Visiting Prince Edward Island for the first time?

Depending on the month and your length of stay, it’s best to make accommodation plans first. Seaside cottages are booked well in advance and unique places to stay are always in high demand. Now, what to do? This short list of recommendations is designed to give you a sample of our popular attractions and a few hidden gems.

Experience the iconic Anne of Green Gables: No trip to PEI is complete without learning about author L.M. Montgomery and  Anne, a spunky, red-headed orphan who has been captivating hearts worldwide for more than a century. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, just one stop along the Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour.

When on Canada’s Food Island, you must eat lobster, oysters, mussels and world-famous PEI potatoes followed by a delectable frozen treat at a dairy bar like COWS or Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour.

Bike or hike the Confederation Trail between beautiful St. Peter’s Bay and Morell in eastern PEI. This stretch will take you along marshlands, fields of wildflowers and three little bridges. Wildlife and seabird sightings guaranteed. The Gulf Shore Parkway in the Prince Edward Island National Park is also a good choice. Gulf Shore Way West, between Cavendish and North Rustico, takes you past iconic cliffs with stunning coastal views while Gulf Shore Way East takes you between Brackley and Dalvay offering impressive dunescapes and wetlands, perfect for birdwatching.

Visit the beach. On a hot sunny day, swimming at Basin Head Provincial Park is the best. A beach walk along the sand flats at low tide at Canoe Cove is a close second. Others love to watch the tides collide at North Cape at the western tip of the Island, or a sunset at the PEI National Park in any season.

Catch live music any time of year at Evermoore Brewing Company, Lone Oak Brewing Co., the Olde Dublin Pub and Bogside Brewing. On a warm evening, dine outdoors on historic Victoria Row and listen to music from the bandstand.

Experience world-class theatre at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, an evening of Celtic music and dance at the Highland Storm performance in Summerside and high energy docu-concerts at Harmony House, an intimate rural venue in central PEI.

Often, first-time visitors ask how many days are needed to experience the Island. At the least, three or four days will provide you with time to visit top attractions as well as a quick tour from tip to tip. A leisurely visit designed for endless hours relaxing at the beach or hundreds of kilometres of hiking along woodland and coastal trails will require at least one week, maybe more. There’s a lot to love about the Island, its natural beauty, authentic way of life, charming characters and an endless list of things to do for all - whether you consider yourself a thrill seeker, happy wanderer, foodie or family ready to unplug.

Remember, sometimes the best memories come at the cost of getting a little lost!

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