Many Prince Edward Island attractions are centered around the Green Gables House and other LM Montgomery-related landmarks. However, Green Gables is just the main centerpiece of Prince Edward Island National Park, which runs 37 miles along the province’s north shore and past many of its most breathtaking beaches. Montgomery fans will enjoy a live musical performance at Charlottetown’s Confederation Centre of the Arts, located right next to the most famous attrraction in Prince Edward Island’s provincial capital, Province House. In 1864, this small legislature building housed the first Fathers of Confederation meeting ultimately leading to the creation of Canada.
Prince Edward Island National Park
Several of Prince Edward Island’s most famous attractions lie within the boundaries of its only national park, whose 37 mile long North Shore coastline contains the white sandy beaches of Cavendish, Brackley, Stanhope, and Dalvay. The Green Gables House which was the setting of LM Montgomery’s best known novel and the site of Montgomery’s grave is here adjacent to a golf course within the park. The park’s newest and easternmost attraction is the unique Greenwich Dunes, an intricate white sand dune system, floating boardwalk, three dimensional floor model, a multimedia theater, and archaeological artifacts up to 10,000 years old. The endangered piping plover uses the official Canadian Important Bird Area as a nesting habitat. Address: 2 Palmers Lane, Charlottetown, PE C1A 5V8 Phone: +1-902-672-6350 Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe/index.aspx
Avonlea Village
Visitors who haven’t gotten their fill of LM Montgomery at Green Gables House can head across Cavendish’s Route 6 to this faithful recreation of the fictional Avonlea village depicted in the Anne of Green Gables novels. Enjoy horse and buggy rides across red dirt roads, interact with characters, re-enact scenes, and attend class in a traditional early 20th century one-room schoolhouse. Lively kitchen parties featuring talented hand-picked Prince Edward Island musicians are held three times a day in addition to puppet shows. Take your own photographs dressed in period costumes or watch local artists create masterpieces at the Avonlea Artisans’ Studio. Address: Avonlea Village, 8779, Route 6 Cavendish, PE C0A 1M0 Phone: +1-902-963-3050 Website: http://www.avonlea.ca/
Province House
This historic building in the heart of downtown Charlottetown has been the province’s legislature center since 1847, making it Canada’s second-oldest government office. Province House’s biggest claim to fame is its status as host of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which ultimately led to the creation of Canada. Visitors to Prince Edward Island can learn more about this important meeting of the minds in the house itself during regular guided tours, which include an audiovisual presentation. Address: Province House, 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 5V8 Phone: +1-902-566-7626 Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/pe/provincehouse/index...
Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada
Prince Edward Island’s first European settlement stands only a 20-minute drive from Charlottetown along Route 19. The French first founded this community as Port-la-Joye in 1720, but the settlement fell to British rule and was renamed Fort Amherst in 1758. Summers bring cultural events and picnics overlooking Charlottetown Harbour to this historic site where the remains of Fort Amherst can still be seen. Address: Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada, 191 Hache Gallant Lane, Rocky Point, PE C0A 1H2 Phone: +1-902-566-7626 Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/pe/amherst/
North Cape Interpretive Centre
North America’s longest natural rock reef is where the Northumberland Strait meets the Gulf of St Lawrence at North Cape at PEI’s northernmost tip. Although the interpretive center contains a marine aquarium, visitors can just as easily watch seals at the actual rock reef during high tide. The nearby Atlantic Wind Test Site’s numerous turbines generate four percent of Prince Edward Island’s electricity and can be viewed from the Black Marsh Nature Trail. Eat at the oceanfront Wind and Reef Restaurant in the area for great local catches. Address: 21817 Route 12, P. O. Box 423, North Cape, PE C0B 2B0 Phone: +1-902-882-2991 Website: http://www.northcape.ca/
Orwell Corner Historic Village
The Prince Edward Island Agricultural Heritage Museum is just one of the attractions at this living recreation of a 1890’s island village which is situated roughly halfway between Charlottetown and the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Complete with a one-room schoolhouse and working blacksmith shop, visitors can window shop at an old fashioned general store, watch ice cream being churned and candles being dipped, or simply meander around the gardens overlooking Orwell Bay. Address: Orwell Corner Historic Village, 98 MacPhail Park Road, Vernon RR#2, PE C0A 2E0 Phone: +1-902-651-8515 Website: http://orwellcorner.ca/
Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre
Prince Edward Island’s largest First Nations community lives in this 400 person settlement off Malpeque Bay. Visitors can learn about Mi’kmaq medicine, food, history, and traditions in the main museum or walk along the six-mile Path of our Forefathers trail. The structure also offers classes in Mi’kmaq language and basket weaving. Address: Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre, P. O. Box 134, Lennox Island, PE C0B 1P0 Phone: +1-902-831-2476 Website: http://www.lennoxisland.com/
Sandspit
None of Cavendish’s family-friendly attractions offer as much amusement as Sandspit, whose Cyclone Roller Coaster is Atlantic Canada’s largest. Go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, Tilt-a-Whirt, and the Scrambler are just a few of the thrills. All day passes allow visitors to enjoy rides as often as you want, while Slide and Ride passes are valid at both Sandspit and the nearby Shining Waters Family Fun Park. Address: Sandspit Entertainment Ltd, P. O. Box 860, Kensington, PE C0B 1M0 Phone: +1-902-963-2626 Website: http://www.sandspit.com/