These travel tips for Prince Edward Island were originally published in Zoomer magazine.
Prince Edward Island is famous for lobster and that little red-haired girl with the freckles. But it’s also home to one of Canada’s finest inns, dozens of handsome lighthouses, amazing beaches and adorable little villages you’d like to cart home with you. Here’s a look at some of the top things to see and do on Prince Edward Island, known to most Canadians as PEI.
EASTERN PEI
The East Point Lighthouse on PEI. JIM BYERS PHOTO
One of the most striking lighthouses is the East Point Lighthouse. It’s a mere 67 steps to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with a fine view of the tranquil P.E.I. landscape and of red sandstone cliffs pounded and sculpted and twisted by endless centuries of wind and water.
The Inn at Bay Fortune is a five-star property in eastern P.E.I. that’s run by celebrity chef Michael Smith and his wife, Chastity. The rooms are gorgeous, the ocean views lovely and the food sublime.
Down near Wood Island, where the ferries for Nova Scotia depart, is Point Prim, another of the island’s top lighthouses. Stop next door at the Point Prim Chowderhouse for a terrific bowl of chowder and a local beer.
Look for Hannah’s Wine Bottle Village just up Point Prim Road. It’s a collection of small buildings and artwork fashioned out of wine bottles, and it’s pretty funky.
Outside of Morell, the Links at Crowbush Cove is one of the top golf courses in Canada.
NORTH SHORE AND CENTRAL PEI
Cycling is a great way to enjoy the gentle island of PEI and Prince Edward Island National Park. PHOTO BY JOHN SYLVESTER/PARKS CANADA
On the north shore of the island, Greenwich is home to Prince Edward Island National Park, which has a great, wooden boardwalk and viewing platform and a fabulous stretch of beach.
Charlottetown is known as the birthplace of Canadian federation and there’s plenty of history to be found. It also has a charming downtown with sidewalk cafés in good weather and independent boutiques. And, of course, a few places where you can buy Anne of Green Gables gear. The Great George is a lovely, boutique hotel in town.
Dalvay by the Sea is a romantic old hotel not far from the beach. Prince William and Kate Middleton stayed here years ago.
Of course, you can’t forget Anne of Green Gables, one of the most enduring tourist attractions in Canada.
In New London, The Table Culinary Studio is located in a pretty, restored church and offers remarkable seven-course meals featuring local food.
Known as P.EI.’s second city, Summerside features handsome, brick buildings with tons of character and tree-lined streets. Don’t miss an ice cream cone at Holman’s, housed inside a historic building with lovely gardens. There’s a nice waterfront shopping area in Summerside called Spinnakers’ Landing, which is right on the water and has a pretty boardwalk and brightly painted wooden buildings.
WESTERN PEI
The chapel at the Bottle Houses at Cap Egmont, PEI. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Not far from Summerside is Cap Egmont, home to the Bottle Houses, another whimsical village created out of tens of thousands of wine bottles. You can walk inside the buildings and even get married in the small chapel.
The west end of the island also is home to the beautiful Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Parish Church. Blue, white and red Acadian flags with a gold star fly proudly alongside the red and white maple leaf outside the church.
You’ll get great sunsets at the West Point Lighthouse Inn, where you can stay the night. Plaques along the beach boardwalk talk of settlers who told stories of sea monsters in the area, but chances are you’ll be just fine.
The west end of P.E.I. is home to the wonderful Canadian Potato Museum, located in the town of O’Leary. Here you’ll learn all sorts of things about the tasty tuber, including how French royalty used to wear potato blossoms in their hair and when Thomas Jefferson brought the concept of French fries to a grateful North America. Of course, there’s also a café where you can sample poutine or baked potatoes.
Near the end of the road in the northwest part of the island is Skinners Pond, where you’ll find the Stompin’ Tom (Connors) Centre. Connors spent many of his years here as a child. Visitors can see displays of his signature hat and boots or step into a recording studio to sing along with his best-known songs. Be sure to load your playlist with “The Hockey Song” or “Bud the Spud” before you make the trip.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air Canada flies to Charlottetown direct from Toronto and other cities. Porter Airlines also flies to Charlottetown.
PEI makes for a great driving trip, as well. It’s roughly 17 hours from Toronto by car, so it’s doable in two days. You can drive across the Confederation Bridge, which links PEI to New Brunswick. Or you can take a ferry (roughly 75 minutes) between Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, PEI.
