9-Day Nova Scotia & PEI Road Trip: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands and Prince Edward Island Highlights

Day 1: Arrival Halifax

Halifax, Canada on August 12, 2025

11:00am

Arrive Halifax Stanfield Airport / Pick up rental car

Collect your rental vehicle and stock up on snacks and maps; car counters typically operate from early morning to late evening—confirm your flight arrival time with the rental company.
CAD0, 1h0m

1:00pm

Halifax Waterfront walk

Stretch your legs on the boardwalk, see the Harbour Hopper area and historic properties; a great orientation to the city and harbor views.
CAD0, 1h0m

8:00am

Breakfast at Two If By Sea Café

Popular cafe near downtown serving coffee, pastries, and hearty breakfast bowls—great start before driving north the next day. (Open ~7:30am–3:00pm).
CAD15, 0h45m

6:00pm

Dinner at The Bicycle Thief (Halifax Waterfront)

Italian-inspired seafood and comfort food with harbor views; good final-city meal before hitting the road. Reservations recommended (evenings 5–9pm).
CAD35, 1h30m

9:00pm

Overnight in Halifax

Rest up — early start tomorrow for the drive to Cape Breton. Choose a downtown hotel for easy parking and morning departure.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 2: Halifax to Baddeck

Baddeck (Cape Breton), Canada on August 13, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast: Two If By Sea Café (or local bakery)

Quick café breakfast in Halifax; aim to leave by 8:30–9:00 to reach Baddeck in the afternoon. Confirm local hours (many bakeries open 7–9am).
CAD12, 0h45m

9:00am

Drive Halifax → Baddeck (via NS-102 N and Cabot Trail access)

Scenic 3.5–4 hour drive; plan a short stop in Truro or Antigonish for coffee/stretch. Drive is mostly highway and two-lane roads near Cape Breton.
CAD0, 4h0m

1:30pm

Lunch in Baddeck (local seafood or cafe)

Try a waterfront cafe or casual seafood spot in Baddeck—fresh local lobster and fish, ideal after the drive. Many places open 11:30am onwards in summer.
CAD20, 1h0m

3:00pm

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Museum about Bell's life and inventions with displays and historic artifacts — one of Baddeck's top attractions; typically open 9:00am–5:00pm in summer.
CAD15, 1h30m

5:00pm

Sunset views on Bras d'Or Lake

Stop at a lakeside lookout or short trail to view the expansive Bras d'Or Lakes; peaceful setting and good photo ops.
CAD0, 0h45m

7:00pm

Dinner at a Baddeck waterfront restaurant

Choose a local seafood restaurant (lobster suppers are seasonal) for a relaxed dinner and local flavors; many dining spots remain open until 8–9pm in summer.
CAD30, 1h30m

9:00pm

Overnight in Baddeck

Stay in Baddeck to position yourself for the Cabot Trail loop tomorrow. Book accommodations in advance in high season.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 3: Start Cabot Trail

Ingonish & Cape Breton Highlands NP, Canada on August 14, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast in Baddeck

Fuel up for hiking and scenic driving; many cafes open early in tourist season.
CAD12, 0h45m

9:00am

Drive Baddeck → Ingonish (start Cabot Trail clockwise)

Beautiful coastal and highland driving; plan scenic photo stops and 2–3 short lookouts along the way.
CAD0, 1h15m

10:30am

Keltic Lodge lookouts & beach at Ingonish

Walk the shoreline and take cliff-top views from the lodge area; lodge dining available if you want a later lunch or coffee. Public access to viewpoints is free; lodge facilities open daily in season.
CAD0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at the Keltic Lodge or local Ingonish cafe

Relax with seafood or pub fare overlooking the coast; lodge is a scenic stop for a sit-down lunch (lunch service ~11:30–2:30).
CAD25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Skyline Trail (Cape Breton Highlands National Park)

Iconic hike with cliff-top boardwalk views over the Gulf of St. Lawrence — allow 1.5–2 hours; park entrance fees apply (Parks Canada). Park sites generally accessible daylight hours; check park website for alerts.
CAD10, 2h0m

5:00pm

Drive scenic Cabot Trail toward Cape North

Continue clockwise with coastal lookouts and small community stops—allow flexibility for extra viewpoints, photos and short walks.
CAD0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner in the Mabou / Inverness area (try Red Shoe Pub in Mabou if open)

Red Shoe Pub (Mabou) is a well-known live-music spot with hearty meals — check current hours and live performance schedule (often evening).
CAD30, 1h30m

9:30pm

Overnight near Mabou / Inverness

Small inns and B&Bs are available; book ahead in summer. Rest for further Cabot Trail exploration tomorrow.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 4: West Cabot Trail

Mabou to Cheticamp, Canada on August 15, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at your inn or local cafe

Comfortable breakfast before a day of coastal scenery and cultural stops; small towns may open 8–9am.
CAD12, 0h45m

9:30am

Explore Mabou & local craft shops

Small Acadian/Cape Breton communities with craft shops, local music heritage, and artisan studios—short stops to stretch legs.
CAD0, 1h0m

11:30am

Drive toward Cheticamp with coastal lookouts

Scenic coastal driving and lookout stops; plan for photos and short shoreline walks en route to Cheticamp.
CAD0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch in Cheticamp (Acadian cuisine)

Try an Acadian seafood or lobster roll spot in Cheticamp — classic coastal flavors and local hospitality.
CAD22, 1h0m

2:30pm

Cheticamp cultural walk & local woolens

Browse the famous hooked-rug and woolen craft shops, learn about Acadian culture and local artisans—shops typically open 9–5 in summer.
CAD0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Cape Breton Highlands lookouts (western section)

Visit western highland viewpoints and short trails for dramatic seascapes and wildlife viewing; daylight hours are best for photos.
CAD0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner in Cheticamp at a local seafood restaurant

Enjoy fresh local seafood—Cheticamp has family-run restaurants with generous portions and local recipes.
CAD30, 1h30m

9:00pm

Overnight in Cheticamp or return toward Port Hawkesbury

Choose to overnight in Cheticamp to experience village life or drive partway toward Port Hawkesbury depending on the next day’s plan.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 5: Return to mainland & Ferry

Port Hawkesbury → Caribou Ferry → PEI (Wood Islands), Canada on August 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast and pack up

Early breakfast and check-out; long driving segment ahead toward Caribou ferry for crossing to PEI—plan fuel and short stops.
CAD12, 0h45m

9:00am

Drive Cheticamp → Port Hawkesbury → Caribou

Approximately 2.5–3 hours driving depending on start point; scenic bridges and inlets as you leave Cape Breton and head to the ferry terminal.
CAD0, 3h0m

1:00pm

Northumberland Ferries Caribou → Wood Islands (book vehicle space)

Ferry crossing to PEI takes ~75 minutes; ferries run multiple times daily in summer—book ahead for vehicle space. Arrive at Wood Islands on PEI.
CAD75, 1h15m

3:00pm

Drive Wood Islands → Charlottetown

Short 50–60 minute drive to PEI’s capital; scenic coastal drive with red soil and typical PEI landscapes.
CAD0, 1h0m

5:00pm

Check in and stroll Victoria Row / Peake's Wharf (Charlottetown)

Historic downtown with theaters, shops, and waterfront—pleasant early-evening stroll with options for live music in summer.
CAD0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Gahan House or The Olde Triangle Pub & Grill (Charlottetown)

Casual to lively pubs offering local beer and seafood; central locations and reliable menus—great for first-night dining on PEI.
CAD30, 1h30m

9:30pm

Overnight in Charlottetown

Stay downtown for walkable evenings and quick access to ferries/bridges for the rest of your PEI days.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 6: Charlottetown & Eastern PEI

Charlottetown & Greenwich, Prince Edward Island, Canada on August 17, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Receiver Coffee Co. or local bakery (Charlottetown)

Good coffee and pastries to start a full day of island exploration; many cafes open by 7–8am in summer.
CAD10, 0h45m

9:30am

Confederation Centre of the Arts & heritage walking tour

Visit the Confederation Centre galleries and follow a self-guided walking tour of historic Charlottetown; galleries often open 10:00am–5:00pm.
CAD15, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Peake’s Wharf or The Gahan Kitchen

Waterfront lunch options with fresh island seafood and local craft beer; many places open for lunch from 11:30am.
CAD22, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive Charlottetown → Greenwich Dunes (Prince Edward Island National Park)

Short drive east to the Greenwich section for boardwalks, dunes and a unique inland lagoon—the Greenwich Trails and interpretive center are open in summer (trail walk 45–90 minutes).
CAD0, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Charlottetown, relax

Free time to shop downtown or rest before dinner; evening is pleasant along the waterfront.
CAD0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at a Charlottetown seafood restaurant (e.g., Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar)

Savor PEI mussels, oysters and lobster in a comfortable downtown setting; reservation recommended for popular spots (evenings 5–9pm).
CAD40, 1h30m

9:30pm

Overnight in Charlottetown

Rest up for the Cavendish/Anne of Green Gables day tomorrow.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 7: Cavendish & Anne Sites

Cavendish & North Shore, Prince Edward Island, Canada on August 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast and depart Charlottetown

Grab breakfast downtown or en route to Cavendish; expect a 30–45 minute drive to the North Shore region.
CAD10, 0h45m

9:30am

Green Gables Heritage Place (Park open ~9:00am–5:00pm)

Explore the Anne of Green Gables museum, walking trails and interpretive exhibits—very popular in summer so arrive early or book tickets.
CAD18, 1h30m

11:30am

Cavendish Beach (PEI National Park)

Walk wide sandy beaches and dunes; great for swimming and relaxing—the park sites are open during daylight hours and have seasonal facilities.
CAD0, 1h30m

1:30pm

Lunch at The Blue Mussel Cafe (North Rustico)

Popular seafood cafe in the fishing village of North Rustico known for fresh mussels and friendly service—arrive early as it gets busy in summer.
CAD25, 1h0m

3:00pm

Drive scenic North Shore: Dunes, lookouts and small villages

Drive a scenic loop visiting small villages and lookouts; consider a short stop at Dalvay-by-the-Sea for photos.
CAD0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner back in Charlottetown or Cavendish area

Choose a cozy lobster/seafood place or pub—summer hours typically extend into the evening but check local schedules.
CAD35, 1h30m

9:30pm

Overnight in Charlottetown

Return to your base for final full day tomorrow exploring the eastern tip or relaxing.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 8: Eastern PEI Highlights

Basin Head & Eastern PEI, Canada on August 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast and check out (if changing hotels)

Light breakfast before heading east toward Basin Head and the ‘singing sands’ beach area.
CAD10, 0h45m

9:30am

Drive Charlottetown → Basin Head Provincial Park

About 1–1.5 hour drive to eastern PEI; Basin Head is famous for its 'Singing Sands' and shallow warm water—park facilities open seasonally (daytime).
CAD0, 1h30m

11:00am

Basin Head Beach & Fisheries Museum (if open)

Enjoy soft white sand that 'sings', walk the shoreline, and visit the local fisheries museum if it’s operating (hours vary seasonally).
CAD5, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch in Souris or Morell

Small-town lunch with fresh seafood options—Souris has a pleasant harbor and ferry to Isle Madame (NS) if you wanted an alternate route.
CAD20, 1h0m

3:00pm

Return to Charlottetown via scenic inland roads

Leisurely drive back to Charlottetown, stopping at viewpoints or artisan studios along the way; allow time to buy local preserves and potatoes as souvenirs.
CAD0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Farewell dinner in Charlottetown (specialty seafood or tasting menu)

Choose a higher-end or chef-driven restaurant for a memorable final island meal—book ahead for weekend evenings.
CAD50, 2h0m

9:30pm

Overnight in Charlottetown

Pack and prepare for the return drive to Halifax tomorrow—early start recommended depending on your flight time.
CAD0, 9h0m

Day 9: Return to Halifax / Departure

Charlottetown → Halifax, Canada on August 20, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and check out

Early breakfast and final packing; ensure you have all ferry/toll receipts and car documents. Many hotels open breakfast by 7:00–8:00am.
CAD12, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive Charlottetown → Confederation Bridge → Moncton/NS route → Halifax

Drive time to Halifax ~3.5–4.5 hours depending on stops. Crossing the Confederation Bridge is the most direct option to reach Nova Scotia via NB; note there is a one-way toll entering PEI (when travelling onto the island) of approximately CAD54 for a two-axle vehicle—confirm current tolls.
CAD54, 4h30m

1:00pm

Arrive Halifax, return rental car and prepare for departure

Return your vehicle at Halifax Stanfield Airport and check in for your flight home. Allow at least 2 hours for airport procedures on domestic flights, more for international.
CAD0, 2h0m

3:00pm

Optional quick Halifax stop (time permitting)

If your flight is later, you may stop for a last quick walk on the waterfront or grab a final Nova Scotia snack before heading to the terminal.
CAD0, 0h45m

5:00pm

Depart Halifax

Flight or onward travel home; end of the 9-day Nova Scotia & PEI highlights trip.
CAD0, 0h0m
0