Help Me Plan My Nova Scotia Trip For 2025

[bobmcbobson]

On 11/29/2023 at 10:03 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

I met a fellow who played Cabot Cliffs and Links.  His advice is very peculiar in that his first recommendation is to bring your own food.  I find that very hard to believe.  How can anyone not mess up burgers and fries?  Maybe he is more into fine dining.  I am perfectly happy with a simple, east-coast diner.

 

I do not care for five-star dining, but in case I will consider it, is there a catering company I can hire who can cook for us?  Also, I suppose there is a good supermarket in Inverness where we can buy anything we need if we decide to cook for ourselves.  I see that the population of Inverness is only 1200 people, so I worry that the supermarket is akin to a general store, which I cannot see how that would be likely.  Population 100 yes, but population 1000 there must be an adequate supermarket.  I have never been to a small, rural town before, so I speak out of ignorance.

 

 

I'm really surprised with that advice as Cabot prides itself on its food. They have both upscale and regular options. I've never had a problem with the food, but it's been a while since I've eaten there.

 

There is a grocery store in Inverness. It's small but it has everything you need to cook for yourself. It just doesn't have as much selection as you'd see in a major city. I have found the meat selection in particular to be quite limited sometimes. It might also be worth noting since you're coming from the US that grocery stores in Nova Scotia don't sell alcohol. You have to buy beer/wine/spirits from government-owned liquor stores. There's also one of those in Inverness and it's close to the grocery store. There are a some exceptions in that microbreweries, wineries and distilleries can sell their own products to take home as well.

[EmperorPenguin]

I am thinking of playing a total of four and a half rounds.  We will play four fourball matches over two days: morning time Cabot Cliffs, afternoon Cabot Links, and the next day Cabot Links then Cabot Cliffs.  The day we arrive, I am thinking of playing The Nest as a tiebreaker in case we are all tied after the fourth round.  I understand that the par-3 course is lighted at night.  Anyone has an idea how late the lights are on?

[jvincent]

On 1/12/2024 at 10:44 AM, EmperorPenguin said:

I am thinking of playing a total of four and a half rounds.  We will play four fourball matches over two days: morning time Cabot Cliffs, afternoon Cabot Links, and the next day Cabot Links then Cabot Cliffs.  The day we arrive, I am thinking of playing The Nest as a tiebreaker in case we are all tied after the fourth round.  I understand that the par-3 course is lighted at night.  Anyone has an idea how late the lights are on?

 

Probably best to contact them directly about the timing of the lights.

 

I will say, playing under the lights is awesome. We played it the first season the lights were introduced. Teed off just before sunset and finished under full lights.

 

First pic has 7 guys (we played as an eightsome) tracking the ball and I'm taking the picture.

 

EDIT: Looks like the picture links are broken now

 

Edited February 28, 2024 by jvincent

[EmperorPenguin]

The tee times and rooms for 2025 have not opened yet, but for now I am figuring out which options are best for me.

 

I am presently looking for flights to get to Nova Scotia.  I saw on the map where Halifax is in relation to the golf courses, and the drive from Halifax Airport to Cabot Resort is way too long for me to sit, even though looking at plane tickets the cost is as good as one-third the cost of a ticket to Sydney Airport ($366 vs. $1044).  From San Francisco, the cheapest tickets are from San Francisco to Vancouver via Air Canada, and after nearly four hours of layover fly directly to Halifax.  The flight arrives Halifax at 8:30 in the morning.  Despite the agony of driving 180 miles to the resort from Halifax, which seems to me about three hours, the cost of one ticket to Sydney nearly covers the cost of four tickets flying into Halifax, and it may be a good idea to check out the city on the bookend days of the trip.  This is a no-brainer, so I decided to forsake Sydney Airport in favor of Halifax.  Had Sydney Airport been, say, thirty minutes away from the resort, I would have chosen that option, but the drive from Sydney Airport to the resort is two hours long, so only one hour shorter.

 

Looking into Halifax, I think it is a good idea to stay at least one night in the city.  I am looking at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.  It looks very nice, so I may book a couple rooms for us for just the day.  Nice hotel?  There seems to be a lot to do in Halifax, so I am wondering if we can cram in things to do in one day, then after checking out the next morning then head over to Cape Breton, play golf in the morning at Cabot Links and then play The Nest at night under the lights and sleep, with the following day 36 holes (one of each), and the following morning play one round, check out and then return.  So as one fellow recommended, one day will be 36 holes, thus on day one play 18 holes then The Nest, then 36 holes, and the final day play 18 holes.  I want this order: Links then The Nest, sleep, Links then lunch then Cliffs, sleep, then Cliffs the following morning and back to Halifax.  I guess it will be difficult to fly out the same day arriving to Halifax the last day, so it may be necessary to stay another night at a hotel because the flights from there to the west start way early in the morning.

 

What activities do you recommend on what to do to in Halifax for fun?

[BallerNate]

On 2/7/2024 at 11:00 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

The tee times and rooms for 2025 have not opened yet, but for now I am figuring out which options are best for me.

 

I am presently looking for flights to get to Nova Scotia.  I saw on the map where Halifax is in relation to the golf courses, and the drive from Halifax Airport to Cabot Resort is way too long for me to sit, even though looking at plane tickets the cost is as good as one-third the cost of a ticket to Sydney Airport ($366 vs. $1044).  From San Francisco, the cheapest tickets are from San Francisco to Vancouver via Air Canada, and after nearly four hours of layover fly directly to Halifax.  The flight arrives Halifax at 8:30 in the morning.  Despite the agony of driving 180 miles to the resort from Halifax, which seems to me about three hours, the cost of one ticket to Sydney nearly covers the cost of four tickets flying into Halifax, and it may be a good idea to check out the city on the bookend days of the trip.  This is a no-brainer, so I decided to forsake Sydney Airport in favor of Halifax.  Had Sydney Airport been, say, thirty minutes away from the resort, I would have chosen that option, but the drive from Sydney Airport to the resort is two hours long, so only one hour shorter.

 

Looking into Halifax, I think it is a good idea to stay at least one night in the city.  I am looking at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.  It looks very nice, so I may book a couple rooms for us for just the day.  Nice hotel?  There seems to be a lot to do in Halifax, so I am wondering if we can cram in things to do in one day, then after checking out the next morning then head over to Cape Breton, play golf in the morning at Cabot Links and then play The Nest at night under the lights and sleep, with the following day 36 holes (one of each), and the following morning play one round, check out and then return.  So as one fellow recommended, one day will be 36 holes, thus on day one play 18 holes then The Nest, then 36 holes, and the final day play 18 holes.  I want this order: Links then The Nest, sleep, Links then lunch then Cliffs, sleep, then Cliffs the following morning and back to Halifax.  I guess it will be difficult to fly out the same day arriving to Halifax the last day, so it may be necessary to stay another night at a hotel because the flights from there to the west start way early in the morning.

 

What activities do you recommend on what to do to in Halifax for fun?

Just seeing this post. Just to let you know that the Halifax Airport is almost 1 hour away from Downtown Halifax. 

 

Halifax is what is known as "The Jewel of the Maritimes". It's the largest city on the East Coast of Canada, and it's an awesome place to visit (and to live). 

 

The main things to see in Downtown Halifax are the Halifax Waterfront, lots of great restaurants and bars, and also some cool historical sites. There are also plays, concerts, and sporting events depending on the time of the year.

 

There are also big festivals that people travel from all over to check out. The Buskers Festival, Tall Ships, and International Tattoo are 3 of the biggest festivals during the Summer.

 

I would also mention that the drive from Halifax to Cabot is not an easy one. Yes, 3 hours, but a lot of that drive is on small rural roads that feel like they are out in the middle of nowhere. Just to say that it's a pretty tiring drive, FYI.

[unskinnybop99]

Halifax is a cool town. Nice boardwalk along the water and buildings from the 1800's. They have restaurants, breweries, and music festivals. There are 6 universities so lots of bars. I believe Halifax holds the record for most bars per capita in North America.

 

Alexander Keith is a cool brewery

https://www.keiths.ca/

 

This is an old fashion restaurant outside of Halifax that has been around since the 1930's and famous for lobster and live music. I went here to eat mussels, more mussels, even more mussels, fresh lobster and blueberry pie:

https://www.shoreclub.ca/

 

If you are lucky, there will be a putting contest on the 18th hole at Cabot Links in the evening because everyone is drunk.......lol. The greenside bar lights shine on the 18th green. Have fun.

[EmperorPenguin]

12 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Just seeing this post. Just to let you know that the Halifax Airport is almost 1 hour away from Downtown Halifax. 

 

Halifax is what is known as "The Jewel of the Maritimes". It's the largest city on the East Coast of Canada, and it's an awesome place to visit (and to live). 

 

The main things to see in Downtown Halifax are the Halifax Waterfront, lots of great restaurants and bars, and also some cool historical sites. There are also plays, concerts, and sporting events depending on the time of the year.

 

There are also big festivals that people travel from all over to check out. The Buskers Festival, Tall Ships, and International Tattoo are 3 of the biggest festivals during the Summer.

 

I would also mention that the drive from Halifax to Cabot is not an easy one. Yes, 3 hours, but a lot of that drive is on small rural roads that feel like they are out in the middle of nowhere. Just to say that it's a pretty tiring drive, FYI.

I just looked on the map that the airport is in the town of Goffs, which is east of Halifax, so landing in Goffs I would first be driving away from Inverness to get to the city.  The Wikipedia article does not list how many people live in Goffs, but it does say that there is a 9-hole course there called Airlane Golf Club.  Worth playing?  I guess not.

[EmperorPenguin]

12 hours ago, unskinnybop99 said:

Halifax is a cool town. Nice boardwalk along the water and buildings from the 1800's. They have restaurants, breweries, and music festivals. There are 6 universities so lots of bars. I believe Halifax holds the record for most bars per capita in North America.

 

Alexander Keith is a cool brewery

https://www.keiths.ca/

 

This is an old fashion restaurant outside of Halifax that has been around since the 1930's and famous for lobster and live music. I went here to eat mussels, more mussels, even more mussels, fresh lobster and blueberry pie:

https://www.shoreclub.ca/

 

If you are lucky, there will be a putting contest on the 18th hole at Cabot Links in the evening because everyone is drunk.......lol. The greenside bar lights shine on the 18th green. Have fun.

Thanks for the recommendations.  There appears to be a lot to do in Halifax.  Two of my guests will want to visit strip clubs.  How are they?

 

The putting contest at the Cliffs 18th sounds fun.  Anyone remember what time they do it?  Also, does anyone know firsthand how long the lights are on at The Nest?

[EmperorPenguin]

I am curious to how summers are over there?  Let's suppose I decide to go in late July or middle August.  I suppose summers are not too hot, and are mosquitoes huge there and we will need good bug spray?

[Drwoods2017]

Anybody know when the putting course opens?

[unskinnybop99]

Here is what we did a couple years ago. We went late September so no bugs. The weather was 14-20 degrees Celsius with a little mist some days. You are in Cape Breton which is a beautiful area however the weather can be up and down. 

 

Day 1: Travel day.......flew into Sydney late and stayed overnight

Day 2: Got up early, rented a car, drove ( approx. 2 hours) and played Highland Links golf course. Depending on who you ask, I loved this course. Has a slope of 140. We stayed overnight at Keltic Lodge. Keltic Lodge is beautiful. You can hike and have dinner overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Very peaceful.  

Day 3: Got up early, drove to Cabot (approx. 2 hours) and played Cabot Links

Day 4: Played Cabot Cliffs

Day 5: Played Cabot Links

Day 6: Played Cabot Cliffs

 

Then we took off to PEI to golf for another 5 days. 

[BallerNate]

3 hours ago, EmperorPenguin said:

Thanks for the recommendations.  There appears to be a lot to do in Halifax.  Two of my guests will want to visit strip clubs.  How are they?

 

The putting contest at the Cliffs 18th sounds fun.  Anyone remember what time they do it?  Also, does anyone know firsthand how long the lights are on at The Nest?

No strip clubs in Halifax unfortunately.

 

I’m not sure if there’s any in the Maritimes come to think of it.

 

The population isn’t that high here, so a lot of ladies probably wouldn’t want to be in that line of work here since it would get back to their families very quickly.

[EmperorPenguin]

I was surprised that there are no strip clubs in Halifax, which has nearly a half million people.  An initial Google search of strip clubs in Halifax showed numerous clubs, but after reading that they are all closed I did a second check and found this article.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3na78/nova-scotias-last-strip-club-has-closed

I can only speculate that the strip clubs closed because the local Canadian bachelors have not been tipping.  As often quipped among Americans who work in the service industry, "What's the difference between a Canadian and a canoe?"  You know the answer, guys.

We are certainly willing to support these establishments since we all believe in supporting higher education for beautiful women in Nova Scotia.  I guess we can just hang out at pubs and mingle with the locals.  Which pubs or night clubs in Halifax are the most fun?

 

[EmperorPenguin]

I am trying to figure out the ideal starting times for our 36-hole day.  For now I plan on us staying in the Cabot Resort in the standard guest rooms so we can have a good breakfast before we can go tee it up.  Let's suppose that we will take one hour for breakfast.  I want to play Cabot Links in the morning and Cabot Cliffs in the afternoon.  When would be the ideal starting times so that after breakfast we can easily make it to Links on time to warm up then play, and after the round we stop somewhere to eat a nice lunch, then get shuttled to Cliffs to play in the afternoon?  I do not want us to get hurried at any point of the day.

[ND2005]

On 2/28/2024 at 8:47 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

I am trying to figure out the ideal starting times for our 36-hole day.  For now I plan on us staying in the Cabot Resort in the standard guest rooms so we can have a good breakfast before we can go tee it up.  Let's suppose that we will take one hour for breakfast.  I want to play Cabot Links in the morning and Cabot Cliffs in the afternoon.  When would be the ideal starting times so that after breakfast we can easily make it to Links on time to warm up then play, and after the round we stop somewhere to eat a nice lunch, then get shuttled to Cliffs to play in the afternoon?  I do not want us to get hurried at any point of the day.

one downside of the resort layout is that there is no range at Links. 
 
so if you want to warm up you need to take a shuttle, then range, then back to the main resort/clubhouse area. 
 
everyone in our group but one skipped the range the morning we played Links first. 
 
I don’t remember our tee times but we had no trouble fitting 36 in, with a reasonable lunch break. 

[BallerNate]

On 2/28/2024 at 10:32 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

I was surprised that there are no strip clubs in Halifax, which has nearly a half million people.  An initial Google search of strip clubs in Halifax showed numerous clubs, but after reading that they are all closed I did a second check and found this article.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3na78/nova-scotias-last-strip-club-has-closed

I can only speculate that the strip clubs closed because the local Canadian bachelors have not been tipping.  As often quipped among Americans who work in the service industry, "What's the difference between a Canadian and a canoe?"  You know the answer, guys.

We are certainly willing to support these establishments since we all believe in supporting higher education for beautiful women in Nova Scotia.  I guess we can just hang out at pubs and mingle with the locals.  Which pubs or night clubs in Halifax are the most fun?

 

The Bar and Club scene in Halifax is one of the best in Canada. Just depends what type of music and vibe you're into.

 

The cool part about it is that Downtown Halifax is pretty compact, so you can walk to about 20-30 different Bars, Clubs, and Restaurants within 10-15 minutes. Lots of entertainment options for sure!

[Drwoods2017]

Could anyone recommend courses on the drive from Halifax to cabot that would be worth checking out?

[BallerNate]

7 hours ago, Drwoods2017 said:

Could anyone recommend courses on the drive from Halifax to cabot that would be worth checking out?

From Halifax to Inverness, the courses I could recommend would be:

 

-Grandview or Hartlen Point in the Dartmouth area

 

-Penn Hills in Shubanacadie 

 

-Truro Golf Club

 

-Antigonish Golf Club (I haven’t played this one, but looks like it got very good reviews)

 

 

Edited March 9, 2024 by BallerNate

[lostmyswing]

I visited Cabot soon after the resort opened.  The Red Shoe Pub is 20 minutes away and the food was good.  I checked and it still has good reviews.
 

[GolfGuy1717]

On 2/28/2024 at 11:42 AM, unskinnybop99 said:

Here is what we did a couple years ago. We went late September so no bugs. The weather was 14-20 degrees Celsius with a little mist some days. You are in Cape Breton which is a beautiful area however the weather can be up and down. 

 

Day 1: Travel day.......flew into Sydney late and stayed overnight

Day 2: Got up early, rented a car, drove ( approx. 2 hours) and played Highland Links golf course. Depending on who you ask, I loved this course. Has a slope of 140. We stayed overnight at Keltic Lodge. Keltic Lodge is beautiful. You can hike and have dinner overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Very peaceful.  

Day 3: Got up early, drove to Cabot (approx. 2 hours) and played Cabot Links

Day 4: Played Cabot Cliffs

Day 5: Played Cabot Links

Day 6: Played Cabot Cliffs

 

Then we took off to PEI to golf for another 5 days. 

Highland Links is a must if you are harassing that way!  One of the top courses in Canada and a nice change from walking the Cabot courses.  
 

 

[EmperorPenguin]

I just called the reservation agent again, perhaps the same lady I spoke with earlier.  Here are my notes.

     Bookings for 2025 should be open starting at the end of June.  They exact date will be announced in the Cabot newsletter which will be sent to your email.

     The Nest will be lit up from the end of August thru the second week of October, and the last starting time will be 9pm.  It is easier to book The Nest than the main courses, and recommended to book because it is easier to book down than to book up because at some point the Nest will be open to locals, who may compete with you for your starting time.

     Shuttle service between facilities are every six minutes from one end to the other.  The approximate time to go from Links to Cliffs is about six minutes.

     Caddie requests will be handled at Reservations when you book your rooms and starting times.

     Upon booking, a 50% deposit will be required for the rooms, not the golf.  The deposit will be refundable only if cancelled outside sixty days.

     Breakfast service at the resort will be at Panorama restaurant, and is menu-style, a-la-carte.

[EmperorPenguin]

6 hours ago, GolfGuy1717 said:

Highland Links is a must if you are harassing that way!  One of the top courses in Canada and a nice change from walking the Cabot courses.  

I looked at Highland Links and the site is impressive.  However, looking on the map, the town of Igonish is even farther away.  A Google search shows it is far away.

There are 89.30 km (55.49 miles) from Inverness to Ingonish in northeast direction and 159.33 km (99 miles) by car, following the CT route.

Inverness and Ingonish are 2 hours 31 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .

Flying into Halifax, it does not make sense to drive past Cabot Resort to go to Keltic Lodge.  It may be better to fly into Sydney, but even from there it takes two hours to get to Igonish.  Too far out of the way.

[EmperorPenguin]

On 3/10/2024 at 5:21 PM, lostmyswing said:

I visited Cabot soon after the resort opened.  The Red Shoe Pub is 20 minutes away and the food was good.  I checked and it still has good reviews.

I found this video on the place.  Looks like a rustic, Scottish-style hangout.

 

[GolfGuy1717]

3 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I looked at Highland Links and the site is impressive.  However, looking on the map, the town of Igonish is even farther away.  A Google search shows it is far away.

There are 89.30 km (55.49 miles) from Inverness to Ingonish in northeast direction and 159.33 km (99 miles) by car, following the CT route.

Inverness and Ingonish are 2 hours 31 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .

Flying into Halifax, it does not make sense to drive past Cabot Resort to go to Keltic Lodge.  It may be better to fly into Sydney, but even from there it takes two hours to get to Igonish.  Too far out of the way.

I realize what you are saying...  and I realize everyone wants to play Cabot...  however... my experience is that people overestimate their stamina of walking all the time and they under estimate Ingonish as a course.  Extremely different than Cabot... but, you CAN NOT walk it.  

Having grown up frequenting that area...  and playing all the courses...  I believe going to that area and not including Highland Links is criminal.  

I recommend to everyone I know going there to take a day in the middle of their trip and drive up to Ingonish.  I have only been thanked...   the day to play a top end course... take a cart and experience the Links is more than warranted both golf wise and stamina wise.  

Just my 2cents...  Have a great trip!  

[BallerNate]

10 hours ago, GolfGuy1717 said:

I realize what you are saying...  and I realize everyone wants to play Cabot...  however... my experience is that people overestimate their stamina of walking all the time and they under estimate Ingonish as a course.  Extremely different than Cabot... but, you CAN NOT walk it.  

Having grown up frequenting that area...  and playing all the courses...  I believe going to that area and not including Highland Links is criminal.  

I recommend to everyone I know going there to take a day in the middle of their trip and drive up to Ingonish.  I have only been thanked...   the day to play a top end course... take a cart and experience the Links is more than warranted both golf wise and stamina wise.  

Just my 2cents...  Have a great trip!  

I have heard from many people that Highland Links is incredible.

 

I was actually talking to one gentleman from Cape Breton who said he actually prefers Highland Links to Cabot Cliffs or Cabot Links.

 

I got to play Cabot Cliffs last Fall for the first time and was absolutely blown away. Cabot Links and Highland Links are still on my bucket list to check off sometime soon!

[GolfGuy1717]

8 hours ago, BallerNate said:

I have heard from many people that Highland Links is incredible.

 

I was actually talking to one gentleman from Cape Breton who said he actually prefers Highland Links to Cabot Cliffs or Cabot Links.

 

I got to play Cabot Cliffs last Fall for the first time and was absolutely blown away. Cabot Links and Highland Links are still on my bucket list to check off sometime soon!

There are many different takes on this...  The Highland Links is so different... cut out of a mountain...  and the green complexes are unbelievable!  I think it is difficult to argue that turning the corner at The Cliffs on 16 is one of the best visuals in golf, but, there are people I know that like Highland Links best... that like Cabot Links best... and that like The Cliffs best.  

 

Again, my feedback was only to bring awareness that getting to that area is difficult and when going... in my humble opinion, Highland Links should be included in the trip, both from a golf and a stamina standpoint.  

Just goggled and Golf Digest has Cliffs as #1, Cabot Links as #7 and Highland Links as #16.  I feel like if I was heading to Texas and three of the best courses in America were public and within 2 1/2 hours, I would play all three.  

 

I totally get the allure to the Cabot properties... and I have not been back since The Nest opened... which seems to be an awesome addition...  but, I grew up vacationing and playing golf on Cape Breton Island...  and Highland Links, to me, is a must play.  

 

Just my opinion!  Also... make sure you get some Lobster, a Keith's and enjoy the Island!  

 

 

[EmperorPenguin]

I am watching this Highlands Links video.

Looks impressive, but I suspect that with so many trees and ponds, there must be many swarms of mosquitoes?

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, GolfGuy1717 said:

There are many different takes on this...  The Highland Links is so different... cut out of a mountain...  and the green complexes are unbelievable!  I think it is difficult to argue that turning the corner at The Cliffs on 16 is one of the best visuals in golf, but, there are people I know that like Highland Links best... that like Cabot Links best... and that like The Cliffs best.  

 

Again, my feedback was only to bring awareness that getting to that area is difficult and when going... in my humble opinion, Highland Links should be included in the trip, both from a golf and a stamina standpoint.  

Just goggled and Golf Digest has Cliffs as #1, Cabot Links as #7 and Highland Links as #16.  I feel like if I was heading to Texas and three of the best courses in America were public and within 2 1/2 hours, I would play all three.  

 

I totally get the allure to the Cabot properties... and I have not been back since The Nest opened... which seems to be an awesome addition...  but, I grew up vacationing and playing golf on Cape Breton Island...  and Highland Links, to me, is a must play.  

 

Just my opinion!  Also... make sure you get some Lobster, a Keith's and enjoy the Island!  

 

 

Makes a lot of sense for sure.

 

Some of my best Golfing buddies refuse to walk courses, so a trip to Highland Links is actually an easier sell for them.

 

Looks like a beautiful course for sure!

[dfwgolfer92]

Personally, I am in the camp that Links is lightyears better as a course than Cliffs is.  To me Cliffs has about 2-4 holes that look great on Instagram, but the actual course itself is bang average to me. 

 

Resort is fine, its nothing special, food is fine, reasonable options in town, think you're way overthinking this whole trip.

[GolfGuy1717]

3 hours ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I am watching this Highlands Links video.

Looks impressive, but I suspect that with so many trees and ponds, there must be many swarms of mosquitoes?

I'm sure there are mosquitoes but, more impressively, last time I was there I saw a bald eagle!