Ingonish Beach
Take a splurge and spend the night at the classy Keltic Lodge in Ingonish Beach (Middle Head Peninsula; 285-2880; www.kelticlodge.ca), located on a rocky cliff above the Atlantic Ocean just inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Highlights include excellent food at the Purple Thistle Dining Room and the scenic Middle Head Trail, a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) round-trip path leading from the lodge to a windswept headland with views looking off toward Scotland. Nearby, golfers will enjoy playing the 18-hole Highlands Links, rated the best course in Canada in 2000 by Score Golf magazine.

South Harbour
Take the alternate scenic route between Neil's Harbour and South Harbour, which follows the coastline where the Cabot Trail veers inland. The road may not be as good, but the scenery—and the unvarnished seaside hamlets along the way (those stacks of lobster pots aren't just artists' props, you know)—more than make up for it.

Pleasant Bay
Wheel over for lunch at the Rusty Anchor restaurant in Pleasant Bay (23197 Cabot Trail Rd.; 224-1313) for some of the best lobster rolls on the Cabot Trail—pure lump lobster meat with just a little butter (no celery or salad dressing, thank you) served on a toasted roll. If you ask where the fresh oysters come from, restaurant co-owner Donna Timmons will tell you, "Twenty minutes down the road." On a warm day, enjoy your food out on the terrace, with its killer ocean views. While you are in the area, check out the Whale Interpretive Centre (224-1411; 104 Harbour Rd.; fee) for insight into the lives of these fascinating sea creatures.

Cape Breton Highlands Bog
For a short (20-minute) stroll to see a real Cape Breton Highlands bog, take the—ta dah—Bog Trail (park signs for most of the hiking trails along the Cabot Trail are marked with numbers corresponding to those on the official park map). Besides orchids and insect-eating plants, you might see a moose. The boardwalk trail accommodates wheelchairs and baby strollers.