I spent final week in Prince Edward Island with household, and this wasn’t the type of journey I may have deliberate by myself. Prince Edward Island has a manner of trying easy on the floor (assume crimson roads, inexperienced fields, lighthouses), however with out insider data, it takes some assist to know learn how to transfer by it. And for that, I owe an enormous thanks to my sister (and lots of of you).
She dealt with a lot of the analysis—digging by maps, blogs, and follower DMs to construct out a route that balanced exploration and ease. We traveled with my daughter, tried to keep away from overscheduling, and in some way ended up with a weeklong Prince Edward Island itinerary that felt… easy. I owe that every one to my sister!
We stayed in a mixture of spots throughout the island. Charlottetown, Cavendish, and again once more, which gave us entry to seashores, nationwide parks, and cities with out spending hours within the automobile. Lodging in PEI will be difficult throughout peak season, however we booked in April/Might and stayed versatile. We regarded into every part from outdated inns to seaside cottages to barely chaotic multi-bedroom Airbnbs.
Beneath is a full breakdown of our Prince Edward Island itinerary.
I’m sharing what we did, what we beloved, and what we’d advocate when you’re planning your individual quiet, snack-filled, slow-moving week on the island. You may as well reference this map to search out the places and addresses.
Day 1: Arrival in Charlottetown
Lodging: Rodd Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Vibe: Historic lodge downtown, handy for strolling and adjusting to the slower tempo.
We flew in and met up with my sister, who arrived the day earlier than! We stayed downtown for one night time to get our bearings and reset earlier than heading towards the coast. This gave us an opportunity to discover Charlottetown while not having a rental automobile straight away. We did a brief strolling loop by town (into some bookstores, in fact)—simply sufficient to stretch after journey and see what Charlottetown looks like: a bit coastal, a bit quiet, very charming, and really into lobster.
We tried The Chip Shack lobster roll, which wasn’t price writing dwelling about, to be trustworthy. Then we discovered a desk at Peakes Quay that had a very good youngsters’ menu, and Bennett ate two plates of hen strips whereas we performed Sleeping Queens. The realm was actually enjoyable and full of individuals on trip. We stood in an extended line to get ice cream at COWS (which was price it and shortly grew to become a nightly ritual for everything of the journey).
Day 2: Charlottetown Wandering and Cavendish Transition
Lodging: Crimson Island Getaway VRBO
Places: Charlottetown, Avonlea Village, and Cavendish
Drive Time: ~45 minutes from Charlottetown to Cavendish
Vibe: A day of puttering, small finds, and rain that felt type of cinematic.
We began the day with breakfast at The Cork and Solid on Victoria Row, the place I had my first of many scrumptious Caesars (Canada’s model of a Bloody Mary however with a salty, briny twist). Get the breakfast sandwich and the fish desserts.
Then we wandered. The town had a bit craft honest arrange, so we walked by that, hit a few used bookstores, and located one among our favourite journey souvenirs: a hand-carved rabbit driving a carrot-shaped automobile, handmade by a neighborhood model known as Woodypix. My sister acquired a cat driving a rainbow trout. We have been extraordinarily into it. I purchased a fish bracelet that I’m very into at Mrs Peakes Fancy Items, which was my favourite present store in that space.
After a few loops by city and a beer at Olde Dublin Pub, we picked up my mother and sister-in-law from the airport and headed towards Cavendish. The timing lined up completely—we made it to Piatto Pizzeria in Avonlea Village simply earlier than the sky cracked open and it poured all night time.
Avonlea Village is designed to appear like Avonlea (a made-up city within the Anne of Inexperienced Gables sequence) and it’s lovely, nevertheless it has lots of the similar outlets you will discover in Charlottetown. Don’t spoil Avonlea by visiting the present outlets in Charlottetown! I want I had seen them in Avonlea first earlier than realizing they’re positioned in lots of locations on the island.
We checked into our VRBO in Stanley Bridge, which is close to Cavendish; it was cute, quiet, close to the water, and precisely what we would have liked. Then we settled in: snacks, wine, and an compulsory rewatch of Anne of Inexperienced Gables whereas snacking on COW Chips and ingesting raspberry cordial we picked up in Avonlea. As one does.
Day 3: The Full Anne Day
Lodging: Crimson Island Getaway VRBO
Places: Cavendish and Thunder Cove
Vibe: Anne of Inexperienced Gables immersion day (not accidentally, not completely on goal both)
We woke as much as birdsong and quiet, made breakfast on the VRBO, and began the day in probably the most on-brand manner doable: with espresso and pastries at The Willow Bakery, a transformed church that now serves glorious espresso. We stopped at Village Pottery, a pottery store with a variety of attraction. PEI actually leans into its quiet attraction—and in some way it by no means feels compelled.
From there, we went all in and visited:
It was a variety of Anne. However we beloved EVERY second. Nothing felt overly valuable or staged—it simply felt PEI. Just like the story had all the time been there, stitched into the panorama.
We ate lunch at The Misplaced Anchor (informal, good for teams). The lobster mac and cheese and fish dinner have been the favorites. Then we drove out to Thunder Cove Seashore to see the crimson cliffs. It was a moody day with wind, purple clouds, and rays of solar peeking by to make for a cinematic drive alongside the coast. Images don’t do it justice. It’s a type of locations the place you type of cease speaking for a minute simply to take it in.
Again to the VRBO. We cooked dinner, opened a bottle of wine, and talked about how weirdly satisfying it was to spend a complete day inside a fictional universe primarily based on such a ravishing place.
Day 4: North Shore to Charlottetown
Lodging: Charles Palmer Home Airbnb
Places: Cavendish, North Shore, and Charlottetown
Vibe: A meandering day alongside the coast.
We had breakfast on the VRBO, loaded up the automobile, and spent the morning winding our manner by the North Shore earlier than heading again to Charlottetown. No actual rush, which made the day really feel simple.
Stops alongside the way in which:
Simply driving alongside the coast right here is price it—open skies, sea grass, and that crimson PEI soil that appears faux till you see it in individual.
We had lunch at Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico, which was informal and implausible. It felt like a hidden gem, despite the fact that everybody is aware of about it. Be sure to plan on a little bit of a wait. Get the mussels, Caesar (with recent PEI oyster garnish), and lobster dip. I beloved how quaint and freed from vacationers this space felt. We additionally heard Route 6 Fish ‘n Chips is price a cease!
We picked up pizza on our technique to our Airbnb after which took a stroll to get one other hit of COWS ice cream earlier than heading to mattress early.
Day 5: Charlottetown and a Detour to Dalvay
Lodging: Charles Palmer Home Airbnb
Places: Charlottetown and Dalvay by the Sea
Vibe: A bit motion, a bit luxurious, and the perfect lobster roll of the journey.
We began the day with breakfast at Receiver Espresso Firm, which rapidly grew to become our go-to in Charlottetown. Good espresso, no frills, and in the course of every part.
My sister-in-law and I went to a somatic yoga class at Charlottetown Yoga Area, whereas Bennett, my mother, and my sister joined a youngsters’ craft class at a neighborhood retailer close by. It was a type of small-town moments the place every part simply kind of labored out. No stress, everybody entertained, everybody joyful.
We went to Water Prince Nook Store for lunch. It was subsequent degree. Palms down the perfect lobster roll of the journey—completely toasted bun (that was delicate and simple to chew into!!), not overdressed, precisely what you need it to be. The facet of potato salad was superb, and I don’t even like mayo-based potato salad. Make a reservation there or go early for lunch.
Within the afternoon, we determined to take a detour to Dalvay by the Sea, about 25 minutes away, simply to stroll round and take within the views. It was a spontaneous add-on, and it ended up being one among our favourite evenings. The property is featured in Anne of Avonlea, and it has hosted every part from royal visits to elaborate weddings. It’s a type of locations that feels each grand and approachable. In the event you’re trying to splurge on a higher-end keep whereas visiting the island, this could be a ravishing alternative.
We had martinis on the patio, performed garden video games with Bennett, wandered right down to the seashore, and lingered longer than we meant to. It was gentle out eternally (thanks, maritime summer time), and nobody was in a rush to depart.
We drove again into Charlottetown and tried to seize a spot at Slaymaker, nevertheless it proved to be troublesome to barter a desk with an extended waitlist of individuals desirous to get in. Should be good! So we walked to Victoria Row, grabbed some pizza, after which acquired extra ice cream (as a result of why not), wrapping up the day. Yet another full morning left.
Day 6: Souris, Sea Glass, and a Sturdy Lobster Roll Contender
Lodging: Charles Palmer Home Airbnb
Places: Charlottetown and Souris
Vibe: Sluggish morning, coastal drive, unexpectedly excellent ending.
I began the day with one final yoga class whereas everybody else packed up, snacked, and settled into the vibe of “we depart tomorrow, however we’re not speaking about it.”
My sister dropped my mother and sister-in-law off, and we took a drive out to Souris, a city on the jap fringe of the island that felt a bit extra distant and windswept.
Right here’s what we did:
Walked alongside the seashore close to the lighthouse
Hunted for sea glass with the children (and really discovered some)
Performed playing cards at 21 Breakwater, a spot proper on the water that felt simple and low-key in the way in which solely coastal cities pull off
For a late lunch/early dinner, we went to The Lobster Shack in Souris. I wasn’t anticipating to have my lobster roll loyalties challenged this late within the sport, however this one would possibly’ve taken the highest spot. It was that good. In the event you’re driving out right here, go hungry. Get a beer. Stroll the seashores. Get ice cream (once more).
We lingered, ran round with Bennett, and soaked in another salty afternoon earlier than heading again to Charlottetown. It felt like the proper word to finish on.
Suggestions for Planning Your Prince Edward Island Itinerary
These are some things we’d advocate (and some we want we’d recognized).
Lodging Tip: An important factor is to ebook lodging early. Like, as quickly as you determine to go. The most effective spots replenish quick in the summertime.
Packing Tip: Deliver layers. At all times layers. The climate modifications by the hour, and the wind doesn’t care what your outfit is doing.
The place to Keep
Charlottetown is a superb jumping-off level. Keep walkable when you can. Ebook early to snag a spot at The Nice George Resort.
Cavendish places you within the coronary heart of Anne nation and near Thunder Cove. It’s touristy on the boardwalk, Avonlea Village, and at Inexperienced Gables.
Souris is quiet, lovely, and preferrred if you need much less vacationer site visitors. (It’s the perfect spot for looking sea glass!)
North Rustico can be quiet and much from the touristy outlets.
Finances
Count on to spend extra on flights, particularly when you’re coming from the U.S.
That mentioned, when you’re on the island, most issues are surprisingly reasonably priced—particularly meals (lobster rolls have been the exception, which ran practically $30 every), actions, and lodging (when you ebook early).
Meals Highlights
Lobster Roll #1: The Lobster Shack, Souris
Lobster Roll #2: Water Prince Nook Store, Charlottetown
Blue Mussel Café: Definitely worth the hype
Dalvay by the Sea: Go for martinis and garden video games at sundown
COWS Ice Cream: A visit ceremony of passage (don’t skip it, even when the road seems to be lengthy)
What Labored Properly
Reserving two principal hubs (Charlottetown and Cavendish) and doing day journeys from there.
Leaving a few unscheduled afternoons for spontaneous stops.
Touring with a free plan as a substitute of a packed itinerary.
What We’d Do In a different way
Ebook spa appointments earlier (Mysa fills up quick).
Ebook lodging earlier (the favored Airbnbs ebook up a yr or so out).
Deliver trainers for trails and longer hikes.
Take into account staying on the east facet (Souris/North Lake) for a slower tempo.
Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is at the moment studying learn how to play tennis and is eternally testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
