10 Best Places to Visit in Prince Edward Island

The rural allure of a rolling green patchwork of farms combined with a coastline featuring sandy beaches and dramatically eroded cliffs adorned with lighthouses is an irresistible combination for tourists. When you add attractions like the home and setting for one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature, a seaside national park, and a bicycling trail spanning from one tip of the island to the other, Prince Edward Island (PEI for short) offers rewarding activities for every type of tourist.

PEI, the smallest province in Canada and one of its most picturesque is steeped in charm. According to a Micmac First Nations legend, the god Glooscap painted all the world’s beautiful places and then dipped his brush in every color to create Abegweit, his favorite island. Positioned in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the island boasts pleasantly moderate temperatures.

Discover the best places to visit and things to do with this list of the best places to visit in Prince Edward Island.

1. PEI National Park

PEI National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park spans much of the central and northern coastline of the island. Divided into three sections, the park offers a range of attractions, including beaches, wildlife viewing, outdoor activities, and historic buildings, making it an ideal destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

In the central portion of the park, the historic Dalvay-by-the-Sea house, once a regal summer residence, has been transformed into a hotel and restaurant near Brackley and Stanhope Beaches. Towards the eastern end, past St. Peters Bay, the more secluded Greenwich area provides a tranquil escape, featuring a dune-backed beach and boardwalk trails that are perfect for birdwatching, showcasing the park’s 300-plus bird species.

The Gulf Shore Parkway traces the coast through the central section of the park and extends on the other side of New London Bay from North Rustico to Cavendish as the Gulf Shore Parkway West. Following the shoreline for most of its route, the park includes two inland segments at Cavendish, accommodating Green Gables and Eagles Glenn golf courses, as well as the heritage site of Green Gables (refer to attraction 3 below).

2. St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral

St. Dunstan's Basilica Cathedral

St. Dunstan’s Basilica distinguishes itself with its towering spires and intricate stonework, not only for its impressive height but also as an excellent representation of the High Victorian Gothic style, a departure from the more common style found in Quebec churches.

Following a fire in 1913, just six years after its initial completion, the contrasting brick and stone façade, along with the numerous pinnacles surrounding the spires, were meticulously restored to their original appearance. The interior underwent a redesign, adopting a more English style compared to the original, which leaned towards the typical French style.

The light hues adorning the walls, columns, and vaulting serve as a backdrop for the elaborate high altar and stained-glass windows. Recognized as a National Historic Site, the basilica stands as a testament to its architectural and historical significance.

3. Confederation Bridge

Confederation Bridge

Opened in 1997, Confederation Bridge spans the Northumberland Strait, establishing the first permanent connection between Prince Edward Island and mainland Canada. This realization fulfilled the commitment to a lasting link made when PEI joined Confederation in 1873. Before the bridge’s construction, ferry crossings were the primary means of transportation, either at this location or at Wood Islands on the eastern end of the island.

Stretching across 12.9 kilometers, this bridge stands as the world’s longest over freezing water and is hailed as one of Canada’s most notable engineering achievements of the 20th century. The journey across the gracefully curving bridge from New Brunswick is an exhilarating experience, and the initial town reached in PEI is Borden-Carleton, offering the most captivating view of the majestic structure.

4. Charlottetown

Charlottetown

Charlottetown exudes a Victorian-era charm and unexpectedly retains a quaint small-town ambiance. The city streets are adorned with heritage buildings, such as the intricate St. Dunstan’s Basilica and the refined Beaconsfield Historic House. Serving as the primary cultural hub, the Confederation Centre of the Arts features an art gallery, museum, and theaters, showcasing the annual performance of the Anne of Green Gables musical during the summer.

Situated across the street from the center is the Province House National Historic Site, which hosted the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, initiating discussions about confederation. However, Prince Edward Island didn’t formally join the union until 1873.

A delightful attraction for visitors is the picturesque Victoria Row, a car-free street adorned with well-maintained Victorian buildings located south of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Many of these former residences now house charming boutiques and restaurants. Along the harbor, a lovely pathway extends to Victoria Park, home to historic fortifications at Prince Edward Battery.

5. Basin Head Provincial Park

Basin Head Provincial Park

This beach and provincial park on Points East Coastal Drive offer a bustling environment. Visitors enjoy shuffling their feet along the sands to generate a distinctive “singing” noise, earning the beach the nickname Singing Sands. The unique squeak is a result of the high concentration of silica and quartz in the fine sand.

Basin Head beach extends for miles, and its summer waters, pleasantly warm, are ideal for swimming. Beyond the more crowded section, equipped with showers and picnic shelters, there is ample beach for solitary walks and beachcombing.

During the summer, the PEI Wildlife Federation provides interpretive Beyond the Beach experiences, allowing exploration of the typically unseen parts of Basin Head’s Marine Protected Area, including the sand dunes and aquatic life of the lagoon. Within the provincial park, the Basin Head Fisheries Museum showcases exhibits on Prince Edward Island’s inshore fishery.

6. Confederation Centre of the Arts

Confederation Centre of the Arts

Established in 1964 to commemorate Confederation, this cultural establishment encompasses an art gallery, museum, and two theaters. The Confederation Centre of the Arts showcases the Anne of Green Gables musical annually during the Charlottetown Festival, just steps away from the renowned Province House National Historic Site, where the pivotal Charlottetown Conference of 1864 laid the groundwork for Canada.

Alongside their packed schedule of theatrical and musical performances, the Confederation Players, dressed as the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation, lead Walking Tours in July and August. These players stroll through Charlottetown’s historic district, providing cultural and historical insights into the leaders and era of the Confederation.

7. North Cape

North Cape

North Cape extends like a sharp-pointed arrow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, culminating at the North Cape Lighthouse. The entire western extremity of the island, spanning from Cedar Dunes Provincial Park in the south to North Cape, remains less frequented than other parts of PEI, lending its small towns and countryside an undisturbed, almost undiscovered ambiance.

While Route 2 carves a straight path through its core, the most picturesque way to traverse the region is along the 350-kilometer North Cape Coastal Drive. This marked route meanders along the coast, guiding travelers from one scenic vantage point and quaint village to the next. The elevated red sandstone cliffs showcase rugged formations in some areas, occasionally descending to small sandy beaches. Numerous seafood eateries line the route, or for a maritime adventure, visitors can opt for kayaking or a deep-sea fishing expedition.

The gusty winds of the North Cape create an ideal backdrop for towering turbines, converting abundant wind into energy at one of Canada’s premier wind test institutes. The North Cape Interpretive Centre features exhibits elucidating the process, and nearby are nature trails and the North Cape Lighthouse, situated in proximity to the wind farm.

8. Anne of Green Gables Sights

Anne of Green Gables Sights

Much like Juliet has become synonymous with Verona, the fictional character Anne of Green Gables has so captivated the imaginations of readers and viewers that she has bestowed upon the setting of her story a magical essence. Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne’s Tales, resided in Cavendish, transforming it into the mythical Avonlea, the backdrop for Anne’s girlhood in her 1908 novel that inaugurates the series.

The verdant-roofed farmhouse, known as Green Gables, along with its surrounding land, once belonged to Montgomery’s uncle, and she frequented the place during her childhood. It has now attained the status of a National Historic Site. In Cavendish, visitors can explore the grounds of Montgomery’s childhood home, where a collection of her works is available for purchase.

Creating a somewhat theme park ambiance, Avonlea Village comprises eating establishments and shops housed in replicas (and a few original) buildings inspired by the village depicted in the books. The gardens add to the charm of the village. In New London, one can tour Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthplace, showcasing her personal scrapbooks containing some of her stories and poems.

The Campbell Homestead in Park Corner features the Anne of Green Gables Museum, displaying a collection of Montgomery memorabilia, along with carriage rides around the area that served as her inspiration for the Lake of Shining Waters.

9. Victoria-by-the-Sea

Victoria-by-the-Sea

Presently a quaint fishing village, Victoria-by-the-Sea captivates with its fish shacks along the waterfront, vibrant take-out stands, and a small lighthouse. In the late 1800s, the panorama was notably more bustling, featuring three wharves that facilitated the continuous arrival of sailing ships, contributing to a flourishing trade network with Europe, the West Indies, and East Coast ports.

During that era, steamboats transported vacationers for idyllic seaside getaways. In the contemporary landscape, a theater, chocolate shop, fishing wharf, glass and pottery studios, and the Victoria Seaport Lighthouse Museum have become cherished attractions in this amiable community. The red sandstone cliffs lining the coast of the Northumberland Strait are subject to constant erosion, resulting in expansive red-sand flats exposed during low tide.

10. The Bottle Houses

The Bottle Houses

The light-filled buildings called The Bottle Houses are constructed from over 25,000 glass bottles, forming walls and design features. Édouard Arsenault, a unique artist and builder, used colored bottles to create a six-gabled house, a hexagonal tavern, and a chapel complete with pews and an altar.

Constructed entirely from glass and cement, this exceptional recycling project commenced in 1980. Arsenault and his daughter Réjeanne collected bottles from a local restaurant, and community dance halls, as well as from friends and neighbors.