Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest of all the Canadian provinces. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to do there!
PEI is the birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery and a world-famous destination for Anne of Green Gables lovers. There are many key tourist destinations in PEI, along with breathtaking ocean views and walking trails.
In this guide, I cover the 13 best things to do and see in Prince Edward Island this year. Read on to find out where you should visit on your next trip.
Top Attractions and Things to Do In Prince Edward Island
There are many unique and interesting things to do in Prince Edward Island. Here are the top attractions and places we visited during our summer trip to the province.
Drive Across the Confederation Bridge
This engineering feat connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland in the southern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It is the longest bridge in the world that spans across ice-covered waters.
Walking or driving across this bridge gives you full access to the best views. You can see Seacow Head Lighthouse, Cape Traverse, and Borden-Carlton Historical Park. Or, if you visit one of these places, you get a great view of the bridge.
Driving across the bridge costs $50.25 but it is well worth it.
Spend the Day at PEI National Park
Visiting PEI National Park is one of the best things to do in PEI, as there’s so much to do! Located on Green Gables Shore, this park has a beach, extensive walking and cycling trails, boardwalks, and more.
Walk across a floating boardwalk, along the edges of a field, and through coastal terrain. This park is known for its beaches, which have red cliffs and wind-sculpted dunes.
The park is open year-round, but it’s best to visit in the summer.
Visit Charlottetown
Visiting Charlottetown is one of the best things to do in PEI, Canada. This historical hub is filled with culture, events, festivals, world-class restaurants, and unique shops.
It is a small seaside city but is bursting with life and energy. Here are just some of the many things you can do in Charlottetown:
- Get out on the water by cruising on a boat, renting a paddleboard, trying hoverboarding, and more
- Check out Victoria Row with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops
- Take in a show at the Guild, City Cinema, or Confederation Centre of the Arts
- Visit a local farmers market on Saturday and Sunday
Visit the Birthplace of Anne of Green Gables
Prince Edward Island is the birthplace and famed location of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.
Walk through the Green Gables Heritage Place in the PEI National Park. You can stroll through the Haunted Woods and Lovers Lane and shop at the onsite gift shop. You can also visit L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home and take a guided tour.
Visit the Cavendish United Church and the Cavendish Cemetary, L.M. Montgomery’s final resting place.
Other places worth checking out include the Anne of Green Gables Museum at the Campbell Homestead and the Anne of Green Gables Store in Charlottetown.
If you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in PEI.
You can also take the Family Horse and Buggy Ride!
Tan on Some Beautiful Beaches
With the many beaches on Prince Edward Island, it can be difficult to choose just a few to visit. All beaches are unique, with the sand ranging in colour from a vibrant red to a tropical white.
It’s worth checking out PEI’s flagship beach, Cavendish Beach. It is close to Charlottetown on the north coast and is one of the best beaches in PEI. Its tan-coloured shores and red sandstone cliffs make this a beautiful destination.
Other noteworthy beaches include the Singing Sands in Basin Head Provincial Park, Greenwich Beach, and Brackley Beach.
Grab Some Ice Cream at Cows Creamery
With humble beginnings in Cavendish in 1983, Cows Creamery has grown into a recognizable brand to everyone in PEI. This world-class ice cream, t-shirt, and cheese factory hosts tours where you can see how the ice cream is made.
Tours only run seasonally, but the ice cream shop in Charlottetown is open daily.
This famed ice cream shop uses all-natural, delicious ingredients with quality you can taste. Cows Creamery makes over 32 flavours of ice cream along with cheese, butter, and more dairy products.
This is an essential stop on your trip and is one of the best places to visit in Prince Edward Island.
Eat Fresh Seafood
If you love seafood, Prince Edward Island is a prime destination. Surrounded entirely by saltwater, this island is big on lobster, mussels, oysters, shrimp, crab, and other fresh seafood.
There are many opportunities to eat delicious seafood on the island – here are some of the best places:
- New Glasgow Lobster Supper
- Blue Mussel Cafe
- Richard’s Fresh Seafood
- Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound
If you’re on a budget, McDonald’s even has a McLobster!
Admire St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral
Visiting St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral is number two on the list of the top things to do in Charlottetown on Trip Advisor.
Located in the heart of Charlottetown, this beautiful historic cathedral is over 100 years old. Step inside, and you’ll see marble floors and stained glass windows and feel the calm atmosphere.
It has a Gothic Revival architectural style and is one of the most prominent buildings in the city. This basilica attracts both worshippers and those who like history from all over the island, contributing to a large part of PEI tourism.
Visit the Confederation Centre of the Arts
Located in the heart of Historic Charlottetown, visiting the Confederation Centre of the Arts is a must-visit destination for anyone who likes art and theatre.
This arts centre covers a whole city block and has five theatres plus an art gallery. Its longest-running musical is Anne of Green Gables, a must-see for fans of the series.
The Confederation Centre of the Arts also hosts the Charlottetown Festival yearly.
Visit the City of Summerside
Summerside is the second-largest city in PEI after Charlottetown and is worth checking out. Just 28km away from the Confederation Bridge, it is a site that proudly displays its shipbuilding heritage.
There are many museums, murals, monuments, and more to see and do here. Visit the Harbourfront Theatre, which attracts world-class performers and hosts festivals, plays, ballets, and more.
If you like history, check out the Wyatt Historic House Museum or take a walking history tour. Feast at dinner theatres, walk along the Confederation Trail, or explore the Rotary Friendship Park.
Drive the Scenic North Cape
Your trip to PEI won’t be complete without visiting North Cape, where you can enjoy unforgettable seaside experiences and coastal views.
Go through the North Cape Coastal Drive, a scenic drive beginning in Summerside, PEI, and winding around the coast of the western side of the island to the North Cape.
There are so many places to visit in North Cape that you may need more than one day to see them all. Some of the best attractions include visiting the Acadian Museum, touring the Bottle Houses, visiting the Canadian Potato Museum, and of course, stopping for scenic photos.
Walk or Run on the Confederation Trail
At 449 kilometres long, the Confederation Trail runs the whole way across PEI. Built on the decommissioned railway line, this trail and branches of it run through small towns, communities, and even the heart of Charlottetown.
This trail includes over 1,600 geocaches along the route. It is similar to walking around a museum, with about 250 interpretive panels along the route.
A few tip-to-tip distances you can walk include Tignish to O’Leary, O’Leary to Wellington, and Wellington to Hunter River.
If you like walking or running and exploring new trails, the Confederation Trail is one of the best free things to do in Prince Edward Island.
Spend a Day at Basin Head Provincial Park
Located on Points East Coastal Drive, this park features a beach, play area, on-site concessions, and a fisheries museum. You can easily spend an entire day here admiring the two sections of the beach divided by a channel known as “the run.”
Visiting this park is a unique thing to do in PEI, as the pure white sand “sings” when stepped on due to its high silica content. Thus, it is nicknamed the “Singing Sands.”
Many people come to Basin Head Provincial Park as a family or to jump off the wharf or bridge. Make sure you’re a strong swimmer, though!
Bonus – Visit the Many Lighthouses and Enjoy BoardWalks
There are so many to choose from!
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