 99-$160, open May - Oct. Small B&B style inn on Baddeck's waterfront.
  • Green Highlander Lodge. 25 Chebucto Street. -866-470-5333 (toll-free) or +1 902 295-2303. 1 902 295-1592. ttp://greenhighlanderlodge.com. A 3 room B&B/inn that can arrange guided fishing trips in the area.
  • Inverary Resort. 68 Shore Road. -800-565-5660 (toll-free) or +1 902 295-3500. 1 902 295-3527. 140-$400 in high season. Cheaper rates available in the off-season. Hotel rooms and cottages on Bras d'Or Lake.
  • Lynwood Inn. 41 Shore Road. -877-666-1995 (toll-free) or +1 902 295-1995. nfo@lynwoodinn.com. ttp://www.lynwoodinn.com. 100-140. Reviewers indicate rooms in the newer building are spacious and comfortable. Some rooms have balconies with views of the lake.
  • Silver Dart Lodge. 57 Shore Road. 1 902 295-2340. dladmin@maritimeinns.com. ttp://www.silverdartlodge.com. PM. 1AM. 90-$165 for lodge rooms and chalets, suites cost more. Mix of rooms in the lodge, chalets and suites set on a hill overlooking the lake.
  • Telegraph House. 79 Chebucto Street. 1-888-263-9840 (toll-free) or +1 902 295-1100. elegraph@ns.sympatico.ca. 1 902 295-1136. ttp://baddeck.com/telegraph. 70-$120 for rooms. $150-$200 for the two bedroom cottage and McRae House. An old Victorian house with some charm where Alexander Graham Bell once stayed. Reviewers indicate the rooms are clean and well appointed but sometimes a bit small.

    Get out

  • Baddeck is a convenient starting and finishing point for a trip around the '''Cabot Trail''', considered to be one of the most scenic drives in Canada. The road is a 300 km loop along the coast and through the Cape Breton Highlands and offers many hiking, camping and scenic turn-off opportunities.
  • The reconstructed '''Fortress of Louisbourg''' [http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/index_e.asp], about two hours drive away, is a National Historic Site and offers a glimpse at what life was like in the mid-1700s.