Exploring the Hidden Beauty of PEI | Part Three

Where will our amazing family road trip along the Canadian East Coast take us next? Join me for part three of our adventure as we journey to Prince Edward Island. Although this small province can be crossed in no time, its beauty will make you want to stay. If you’re just tuning in, catch up on our earlier adventures here: Part One and Part Two.

We crossed the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island, the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters. Having recently seen the Waaban Crossing’s construction in Kingston, Ontario, I was even more impressed by this 12.9 km marvel connecting two provinces.

Prince Edward Island quickly became my favourite destination on this trip. Perhaps it’s because I grew up with a love for Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea, giving the island a special place in my heart. Or maybe it’s the island’s stunning landscapes and warm-hearted people.

Our PEI adventure began at North Cape. We visited during low tide, allowing us to wade through the shallow water and onto a sandbar. There, we were greeted by a playful group of seals and admired the inukshuks left by previous visitors. North Cape was truly breathtaking.

Next, we stopped by The Canadian Potato Museum, where we couldn’t resist snapping a photo with the giant potato out front. I surprisingly learned a lot about potatoes and their historical impact. Of course, we had to sample various poutine flavours and picked up some souvenirs (which were given to us in little paper potato sacks). Before heading back to Charlottetown, we made a brief stop at West Point Lighthouse to dip our toes in the ocean. 

That evening, we went to the Confederation Centre of the Arts to watch Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. Our kids have seen many musicals, and this one was a hit. They especially enjoyed the second half, probably because they had some Raspberry Cordial in hand bought during the intermission. If you’d like to make your own Raspberry Cordial while watching the Anne of Green Gables or Road to Avonlea at home, here’s a recipe!

The following morning, we explored Charlottetown, a charming city, and had a lovely lunch at Water Prince Corner Shop. In the afternoon, we hiked the Greenwich Dunes Trail to Greenwich Beach. The trail was beautiful, with unique parabolic dunes and a serene, less-crowded beach. The gradual slope of the ocean made it safe for the kids, and we all had a fantastic time.

We then headed to Rustico for a couple of days. Our stay was made even more special when we stayed up late to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. We found a secluded spot and were thrilled to see the Northern Lights—something I’ve always dreamed of seeing. It was an incredible display, and I was mesmerized by the Aurora Borealis, feeling deeply connected to the natural beauty around us. It was, without a doubt, my favourite day of our 19-day trip.

The next day, we visited Green Gables Heritage Place to explore the life of L.M. Montgomery and see the locations that inspired Anne of Green Gables. It was moving to see how a story about a young girl’s adventures on PEI has touched hearts worldwide, with translations and adaptations spanning many languages.

Dinner at On the Dock Eatery was delightful—definitely make a reservation as it’s quite popular. The sunset over the dock was a perfect end to our meal.

As we prepared to leave PEI, we made one last stop to find the reddest sand beach, Argyle Shores Provincial Park, for rock skipping and soaking in the island’s unique beauty. We grabbed some meat pies from The Handpie Company before we headed off the island – the taco flavour was my favourite!

Exploring beyond Charlottetown truly reveals the island’s stunning beauty. PEI, I’ll definitely be back!