Baddeck is a scenic little shire town located alongside Bras d'Or Lake. It's believed Baddeck means place near an island. It's also believed that the first white man came to Baddeck in 1629, but that the town wasn't truly established until 1839, when two families settled on the land. Of them, one man was Joseph Campbell, an Irish settler who built Baddeck's first inn and post office.

Early business in Baddeck included mainly farming, until Alexander Graham Bell's arrive. He and his family built homes on Beinn Bhreagh, and began promoting the area, even building his famous Bell laboratory. Villagers thrived off Bell's ambitions, as some were even employed by him. Bell would continue to create in the area for years, until his death in 1922.

Baddeck attracts nearly the same amount of tourism as Halifax, and is home to the Alexander and Mabel Bell gravesite, located atop a Beinn Bhreagh Mountain. Bell's famous museum can be seen in Baddeck, as well, you can view Bell's mansion via schooner tours, hike through trails and wetlands and cross country ski. Baddeck is considered by locals as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Situated 43 km (27 mi.) west of Sydney, along the trans-Canada highway, Baddeck offers many inns, cottages and bed and breakfasts.