I spent final week in Prince Edward Island with household, and this wasn’t the form of journey I might have deliberate by myself. Prince Edward Island has a approach of wanting easy on the floor (suppose purple roads, inexperienced fields, lighthouses), however with out insider data, it takes some assist to know how you can transfer by means of it. And for that, I owe a giant thanks to my sister (and plenty of of you).
She dealt with many of the analysis—digging by means of 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 automotive. Lodging in PEI will be tough throughout peak season, however we booked in April/Could and stayed versatile. We seemed into all the things from previous 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 if you happen to’re planning your personal quiet, snack-filled, slow-moving week on the island. It’s also possible to reference this map to seek out the areas and addresses.
Day 1: Arrival in Charlottetown
Lodging: Rodd Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Vibe: Historic resort 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 without having a rental automotive instantly. We did a brief strolling loop by means of town (into some bookstores, after all)—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 children’ menu, and Bennett ate two plates of hen strips whereas we performed Sleeping Queens. The world 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
Areas: Charlottetown, Avonlea Village, and Cavendish
Drive Time: ~45 minutes from Charlottetown to Cavendish
Vibe: A day of puttering, small finds, and rain that felt form of cinematic.
We began the day with breakfast at The Cork and Forged 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 muffins.
Then we wandered. Town had a little bit craft honest arrange, so we walked by means of that, hit a few used bookstores, and located certainly one of our favourite journey souvenirs: a hand-carved rabbit driving a carrot-shaped automotive, handmade by a neighborhood model referred to as Woodypix. My sister acquired a cat driving a rainbow trout. We had been extraordinarily into it. I purchased a fish bracelet that I’m very into at Mrs Peakes Fancy Items, which was my favourite reward store in that space.
After a few loops by means of 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 lovable, nevertheless it has most of the similar outlets you’ll find in Charlottetown. Don’t spoil Avonlea by visiting the reward outlets in Charlottetown! I want I had seen them in Avonlea first earlier than realizing they’re situated 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
Areas: Cavendish and Thunder Cove
Vibe: Anne of Inexperienced Gables immersion day (not by chance, 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 approach potential: 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 lots of appeal. PEI actually leans into its quiet appeal—and in some way it by no means feels pressured.
From there, we went all in and visited:
It was lots of Anne. However we beloved EVERY second. Nothing felt overly valuable or staged—it simply felt PEI. Just like the story had at all times 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 had been the favorites. Then we drove out to Thunder Cove Seashore to see the purple cliffs. It was a moody day with wind, purple clouds, and rays of solar peeking by means of to make for a cinematic drive alongside the coast. Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s a kind of locations the place you form 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 whole day inside a fictional universe primarily based on such an exquisite place.
Day 4: North Shore to Charlottetown
Lodging: Charles Palmer Home Airbnb
Areas: Cavendish, North Shore, and Charlottetown
Vibe: A meandering day alongside the coast.
We had breakfast on the VRBO, loaded up the automotive, and spent the morning winding our approach by means of the North Shore earlier than heading again to Charlottetown. No actual rush, which made the day really feel straightforward.
Stops alongside the way in which:
Simply driving alongside the coast right here is price it—open skies, sea grass, and that purple PEI soil that appears pretend till you see it in particular person.
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 you plan on a little bit of a wait. Get the mussels, Caesar (with contemporary 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
Areas: Charlottetown and Dalvay by the Sea
Vibe: A bit of motion, a little bit luxurious, and one of the best lobster roll of the journey.
We began the day with breakfast at Receiver Espresso Firm, which shortly grew to become our go-to in Charlottetown. Good espresso, no frills, and in the course of all the things.
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 children’ craft class at a neighborhood retailer close by. It was a kind of small-town moments the place all the things simply form of labored out. No stress, everybody entertained, everybody completely happy.
We went to Water Prince Nook Store for lunch. It was subsequent stage. Arms down one of the best lobster roll of the journey—completely toasted bun (that was comfortable and straightforward 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 certainly one of our favourite evenings. The property is featured in Anne of Avonlea, and it has hosted all the things from royal visits to elaborate weddings. It’s a kind of locations that feels each grand and approachable. When you’re seeking to splurge on a higher-end keep whereas visiting the island, this is able to be an exquisite selection.
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 mild out perpetually (thanks, maritime summer season), and nobody was in a rush to go away.
We drove again into Charlottetown and tried to seize a spot at Slaymaker, nevertheless it proved to be tough to barter a desk with an extended waitlist of individuals eager to get in. Have to 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. Another full morning left.
Day 6: Souris, Sea Glass, and a Robust Lobster Roll Contender
Lodging: Charles Palmer Home Airbnb
Areas: Charlottetown and Souris
Vibe: Gradual morning, coastal drive, unexpectedly good ending.
I began the day with one final yoga class whereas everybody else packed up, snacked, and settled into the vibe of “we go away 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 little 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 youngsters (and really discovered some)
- Performed playing cards at 21 Breakwater, a spot proper on the water that felt straightforward 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 may’ve taken the highest spot. It was that good. When 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 be aware to finish on.
Ideas for Planning Your Prince Edward Island Itinerary
These are some things we’d advocate (and some we want we’d recognized).
Lodging Tip: Crucial factor is to guide lodging early. Like, as quickly as you determine to go. The most effective spots replenish quick in the summertime.
Packing Tip: Carry 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 if you happen to can. E book early to snag a spot at The Nice George Lodge.
- 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, stunning, and best if you need much less vacationer site visitors. (It’s one of the best spot for searching sea glass!)
- North Rustico can be quiet and much from the touristy outlets.
Price range
- Anticipate to spend extra on flights, particularly if you happen to’re coming from the U.S.
- That mentioned, when you’re on the island, most issues are surprisingly inexpensive—particularly meals (lobster rolls had been the exception, which ran practically $30 every), actions, and lodging (if you happen to guide early).
Meals Highlights
- Lobster Roll #1: The Lobster Shack, Souris
- Lobster Roll #2: Water Prince Nook Store, Charlottetown
- Blue Mussel Café: Well 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 Effectively
- Reserving two most important hubs (Charlottetown and Cavendish) and doing day journeys from there.
- Leaving a few unscheduled afternoons for spontaneous stops.
- Touring with a unfastened plan as a substitute of a packed itinerary.
What We’d Do In another way
- E book spa appointments earlier (Mysa fills up quick).
- E book lodging earlier (the favored Airbnbs guide up a yr or so out).
- Carry trainers for trails and longer hikes.
- Contemplate 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 how you can play tennis and is perpetually testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.