So my mother and I are leaving from Buffalo this Saturday on a 2 week trip to the provinces in my title. So close to Nfld...........and yet so far...........we just don't have the time to make it there. :(

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on what to see? We only have 3 planned random things so far - in New Brunswick we are doing family history research, Anne of Green Gables, and I want to take a picture of the "Welcome to Cole Harbour, Home of Sidney Crosby" sign. Is the Alexander Keith's brewery tour any good?

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Cape Breton, CApe Breton Cape Breton - Cabot Trail in Cheticamp at sunset, a "time" at the Doryman in CHeticamp, Monday ceilidhs in Baddeck, anything in Baddeck, the Fort at Louisbourg, THursday nights in Glencoe, the Highland Village in Iona, Ingonish Beach, St. Peter's with all the painted hydrants, Gaelic COllege of Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's right on the Cabot Trail, Port Hawksbury concerts.

I'll stop there, although I could go on for quite some time. Well, can you tell I love Cape Breton?

Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Don't know if my mom wants to go up that far, but thank you for all of your suggestions!

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We recently took the Alexander Keiths brewery tour and really enjoyed it.  The group we were with included several children, and they were not bored.  The tour is not like other facts oriented "how it's made" type tours I've been on, it includes live actors in period costume, never out of character, taking you back in time to the days when Alexander Keith was building his business in Halifax in the 1800's.  They do an amazing job, and the tour culminates in the "pub" where you get to sample two of the beers (or iced tea or lemonade if you're underage or just don't drink) and they sing songs, tell stories, etc.  We were very pleasantly surprised. 

You could spend 2 weeks in Halifax and not have time to do all that there is to do just in Halifax/Dartmouth. 

I haven't been to the Citadel yet, they tell me that tour is a good 'en too, and there are guided and self guided historic walking tours of downtown Halifax.

There are guided tours of the Basilica during the summer (haven't been on one of those either, though I try to get to Mass there every friday afternoon! Should check out the tour some time, just for my own information)

I've also been on the Harbour hopper which is very very cheesy, but lots of fun too.  I'm not sure it's worth the expense, BetRx could speak more to that (since she so graciously covered my admission when we went!)  It's sometimes hard to be objective about the touristy stuff when you live here.  (listen to me, like I'm a native Haligonian.  pfft.)

And if you are in Cole Harbour to take a picture of that sign, then you are close enough to have lunch (or dinner) at one of my favourite places in Cole Harbour.  Jamesons pub is a great little Irish pub, nice ambience, celtic music in the background, AMAZING food-the banana caramel desert thing is awesome-and live music on weekend evenings.  I've actually never been there when they had a band playing so I can't speak to that, but I will sing homage to the pan seared scallop salad..mmmmmmm.

And BTW "scallop" rhymes with "trollop"

 

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In the social order, I accept the bottom rung, until the wine is pouring and the Lord commands a song!

senrab:

So my mother and I are leaving from Buffalo this Saturday on a 2 week trip to the provinces in my title. So close to Nfld...........and yet so far...........we just don't have the time to make it there. :(

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on what to see? We only have 3 planned random things so far - in New Brunswick we are doing family history research, Anne of Green Gables, and I want to take a picture of the "Welcome to Cole Harbour, Home of Sidney Crosby" sign. Is the Alexander Keith's brewery tour any good?

 

Yes the brewery tour is good. It ends in the original Brewery pub too. Just being in a centuries-old pub, which has been largely maintained in its original state, is an amazing peek into history...'Course the beer wenches serve up a complimentary Keith's as well. The Citadel is worthwhile for the view alone. It's a self-guided tour; you may even see a reenactment in the courtyard since we're into the tourist season.

In downtown Hali, plan to walk along the boardwalk on the harbour front. It's lively, interesting and a mere 10 foot drop to the mighty Atlantic. When you smell Cows ice cream follow your nose to its door, than look across the boardwalk to the old stone building with no sign. You'll see a beer patio around it. That's the Lower Deck, the launchpad for GBS in the early 90s when they first began to venture off the rock. The pub has been open for business since the 1700s. It's cool. Check out the tiny stage inside and try to imagine the guys performing there!

Walk down Spring Garden Road in Hali. It's the busiest street & filled with cool shops and restaurants. If you're walking west/up hill/away from the harbour on Spring Garden you'll come to the Public Gardens. It's a lovely spot.

The Harbour hopper is a huge green frog amphibious vehicle like those invented during the Vietnam war. It's fun if you want to do a land & sea tour around the waterfront. I didn't find it cheesy. Then again I have no problem yelling out RIBBET on command.  I'm not sure if they still badger the patrons to do that...

In truth, the coasts of Nova Scotia are a beautiful drive. If you are doing two weeks it is well worth your while to pick up a "Doers & Dreamers" guide when you get into NS and follow one of the driving routes such as the lighthouse route around the province. When you get to Cape Forshu light station in Yarmouth on the southern tip and Peggy's Cove lighthouse along the east coast, do the self guided tour. My husband designed the interpretive panels and I'm completely unbiased when I say they're interesting, informative and gorgeous.

Have fun!
 

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"Know thyself and to thine own self be true." ~Will Shakespeare
Ships & Dip V referral ID: TinaMack
I'm here to help.

Thanks for your suggestions, Sharn and Tina!

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Hey senrab - Once you cross into NS, stop at the nearest tourist bureau off the highway. They are full of free information, brochures, and guide books. The "Doers & Dreamers Guide" is comprehensive and free, a must-have for anyone traipsing around the province pleasure bent. 

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"Know thyself and to thine own self be true." ~Will Shakespeare
Ships & Dip V referral ID: TinaMack
I'm here to help.

I never posted again in this thread...we had an absolutely wonderful time. Found a lot about my mom's family history in Memramcook, NB. I would go back up there tomorrow if I could.

I have pics here:

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606319949282/

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606323457393/

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606319997018/

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606320061012/

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606320111920/

http://flickr.com/photos/senrab/sets/72157606320137202/

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Glad you had a wonderful time! Loved your pics especially those of PEI. Glad you captured the jellyfish, irish moss, and the wonderful capes. I was there visiting my family the week after you were there. Hardest place on this earth for me to leave.