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Baddeck
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
4.5
2,140 reviews
#2 of 15 things to do in Baddeck
Historic Sites • History Museums
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This museum chronicles the life and career of Alexander Graham Bell with its rich collection of artifacts and documents accumulated by Dr. Bell and his family during their time in Nova Scotia.
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Top ways to experience Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site and nearby attractions

The area
Address
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21 within 3 miles
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Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Theatre Baddeck
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0.4 miTheaters
St. Michael's Catholic Church
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0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals
The Water's Edge Gallery of Fine Art & Crafts
16
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Bras d'Or Lakes and Watershed Interpretive Centre
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0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Baddeck’s Boardwalk
60
0.4 miPiers & Boardwalks
Kidston Island Lighthouse
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0.4 miLighthouses
Victoria County Court House
3
0.4 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Baddeck Tourist Information
39
0.5 miVisitor Centers
Greenwood United Church
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,140 reviews
Excellent
1,344
Very good
624
Average
148
Poor
19
Terrible
5
Vladimiramirela
Mississauga, Canada1,872 contributions
Excellent Learning Experience
Jul 2022
For a very decent fee, visitors can tour the whole museum, learning about the life and inventions of Alexander Graham Bell. There are a multitude of pictures and explanatory narrations, original parts and pieces, even a few old planes and replicas. It is a time well spent as the museum is not excessively large, however, has a lot to offer.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandy S
Riverside, CT652 contributions
Fascinating history
Aug 2022
Visited on the one rainy day of our Nova Scotia trip -- museum is interesting, but was very crowded due to the weather. We enjoyed learning about Bell's work with the deaf, with the telephone, and more surprisingly, his work with hydrofoil boats and early aircraft. Unfortunately, wasn't not that much to interest kids, since it was a lot of reading and not particularly interactive, although they did provide the kids with a free welcome kit with some information and trinkets. Still, a worthwhile stop.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephen C
Ottawa4 contributions
A tribute to a special man
Aug 2022
We were 4 seasoned travellers, 3 Germans and a Canadian, in our 70s and 80s. The scope of Alexander Graham Bell's work and scientific experimentation was truly phenomenal. We were also struck by the central role that his wife played in his work. The exhibits were easy to read and presented often with time lines that helped put the exploits into perspective. We also enjoyed the photos and reconstruction of rooms in the house from the period. All in all, an experience not to be missed.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gniteIrene
Toronto, Canada618 contributions
Much more than just the telephone
Sep 2021 • Friends
I learned numerous things about Alexander Graham Bell and his wife Mabel Hubbard and I came away wondering why is this part of history not being taught in schools? The museum displays many artifacts and documents related to Bell’s involvement in aviation, audiology, his extensive work with hearing impaired children, and medical devices. It was great to read about the many contributions of Mabel Hubbard, as most people know nothing about her accomplishments. There is a lot of reading and the interactive displays that kids would enjoy are still closed due to Covid. One large room houses amazing replicas of the Silver Dart and the HD-4 Hydrofoil watercraft.

The grounds are beautiful, views are pretty and parking is free. I recommend this small but highly informative museum for anyone who wants a glimpse into the interesting lives of Alexander Graham and Mabel Hubbard Bell.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hazel B
Steinbach, Canada52 contributions
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Jul 2022
We were a small group on a bus tour and made a stop here. We had a young guide in the Museum who told us history of Alexander Bell and his wife Mabel. It was very interesting to listen to him and afterwards walk through. Also the grounds outside were lovely as well. So glad we made this stop.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jerome G
Coppell, TX549 contributions
Quite the man
Sep 2022
This is a small museum, easy to visit in less than 1 hour during which you will learn many interesting facts about Bell. He was quite the innovator and inventor even outside the telecommunications world. The most "fun" fact was that he and his brother taught a dog to speak a short sentence.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,530 contributions
Far more than a phone☺
Jun 2022
Alexander Graham Bell [3 March 1847–2 August 1922] was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and died two weeks before my father’s birth. At age 23, he and his family traveled to Ontario. He converted a carriage house to his “dreaming place.” His primary interest was the human voice, inspired in party by the Six Nations Reserve, where he learned the Mohawk language and translated its unwritten vocabulary into Visible Speech symbols [phonetics].

By 1874, Bell was completing a telegraph system and worked on voice communication, largely because of his marriage to Mabel Hubbard in 1877. His wedding gift was 1,487 shares in the newly formed Bell Telephone Company. Mabel was deaf, and Bell’s inventions assisted her in “hearing” what other said. They had four children and enjoyed much time at a family compound in Baddeck, Cape Breton Island.

But Bell’s inventions far exceeded phone/telegraph communications, as demonstrated by this phenomenal historic museum. One of those inventions is the Silver Dart airplane, and far too many to mention in a brief review. This museum is a MUST SEE educational facility. Astounding!
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Philip C
Calgary, Canada61 contributions
A fascinating glimpse into our history
Aug 2022
This is operated by Parks Canada. It was great to see the full-scale replica of the hydrofoil and the Silver Dart airplane. I enjoyed this museum a lot, but it is fairly "low tech" in that there are lots of story boards to read. I took the time to do this and learned a lot, but I could see how younger visitors might be bored by it.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
raineyoroville
Oroville, CA108 contributions
Nice museum
Jun 2022
We arrived in town late and didn't want to spend the money for the museum, but they will let you in 30 minutes before closing time for free. We found that was almost enough to see this very interesting place. Head right to the large models in the back. The gift shop was also very nice. Going late also avoids the people on tours.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GregWpgMB
Winnipeg, Canada206 contributions
Educational & interesting
Sep 2021
I think all of us know the story of how Bell invented the telepnone but how many know about the extensive work he did with the deaf or his involvement with optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. He was also a co-founder of AT&T. His personal life details were also fascinating. The museum lays all this information out in a very thoughtful and educational manner, certainly not intimidating. I would highly recommend a visit (1-2 hours).
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Baddeck) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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We recommend booking Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site tours on Tripadvisor