Cape Breton Island Travel Forum

If you only have one week, where should I spend my time? I enjoy hiking, the coast and historical buildings. I do love lighthouses but definitely want to avoid really touristy areas. Don't want to follow a tour bus around while on vacation and don't want to have the views blocked by condos and big hotels. I prefer outdoor activities to the the city nightlife.

Any suggestions on what to do and where to stay?

Thanks

from what you describe, i'd go to cape breton. plenty of great hiking places there and for some history, you can spend a day at louisbourg. spend your last night or two in halifax.

For that combination -- hiking, coastal views and historic buildings, I would go to Cape Breton. There are about 25 hikes in Cape Breton -- we only hiked six of them in two days and we should have stayed longer. The area north of Cape Breton Highlands NP is also worth visiting.

The historic buildings at the fortress at Louisbourg is worth at least a full day as well (we spent two there). You will not see a condo or big hotel on the island. For that matter, if you are travelling in the summer months, you will have to reserve quite early to find enough rooms. We stayed at B&B's and were not disappointed.

There are a few lighthouses on Cape Breton anyway, and besides (here's hoping a Maritimer does not read this), if you've seen one lighthouse, you can say you've seen them all.

I forgot to add that our VT Nova Scotia page -- even though it is not 100% complete, does cover Cape Breton pretty well. There are a few good Nova Scotia pages on VT.

There are alot of tour buses on the Cabot Trail in summer but this area is so vast and unpopulated that one can find adventure and seclusion very easily. Where to stay will depend on what you enjoy....from a four star resort to nothing more than clean sheets and a bite to eat....the range is open there...lots of bed and breakfast type places along the trail and you generally don't have to book ahead...