Barbara’s guidebook
Adventure
Live Life Intents is a local company that is passionate about showcasing all that Cape Breton's natural surroundings have to offer-year round! They offer river tubing adventures, creatives retreats, concert events on their site, and glamping accommodations.
13 locals recommend
Live Life In Tents
8139 Cabot Trail RdLive Life Intents is a local company that is passionate about showcasing all that Cape Breton's natural surroundings have to offer-year round! They offer river tubing adventures, creatives retreats, concert events on their site, and glamping accommodations.
This is a beautiful hike that families or solo adventurers will enjoy! A scenic trail along the baddeck river ends in a breathtaking waterfall experience! Even littles love it (you might have to carry them at a few points, but it is so worth it)! Bring a snack and wear comfy shoes!
28 locals recommend
Uisge Ban Falls
715 N Branch RdThis is a beautiful hike that families or solo adventurers will enjoy! A scenic trail along the baddeck river ends in a breathtaking waterfall experience! Even littles love it (you might have to carry them at a few points, but it is so worth it)! Bring a snack and wear comfy shoes!
Chance Pool (just past the Portree Bridge) is the BEST place to swim around (IMO)! You can also swim at the actual bridge, which I hear is also pretty amazing! Ask me how to get there:)
Portree
Chance Pool (just past the Portree Bridge) is the BEST place to swim around (IMO)! You can also swim at the actual bridge, which I hear is also pretty amazing! Ask me how to get there:)
Margaree Harbour beach is our family's favourite (and there are a few lovely beaches around, for sure)! It is really long, and seemingly not as busy as some of the other spots. At low tide, the kids can enjoy the abundance of shallow water, and the warm ocean breezes. You can enjoy the spectacular sunset over the point, and the sounds of fiddle music by the campfire (if you're there with us and my sister is playing her fiddle)! It really is dreamy. It is well worth the short hike over the dune to get there! Go at 4pm and stay until 10. You will enjoy every second!
Margaree Harbour Beach
Margaree Harbour beach is our family's favourite (and there are a few lovely beaches around, for sure)! It is really long, and seemingly not as busy as some of the other spots. At low tide, the kids can enjoy the abundance of shallow water, and the warm ocean breezes. You can enjoy the spectacular sunset over the point, and the sounds of fiddle music by the campfire (if you're there with us and my sister is playing her fiddle)! It really is dreamy. It is well worth the short hike over the dune to get there! Go at 4pm and stay until 10. You will enjoy every second!
Located near the National Park in Cheticamp, this is a destination all on its own! The clear blue water of this warm, clean lake will entice you to just keep swimming. Or, for the one craving a thrill, climb up the cliff and jump on in! It is a bit of a walk in, but so worth it. I last went in September, and while the weather was beginning to chill, the water was warm and lovely! Don't miss this!
20 locals recommend
Gypsum Mine Lake
Cheticamp Back RoadLocated near the National Park in Cheticamp, this is a destination all on its own! The clear blue water of this warm, clean lake will entice you to just keep swimming. Or, for the one craving a thrill, climb up the cliff and jump on in! It is a bit of a walk in, but so worth it. I last went in September, and while the weather was beginning to chill, the water was warm and lovely! Don't miss this!
Shopping
The Outdoor Store carries great brands for men and women (ie: Sorel, Blundstone, Lole, Paige Denim, Scotch and Soda, Keen), and this is the spot to pick something up if you've realized you left your hikers at home (or just need an excuse to pick up a new pair of smartwool socks or Paige jeans)! The prices are reasonable (pretty much the same on Amazon) and the service is amazing! Rosalie Pino, owner and operator, goes way above and beyond to ensure that her clients are happy and well taken care of. This is a great store!
The Outdoor Store
472 Chebucto StThe Outdoor Store carries great brands for men and women (ie: Sorel, Blundstone, Lole, Paige Denim, Scotch and Soda, Keen), and this is the spot to pick something up if you've realized you left your hikers at home (or just need an excuse to pick up a new pair of smartwool socks or Paige jeans)! The prices are reasonable (pretty much the same on Amazon) and the service is amazing! Rosalie Pino, owner and operator, goes way above and beyond to ensure that her clients are happy and well taken care of. This is a great store!
Macpherson's (aka Ralphie's, or Lucky Dollar) is an old-school General store that has not changed a bit even since I was a child! Get your staple foodstuffs, or an electric burger (freshly ground beef grilled on an electric grill), and grab some penny candy for the kids:) Also, grab the best cut steak you'll find anywhere - Ralph Sr. is a master butcher! While the store seems small, you'll be amazed at the selection they have!
Macpherson's
916 E Big Intervale RdMacpherson's (aka Ralphie's, or Lucky Dollar) is an old-school General store that has not changed a bit even since I was a child! Get your staple foodstuffs, or an electric burger (freshly ground beef grilled on an electric grill), and grab some penny candy for the kids:) Also, grab the best cut steak you'll find anywhere - Ralph Sr. is a master butcher! While the store seems small, you'll be amazed at the selection they have!
I LOVE this shop! Open year-round is rare here, and it is easy to see how they make it even in the cold season - it is an awesome shop! You'll find handmade goods made by Cape Breton artisans in this one perfectly curated boutique. From paintings to quilts, mouth blown glass to hand made cards, you'll find so many incredible things here. And when you have found that perfect thing, hit the Frozen Spoon (the sweet little ice cream shop riiight next door) for a cone. You'll have officially won the day!
8 locals recommend
Victoria County Court House
507 Chebucto StI LOVE this shop! Open year-round is rare here, and it is easy to see how they make it even in the cold season - it is an awesome shop! You'll find handmade goods made by Cape Breton artisans in this one perfectly curated boutique. From paintings to quilts, mouth blown glass to hand made cards, you'll find so many incredible things here. And when you have found that perfect thing, hit the Frozen Spoon (the sweet little ice cream shop riiight next door) for a cone. You'll have officially won the day!
Food Scene
L'Abri is a great stop for coffee, house made doughnuts, or a bowl of Fricot (a hearty Acadian chicken and potato soup that is soooo very satisfying). They feature vegan/GF options as well. Situated on the water's edge in Cheticamp, the view isn't too bad either!
25 locals recommend
L'abri
15559 Cabot Trail RdL'Abri is a great stop for coffee, house made doughnuts, or a bowl of Fricot (a hearty Acadian chicken and potato soup that is soooo very satisfying). They feature vegan/GF options as well. Situated on the water's edge in Cheticamp, the view isn't too bad either!
"The Goat" (as it is affectionately called around these parts) is the place to stop for coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and soups. The food is delicious and the service is gracious! They are VERY busy in the summer, so call ahead for pick-up if you're in a hurry! The breakfast sandwich is really awesome (egg and your choice of meat or a tomato slice on a buttery, homemade biscuit), and you won't be sad if you take home a few muffins, cookies, or a loaf of porridge bread, either.
63 locals recommend
Dancing Goat Cafe & Bakery
6289 Cabot Trail Rd"The Goat" (as it is affectionately called around these parts) is the place to stop for coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and soups. The food is delicious and the service is gracious! They are VERY busy in the summer, so call ahead for pick-up if you're in a hurry! The breakfast sandwich is really awesome (egg and your choice of meat or a tomato slice on a buttery, homemade biscuit), and you won't be sad if you take home a few muffins, cookies, or a loaf of porridge bread, either.
While Macpherson's General Store really has you covered for the necessities during your Margaree stay (especially for expertly cut meat), the Co-op in Margaree Forks will have anything you can't find there. Including beer and wine. They have those.
11 locals recommend
Margaree Co-Op & Liquor Agency Store
7883 Cabot Trail RdWhile Macpherson's General Store really has you covered for the necessities during your Margaree stay (especially for expertly cut meat), the Co-op in Margaree Forks will have anything you can't find there. Including beer and wine. They have those.
The. Best. Food. Ever. And I mean, EVER.
While it is highly unlikely that you'll be able to snag one of the coveted 16 seats in this world-class farm-to-table restaurant set in a century old farmhouse owned by the chef, it can't hurt to send an email and be added to the cancellation list! Miracles do happen! (But considering that the entire May-December season sold out in minutes when reservations opened in January, it would definitely be considered a miracle!)
8 locals recommend
The Bite House
1471 Westside Baddeck RdThe. Best. Food. Ever. And I mean, EVER.
While it is highly unlikely that you'll be able to snag one of the coveted 16 seats in this world-class farm-to-table restaurant set in a century old farmhouse owned by the chef, it can't hurt to send an email and be added to the cancellation list! Miracles do happen! (But considering that the entire May-December season sold out in minutes when reservations opened in January, it would definitely be considered a miracle!)
Well-prepared food in a rustic fishing lodge miles down a bumpy-yet-gorgeous back road. Worth the drive!
11 locals recommend
Big Intervale Fishing Lodge
3719 W Big Intervale RdWell-prepared food in a rustic fishing lodge miles down a bumpy-yet-gorgeous back road. Worth the drive!
Big Spruce is our awesome local, on-farm, organic brewery. In the mood for live music, beer tastings, and amazing food truck offerings? Here's all that and more! Go for the tasty flagships (Kitchen Party Pale Ale and Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout) and stay for whatever else they've got going on (which is always something really interesting)! A must-visit!
26 locals recommend
Big Spruce Brewing
64 Yankee Line RdBig Spruce is our awesome local, on-farm, organic brewery. In the mood for live music, beer tastings, and amazing food truck offerings? Here's all that and more! Go for the tasty flagships (Kitchen Party Pale Ale and Cereal Killer Oatmeal Stout) and stay for whatever else they've got going on (which is always something really interesting)! A must-visit!
For the Soul
Away from your home church on a Sunday and don't want to miss out on fellowship? Come spend Sunday with us! Enjoy meaningful worship and solid Bible teaching with a vibrant congregation (lots of young people and young-at-heart people)! Sunday morning's service is at 11am (Sunday school for kids grades primary-6 and nursery care for little ones up to school age are provided), and the evening's meeting is at 6:30. Or, drop in for Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7pm. We would love to have you amongst us! (And it is pretty neat to have church in a building that is nearing 120 years old!)
Margaree Valley Baptist Church
924 East Big Intervale RoadAway from your home church on a Sunday and don't want to miss out on fellowship? Come spend Sunday with us! Enjoy meaningful worship and solid Bible teaching with a vibrant congregation (lots of young people and young-at-heart people)! Sunday morning's service is at 11am (Sunday school for kids grades primary-6 and nursery care for little ones up to school age are provided), and the evening's meeting is at 6:30. Or, drop in for Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7pm. We would love to have you amongst us! (And it is pretty neat to have church in a building that is nearing 120 years old!)