I just returned from the east coast and from the bottom of my heart I believe that everyone needs to go to Cape Breton now. If there was ever a travel prescription for obtaining inner peace it’s this emerald island just off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Full disclosure, I didn’t always feel this way. I actually hated Cape Breton for a long time. My family roots run deep on this island, so every single summer vacation growing up was spent there visiting family. By the time I was a surly teenager I had had enough and refused to go. “Um, like, there’s so many better places out there,” I’d say with an eye roll and a hair flip. Sigh, youth is wasted on the young.
I’ve been to many of the places I would have deemed better back then —The Islands of Tahiti, Iceland, France, Italy — and while I loved them all, it is Cape Breton, the place I rejected for so long, that has captured my heart for good. I am the Prodigal Daughter returned, and I am so grateful that Cape Breton welcomed me back with open arms. Home for less than a week now, I’m already researching places to rent for the entire summer next year; I simply can’t wait to return.
What makes this island paradise so special will be different for everyone, but I can tell you that if you’re seeking peace and an escape from the frenetic pace of your life, then head east young man, head east.
Five Reasons to Go to Cape Breton
The Cabot Trail
My cousin Tanya is a nervous passenger in a car, so the day we hit The Cabot Trail, I let her drive my car. Halfway through the trip though, I couldn’t take it any longer. I forced her into the passenger seat because if a road can be sexy as hell, The Cabot Trail is the hottest thing out there. Oh baby, those curves are hot.
Built for drivers, this road twists and turns 298 kilometres around Cape Breton offering stunning views the entire way. Frequently getting top billing in Top Ten Lists around the globe for best highway and most scenic drive, if driving turns you on, then get thee to the Northern Tip of Cape Breton and hit the gas baby.
The People
I have a theory that the further east you travel from Ontario, the nicer the people get. We’re Canadian and yes, we’re all nice, so don’t even think about at’ing me on this. I’m not suggesting Vancouver is filled with mean people, just that if the sliding scale starts at Nice in Vancouver, and ends with Nicest in Newfoundland, then Cape Bretoners are pretty damn close to perfection.
The first time someone asks if “you’re from away”, or calls you “dear” in their wonderfully unique Cape Breton accent, you’ll get a little tug on your heart strings. Welcoming and warm, Cape Bretoners treat everyone like family and their attitude is contagious. I guarantee you’ll return home a littler nicer yourself.
The Beaches
If there was a natural habitat for me, it would most definitely be on a beach. In Cape Breton, I returned to the motherland. From hunting for sea glass on Florence Beach, to swimming in the Bras D’or Lakes at Groves Point, to jumping in the waves at Ingonish, I lived in my swimsuit and lapped up every delicious moment getting salty.
Water is every where on this island though, so you can also cool off in the Gypsum Mine near Cheticamp, dunk in the freshwater lake just steps from the ocean at Ingonish, and wash off the salt under a gorgeous waterfall at Black Brook Beach.
The best part of all of this is that there are so many options to enjoy the water in Cape Breton, there is rarely overcrowding anywhere you go.
Natural Beauty
I wasn’t kidding about prescribing Cape Breton for your stress earlier. Dr. Candace here, and the science is conclusive that spending 20 minutes a day in nature can dramatically reduce your stress levels. It stands to reason then, that a trip to Cape Breton is like throwing yourself in a natural detox tank.
Cape Breton has a wonderful lack of commercialization, and an abundance of wide open spaces. I didn’t get to hike on this trip, but when I return next year, I am definitely hitting the trails in the highlands for some serious de-stressing.
Cheaper Than Therapy
Accommodations in Cape Breton range from high end like the Keltic Lodge to modest, like camping in the Cape Breton Highlands with Parks Canada. Finding a place to stay that is suited to your budget is easy.
Here’s the absolutely joyful part about Cape Breton though. You’ll find no outlet malls, crazy theme parks, or tourist traps to drain your wallet. What you will find are amazing cultural experiences like ceilidhs and natural excursions like checking out Puffins on Bird Island. More importantly though you’ll find wide open spaces to clear your head and fill your heart. Cheers to you Cape Breton, I’ll see you next summer.
Candace xoxo
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Nicole White
You described perfectly how I feel about my sweet peaceful home <3
So happy you enjoyed your little visit to Cape Breton, hope to meet you the next time you get back our way 🙂
Nicole (Tanya's friend lol)
Candace Sampson
Thank you so much Nicole. I can’t wait to return and hopefully meet you next time!
Shirley
Born and raised in Ontario, I choose Cape Breton as my home. Couldn’t agree more with everything you had to say. Great piece, Dear 🙂
Candace Sampson
Awww, thank you Shirley. That “dear” just hit me in the feels LOL! xo
Chad Magee
I believe I may have seen you all at the lighthouse in Louisbourg yesterday? If you are looking suggestions on hikes for next year, msg me.
Happy exploring.
Lorraine Impey
Oh my heart leapt when I read this. I too hated C.B. when I was growing up. Couldn’t wait to leave to explore the rest of the country. Now I long for the views the prople and the ocean.
I returned last year with my adult daughter, for the first time in 20 years. She was enthralled by everything and is now plotting a retun trip next year.
” Mom, can you please call your cousins and see where we will be able to crash next summer?”
I love C.B.!?
Karen
Fell in love with CB 3 years ago. Purchased our retirement home in Cheticamp! Ditto to your Top 5! It truly is God’s country and has stolen my heart forever!
Blessings,
Karen
Candace Sampson
Thanks Chad! Wasn’t us unfortunately 🙁 And thanks for the suggestions on hikes, I’ll definitely be looking for a few!
Candace Sampson
I love reading this Lorraine! Maybe we’ll catch up next year at the same time LOL!
Candace Sampson
How amazing Karen! Cheticamp is truly breathtaking! So happy for you!
Donnie
I feel the same way, as a young teenager I couldn’t wait to get off this boring Island, have spent many years in western Canada and was thinking the whole time I am happy, after 20+ years and a couple of very rare visits home I finally came to my senses and moved back home to realize what true happiness is, you are mentioning mostly C.B.R.M. / eastern Cape Breton ( with the exception of the Cabot Trail), I believe the true peace and Beauty of Cape Breton is on the west coast of the Island, maybe you should schedule some site seeing on the the west coast next year ..
Candace Sampson
Thank you Donnie. I absolutely intend to spend more time exploring further next year!
Shauna
Fantastic article!! When you’re ready to unwind again, add Isle Madame to your travel list (we’re the little island off the island!).
Candace Sampson
Wonderful! I’ve never even heard of it, but now I need to visit! Thank you!
Mike Sutherland
I will agree with your article to some extent, I also have done a lot of traveling through Canada and the USA, leaving Cape Breton in 87 and living in Toronto for 29 years it was nice to move back. But I continue to say there is more to Cape Breton than the Cabot Trail and the 105. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. North America is something to see.
Matthew Tully
Firstly, I am biased as this is where I was born and brought up. I had taken my wife and daughter there a couple of years ago to see where I grew up, camping in a trailer rental with views of Ingonish beach and the Keltic Lodge. My daughter, whom is a social media junkie, didn’t use her phone the whole time we were there! I knew they would like it, I mean who wouldn’t? That said, I didn’t realize that none of us would want to leave when the day came. It’s such a calming place and we all look forward to that 5 hour drive back.
Candace Sampson
It was sooooo hard to leave, and I hear the calling almost weekly to return. Soon I hope!