Baddeck Hotels - things to do and attractions
Things to Do in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada: Baddeck Hotels travel guide on the best things to do in Baddeck. We’ve got all the best attractions listed with reviews. Have a look below for more details on Baddeck Attractions, restaurants, nightlife, bars, clubs, events and shopping.
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Top things to do and Attractions in Baddeck, Canada:
Baddeck (2001 population: 907, pronounced /bəˈdɛk/) is a Canadian village in Victoria County, Nova Scotia. Below is a comprehensive list of attractions and things to do in Baddeck, but first, let’s recount more about Baddeck, Nova Scotia Canada and why you should consider a visit here!
Baddeck functions as a service centre for the sparsely populated county and hosts a well-equipped volunteer fire department, a consolidated school serving grades Primary-12, as well as a public library, provincial government offices, a hospital and a nursing home.
The village’s economy is driven by tourism during the summer and fall months; it has been estimated by provincial tourism officials that the village experiences almost as many tourists as the provincial capital Halifax. Baddeck has managed to maintain public access to much of its attractive waterfront while preventing aesthetically unpleasing developments.
It hosts a yacht club which is the focal point for cruising on Bras d’Or Lake and some amazing sailing as we have pictured, as well as a world-class golf course, a lake-front resort, numerous hotels/motels, restaurants, small shops, and a small airport in the foothills above the town.
Some activities you might enjoy in and around Baddeck are:
Baddeck Hotels - things to do and attractions - Airflight memorial
1st Sunday in August begins the Annual Regatta Week at the Bras d’Or Yacht Club
Leisurely stroll on the boardwalks and government wharf with wonderful photo opportunities including the lighthouse, eagles, sailboats, Alexander Graham Bell mansion, etc.
Take a scenic drive around the world famous Cabot Trail with or without a tour guide.
Ramble the rolling countryside that surrounds the picturesque village of Baddeck by car, bicycle or on foot.
Browse the various arts and craft shops around the village.
Take a short ferry ride to explore Kidston Island and enjoy a day at the beach.
Play a round of golf at either the 9 hole course or the world class 18 hole course at Bell Bay Golf Club.
Take a tour of the Bras d’Or Lakes on a 67′ sailing schooner.
Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to learn about the fascinating life and inventions of this world famous inventor of the telephone.
Explore Celtic culture and history at the nearby Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts
Enjoy a meal in one of the many wonderful restaurants and cafes.
Discover the amazing puffin and other seabirds and eagles on a boat tour of the Bird Islands.
Hike to the scenic Uisige Ban Falls.
Learn about the Bras d’Or Lakes & Watershed at the interpretive centre on the main street.
Rent a kayak and explore the Bras d’Or or take a guided sea-kayaking day-trip.
Take in a musical ceilidh or a performance by local artists and players.
Charter a sailing yacht – crewed or bareboat
Enjoy fresh or salt water fishing both on the Bras d’Or and in the various lakes and rivers nearby.
Take a trip back in time with a visit to the fully animated Highland Village Museum.
Explore the native Mi’qmaq culture at Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre.
In winter, there is excellent cross-country skiing including the maritime’s only serviced Telemark hill.
So why Baddeck as a place to go?
Baddeck Hotels - things to do and attractions - it's famouns Lighthouse
Baddeck is a bustling resort community boasting over 600 rooms, yet it retains the essence of a quaint village. We have an assortment of accommodations to suit any taste and budget ranging from 5 star suites, to campgrounds nestled in the spruce, along side rivers, lakes or the ocean.
Exquisite food can be found in any one of the many restaurants offering everything from our world famous lobster to a steaming cup of seafood chowder or sandwich. Deli’s and bakeries provide healthy alternatives and the opportunity to try out our homemade breads and sweets.
Discover our elite shopping in any one of our numerous shops including boutiques, craft, gift, music, and outdoor & sporting shops.
During the summer season it is essential to take advantage of some of our leisure activities such as daily sailing/boat tours, golfing and several hiking trails. Also for evening entertainment several dining rooms provide local talent as well as nightly Ceilidhs, a highlight for any visitor
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.
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, Chebucto Street (Route 205). Open from May to Oct, 9AM – 5PM. Opens longer June – mid-Oct. 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. $7.80/$3.90 (adult/child).
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 is close to town.
Out and about in Baddeck:
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, about two hours drive away, is a National Historic Site and offers a glimpse at what life was like in the mid-1700s.
Top places to Eat in Baddeck:
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, 17 Ross Street, ☎ 902 295-3307. Dinner:. Casual with hearty amounts of food. Known for the “all you can eat” Cape Breton mussels, seafood chowder,potato salad, coleslaw, homemade rolls, biscuits, dessert and beverage. $30+ for the hard shell Atlantic lobster dinner, $19-$25 for other mains.
High Wheeler Cafe, 486 Chebucto Street, ☎ 902 295-3006. 7AM – 6PM. 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. Also, sit down for a bowl of homemade soup (always a vegetarian choice) or a cappuccino. They also offer a number of home-made products made with Spelt flour, for those with digestive issues. $5-10.
McCurdy’s Dining Room, 257 Shore Road (at Silver Dart Lodge). Serves a mix of pasta, seafood and meat dishes with a view of Bras d’Or Lake. $13-30 for mains.
Yellow Cello Cafe, 525 Chebucto Street (at the Green Highlander Lodge). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cafe with soup, salad, vegetarian and Italian dishes. Nightly entertainment during the summer months.
Now here’s our comprehensive step by step list of things to do in Baddeck:
Baddeck Hotels - things to do and attractions - First Flight Memorial
Top Attractions in Baddeck:
The Baddeck 1 represents the first aircraft built in Canada. After the Aerial Experiment Association had successfully flown a powered aircraft, the partnership dissolved. Casey Baldwin and J.A.D. McCurdy formed the Canadian Aerodrome Company, with help from Alexander Graham Bell, in an effort to create an indigenous aircraft industry. Their first aircraft was the Baddeck 1, an improved version of the Silver Dart. At the same time, the parts for a second aircraft were prepared, which became the Baddeck 2.
Among the innovations made to the Baddeck 1 were double surfaced wings thereby reducing drag. The rubberized silk balloon cloth of the Silver Dart was replaced with a No. 10 grade cloth used on sails for yachts. This reduced the weight of the wings while still being waterproof and resistant to rot. The Baddeck 1 also sported an improved engine and a radiator built so that it provided lift.
After the Silver Dart was destroyed in experiments at Petawawa on 4 August 1909, the Baddeck 1, which had also been shipped to Petawawa, was assembled and used in the tests. When it flew on 12 August, it represented the first flight of a Canadian-made powered aircraft. McCurdy, however, had trouble controlling the aircraft with the result that it “slid backwards”, in effect stalled, damaging the trailing edges of the lower wing after which it was returned to Bell’s facilities at Baddeck.
In June 1910 the modified Baddeck 1 was shipped to Montreal to participate in the Montreal Air Meet, the first of its type in Canada. The improvements included ailerons mounted between the wings, a biplane tail as added and the cambered front elevators replaced by flat ones. McCurdy attempted flights on 27 and 28 June and crashed on 30 June, damaging the aircraft.
Alexander Graham Bell made outstanding contributions to aviation through his development of tetrahedral kites, the investigation of their application to personnel carrying aircraft, and his enlistment of talented associates who aided significantly in the progress toward accomplishing powered flight.
Although his greatest scientific accomplishment was the invention of the telephone, Dr. Bell deserves wide recognition for his promotion of aeronautics. His a summer home at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, afforded excellent conditions for his scientific interest in flying kites. Expanding upon the design of the rectangular-celled box kite that Hargrave of Australia invented, Dr. Bell developed a three-sided triangular form of cell which he adapted to various multi-cellular shapes. This research led to a large kite in which on December 6th, 1907, his associate, Lt. Thomas Selfridge, flew to a height of over 160 feet.
Which is why you should visit…
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada
Step into the amazing world of a lifetime that has touched us all.
Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts
Resides in St. Ann’s and is the only institution of its kind in North America.
Highland Village Museum / An Clachain Gaidhealach
Perched high overlooking the spectacular Bras d’Or Lakes, is a truly exhilarating experience.
Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre
(902) 295-2598
Outdoors:
Amoeba Sailing Tours
Amoeba Sailing Tours is a small family business in Baddeck
Bannockburn Tours
Eight hour guided tours of the magnificent Cabot Trail
Bird Island Boat Tours Ltd.
Boat Tour to Bird Islands to see Puffins, Seals and even Eagles!
Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours
Cabot Trail, Bird Islands, Puffins, Eagles, Seals and memories to last a lifetime!
Native Trail Tours
Travel Cape Breton Island, with a Mi’kmaw native as your guide.
North River Kayak Tours
Located on the world famous Cabot Trail 20 minutes from Baddeck.
WALKING the WILDSIDE – Exploring natural Cape Breton
Guided, interpreted hikes let you explore natural Cape Breton with an experienced natural history guide.
Uisge Ban Falls
An impressive 50-foot waterfall.
Crafts and Gifts and Shopping in Baddeck:
Admirals House Gift Shop
Nautical gifts, local crafts and music, tartans, pottery and more.
Baadeck Yarns
If you’re a knitter, know a knitter, or just appreciate handknits, you won’t want to miss us!
Blue Heron Gift Shop Limited
Has the largest selection of Nova Scotia books, cassettes and compact discs.
“Glass Artisans” Studio & Gallery
This unique Studio/Giftshop features glass work by many Maritime artists.
Lobster Galley Restaurant & Gift Shop
Incredible food! Incredible View!
Sea Shanty Antiques & Crafts
Located on a natural sandbar in St. Anns Bay, amidst the magnificent highlands.
Baddeck Freshmart
We are a full service supermarket on Shore Road in Baddeck.
Cape Breton Clay
Absolutely unique, locally made pottery.
Outdoorstore, The
Quality outdoor clothing and equipment.
Arlie’s – (902) 733-2326
Baddeck Building Supplies – (902) 295-2903
Baddeck Home Hardware – (902) 295-2170
Gaelic College – (902) 295-3411
Kidston Landing – (902) 295-2868
Red Barn – (902) 295-3036
Seawinds Chandlery – (902) 295-2868
Silver Gull Gift Shop – (902) 929-2523
Stone’s Drug Store – (902) 295-2404
Victoria’s Farmers Co-op – (902) 295-2384
Water’s Edge Inn, Cafe & Gallery – (902) 295-3600 or (902) 295-1926
Golf in Baddeck:
Baddeck Forks Golf Club
Located along the beautiful Baddeck River overlooking the valley.
Bell Bay Golf Club
Bell Bay Golf Club, a Thomas McBroom Design sits high above the Bras d’Or Lakes
Boating and Yachting in Baddeck:
Baddeck Marine/Dundee Marine
Professional yacht maintenance at both our locations.
Bras d’Or Yacht Club
Year round yacht club offering junior sailing lessons during the summer.
Other popular things and services in Baddeck should you need them:
Langley Law Office
Locally operated general practice law firm.
RBC Baddeck Branch
We put our clients first.
East Coast Credit Union
Progressive, full service financial institution.
MacAulay’s Garage (Car rental) – (902) 295-2500
Baddeck Hair Design – (902) 295-2302
Burns Vision Center – (902) 295-1796
Annette’s Hair Boutique – (902) 295-2590
Baddeck Medical Clinic – (902) 295-2443
Daniel T.L. Chaisson Law Office – (902) 295-1245
Baddeck Building Supplies – (902) 295-2903
Moran Dan Productions – 1-800-486-5212
Baddeck Dental – (902) 295-3374
Catherine E. Harvey Realties – (902) 295-2364
Entrenous Hair Studio – (902) 295-1614
Victoria Farmer’s Co-Op Ltd. – (902) 295-2384
Needs Convenience – (902) 295-3025
So as you can see there is a great amount to do in Baddeck and please do visit our wonderful town!
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