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Prince Edward Island
CANADA'S GREEN PROVINCE
The Gentle Island
Prince Edward Island may be Canada's smallest
province, but it is by no means small in culture, beauty or character. P.E.I.,
as 'the Island' is almost always called, is home to some of the most beautiful
scenery in Canada
While in P.E.I, visit Cavendish, home to the Green Gables house, or catch a
performance of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical at Charlottetown's
Confederation Centre for the Arts. Spend a day relaxing at one of the
province's many beaches, or discovering the historical capital, Charlottetown.
Enjoy the scenery and absorb the Island's quiet charm by visiting one of its
numerous towns. Don't forget to meet the locals: Islanders love to make
visitors feel welcome at the many festivals held regularly across the island.
With its relaxed pace and welcoming atmosphere, Prince Edward Island holds
delights for all.
"Birthplace of Confederation", referring to the Charlottetown Conference in
1864, the maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area
and population (excluding the territories).
Prince Edward Island has 122,000 residents. and is the 104th largest island in
the world, and Canada's 23rd largest island. The island was named for Prince
Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767 -1820), the fourth son of King George
III and the father of Queen Victoria.
Parliament Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Charlottetown
The Capital of PEI
Charlottetown, the Capital City of Prince Edward
Island, is the perfect blend of urban excitement, country living and some of
the cleanest air in Canada. Enjoy a stroll on National Historic Great George
Street; sit amongst the trees on Victoria Row; or shop on Queen Street.
With an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs, and cafes, there is something for
every taste bud. Community and city-wide festivals fill the streets nearly
every week of the year, offering exhilarating options from world class music,
theatre, comedy, gaming and sport.
Whether it's a hotel, an enchanting inn or cozy Bed & Breakfast, Charlottetown
is your home away from home.
Charlottetown. PEI
Attractions
Ardgowan National Historic Site:
Ardgowan National Historic Site of Canada is the historic home of William
Henry Pope, known as one PEI's Fathers of Confederation. The home has been
restored and the grounds are beautifully maintained.
Beaconsfield Historic House: Built in 1877
as the residence of a wealthy shipbuilder, Beaconsfield Historic House is an
enduring symbol of Victorian elegance. Tour beautifully restored rooms, view
the harbour from the veranda, browse through the onsite bookstore and enjoy
summer programmes in the Carriage House.
Fort Edward: Also in Victoria Park in Charlottetown and looking down on the
harbor stands Fort Edward, built in 1805. It is one of the fortifications
along the harbor entrance and from it there is a view over the said entrance
to Fort Amherst.
Founder's Hall- Canada's Birthplace Pavillion:
Built on the dock-side arrival point for members of the Charlottetown
Conference that lead to confederation, Founder's Hall tells the story of
Canada. A multimedia interactive self-guided tour allows visitors to learn
about Canada's history, from the confederation conference of 1864 to the
creation of Nunavut in 1999. Open mdi-May to mid-October.
Great George Street: Great George Street,
which saw many of colonial Charlottetown's major events, has reccently been
restored to its former glory by the Charlottetown Captial Commission. There
are many heritage houses here to be viewed or visited, including the famous
Province House, birthplace of Canadian confederation.
Port-la-Joye Fort Amherst National Historic Site:
A short twenty minute drive from Charlottetown, this historic site is the
first permanent settlement on Prince Edward Island. The French orignially
occupied this area which was subsequently captured by the British in 1758.
Remnants of the earthworks of the British fort are still evident.
Province House National Historic Site:
Near the Confederation Center stands Province House, the "Birthplace of
Canada". This three-story sandstone building was constructed as the colonial
government building in 1843-47. Other buildings were pulled down in 1963 to
make room for the Confederation Center. Today Province House is the seat of
the Parliament of Prince Edward Island.
Victoria Park: Located alongside the
waterfront, this 37 acre park has a boardwalk along the water, tennis courts
and play areas, and plenty of walking paths and trails. Victoria Park is also
scene to many of Charlottetown's outdoor festivals and events.
East Point, Prince Edward Island.
Points East Coastal Drive
Caledonia, Cardigan, Dundas, Elmira, Georgetown, Montague, Murry Harbour, Souris, St. Peters
The beaches in the east are among the best on the Island;
the spectacular dune system at Greenwich, PEI National Park is a must-do for
this region. At Basin Head the sand will even sing to you. Really. Some say
it's the special shape of the grains or the high silica count that give the
sand its voice.
Confederation Trail, a scenic route that lets you bike, hike or snowmobile
from one community to another, or if you're really ambitious, across the
entire Island. One of the most scenic stretches of the Confederation Trail
runs right through the village of St. Peters also a good stopping point for
shopping, dining, theatre and music.
The Elmira Railway Museum, at the far eastern tip of the Trail, tells the
story of the railway. While there, you can jump on board a mini-train for a
fun tour through the woods nearby.
Brehaut's Restaurant in Murray Harbour is always a popular spot for a bowl of
homemade chowder and one of their famous milkshakes, while the newly opened
Cape Light Restaurant in Cardigan and Clam Diggers Restaurant in Georgetown
are
Chepstow getting rave reviews for the food as well as superb waterside
locations.
Attractions
Artisan Distillery: As
Prince Edward Island's first artisan distillery, The Myriad View Artisan
Distillery produces spirits unique to both "The Island" and the industry.
Islanders have made illegal Moonshine throughout their history. We now bring
this Island tradition forward for all to enjoy. Tour the distillery and
witness as "Strait Shine" is collected straight from the still. (Rollo Bay)
Confederation Trail: A unique cycling and
walking experience extending tip-to-tip across Prince Edward Island.Created on
the bed of the Prince Edward Island Railway, it is 274km from Tignish in
western P.E.I. to the east end at Elmira. Including branches into coastal
communities, the trail is 390km long. The trail passes through woodlands,
farms, over bridges and along rivers.
Greenwich Prince Edward Island National Park:
Separated by water from the rest Prince Edward Island National Park, Greenwich
lies just north of the town of Greenwich on its own peninsula, and is home to
P.E.I.'s most delicate ecosystem. A system of moving sand dunes and unique
flora and fauna, the area is too delicate for human habitation. Visitors to
the area can view the dunes from boarded walkways beginning at the visitor
information centre. (Greenwich)
Manada Seal Watching Boat Tours:
Guaranteed to be a highlight in your Island vacation! Cruise on the Beautiful
Montague Heritage River. Visit harbour seals and mussel farms, watch native
sea birds. Cruise past historic sites. A fully narrated tour with traditional
recorded music. (Montague)
Orwell Corner Historic Village: At the
heart of Prince Edward Island is its agricultural heritage. The special magic
of Orwell Corner allows visitors to experience the mood, flavour, charm and
activities of a small agricultural crossroads community of the 1890s. (Vernon
River)
North Cape, Prince Edward Island.
North Cape
Bloomfield, Cape Wolfe, Cedar Dunes, Freehand, Port Hill, St. Chrysostome, Summerside, Tignish
North Cape, the Island's northwestern tip, towering
turbines turn the abundant wind into energy at one of Canada's leading wind
test institutes.
A visit to the Interpretive Centre will tell you all about the institute's
cutting-edge research into renewable energy. This is also the spot where
you'll get to see the unusual meeting of two bodies of water. At high tide,
the Northumberland Strait on the Island's western side collides with the Gulf
of St. Lawrence to the east. At low tide, keep your eyes peeled for
sun-bathing seals.
The nearby town of Tignish hosts an annual Irish Moss Festival which
celebrates the importance of this special seaweed to the local economy and
culture. In Miminegash you can even eat seaweed pie, a delicious dessert
despite its less-than-tempting name. Bustling fishing harbours are scattered
throughout this part of the Island and because lobster fishing employs so many
people here, it's not hard to find a place selling fresh crustaceans for your
dinner table.
Down the road in O'Leary, you'll discover one of the Island's unique
monuments. A giant potato looms proudly beside the Prince Edward Island Potato
Museum where you can get a lesson in the ABCs of PEI's favourite tuber.
Summerside is the Island's second-largest city and has all the amenities you'd
expect. A lively boardwalk allows visitors to shop and dine beside the ocean
and just down the way at the College of Piping, performers show off the
Island's Celtic roots with energetic displays of dancing, piping and drumming.
Attractions
International Fox Museum and Hall
of Fame: The International Fox Museum and Hall of Fame is housed in
the Holman Homestead, the residence of a mercantile magnate. Displays trace
the history of trying to breed foxes in captivity. (Summerside)
North Cape: the Island's northwestern tip,
towering turbines turn the abundant wind into energy at one of Canada's
leading wind test institutes. A visit to the View Highway mapinterpretive
centre will tell you all about the institute's cutting-edge research into
renewable energy. This is also the spot where you'll get to see the unusual
meeting of two bodies of water. At high tide, the Northumberland Strait on the
Island's western side collides with the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the east.
Spinnakers' Landing: is one of
Summerside's great marketplaces situated within a recreated fishing village. A
potpourri of giftware, crafts, fine retail outlets, antiques, and great food
await you. Climb to the top of our Lighthouse lookout and enjoy the beautiful
view of Summerside and its harbour. (Summerside)
Tignish Cultural Centre: The Tignish
Cultural Centre is home to an Interpretive Centre, Visitor Information Centre,
library and PEI government offices. The interpretive centre's displays tell
the 200 year history of Tignish from the first Irish & Acadian settlers to the
events of today. (Tignish)
Wyatt Historic House: The 1867 Wyatt
Historic House allows visitors to experience the life and times of the Wyatt
family over 100 years. The walls and shelves in the house hold unique
paintings and ceramics. Concerts are held in the garden during the summer
months on Wednesday evenings. (Summerside)
Green Gables, PEI National Park.
Green Gables Shore
Cavendish, French River, Hunter River, Stanhope, St Eleanors
Millions of readers from around the world have come to
know and love Anne of Green Gables and Prince Edward Island is where devotees
come to celebrate her. Those who love the books or the TV miniseries make
their way to Green Gables Shore to visit the many sites that pay tribute to
their favourite red-haired heroine and her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
The region is a spectacular piece of Prince Edward Island's acclaimed scenic
landscape composed of red sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches and rolling
farm fields. Some of the classic coastline has been protected in the PEI
National Park which hugs the central north shore. Cavendish Grove is an ideal
entry way into the Park with its walking trails, picnic grounds and stand of
sugar maples.
Just down the road, in North Rustico, adventure seekers can choose from
kayaking, canoeing or deep-sea fishing. Give in to the lure of the sea and
head out onto the ocean for a fresh perspective of the stunning coastline.
Green Gables Shore has a variety of accommodations to suit any type of
getaway. There are lovely cottages, bed and breakfasts, historic inns and
four-star resorts, or for those who prefer to be closer to nature,
well-equipped campgrounds with easy access to the beach.
Attractions
Ann of Green Gables Museum:
The "Anne of Green Gables Museum" in Kensington is in the house built in 1872
where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived from time to time, and is packed with
Montgomery memorabilia including signed copies of the first edition of the
famous novel. (Kensington)
Green Gables Farmhouse: The countryside
around Cavendish was the setting for Avonlea, Lucy Maud Montgomery's fictional
farming community of her famous novel "Anne of Green Gables". The Green Gables
Farmhouse, about 2 km (1 mi.) west of the town on Highway 6 near the Cavendish
entrance to the national park, is an enduring reminder of this popular
children's classic. (Cavendish)
Green Provincial Park: The road to Green Provincial Park winds its way through
woodland groves and open fields. At the center of the park is the elegant
villa of shipbuilding magnate James Yeo Jr. Built in 1865, the villa has been
restored and filled with period furniture. The history of shipbuilding on
Prince Edward Island is told in a modern exhibition building and a 19th c.
shipyard at the water's edge shows how a wooden ship was built. The park has
what are probably the finest campsites on the island.
Malpeque Gardens: One of the finest
gardens in eastern Canada, Malpeque has several hundreds of different kinds of
flowers, including dahlias and roses, and contains such interesting features
as an old windmill and a showcase beehive. (Malpeque)
Prince Edward Island National Park:
P.E.I.'s only national park extends 40 km along the island's north shore from
Cavendish to Dalvay, and also includes 6 km along the western tip of the
Greenwich Peninsula. Found within Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada
are sand dunes, barrier islands and sand pits, beaches, sandstone cliffs,
wetlands and forests. The park is home to the endangered Piping Plover and
Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea. (Cavendish)
Royal Atlantic Wax Museum: The Royal
Atlantic Wax Museum in Cavendish has a large collection of wax figures
displayed in authentic costumes including Elvis, Madonna, movie stars, prime
ministers, presidents, and of course, Anne of Green Gables. (Cavendish)
Downtown Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Red Sands Shore
Borden-Carleton, Charlottetown, Crapaud, De Sable
The Red Sand beaches that await your footprints and
castles, the red jutting cliffs that will both impress and humble you and the
red clay roads that disappear over hills and beckon you to follow. These are
Mother Nature's imprints on Red Sands Shore.
You'll land in the thick of things if you arrive via the Confederation
Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world. The 13-kilometre trip takes
only 10 minutes but if you'd like more time to appreciate the graceful bridge
structure itself, and a chance to get a great photo, head over to St. Peter's
Roman Catholic Church in North Chelton, a perfect perch from which to see
this masterpiece of engineering. Back at the foot of the Bridge, take some
time to visit the shops and cafes at Gateway Village.
Heading east along the TransCanada Highway, you will soon come to
Victoria-by-the-Sea, a storybook village if ever there was one. The soul of
this historic fishing village has been revitalized by the many artists and
other creative people who call it home. Galleries, studios, a theatre,
restaurants and, perhaps most tempting, a chocolate factory line the cozy
treed streets where you will quickly abandon your car in favour of slow-paced
meandering. Say hello to the community cat, and settle in for a beverage on a
terrace.
Start your adventure in Charlottetown, the Capital of PEI, with a guided
walking tour, The Fathers and Ladies of Confederation will be happy to
oblige. Dressed in full period costume, the Fathers and Ladies will show you
what makes this capital city such a historic gem.
Attractions
Anne Statue: This
giant statue of Anne of Green Gables both welcomes visitors to the Island and
waves them goodbye on their way to cross the Confederation Bridge.
(Borden-Carleton)
Charlottetown: see The Capital of PEI top
of page.
Chelton Beach Provincial Park: Chelton
Beach is a day use park featuring playground equipment, supervised beach,
showers, flush toilets and canteen. Pets are permitted on leash. Located
approximately 15 minutes by car from the Confederation Bridge (Chelton)
Confederation Bridge: Overlooking the full
expanse of the Northumberland Straight, PEI's Confederation Bridge brings you
to the green fields and red roads of the island. Built in 1997 its graceful
arch, those trademark cement pilings, stand sentinel across the clean breezy
water. It has become one of PEI's most known icons. Most people are surprised
to learn it is the longest bridge in the world over water that freezes which
posed unique engineering challenges. (Borden-Carleton)
Victoria-by-the-Sea: a true sense of the
history of the village by viewing the exhibit Keeper's of the Light at the
Victoria Seaport Museum, which is located in Palmer's Range Light. You can
also stroll the tree-lined streets that were laid out in the 1860's, dine in a
sea captain's house or sample handmade chocolates in one of the former general
stores or watch the lobster fishers land their catch on the wharf. (Victoria)