This week, I will explore the Prince Edward Island province in Atlantic Canada, often referred to as PEI for short.
PEI is the last province of the four Canadian Maritimes I have yet to visit, and I’m excited to discover the island.
This blog post is a guide to what I recommend while visiting Prince Edward Island.
We start our journey by staying in Charlottetown after crossing the Confederation Bridge.
Stay at the Holman Grand Hotel, Charlottetown
We arrived at The Holman Grand Hotel in the heart of Charlottetown. The hotel offers a nice balance of comfort and luxury, with plenty of amenities, including an on-site spa.
See if you can stay on the Penthouse level and enjoy incredible views overlooking Charlottetown from the decking Balcony.
We parked our car out front and checked in quickly, then dropped our bags into our rooms and headed out to explore Charlottetown.
Explore downtown Charlottetown
Charlottetown has many historic attractions, including the Province House National Historic Site, where the Fathers of Confederation first met.
There are also many excellent restaurants downtown if you’re looking for a bite. We recommend Victoria Row, Hunter’s Ale House, Charlottetown Beer Garden or Hopyard.
After exploring downtown, we visited Victoria Park Boardwalk. This beautiful park is where three rivers unite and flow through a narrow passage into the Northumberland Strait.
Halfway around the boardwalk, you’ll find some cannons placed here to protect the harbour from any ships trying to enter through the narrow passage.
From the boardwalk, we headed to Founders’ Food Hall & Market.
This market and food hall was created as a way to bring the community together.
It serves up internationally inspired foods locally sourced in a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Over 18 vendors showcase culinary talents from 4 continents, priding themselves on their global flavours with a local twist.
My two favourite spots I checked were Hojo’s Sushi Burrito, which did an amazing shrimp tempura wrap, and Datch French Caribbean Soul, which knows what it’s doing with tasty, spicy dishes.
Anne Of Green Gables Heritage Place
Next, we visited Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place.
This gave us a real glimpse into the world that inspired L.M. Montgomery’s famous novel, Anne of Green Gables, first published in 1908.
Walking through the site, which is part of L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site, I learned more about the author’s life and how she created the character of Anne Shirley.
It was easy to see why this landscape sparked her imagination. Like many fans over the years, I enjoyed exploring the setting that brought one of Canada’s most well-known stories to life.
Covehead Harbour Lighthouse
Our next stop was just a short drive from Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place: the Covehead Harbour Lighthouse.
The lighthouse sits among the dunes of Prince Edward Island National Park and is one of the island’s most photographed spots.
We explored the area and took pictures of the stunning views.
Richard’s Fresh Food is a great spot for lunch
If you have the time, grab lunch at Richard’s Fresh Seafood nearby. It’s a local favourite, with colourful fishing boats surrounding the famous shack.
The lobster roll is a must-try here, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a great spot for more p, even if you’re not hungry.
Seal, Wildlife Watching and Lobster Trap Tour
Head out on a Seal, Wildlife Watching and Lobster Trap Tour
We joined an educational tour on a real lobster fishing boat on our second morning.
During the tour, we learned about lobsters, including how to haul, band, and measure them.
The crew also taught us about the lobster industry and the life cycle of these fascinating creatures.
Plus, heading out early allowed us to spot seals and other wildlife around PEI’s beautiful Governor’s Island.
It’s good to know: If you plan to do this, tours only run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays mornings between July 1st and September 20th.
Stop at the Home Plate for Fish and Chips
If you’re looking for a good traditional fish and chips on Prince Edward Island, check out The Home Plate.
Everything is homemade and prepared with friendly local service from the owner cathy; be sure not to miss out on the sausage rolls and sweet tarts too from the bakery to enjoy on your onwards journey.
Hike around Greenwich Prince Edward Island National Park
Greenwich Prince Edward Island National Park is home to the island’s most extensive dunes.
Although the area is off the beaten path compared to other regions of PEI National Park, it’s well worth the visit.
Located on the western tip of Greenwich, a peninsula that separates St. Peters Bay from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The landscape here has been shaped by centuries of wind and waves, and it is interesting to learn about its connection to Mi’kmaq and Acadian history.
Our first stop was the Greenwich Interpretation Centre, where we met Ethain, a park interpreter who took us on a guided tour and explained the area’s history and natural beauty.
After the centre, we explored the Greenwich Beach Dunes Trail.
The trail led us through stunning dunes with incredible views of the surrounding landscape. We took our time walking and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
We reached Greenwich Beach at the end of the trail. Remember to pack your swimwear, as you can go for a quick dip in the sea at the end of the trail.
Visit Panmure island Provincial Park
Head towards Panmure Island Provincial Park. On the way, we took a short break in Montague.
It was a nice little detour to stretch our legs and explore.
The open green spaces and the long, white sandy beach were stunning when we arrived at Panmure Island.
With water on both sides of the causeway, it’s one of the most picturesque spots on Prince Edward Island.
We climbed up the scenic viewing tower for some great photos and then explored the Panmure Island Lighthouse, which overlooks the entrance to Cardigan Bay.
Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort
Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort is a perfect spot to relax after hiking around Greenwich Prince Edward Island National Park.
The spa was such a peaceful retreat. It offered a selection of Nordic saunas, a steam room, and hot baths. They even had an ice bath for the brave.
It’s a beautiful setting and relaxing atmosphere.
If you’re not too hungry earlier, I’d recommend saving your appetite for the soup and salad set lunch at Mysa after enjoying the spa.
Nature Space eco Resort and kayaking adventure
Our final night was spent at Nature Space Eco Resort. We stayed in a private glamping yurt on 16 acres of unspoilt wilderness.
The resort is set on a beautiful lagoon of fresh, estuarial, and saltwater environments, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
The bird life here is incredible, and Nature Canada has identified it as an Important Bird Area (IBA). During your stay, you may spot eagles, kingfishers, herons, and ospreys.
We joined a Kayaking Sunset Adventure on St. Peter’s Lake that evening. Paddling through calm waters, we explored hidden creeks and admired the stunning parabolic dunes.
The sunset made the experience even more unique, and along the way, we saw all kinds of birds and even a few fish swimming below us in the clear water.
It was a perfect end to our trip, combining nature, wildlife, and adventure in a truly unique way.
Wine, cider and beer tour across Prince Edward Island
Why not create your own fun Wine, cider and beer tour across PEI
First of all, plan a visit to the Double Hill Cidery. It is a wonderful outdoor bar located amongst the apple orchards.
,
Here, you can order a taster flight and try local batches they produce on PEI. I’m OK with anything being aged in an in-barrel by me, and that happens to be an award-winning organisation, too.
Then, make your way over to Rossignol Estate Winery. They have a fine selection on offer, my favourite actually being the liquor, which was a wild card but rather good and packed a tangy punch.
Lastly, order a flight taster at Copper Bottom Brewery. They have an excellent amber ale that went down nicely. Don’t forget the pickle platter, which pairs rather well with the beer on offer.
Thank you for reading my blog post about Prince Edward Island
Thank you for passing by and reading my travel guide to exploring Prince Edward Island.
I hope you found it helpful towards your trip planning.
If you would like to continue your road trip around Atlantic Canada, be sure to check out my guide to New Brunswick.
If you have any further questions about this trip or PEI, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to help.
Have a fantastic trip to Atlantic Canada and Prince Edward Island.
