Places to go, Things to see

Cape Breton Island is full of fun, I have stayed in many places and did many things. In this blog I am going to discuss some key places to visit.

  1) Louisbourg- Now I am bias to Louisbourg, being from there. However, it is so much fun! You can do hikes, such as the lighthouse trail. It takes you along some amazing coast line, many beaches and some great places to sit and have a picnic! You can also head down to the wharf and watch some locals fish, even join in. My favorite festivity in Louisbourg is Crab Fest! Hundreds of people gather for a crab dinner and mussels and some drinks and dancing later in the evening. It is always a good time for people from the local community and tourists alike. The fortress is amazing, you can buy local bread, made in a brick oven, have food, witness cannon firings, and see how people lived in the 18th century. Also this is a big year, Louisbourg 300!
According to the Parks Canada website (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/activ/louisbourg300.aspx) they describe Louisbourg 300 as "A major attraction that cannot be overlooked is the Fortress of Louisbourg, and it is Louisbourg 300 this year. A big celebration! Get ready for a celebration three centuries in the making! Join us in 2013 for Louisbourg300, a grand fête marking the 300th anniversary of the founding of Île Royale – modern day Cape Breton Island – and its capital, Louisbourg. Special events will be held throughout the 2013 visitor season, so any time is the perfect time to visit!" Also, when visiting Louisbourg don't miss the chance to see Little Lorraine and Main-a-Dieu. Great tiny fishing towns!

2) Margaree- I love Margaree, the awesome river to go fishing in, the tiny friendly towns and awesome scenery. There are some cute farms there that you can check out, some places to go fishing, horseback riding, hikes, or many cabins to rent and have some people out on a deck BBQing and enjoying a cold one.

3) Baddeck- I stayed here alot for work (during the winter months) and it was fun then too! Its a nice little town right on the water. Alot of charm and character. Its a good starting point if you want to do the cabot trail. You can d0 a whale watching tour, get an amazing view of Alexander Graham Bells home, see an island full of birds and get a look at the rich yachts docked in the harbor. Baddeck is great for history too! Baddeck is home to the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire. There is a museum about Alexander Graham Bell and all his accomplishments that you can visit and to make this town even more fun, there is one of the best golf courses in Cape Breton- Bell Bay. For the avid golfer, this is your town! You can also head to any restaurant or hotel during the evening for some live entertainment and a good brew.

4) Meat Cove- I LOVE MEAT COVE! Its the very top of the island, you really have to go out of your way to get there, but when you do, your mouth will drop with the views. Imagine travelling on a tiny road, over a tiny bridge and then being on the top of the world, this is how it is. Soon as you get there be sure to get out of your car and head to your closest view point (which will probably be a cliff, so dont get too close to the edge) and you will see nothing but rolling hills, deep blue ocean smashing against rocks and the most amazing sunrise/sunset. A must see when you are in Cape Breton!

5) Ingonish- Ingonish has a great beach, the Keltic Lodge (with great food) and local music. Its a wonderful spot to go relax, hike and check out the highland national park. That Park is wonderful! There are natural waterfalls, moose sightings, great hikes, spectacular views and stunning beaches! These are a few of my favorite places in Cape Breton, be sure to check back for live music venues and good eats! Friday, May 31, 2013 Labels: baddeck , cape breton , cape breton beaches , cape breton golf , cape breton highlands , cape breton vacation , crab fest , fortress of louisbourg , hiking , ingonish , lighthouse , louisbourg , louisbourg300

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Alderdale Greens

Alderdale Greens

Getting into the more public courses starting here.  Alderdale is a 9 hole public course located in Point Edward, across the harbour from Sydney, Nova Scotia.  It's not a particularly long course but is great if you are looking to get in a quick 9 holes.  Can get pretty busy on the weekends so if your looking to take your time it's probably best to get out during the week. Power cart and pull cart rentals available.
Thursday, May 30, 2013 Labels: cape breton , cape breton golf , sydney

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Lingan Golf & Country Club

Lingan Golf & Country Club

Lingan Golf & Country Club is located on the highway between Sydney and GlaceBay, Nova Scotia.  It has a great location as well as being a top notch course.  It's not the most challenging out there but it is a great course to play casually with friends as the atmosphere is friendly and upbeat.  Flavour 19 is the onsite bar/restaurant and is worth the trip out by itself.

Website

Details:

Opened 1913
Holes 18
Designer Stanley Thompson/C.E. (Robbie) Robinson
Season May - October
Hours 6am to Dusk
Green Fees $45 - $54
Rentals Yes
Power Carts Yes
Pull Carts Yes
Practice Green Yes
Food/Beverage Yes Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Labels: cape breton , cape breton golf , glace bay , sydney

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Dundee

Dundee

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Labels: bras dor lakes , cape breton , cape breton golf

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Bell Bay

Bell Bay

Bell Bay is a beautiful golf course located in Baddeck.  It was designed by Thomas McBroom who has 12 of his designed courses listed in the 2006 SCOREGolf Magazine Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada, including Bell Bay. Every hole at Bell Bay is named for a ship that sailed the Seven Seas from Baddeck.  The course is fairly challenging and has amazing views including Beinn Bhreagh, the estate of Alexander Grahm Bell, across Bell Bay.  If you are near or in Baddeck in the summer and enjoy golfing, make sure to check out Bell Bay

Website

Details:

Opened 1998
Holes 18
Par 72
Yardage 7037
Course Rating 74.3
Slope 136
Designer Thomas McBroom
Hours 7:00 am - Dusk
Green Fees $49.99 and up
Rentals Yes
Power Carts Yes
Pull Carts Yes
Food/Beverage Yes
Monday, May 27, 2013 Labels: baddeck , cape breton , cape breton golf , the cabot trail

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Cabot Links

Cabot Links

The newest addition to the Cape Breton golf scene has caused quite a stir among golfers local and from away.  The course located on the west coast of Cape Breton in Inverness, is modeled as a traditional Scottish links course.  It is set directly along the water leaving the golfer with breath taking views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Put on your golf shoes as in keeping with the traditional Scottish theme, this is a walking only course so along with the great views you'll get a great workout.  This unique experience is a definite for all golfers in or coming to the area.

Website

Details:

Holes 18
Par 72
Yardage 6942
Designer Rod Whitman
Season April 15 - November 15
Hours 6:30 am - 9:30 pm
Green Fees $130 - $150.
Rentals Yes
Power Carts No
Pull Carts Yes
Practice Green Yes
Food/Beverage Yes
Soft Spikes Yes
Caddies Yes Saturday, May 25, 2013 Labels: cape breton , cape breton golf , inverness

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - LePortage

LePortage

Le Portage is located in Cheticamp, just off the Cabot Trail.  One of the toughest courses in Cape Breton, it is also one of the most beautiful with brilliant views of the Ocean as well as the Highlands of Cape Breton.  With 60 sand bunkers and the winds coming directly off the ocean, this course is one of the greatest tests of a golfers ability on Cape Breton Island.  Located in Cheticamp, a stop here also allows for taking in the local Acadian culture with food and live music.

Website

Details:

Opened 1987
Holes 18
Par 72
Yardage 6777
Slope 137
Designer Robert & David Moote
Season April 15 - Oct. 31
Hours 7:00 am - Dusk
Green Fees $41.74 - $50.43
Rentals Yes
Power Carts Yes
Pull Carts Yes
Practice Green Yes
Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Food/Beverage Yes
Soft Spikes Yes
Friday, May 24, 2013 Labels: cape breton , cape breton golf , cape breton highlands , cheticamp , the cabot trail

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - Highland Links

Highland Links

Thursday, May 23, 2013 Labels: cape breton , cape breton golf , cape breton highlands , ingonish , the cabot trail

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews - The Lakes

The Lakes

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Labels: ben eion , bras dor lakes , cape breton , cape breton golf

Cape Breton Golf - Reviews / Previews

Hey everyone.  I'm going to run a short series over the next couple of days on the various golf courses around Cape Breton.  For those who don't know, Cape Breton has some excellent golf options, some of the best in the world really.  See below for a list of courses I'll be covering and links to the relevant posts if they are available:

The Lakes
Highland Links
Le Portage
Cabot Links
Bell Bay
Dundee Golf Club
Lingan Golf & Country Club
Alderdale Greens Labels: baddeck , cape breton , cape breton golf , cape breton highlands , cape breton information , cheticamp , ingonish , review , the cabot trail

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