Cape Breton is an incredible place to visit, and we hope you have time to make the most of it! Here are some of our favourite places to eat, hike, pet goats, and more.
Inverness County
Inverness Beach & Boardwalk
Inverness
Family-friendly public beach with floating wheelchairs, accessibility mats, lifeguards and change-rooms. The canteen sells lobster rolls (we’ve never tried them, so don’t blame us if you don’t like them!).
Westside Cookhouse
Inverness
Your best local spot for morning coffee, breakfast, and snacks. Also, they’ll add lobster to any menu item. One of the rare spots with free wifi AND cell reception. Good patio too.
Inverness Raceway
Inverness
Harness racing has been a popular local pastime for nearly a century. In August, races are on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Chimney Corner Beach
Margaree: 20 minute drive from Inverness
Our favourite swimming spot. It’s not easy to find, so ask a local if you’re stuck.
Margaree Harbour Beach
Margaree Harbour: 27 minute drive from Inverness
Our other favourite swimming spot. A little hard to find: drive past the post office/general store to find the parking lot. The beach is just beyond the dunes.
CB West Paddle Boards
Margaree Harbour: 27 minute drive from Inverness
A stand up paddle board, guided tour and rental company. They move around, so it’s best to check ahead, but they’re usually located in Margaree Harbour.
Visit site
Mabou Farmers Market
Mabou: 20 minute drive from Inverness
If you want oysters, get them here. Great place for snacks, coffee and crafts. Our favourite vendor is Terron Dodd, who carves wooden spoons.
Open on Sundays, 11am – 2pm.
Cabot Trail
If you haven’t done it before and if you can spare the time, we strongly recommend that you drive the Cabot Trail. Starting from Inverness, it’s possible to complete the drive within a day, but 2 days is ideal. The trail is a loop, and we recommending driving counter-clockwise to maximize your ocean views.
Seaside / Love Boat
Whale Watching
Cheticamp: 50 minute drive from Inverness
Even without the whales, this ocean boat ride offers incredible views of the shore and cliffs. But also: there are whales! And often seals.
Myles from Nowhere
Margaree Forks: 20 minute drive from Inverness
Antique shop in Margaree Forks. The owner Myles will probably tell you a good story or give you directions to a good beach. Bonus: it’s beside a grocery store if you need alcohol or road snacks.
Dancing Goat Cafe & Bakery
Margaree: 30 minute drive from Inverness
Some say they have the best Cape Breton oatcakes. Serves breakfast.
Big Spruce Brewing
Baddeck: 1 hour drive from Inverness
Organic farm and brewery, just a small detour from the Cabot Trail. There’s a cute beer tasting patio and a farm-to-table food truck on site Wednesday-Sunday.
Baddeck Lobster Suppers
Baddeck: 1 hour drive from Inverness
All-you-can-eat mussels and chowder with your meal. This wonderful place is very popular, so come early.
Salty Rose’s & Periwinkle Cafe
Ingonish: 2.5 hour drive from Inverness
Art & craft shop, gallery, cafe and B&B. Contemporary and traditional craft plus the best coffee and snacks on the island. Offers gluten-free and vegan menu items. It’s also a really great bed & breakfast.
Groovy Goat Farm & Soap Co.
Ingonish: 2.5 hour drive from Inverness
If you’re stoping at Salty Rose’s, you may as well walk next door and pet some nice goats!
Seagull Restaurant
Ingonish: 2.5 hour drive from Inverness
If you’re in Ingonish for the night, get your dinner here. Best fish and chips in the area. Also… lobster!
Keltic Lodge
Ingonish: 2 hour 15 minute drive from Inverness
Not exactly a hidden gem (every tourist brochure will tell you to visit), but we think it’s nice to have a cocktail in the back lawn overlooking the ocean.
Neil’s Harbour
Neil’s Harbour: 2.5 hour drive from Inverness
Slightly off the trail, but definitely worth a visit for the scenery. You may be tempted to eat at the Chowder House. It’s hit-or-miss, so opt for the Seagull in Ingonish or the Rusty Anchor in Pleasant Bay instead.
Folk art, sold from a front lawn
Neil’s Harbour / New Haven:
2.5 hour drive from Inverness
When in Neil’s Harbour, definitely visit this retired gentleman’s lawn/art shop. We don’t know the exact address, but get to this street and you can’t miss it. If you’ve been to our apartment, our large and small wood buoys, and this goofy bird in our back yard (pictured) are from here.
Skyline Trail
Pleasant Bay: 1 hour drive from Inverness
Approximately 7 km looping trail with amazing views of the western coastline. It’s a relatively easy hike that can be done in about 2-3 hours.
Note: This one’s really popular, so start at 7:30 AM, or it could get crowded!
Trail details
Rusty Anchor Restaurant
Pleasant Bay: 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Inverness
Cliffside restaurant facing the ocean. Sit on the patio if you can. Also, if you are headed north along the Cabot Trail, there are no other restaurants for a while. So eat here!
Frog Pond Cafe & Sunset Gallery
Cheticamp: 50 minute drive from Inverness
A charming folk art gallery and coffee-shop with an outdoor sheltered patio, located beside a bullfrog pond. Doesn’t serve meals, just a few pastries. Bonus: it’s one of the few places in the area with WiFi.
Gypsum Mine Trail
Cheticamp: 50 minute drive from Inverness
Short hike on an old railway path. Trail leads to white gypsum cliffs and a swimmable lake.
Trail details
