So many Margarees and so little time! Once you
realize there's no hurry, that you can see the National Park enjoyably
in a full day, it's easy to stop in Margaree and smell the roses–wild
roses that is, like those which adorn our Harbour. Whatever you're
looking for in Cape Breton, we've got it here.
Seaside:
If you're staying at or near Margaree
Harbour, you might want to take advantage
of the fishing wharf (just
across the big bridge), the beaches
and the safe canoeing and kayaking available there. Enjoy a quiet
paddle from East Margaree or Margaree
Forks downstream to the Harbour. Keep an eye out overhead for bald
eagles, which are plentiful in this
area. Explore the wharf by canoe or kayak, or arrive by car. Depending
on season, fishing boats and their crews arrive with their catch around
midday; don't be afraid to say hello. If you need refreshment, there
are spa treatments
at the Island Sunset Resort.
Beside the Margaree
Harbour Wharf, there's a long
beach on the other side of the breakwater.
For lunch, there's family food at the Hungry Skipper in Belle Cote.
Even if you are not one for relaxing on a beach in the sun, you'll enjoy
the jaunt down the coast a few kilometres to Whale
Cove, where the beach, bluffs and coastline
will fill your senses. There's another gorgeous
beach at Chimney Corner, which is a fabulous
walking beach, with the renowned Cape Breton Clay gallery
nearby.
You can buy fresh-cooked-seafood-to-go
at Whale Cove Cottages and have a picnic on the beach. There's also
lots of sit-down dining
at the Harbour at Duck Cove Inn and in Belle Cote at the Island Sunset
Resort, each with stunning views of the Harbour and coastline. If you
can manage it, do make the twenty minute trip to Margaree Valley for
some of the best music and dancing on the
island at the The Barn, (Wednesdays in
spring / Fridays in summer) or on Friday nights, music and dancing at
St. Joseph's Hall in Southwest Margaree.
Car Trip/day:
Start in the Margaree Valley area with a visit
to the Salmon Museum,
beside the Cabot Trail. Afterward, head further into the Valley and
visit the historic Fish Hatchery,
about five minutes away. After admiring all the "fish things"
they have to offer, you've earned a little down time; check out Jennifer
MacPherson's painted floor mats
at Two Macs gallery, pottery and photographs
at Cape Breton Clay, Anne Morell Robinson's quilts
and hooked rugs in Big Intervale; once
you've worked up an appetite shopping, drop by the Big Intervale Fishing
Lodge restaurant for great food
and hospitality.
If your kids crave excitement, try the Go-karts
or Bumper boats at the Lakes Resort, then sample some seafood
in their restaurant next door (they also have kayaks
and paddle boats) When you leave, you might check out the Lifestyles
hiking trails at nearby Lake O'Law. |
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On your way,
there's Josef McKinnon, who makes folk
art carvings at his roadside Four Winds
Gallery on the Cabot Trail. You'll begin to follow the river as you
head toward the ocean at Margaree Harbour. Don’t miss the Dancing
Goat in Northeast Margaree, a lovely bistro
which serves cappuccino's, fresh-baked goodies and lunches.
There's gas, ATM cash, spirits, groceries
and visitor information on your way,
at Northeast Margaree and Margaree Forks.
There's family eating or spa treatments
at the Margaree Lodge, a funky Antiques
shop with plenty to look at, and a park
by the river, near the Visitor Information
Centre. Nearby, try your luck at the
Old Miller's Trout Farm U-Fish.
From the Forks to the Harbour are some of the most spectacular views
of the Margaree River, a famous destination
for salmon fishers. Feel free to drop
by for a tour of the Larch Wood Enterprises mill, where flooring and
lovely juniper cutting boards are fabricated.
Admire the awesome view
as you arrive at Margaree Harbour, but turn left on Route 219 before
crossing the big bridge. As you enter the little village, you'll see
two lighthouses at the very end of the
road, and a beautiful beach just beyond;
take it in. If you want more good things, head further south on route
219, also known as the Ceilidh Trail. As you approach Whale Cove,
you'll be dazzled by the coastline, and Whale
Cove beach.
For a bigger and more private beach, drive south
toward Chimney Corner beach. There's
lots of accommodation and a number of
restaurants on the coast, and also in
the Valley, if you've decided to stay. On summer Tuesdays, have steak
& ale with music at the Island Sunset Resort or catch concerts
and dancing at the Barn at the Normaway Inn, once a week, an
event renowned throughout the Island.
Day Trips Further Afield:
Margaree is also a good
central base for seeing some of the
great things on Cape Breton. There are some of Canada's finest golf
courses within easy driving distance
in Baddeck, Ingonish, Cheticamp and Dundee. There's also the Fortress
of Louisbourg, which is one of the most elaborate historical reconstructions
anywhere. For hikers, there are elaborate
trails in the National Park and in
the Mabou Highlands. Isle Madame is an under-explored area which makes
a lovely day trip, and the Broad Cove area (only minutes from Margaree),
offers some spectacular coastal vistas. All in all, more than enough
to make your trip truly memorable.
Bike Days in Margaree:
This is a leisurely way to enjoy the Valley.
The Salmon Museum and Fish Hatchery
are close enough together to reach comfortably on a bike. Check out
the renowned craft shops,
then head over to Margaree Centre, where you'll go over the Margaree
River, and notice people having a good time swimming
in the gorgeous Margaree River. After you have a bite at Ingraham's
Take-out/Irving, turn right and head for the Ingraham Brothers Store
Museum at 2084 West Big Intervale Rd. (open six days/week), a cute
general store
built in 1885, and restored to be as it was when it was open. If you
turn left, you can continue toward the Phillips
Mountain Lookoff, a scenic viewpoint
over the valley. When you're back on the Cabot Trail, you could also
head to Margaree Forks,
passing beautiful hayfields, and catching glimpses of the river. Enjoy
a few hours of trout fishing
at the Old Miller Trout Farm U-Fish.
By the time you arrive, you'll have worked up an appetite, and there
are refreshments and accommodation available in abundance in the Valley
and the Forks. Save some energy for the music
and dancing at the Barn on the grounds
of the Normaway Inn. |
