Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a small province located on the east coast of Canada, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. With its sandy beaches, rolling green hills, and charming small towns, PEI is a popular destination for tourists looking to experience the laid-back charm of rural Canada. Whether you're planning a beach vacation, a cultural trip, or a nature retreat, PEI has something to offer for everyone. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the many attractions and activities that make PEI a must-visit destination for travellers.
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Here are some facts about PEI that may be useful for you:
- Geography: PEI is the smallest province in Canada, with an area of just over 5,600 square miles (14,500 square KM). It is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, east of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The island is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge, which is the longest bridge in Canada.
- Population: PEI has a population of around 150,000 people, making it one of the least populous provinces in Canada. The majority of the population lives in the urban areas of Charlottetown (the capital) and Summerside.
- Economy: PEI's economy is primarily based on agriculture, with the main crops being potatoes, peas, and wheat. The island is also home to a number of small businesses, including artisanal food producers, craft breweries, and tourist attractions.
- Culture: PEI has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of English, French, and Irish influences. The island is known for its traditional music, storytelling, and folk art, as well as its literary history (PEI is the birthplace of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the classic novel “Anne of Green Gables”).
- Climate: PEI has a moderate climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average high temperature in the summer is around 75°F (24°C) and the average low temperature in the winter is around 20°F (-7°C).
Here are some tips and tricks for visiting Prince Edward Island (PEI) to make sure you get the most out of the trip:
- Plan ahead: PEI is a popular tourist destination, so it's a good idea to plan ahead and book your accommodation, transportation, and activities in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Consider the weather: PEI has a moderate climate, but it can be cooler and wetter in the spring and fall, and hotter and more humid in the summer. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and footwear for the time of year you're visiting.
- Rent a car: PEI is a small province, but it can be challenging to get around without a car. Renting a car is a convenient way to explore the island and visit all the attractions.
- Try the seafood: PEI is known for its delicious seafood, including lobster, mussels, scallops, and oysters. Be sure to try some of the local specialties and visit some of the best seafood restaurants in the province.
- Visit the beaches: PEI has over 100 sandy beaches to choose from, so be sure to visit at least one during your trip. Some popular beaches include Cavendish Beach, Brackley Beach, and Souris Beach.
- Explore the small towns: PEI is home to a number of charming small towns, each with its own unique character and attractions. Some popular small towns to visit include Victoria-by-the-Sea, Georgetown, and Murray River.
- Buy local: PEI is home to a number of artisanal food producers, including cheese makers, bakeries, and chocolatiers. Be sure to buy some local products and support the local economy.
Let's look at some of the popular places to visit in PEI.
If you love sight seeing, you will love this list.
Green Gables Heritage Place
Located in Cavendish, this historic site is the inspiration for the beloved novel “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The site includes the Green Gables farmhouse, as well as a number of other heritage buildings and trails.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 1 hour.
- Budget: Admission is $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children.
- Worth visiting: This is a must-see destination for fans of the “Anne of Green Gables” series, as well as for those interested in heritage and literature.
Confederation Centre of the Arts
Located in Charlottetown, this cultural centre is home to a number of galleries, theaters, and museums. The centre hosts a variety of performances, exhibitions, and events throughout the year.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 0 minutes.
- Budget: Admission to the galleries and exhibitions is free, while tickets for performances and events vary.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to learn about PEI's history and culture, as well as to see live performances and exhibitions.
Cavendish Beach
Located on the north shore of the island, this beach is known for its wide, sandy shores and warm waters. The beach is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and beach-combing.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 1 hour.
- Budget: Free.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of PEI.
Charlottetown Farmers' Market
Located in downtown Charlottetown, this market is held on Saturdays and features a wide variety of local produce, crafts, and food.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 0 minutes.
- Budget: Free to browse, prices for items vary.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to sample local products and meet the producers.
Basin Head Beach
Located on the southeast shore of the island, this beach is known for its fine white sands and crystal-clear waters. The beach is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and beach-combing.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 1.5 hours.
- Budget: Free.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of PEI.
Point Prim Lighthouse
Located on Point Prim, this lighthouse is the oldest in PEI and offers panoramic views of the Northumberland Strait. The lighthouse is open for tours in the summer months. Travel time from Charlottetown: 1 hour. Budget: Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children. Worth visiting: This is a great place to learn about the history of navigation and to see a beautiful panoramic view.
North Cape Coastal Drive
This scenic drive along the north shore of the island offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the surrounding countryside. The drive passes through a number of charming small towns and villages, as well as a number of scenic vistas.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 2-3 hours.
- Budget: Free.
- Worth visiting: This is a great way to see the natural beauty of PEI and to explore the island's small towns and villages.
Prince Edward Island National Park
Located on the north shore of the island, this national park features a variety of landscapes, including sandy beaches, dunes, and forests. The park offers a number of hiking trails, as well as opportunities for birdwatching and other outdoor activities.
Victoria-by-the-Sea
This charming small town is located on the south shore of the island and is known for its historic architecture, artisanal shops, and seafood restaurants.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 1 hour.
- Budget: Free to browse, prices for items and activities vary.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to explore the island's artisanal and culinary traditions, as well as to relax in a charming small town setting.
Beaconsfield Historic House
Located in Charlottetown, this historic house is a preserved Victorian mansion that offers a glimpse into the life and times of the wealthy merchants who lived there. The house is open for tours in the summer months.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 0 minutes.
- Budget: Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to learn about the history of Charlottetown and to see a beautiful Victorian mansion.
Brackley Beach
Located on the north shore of the island, this beach is known for its wide, sandy shores and warm waters. The beach is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 30 minutes.
- Budget: Free.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of PEI.
Rossignol Estate Winery
Located in Rustico, this winery is known for its award-winning wines made from locally grown grapes. The winery offers tastings and tours in the summer months.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 30 minutes.
- Budget: Tastings start at $5, tours start at $10.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to learn about the island's wine-making traditions and to sample some local wines.
Wood Islands Lighthouse
Located on the eastern tip of the island, this lighthouse is a preserved historic site that offers panoramic views of the Northumberland Strait. The lighthouse is open for tours in the summer months.
- Travel time from Charlottetown: 1.5 hours.
- Budget: Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
- Worth visiting: This is a great place to learn about the history of navigation and to see a beautiful panoramic view.
If we look at the food options, there are some unique and amazing food there. We narrowed down a few here for you.
- Seafood: PEI is known for its delicious seafood, including lobster, mussels, scallops, and oysters. Some of the best seafood restaurants in the province include The Oyster Bar in Charlottetown, The Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico, and The Lobster on the Wharf in Georgetown.
- Potatoes: PEI is known as the “Potato Province” and is a major producer of potatoes in Canada. Some popular potato dishes to try in PEI include potato fritters, potato pancakes, and potato scallops. Some restaurants that specialize in potato dishes include The Table Culinary Studio in Charlottetown and The Trailside Inn & Cafe in New Glasgow.
- Ice cream: PEI is home to a number of artisanal ice cream makers, including Cows Ice Cream and The Island Churn. Be sure to try some of the unique flavours, such as “Anne of Green Gables” (strawberry) and “Cows Creamery” (vanilla with pieces of fudge).
- Craft beer: PEI has a thriving craft beer scene, with a number of breweries producing a variety of ales, lagers, and stouts. Some popular breweries to visit include Upstreet Craft Brewing in Charlottetown and Copper Bottom Brewery in Montague.
- Artisanal food: PEI is home to a number of artisanal food producers, including cheese makers, bakeries, and chocolatiers. Some artisanal food shops to visit include The Cheese Lady in Charlottetown and The Chocolate Island in New Glasgow.
Here is a possible 2-week itinerary for a trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI):
Day 1:
- Arrive in Charlottetown and check into your accommodation.
- In the afternoon, visit the Confederation Centre of the Arts and explore the galleries and exhibitions (admission is free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Table Culinary Studio and try some of the local potato dishes (prices vary).
Day 2:
- Drive to Cavendish and visit the Green Gables Heritage Place (admission is $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children).
- Take a walk on the trails and visit the heritage buildings.
- In the afternoon, head to Cavendish Beach and spend some time relaxing on the sandy shores (free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Blue Mussel Cafe and try some of the local mussels (prices vary).
Day 3:
- Drive to North Rustico and visit the North Cape Coastal Drive.
- Stop at a number of scenic vistas and small towns along the way.
- In the afternoon, visit the Rossignol Estate Winery and take a tour and tasting (tours start at $10 and tastings start at $5).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Lobster on the Wharf and try some of the local lobster (prices vary).
Day 4:
- Drive to Victoria-by-the-Sea and explore the artisanal shops and seafood restaurants (prices vary).
- In the afternoon, visit the Beaconsfield Historic House (admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children) and take a tour of the preserved Victorian mansion.
- In the evening, have dinner at The Olde Dublin Pub and try some of the local craft beer (prices vary).
Day 5:
- Drive to Charlottetown and visit the Charlottetown Farmers' Market (free to browse, prices for items vary).
- In the afternoon, visit the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company and try some of the local artisanal food products (prices vary).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Oyster Bar and try some of the local oysters (prices vary).
Day 6:
- Drive to New Glasgow and visit The Chocolate Island (prices vary).
- In the afternoon, visit the Prince Edward Island National Park (admission is $7.80 for adults and $3.90 for children) and take a hike on one of the trails.
- In the evening, have dinner at The Trailside Inn & Cafe and try some of the local potato dishes (prices vary).
Day 7:
- Drive to Montague and visit the Copper Bottom Brewery (prices vary).
- In the afternoon, visit the Wood Islands Lighthouse (admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children) and take a tour of the preserved historic site.
- In the evening, have dinner at The Galley Restaurant and try some of the local seafood (prices vary).
Day 8:
- Drive to Georgetown and visit the Georgetown Lighthouse and Museum (admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children).
- In the afternoon, visit the Georgetown Playhouse and see a live performance (prices vary).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Red Shores Racetrack & Casino and try some of the local craft beer (prices vary).
Day 9:
- Drive to Brackley Beach and spend the day relaxing on the sandy shores (free).
- In the afternoon, visit the Cows Ice Cream factory (prices vary) and try some of the unique flavors.
- In the evening, have dinner at The Lobster Tank and try some of the local lobster (prices vary).
Day 10:
- Drive to Charlottetown and visit the Charlottetown Mall (free to browse, prices for items vary).
- In the afternoon, visit the UPEI Art Gallery and explore the exhibitions (admission is free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Gahan House and try some of the local craft beer (prices vary).
Day 11:
- Drive to St. Peters and visit the St. Peters Bay Lighthouse (admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children).
- In the afternoon, visit the St. Peters Bay Beach and spend some time relaxing on the sandy shores (free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Dunes Studio Gallery & Cafe and try some of the local artisanal food products (prices vary).
Day 12:
- Drive to Souris and visit the Souris Lighthouse (admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children).
- In the afternoon, visit the Souris Beach and spend some time relaxing on the sandy shores (free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Sea Salt Oyster Company and try some of the local oysters (prices vary).
Day 13:
- Drive to Murray River and visit the Murray River Lighthouse (admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children).
- In the afternoon, visit the Murray River Beach and spend some time relaxing on the sandy shores (free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Murray River Dining Room and try some of the local seafood (prices vary).
Day 14:
- Drive back to Charlottetown and spend the day exploring the city.
- Visit some of the local attractions, such as the Confederation Centre of the Arts, the Charlottetown Farmers' Market, and the UPEI Art Gallery (admission is free).
- In the evening, have dinner at The Gahan House and try some of the local craft beer (prices vary).
Overall, its a must visit place
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a fun and interesting place to visit, with a variety of attractions and activities to choose from. From the sandy beaches and charming small towns to the delicious seafood and artisanal food, PEI has something for everyone. Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or relaxation, PEI has a lot to offer. So pack your bags and head to the “Potato Province” for an unforgettable vacation!
