Filled with recommendations for sightseeing destinations, restaurants, shopping, photography, culinary tours, and other activities, these Tips For Visiting Prince Edward Island will make your visit to Canada’s smallest and greenest province a little easier. PEI is simply, unexpectedly, beautiful…
Tips For Visiting Prince Edward Island
I recently had the opportunity to visit and discover the uniqueness of Prince Edward Island…and truly it is a treasure of Canada. I had so many firsts…my first time seeing a lighthouse. My first time on the east coast. My first time on a sandbank (pictured below: parabolic dune system at Greenwich Breach in the PEI National Park).
As someone from a big city (Toronto)…I kept thinking “Where is the traffic?!” It was a pleasure…a pleasure I tell you…to walk without the hustle and bustle of crowds and to drive without the bumper to bumper traffic I know in my every day life. Prince Edward Island (known as PEI or simply ‘The Island’) is friendly and open (much like the islanders themselves). And food…well, there was food…
Island Flavours Culinary Boot Camp, Culinary Institute of Canada
If you are a foodie in search of a culinary tour – you have to start at the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown, PEI. Our menu included buttery pan rolls, PEI lobster and cheddar dip, bacon-wrapped spinach, stuffed pork tenderloin, classic Victoria sponge, fiddleheads, and more. Island ambassador Chef Ilona Daniel welcomed us into this full-day cooking class (which included a trip to a local market to pick up fresh ingredients).
Dining in Prince Edward Island
Leave the chain restaurants at home because the independently owned eateries on the Island are quirky and divine. Be sure to visit the Trailside Cafe & Inn in Mont Stewart (great food and service!) where – if you time it right – can enjoy dinner & a show (I saw Juno award winning singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan, making for a fantastic evening of food and east coast entertainment).
You will also want to bookmark eating at The Pearl Eatery in North Rustico (pictures above give you a taste of the fare). In the middle of a country road, you park on the grass, and walk into The Pearl Eatery – it’s quaint and quirky and everything you want to discover on vacation.
Anne of Green Gables, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
Puff sleeves, Anne and Gilbert, raspberry cordial. A visit to the home of Anne of Green Gables is a must. Not the actual green gables mind you (that was a story, of course) but you can visit the home of L.M. Montgomery – the author of Anne of Green Gables. Her childhood home has been set up to reflect Anne’s storybook home – complete with Marilla’s kitchen and Mathew’s bedroom. You can also interact with Anne (in character) as she wanders the garden. I loved Anne of Green Gables and knew I would love this visit but what I didn’t know was how much I would enjoy the surrounding area. Such rolling green hills. Such views. It was a breath of fresh air.
Accommodation on Prince Edward Island
Never has a bed been so comfortable as the queen bed I slept in at The Holman Grand Hotel. Centrally located to shops and restaurants in Charlottetown the Holman is a traveler’s refuge.
One of my most important tips for visiting Prince Edward Island is this: pack your camera. We, very often, pulled off to the side of the road due to an amazing view that had to be photographed. The white crests on deep blue water. The jagged red cliffs. It was as much a photography tour as it was a sightseeing tour.
You will feel welcomed from away when you visit Prince Edward Island.
Whether it’s a day on the beach, an evening at the theatre, or the best seafood you’ve ever tasted, the memories you make last longer on Price Edward Island. It’s an island filled with fun and unique adventures. No matter what experience you’re searching for, it’s easy to find when you add a little island. Start planning your PEI getaway today only in PEI.com
I am visiting Canada for my first time in September, it looks like such a gorgeous country. Maybe my next trip will be to PEI!
I would absolutely love to visit Prince Edward Island. That countryside is gorgeous, and I love the look of the buildings.
I remember going to PEI when i was a little girl. I found a hermit crab and was so upset that i was not allowed to bring it home with me.
I would love to visit there someday! Only been to Canada twice, once across from Detroit and the other time to Vancouver (which we LOVED).
This sounds like a fun place to visit! Thanks for sharing some tips!
I have always wanted to go to Canada. I will have to add this to my “some day” cross country camping trip.
I’ve never been to PEI – I sure would like to though, it’s beautiful. Thanks for the lovely photos!
When we lived in the Maritimes we went camping in PEI every summer. It’s beautiful. I might go back one day.
I’ve never been to PEI – my Dad went a few years ago and his photographs were so pretty. Now that I’ve seen yours AND read your tips and thoughts, I really feel like I need to go. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Prince Edward Island looks like a great place to go! I have never been but it looks so beautiful.
I would love to visit Prince Edward Island. It’s so gorgeous, and I love the coast. Canada is such a beautiful country.
I have never even heard of Prince Edward Island but it looks like such an amazing place to visit! Those beaches are lovely and the food looks delicious too! If I’m ever that far north I’ll have to check it out!
Ah I really need to make it up there sometime. Maybe I could bring my daughter and have a wander around town.
I really need to visit PEI someday! I love Anne of Green Gables so much! It would be worth it even if that were the only thing to do!
I have never visited Canada, but when I do it sounds like a trip to Prince Edward Island is in order!
I was so excited the first time I flew over PEI. I would go nuts if I could actually visit the island. Anne of Green Gables was one of my favorite series when I was a girl.
Oh what a beautiful place to visit and explore. I have always wanted to visit Canada.
I’m a HUGE Anne of Green Gables fan and have always wanted to visit Prince Edward Island. It look better in the photos than I could have ever imagined.
Prince Edward Island is one of our favorite place to go for a long weekend. It’s beautiful and relaxing. Perfect place for families also.
Your pictures are stunning. We’ve never been to PEI, but I would love to visit it with my family one day.
I would love to visit Prince Edward Island someday. Looks so beautiful and peaceful. Thanks for sharing your lovely post.
This looks like a beautiful place, I would love to visit there sometime.
Looks like a paradise! The food looks delicious especially the fern curls, yum!
Prince Edward Island is by far my most favourite place on earth! I grew up in New Brunswick, which is the province that connects with the Confederation Bridge to PEI. I have many happy memories of visiting PEI and my husband and I even spent our honeymoon there. 🙂
I would love to visit this area one day. There looks like there is so much to do too. Thank you for sharing.
I have been everywhere in Canada except Prince Edward Island! I would love to visit one day. Looks beautiful
I’ve never been to Prince Edward Island before! It sounds like a great place to visit.
I have been to Canada and just love it there. It’s so interesting all the towns and different shops. I have never been to PEI and can’t wait to go some day.
Looks like you guys had a fabulous time! Love your pictures especially that sunset lighthouse one.
PEI is such a beautiful place. I would love to be able to live there. The red sand is so amazing.
Looks like you had an amazing trip! I’ve been to PEI a few times – such a lovely place to visit!
I would love to visit. Looks beautiful and peaceful. I can’t stop staring at the food! lol
Awesome post!
I had the pleasure of visiting P.E.I. for the first time this past summer, and it was totally amazing. The beauty and splendor of this province should be on everyone’s must see list, at least once in a lifetime. I’m so glad I had the chance to experience P.E.I. and I hope I get the chance to do it again.
I’ve never been to the east coast but it always looks beautiful in pictures and I hope to get there some day