The week of May 18 opens with a free evening of live music at Eskasoni First Nation as part of the Road to the ECMAs – First Stop Eskasoni First Nation, and closes under the stars with Deep Space Stargazing at Grand River with Stan Williams — with plenty of ceilidhs, waterfall hikes, and lakeside dining woven in between.
Free showcase of local Indigenous musicians at Sarah Denny Cultural Centre from 4 to 8 PM. Lineup includes Michael R. Denny, Shawnee Paul, The Marshall Brothers, Wam-Pum, Second Generation, Gearl, and The Relatives, with opening remarks from Chief Leroy Denny and ECMA Executive Director Bob Hallett.
Live traditional music and dancing happens every Wednesday year-round at the Gaelic College, with local musicians and dancers performing ceilidh music and songs. Events run 7:30-9pm in the Hall of the Clans (July-August) or MacKenzie Hall (other months). Admission is $15, free for children under 12.
A weekly gathering for people who knit, stitch, crochet, decoupage, or work on other craft projects. Held Friday afternoons from 1-3pm at Baddeck Public Library, with tea and cookies provided. Beginners can borrow materials and tools to get started, and experienced crafters can share advice or work on their own projects.
An astronomy evening at Grand River Falls where you'll view the night sky through telescopes while listening to the river. Stan Williams from the Cape Breton Astronomical Society leads the session, which takes advantage of the area's dark skies to see planets and deep-sky objects.
Ronald Williams; ground truthing, Collective Myth
Guided hike to two local waterfalls: Lower North River Falls and Uisge Ban Falls. Contact the organizer for start time, duration, and meeting location.
Get a taste of local Celtic music and culture with the Frolic’n Folk’s Saturday Ceilidhs (kay-lee). Expect to see world-renowned talent & budding entertainers from all over our native Cape Breton. General admission seating. First come first serve at the pub. No reservations. Minors allowed up until 10pm. 5-8pm | $5
Start the week on Monday evening by making the short drive to Eskasoni First Nation, where the Road to the ECMAs – First Stop Eskasoni First Nation brings local and regional musicians to the Sarah Denny Cultural Centre from 4 to 8 p.m., free of charge. It's a rare chance to experience Mi'kmaw and East Coast musical talent in an intimate community setting before the East Coast Music Awards season heats up.
Tuesday is a natural day to settle into Baddeck itself. Check into Inverary Resort, a four-season lakeside property right in the heart of town, and spend the morning at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where exhibits trace Bell's remarkable decades of invention at his Bras d'Or Lake estate — from the telephone to the Silver Dart airplane. Fuel up beforehand at Highwheeler Café & Bakery, where scratch-baked pastries and proper coffee make for a reliable morning ritual in downtown Baddeck.
Wednesday evening belongs to the Wednesday Ceilidhs at Colaisde na Gàidhlig at the Gaelic College — live traditional music and dancing run from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. for $15 admission. Colaisde na Gàidhlig is dedicated to the preservation of Gaelic culture and offers instruction in over ten disciplines, so the atmosphere on a Wednesday night feels genuinely rooted in the tradition rather than performed for tourists. Grab dinner beforehand at Tom's Pizza Restaurant, a family-owned spot serving fresh pizzas with live music in downtown Baddeck since 1985.
On Saturday morning, lace up for the Guided Hike to Lower North River Falls and Uisge Ban Falls, departing North River Falls Provincial Park at 11:00 a.m. The Uisge Ban Falls Trail leads through a mossy forest gorge to a 15-metre waterfall — one of the Bras d'Or highlands' most photogenic destinations in late spring when the water is running high. That afternoon, head to Iona Heights for the Céilidh Matinee at the Frolic'n Folk, where Cape Breton fiddlers and step dancers take the stage at 5:00 p.m. Cap the evening with a proper lobster supper at Baddeck Lobster Suppers — all-you-can-eat mussels, chowder, and a whole lobster with views over the lake.
Before leaving the region, consider a short detour to Whycocomagh Provincial Park on Skye Mountain, where elevated views stretch across Bras d'Or Lake in every direction — particularly striking on a clear late-May morning when the lake shimmers below the treeline.
Uisge Ban (Gaelic for "white water") tumbles 15 metres down a slate cliff into a fern-lined amphitheatre near Baddeck. The most popular route is the 3-kilometre Falls Trail through old hardwood forest with several brook crossings on small bridges. A second loop, the River Trail, adds another two kilometres for those wanting a longer outing. The provincial park is signed off Highway 105 via Baddeck Forks; the final stretch is gravel.
A wooded provincial park on Salt Mountain (Skye Mountain) overlooking Whycocomagh Bay, an arm of the Bras d'Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere.
37 overnight sites: 27 unserviced and 10 with water and electrical. Yurts available with beds, propane BBQs and decks. Flush toilets, showers, dump station, playground, boat launch, cooking shelters, dish and laundry stations, wood and ice on site. Wheelchair-accessible washrooms.
Families and travellers staging between the Causeway and the Cabot Trail. Solid mid-tier RV option with provincial-park calm.
Reservations 1-888-544-3434 or parks.novascotia.ca. 2026 season June 5 – October 19. Walk-ups accepted but call ahead in summer.
Salt Mountain hike (panorama of the Bras d'Or), the Highland Village in Iona, and Glenora Distillery (35 min).
Overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake in Baddeck, the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site explores the inventor's wide-ranging career—telephones, hydrofoils, kites, aviation, and his deep ties to the deaf community. Highlights include the original HD-4 hydrofoil and a full-size replica of the Silver Dart, the first powered aircraft to fly in the British Empire (Baddeck Bay, 1909). Bell's Beinn Bhreagh estate is visible across the bay.
Waterfall Season Select! McNaughton’s Falls, Wagmatcook First Nation Height: 15 m Distance (one way): 4 km Difficulty: Moderate Elevation: 300 m Hiking Time: 2 hours Cellphone Coverage: Yes (partial) Finding the Trailhead: From the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 105) between St. Patrick’s Channel and Nyanza, turn onto Humes Rear Road, located 1 km southwest of the bridge over Middle River. Drive on the Humes Rear Road for 750 m and park near the school and baseball field. Trailhead: 46º04’25.7”N, 60º55’19.0”W Waterfall: 46°04’36.4"N 60°57’45.7"W The Hike: From where you parked, start walking on the continuation of the Humes Rear Road. There is a loss of elevation at first to a large wooden bridge over MacNaughtons Brook. After the first bridge, you cross another smaller brook and then walk uphill to an intersection after walking 1.5 km from your car. Turn to the right at the intersection and hike uphill for approximately 2 km until you see flagging on the right side of the trail. Turn right and follow the footpath downhill for another 50m or so. There is a small viewing platform for this waterfall.
All-you-can-eat mussels, fish chowder, and a whole boiled lobster on the Bras d'Or Lake. A Baddeck institution that draws cruise-ship visitors and Cabot Trail road-trippers in equal numbers, served family-style under one roof.
Be inspired by the fascinating life and work of Alexander Graham Bell – inventor, scientist, teacher, and devoted family man. Wake up your own spirit of innovation through diverse experiences, as you explore his inventions that helped shape our modern world. Marvel at full-scale replicas of the Silver Dart airplane and HD-4 watercraft, take the White Glove Tour for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the genius of Bell, or Come Fly a Kite overlooking the beautiful water views of Baddeck Bay. Bell’s interest in unique shapes and designs comes to life at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. The inspiring architecture guides all visitors through exhibits and multimedia displays that are wheelchair accessible via ramps, and offer ample space to explore, reflect, and discover. The site sits in the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. The Bells fell in love with the natural beauty of the island first known as Unama’ki, and their story is interwoven with that of the many settlers and cultures that continue to thrive here today. More than the telephone! Did you know that Bell’s career began as a teacher of deaf and hearing impaired people? His curiosity and determination would lead to Canada’s first powered flight, the world’s fastest watercraft, advanced recording technology, giant tetrahedral kites and, of course, the telephone. Many of these remarkable inventions first took flight (literally!) in the scenic community of Baddeck, with the support of his wife Mabel Hubbard Bell and a group of innovators they inspired around them. Family fun Do you love to discover new things? Think you might be the next big inventor in technology and science? Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site offers fun and inspiring experiences, perfect for young geniuses and the young at heart. Ask one of the friendly Parks Canada staff to enroll you in the Xplorers program or Club Parka, learn about hands-on experiments you can do at home, and let your imagination take flight with our popular kite programs. Bell’s legacy tells us to embrace playfulness and creativity at every age. Archival photos show the whole Bell family, from children to grandchildren, sharing in the fun of exciting experiments. Make your own family memories that will last a lifetime! Admission for youth aged 17 and under is free! Accessibility The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site features a single accessible building surrounded by terraced green spaces, inclined paved pathways, with accessible parking to the left of the main entrance. Inside, ramps guide visitors from the lobby to the mezzanine of the Water Hall, where various exhibits, including family-friendly workshops and artifact tours are accessible. An elevator is located in the Water Hall, which takes visitors to the lower level that houses both the Hydrofoil and Silver Dart replica. The site also offers accessible washrooms on the mezzanine of the Water Hall and in the freestanding building adjacent to the left of the main entrance. Outdoor experiences Discover Mabel Bell’s historic contributions in Mabel’s Gardens, new interpretive gardens developed in collaboration with Ecosystem Health and Food Security researcher Dr. Alana Pindar and the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation. Learn about the innovative practices Mabel used at the original gardens at Beinn Bhreagh and how you can create your own sustainable garden through this new, interactive space on the grounds of the museum. The museum’s rooftop viewing deck provides a panoramic view of the Bells’ beloved "Beinn Bhreagh" (Gaelic for "beautiful mountain") home still owned by their descendants and Baddeck Bay, part of the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Take a moment to reflect at the First Peoples exhibit, located on the museum’s rooftop, overlooking Pitu-paq: the Bras d’Or Lake. Get a glimpse into the long history and living culture of the Mi’kmaq, as you take in the natural beauty of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island). Picnic tables, including one accessible for mobility-impaired visitors, are located adjacent to the rooftop viewing deck. Savour local flavours from the Tetra Café located inside the museum or enjoy take-out from one of the many restaurants within walking distance. Don’t forget to capture a picture-perfect moment in the iconic Parks Canada red chairs overlooking Baddeck Bay. Relax and enjoy the water views, lush gardens, and unique architecture of the museum, inspired by Bell’s tetrahedral kites. Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell was an early believer in climate change? In 1914, Bell used the term “greenhouse effect” to describe the heating of the earth due to foreign particles in the atmosphere. He also advocated for replacing coal and oil with cleaner forms of energy. You can follow Bell’s vision of a greener future when you use our electric vehicle charging stations to “fuel” the next part of your trip. White Glove Tours The Canadian Signature Experience is the stamp of quality that the international tourism marketplace recognizes. There are eight Canadian Signature Experiences in Nova Scotia including the White Glove Tour. Get an exclusive look into the lives of Alexander Graham Bell and his loving and trailblazing wife Mabel Hubbard Bell. With a passionate guide leading a small group, this behind-the-scenes tour uncovers more of their inspiring story. See fascinating objects and artifacts up close, like Bell’s personal notebook and walking stick. Museum Store The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association, a non-profit co-operating organization, operates the Museum Store. Products include books, kites, educational toys, souvenirs, and other items that relate strongly to Bell, his work and the themes of the site. Tetra Café The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association operates the Tetra Café serving coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as delicious baked goods. The café offers free wireless internet service. Browse, snack, and get connected within unique architectural design elements, plenty of natural light, and a stellar view of Baddeck Bay, part of the UNESCO Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Parks Canada Discovery Pass Get ready for exciting new experiences with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass – 450 000 km2 of memories await! Get the pass that provides access to all Parks Canada-administered sites for 12 full months from date of purchase. Get curious about natural and cultural treasures in Canada, hear stories from Indigenous cultures, or explore hidden gems. Do it all with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass. To purchase online visit: https://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/en/decouverte-discovery
TOM’S PIZZA is a small family owned and operated, licensed pizza restaurant. Located right in the heart of Baddeck, Cape Breton. Serving fresh quality pizzas since 1985. We also have regular live music evenings & are proud to serve locally brewed beer!
Whether the draw is a Gaelic ceilidh, a moonlit waterfall, or fresh lobster on the lake, Baddeck and the Bras d'Or shore offer a full week's worth of reasons to linger a little longer on Cape Breton Island.
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