Danielle & Bryden
Danielle & Bryden
Things to Do
Isle Madame
Groundswell Pub & Inn
Check out the Groundswell's kayak, bicycle, canoe and SUP rentals for a fun day of activities. Once you've worked up an appetite, grab a bite at their restaurant and enjoy delicious food, local craft beer & cider, and live music.
Pondville Beach Provincial Park
Pack your swimsuits and hit the beach!
If you head to Pondville South, there is a roughly 1-2 km trail through the woods along the shore that will take you to a hidden beach (referred to as "Back Beach"), which feels like your own slice of paradise. Wear good shoes!
La Goélette à Pépé Café
If you're hankering for a coffee or sweet treat, you need to visit La Goelette a Pepe (translates to "My Grandfather's Schooner" in english) in Arichat. The combined cafe and gas bar pays a beautiful homage to family history and the island's coastal past. The cafe is decorated with historic photos and sells local goods - from handmade earrings & honey, to artwork and music.
Lenoir Forge Museum
The Lenoir Forge Museum is a free museum on the Arichat waterfront showcasing the rich history of Isle Madame (the first permanent settlement on the island was in 1713).
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in June. In July and August, it is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Little Flower Farm
A small farm dedicated to practicing the importance of balance and a hygge lifestyle by taking time away from the daily rush to relax and enjoy the quieter moments.
Marache Point Lighthouse
This is a sweet little lighthouse located at the end of a windy coastal road, which overlooks the Arichat Harbour
Église catholique Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
Notre Dame de l'Assomption is the oldest surviving Roman Catholic Church in Nova Scotia (opened 1837) and is an architectural blend of the Neo-Classical and Gothic Revival architectural styles.
Hidden Gems: Davey and Sky explore Cape Breton’s South Coast
Check out this article on Isle Madame written by Cape Bretoner content creators Davey and Skye.
Nova Scotia
We both absolutely love Nova Scotia, and would love to showcase more parts of this beautiful province with you! If you are tempted to add a few extra days (or a full week) to your Nova Scotia itinerary, here are some of our favorite destinations that we have enjoyed together over the years:
Cape Breton Island
- Drive the Cabot Trail and enjoy the Cape Breton Highlands National Park (2-3 days)
- Ingonish - "Lantern Walk Through Time" with Parks Canada, Ingonish Beach and Franey Trail
- Margaree River Tubing (Live Life in Tents)
- Hideaway Campground in Dingwall - they have an oyster farm!
- Baddeck - very scenic, Alexander Graham Bell Museum and Big Spruce Brewery (amazing craft beer)
- Cape Breton boasts 3/5 of the top public golf courses in Canada according to the 2023 rankings from ScoreGolf Magazine: Cabot Cliffs has been atop the list for years, while Cabot Links occupied the #2 spot in 2023. They are both 90 mins from Isle Madame, in Inverness. Cape Breton Highland Links is in Ingonish Beach (3 hrs north) and would be ideal to combine with some of the other activities in the area - post-golf hike anyone?
Annapolis Valley
- The Valley is known for its local produce, wines and ciders, as well as the home of Acadia University. Wolfville is a beautiful university town.
- Rent a bike and cycle between various wineries - our favorites are Benjamin Bridge, Lightfoot & Wolfville and L'Acadie.
- Check out the Saturday Farmers Market, Acadia gardens and the Grand-Pré National Historic Site
Halifax
- The capital city of Nova Scotia is quickly booming, but has plenty of East Coast charm, with many wonderful restaurants, coffee shops and local stores on the water.
- Favorite restaurants, cafes and bars: LF Bakery (best croissants), Highwayman (amazing cocktails), La Frasca (Bryden's fav), Edna (for brunch or dinner), Bar Kismet (amazing food & cocktails), Garrison (Bryden's fav craft beer), Stillwell Beer Garden & the Dairy Bar (best ice cream), Black Sheep (for brunch or dinner), Salvatores (best pizza), Lower Deck (a must do on a Sunday night especially if Signal Hill is playing)
- Seaport Farmers Market and Halifax Brewery Market (at Alexander Keith's) - fantastic local vendors & fresh produce
- Halifax Citadel Ghost Tour (this was one of our first dates) & Halifax Harbor Hopper
- Peggy's Cove, Duncan's Cove, Musquodoboit Trailway, and Crystal Crescent Beach (where we shared our first kiss) are all great day trips
Need suggestions?
We are both happy to answer any questions and help you plan a fantastic trip to ensure you enjoy your time in Nova Scotia, as much as we enjoyed living there.