PEI
3
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Three days on Prince Edward Island reveal the most extraordinary combination of literary heritage, red sand beaches, world-class oysters and the birthplace of Canada in the smallest province in the country. The Confederation Chamber where Canada was planned in 1864, the farmhouse that inspired Anne of Green Gables, the finest sand beaches in eastern Canada at Cavendish, the community lobster suppers and the Malpeque oyster beds are all within a short drive of Charlottetown. This route moves from the UNESCO streets of Charlottetown and the Anne of Green Gables farmhouse through the red sand dunes and warm Gulf waters of the National Park to the extraordinary oyster beds of Malpeque Bay and the hidden heritage village of Victoria-by-the-Sea. Three extraordinary days on the Gentle Island.
Best Time To Visit
June to September
Getting There
Fly into Charlottetown (YYG) or drive via Confederation Bridge
Getting Around
Car essential
Budget Per Day
Approx 155 to 375 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, beach and coastal walking
DAY 1
CHARLOTTETOWN AND THE CRADLE OF CONFEDERATION
MORNING
CHARLOTTETOWN, THE BIRTHPLACE OF CANADA
Charlottetown is the most extraordinary small capital city in Canada, the birthplace of Confederation where the Fathers of Canada met in 1864 to plan the country, its extraordinary Province House National Historic Site with the Confederation Chamber preserved exactly as it was, the remarkable Great George Street of Victorian heritage buildings and the extraordinary waterfront boardwalk making it the finest small city in Atlantic Canada. Province House entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
VICTORIA ROW AND THE CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL
Victoria Row on Richmond Street is the most extraordinary pedestrian arts street in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary brick heritage buildings housing the finest restaurants and galleries in Charlottetown, the remarkable Confederation Centre of the Arts with the finest Anne of Green Gables musical in Canada and the extraordinary summer street performers making it the finest afternoon experience in the city. Theatre tickets approx 50 CAD. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE CHARLOTTETOWN FARMERS MARKET AND THE RED CLAY ROADS
The Charlottetown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings is the finest farmers market in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary local Malpeque oysters, the remarkable PEI potato products and the extraordinary Island honey and cheese making it the finest food market east of Montreal. The red clay roads of the surrounding countryside are the finest photography subject in PEI. Market entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Confederation Trail cycling route crosses the entire island from Tignish to Elmira on a converted railway bed, 273km of flat gravel trail through extraordinary PEI farmland and red clay country. The section between Charlottetown and Mount Stewart along the Hillsborough River is the finest 30km. Bicycle hire in Charlottetown
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Receiver Coffee, Charlottetown The finest specialty coffee shop in PEI. Outstanding local breakfast and the finest espresso on the Island. | Lunch: The Merchantman, Charlottetown The finest pub lunch in Charlottetown. Outstanding PEI oysters and local craft beer. | Dinner: Gio, Charlottetown The finest restaurant in PEI. Outstanding Island seafood tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 2
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES COUNTRY AND THE NORTH SHORE
MORNING
GREEN GABLES HERITAGE PLACE, THE MOST FAMOUS HOUSE IN CANADA
Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish is the most extraordinary literary heritage site in Canada, the farmhouse that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, its extraordinary green-gabled rooms preserved as described in the novel, the Haunted Wood trail and the extraordinary Lovers Lane path through the Cavendish woods. The novel has sold 50 million copies. Entry approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
CAVENDISH BEACH AND THE FINEST SAND IN EASTERN CANADA
Cavendish Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park is the most extraordinary beach in eastern Canada, its extraordinary red sand dunes and warm Gulf of St Lawrence water averaging 20 degrees in July, the remarkable sandstone sea caves carved into the red cliffs and the extraordinary dune ecosystem with piping plovers nesting in the beach grass. Park day pass approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE NORTH SHORE RED CLIFFS AND THE BRACKLEY BEACH
The North Shore red sandstone cliffs between Cavendish and Rustico are the most extraordinary coastal landscape in PEI, their extraordinary deep red colour from iron oxide in the sandstone, the remarkable sea caves and arches carved by the Gulf of St Lawrence and the extraordinary Brackley Beach with its fine red sand making it the finest afternoon coastal walk in Atlantic Canada. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Greenwich dunes in PEI National Park east of Cavendish contain the finest parabolic dune system in Atlantic Canada, their extraordinary inland-migrating sand dunes accessible by a 4.5km return boardwalk trail through extraordinary wetlands and coastal forest. The floating boardwalk section over the lagoon is extraordinary. Entry with park pass
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Landmark Cafe, Victoria-by-the-Sea Outstanding PEI breakfast at the finest independent cafe on the south shore. | Lunch: New Glasgow Lobster Suppers The finest community lobster supper in PEI since 1958. Outstanding fresh lobster from approx 40 CAD. | Dinner: The Inn at Bay Fortune, Fortune Outstanding Fire Works dinner at Michael Smith's finest estate restaurant. Book months ahead.
DAY 3
THE WEST AND SOUTH SHORES
MORNING
VICTORIA-BY-THE-SEA, THE FINEST HIDDEN VILLAGE IN PEI
Victoria-by-the-Sea is the most extraordinary and least visited heritage village in PEI, its extraordinary 19th-century streetscape of painted wooden buildings, the remarkable Victoria Playhouse theatre in a converted community hall and the outstanding chocolate shop with extraordinary handmade Island chocolates making it the finest undiscovered village on the Island. The harbour with its lobster boats and the extraordinary red cliff walk are both remarkable. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE CEDAR DUNES AND WEST POINT LIGHTHOUSE
West Point Lighthouse Provincial Park on the western tip of PEI is the most extraordinary lighthouse heritage site in the province, its extraordinary striped lighthouse built in 1875 now operating as the finest lighthouse inn in Canada, the remarkable Cedar Dunes beach and the extraordinary view across the Northumberland Strait to New Brunswick giving the finest west coast experience in PEI. Lighthouse museum entry approx 5 CAD. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MALPEQUE BAY OYSTER BEDS AND THE FINEST OYSTERS IN THE WORLD
Malpeque Bay on the north shore of western PEI is the most extraordinary oyster growing area in the world, its extraordinary cold, clean water and particular mineral content producing the finest oysters in Canada. The extraordinary oyster lease tours by boat through the growing beds and the roadside stands selling fresh Malpeque oysters give the finest shellfish experience in Atlantic Canada. Oyster boat tour approx 25 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Confederation Bridge viewed from the Borden-Carleton Observation Tower at dusk is the finest view of the 12.9km crossing, the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world. The Cape Traverse red sand beach below the bridge approach is the finest hidden beach on the south shore. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sim's Corner, Summerside Outstanding western PEI breakfast at the finest steakhouse and bar in the second city. | Lunch: The Dunes Studio Gallery Cafe, Brackley Outstanding PEI garden cafe lunch at the finest arts and craft gallery on the Island. | Dinner: The Lobster Barn, Victoria-by-the-Sea Outstanding traditional PEI lobster dinner at the finest harbourside restaurant in the village.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Charlottetown, All 3 Nights The Holman Grand or Rodd Charlottetown. Approx 150 to 300 CAD per night. Cavendish option Night 2 Inn at Bay Fortune or cavendish resort. Approx 150 to 350 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Malpeque oysters: eat them freshly shucked at the Charlottetown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
2. New Glasgow Lobster Suppers: arrive before 5pm. The community lobster hall serves 300 people. No reservations.
3. Anne of Green Gables: visit early morning before the tour groups. The Haunted Wood trail is finest at dawn.
4. Cavendish Beach: arrive before 9am. The National Park beach fills completely by midday in July and August.
5. Confederation Bridge toll: only paid westbound into New Brunswick. Leaving PEI by bridge is free.
6. PEI potatoes: buy from a roadside farm stand for the finest potatoes in the world. Under 5 CAD a bag.
Total Budget
155 to 370 CAD/day