Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Charlottetown, Canada. #Top Attractions

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Thinking of going to Charlottetown, Canada, for your vacation? Look at our carefully selected list of top Charlottetown, Canada attractions below on the best thing to do in Charlottetown, Canada, and places to go in Charlottetown, Canada. Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, hopes to have a significant impact on the world.

Anne At Green Gables Heritage Place

Anne At Green Gables-Heritage Place Charlottetown, Canada
Anne At Green Gables-Heritage Place Charlottetown, Canada / sk / Flickr

Travel into Anne’s world at this stunning heritage place.

For over a century, children worldwide have been intrigued by the story of Anne of Green Gables.

Anne was an orphan girl sent to live with her middle-aged brothers when they sought a boy to serve on their farm.

With its white clapboard house, green shutters, and an ancient carriage parked outside, Green Gables Heritage Place on PEI’s north shore is like strolling into a chapter of the book.

The house previously belonged to novelist Lucy Maud Montgomery’s cousins, who inspired the Matthew and Marilla characters.

The house’s interiors have been accurately represented. Even Anne’s bedroom it’s even complete with her favorite dress that’s puff-sleeved.

A stroll through the Haunted Wood is also possible, where Lucy Maud’s tomb was placed.

Anne enthusiasts may get their fill-in at Avonlea in Cavendish, a replicated 19th-century town with copies of houses and food places, and Green Gables Heritage Place.

Anne fans will love other places like Lucy Maud’s birthplace in New London and the Silver Bush house, where she married; both have been made into museums.

Some musicals are on themes like Anne and Gilbert and Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, two shows in Charlottetown.

Pay homage to this literary classic when visiting Cavendish.

Address: 8619 Cavendish Rd, Cavendish, PE C0A 1N0, Canada

Beaconsfield Historic House

Beaconsfield Historic House Charlottetown, Canada
Beaconsfield Historic House Charlottetown, Canada / amanderson2 / Flickr

See a lovely example of stunning Victorian architecture.

Beaconsfield Historic House is a beautiful home constructed around 1877.

Initially, it was for the wealthy shipbuilder James Peak and his wife Edith, one of Charlottetown’s most notable residences.

The stunning home in Beaconsfield has a sloped roof and a spectacular cupola with tulle-like woodwork décor.

Moreover, its mustard-colored structure resembles Victorian architecture.

The mansion has changed hands several times over the years. Still, it is now a museum with tours, concerts, and even educational lectures.

You’ll be happy to tour and witness this charming vintage house’s interior décor and surroundings!

Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation can be found in the mansion and a bookshop specializing in island-related publications.

Be curious and learn about its history, seminars, and concerts through its exhibitions.

It’s worth taking a tour and admiring the exquisite Victorian building if you’re interested in Charlottetown’s unique past.

Don’t forget to check this residence out on your next trip to Charlottetown.

Address: 2 Kent Street, Charlottetown

Brighton Beach Range Lighthouse

Brighton Beach Range Lighthouse Charlottetown, Canada
Brighton Beach Range Lighthouse Charlottetown, Canada / Dennis Jarvis / Flickr

The very first lighthouse on Prince Edward Island.

The Brighton Front Range is a 41-foot-tall white square tower with sloping sides that stands in the waters of

Charlottetown Harbor near the Brighton Beach sea wall in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

A small lantern with a window overlooking seaward on the tower displays the fixed yellow navigation light.

A vertical striped red daymark can be found on the seaward side of the tower.

At a salary of $100 per year, a man named James Galvin was called the first keeper of the lights.

During a storm surge in the winter of 2000, the Brighton Beach Front Range was seriously damaged.

The structure’s top 6 meters (20 feet) were taken and placed on the adjacent property’s lawn. The lowest 3.6 meters (12 feet) had to be totally dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up.

The new Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act designated the Brighton Beach Front Range Light as the first lighthouse on Prince Edward Island.

Visit this historic lighthouse when in Charlottetown.

Address: Brighton Beach, 160 York Ln, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7W5, Canada

Charlottetown Farmer’s Market

Charlottetown Farmer’s Market Charlottetown, Canada
Charlottetown Farmer’s Market is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

Eat fresh and buy local!

Visit the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, which is extremely colorful and lively.

The farmer’s market is a short distance from the historic center, so you may need to drive.

Even if you aren’t purchasing for yourself, you can stroll around and appreciate the season’s fresh vegetables—small spring turnips and greens.

Look for the vast varieties of potatoes that PEI’s red soil is known for and plenty of homemade jellies, jams, and handicrafts to take home.

Many vendors sell ready-to-eat dishes and snacks, such as cakes, pastries, and seafood snacks, mixed in with the merchandise. This makes it a fantastic spot to come hungry and stay for breakfast or lunch.

It’s the ideal location to pick up a one-of-a-kind Prince Edward Island souvenir.

Address: 100 Belvedere Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown Walking Tour 

Charlottetown Walking Tour Charlottetown, Canada
Charlottetown Walking Tour Charlottetown, Canada / CP Hoffman / Flickr

Nothing beats a stroll to a wonderful place when you are in the city!

When it comes to Charlottetown, you’ll expect to see vibrant buildings and lively paths walk with a hint of the Victorian era.

As you wander through its neighborhood, you will encounter activities that you can stop by and try.

Meanwhile, you can also opt for a guided tour to grasp Charlottetown’s history.

Furthermore, you can tour buildings and houses with pitched roofs that gives-off a mysterious vibe.

Though the neighborhood can be quite intriguing, you can still see wide parks and gardens along with Richmond, Grafton, and Kent streets that will bring color to your day.

Additionally, the lush parks of Kings Square and Hillsborough Square are worth visiting.

Not to mention, Gothic Revival St. Paul’s Anglican Church has a fine Casavant Frères organ.

Also, look for the life-like monuments of historical personalities like John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, and the Confederation Fathers as you meander through the downtown area.

Don’t just wander around this lovely city, but also discover its rich Victorian legacy!

Address: Charlottetown, Canada

Confederation Center Art Gallery

Confederation Center Art Gallery Charlottetown, Canada
Confederation Center Art Gallery is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

Check this awesome gallery out.

One of Charlottetown’s most notable art galleries tacked on to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, features modern, classical, local, and international pieces.

The huge structure, which spans a whole city block in Downtown Charlottetown, features soaring architecture and outdoor plazas.

The Confederation Centre Art Gallery has two levels of permanent and temporary shows with over 17,000 works of art.

The Story of Confederation display opened in 2015 and is a realistic and immersive replica of the original Confederate Chamber.

It was where the Fathers first gathered in 1864 during the Charlottetown Conference.

The Centre is open all year, including arts education and visual arts activities, as well as concerts and events in the fall and winter.

This is a must-see for art enthusiasts, but it is also recommended for anyone interested in learning more about Canadian and the history of Prince Edward Island in general.

Visit the Confederation Center Art Gallery now.

Address: 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J1, Canada

Confederation Center of Arts

Confederation Center of Arts Charlottetown, Canada
Confederation Center of Arts is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

This place is a go-to for all art lovers.

The super-modern Confederation Centre of the Arts, which spanned an entire block of the city and was erected in 1964 as Canada’s national memorial to Confederation, should be one of your first stops.

There is a museum, a provincial library, an art gallery,  two theaters, and a café.

The theatre is well-known for its yearly summer production, Anne of Green Gables—the Musical. Which runs from June to September as part of the Charlottetown Festival.

The art gallery on the third level features some stunning pieces by contemporary Canadian artists, including a whole room dedicated to Charlottetown-born artist Robert Harris, one of Canada’s most well-known painters.

In 1967, painter Ronald Bloore produced the ‘White on White’ unique mural for the newly completed center’s entrance gallery.

It has recently been preserved so that its textured planes show off in the light and the architecture that surrounds it once more.

Other notable works are Eleanor King’s Emerald mural and Paul Griffin’s Leviathan sculpture.

Wander around this art center and feed your eyes with beautiful art.

Address: 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J1, Canada

Cows Creamery 

Cows Creamery Charlottetown, Canada
Cows Creamery Charlottetown, Canada / Beauty False / Flickr

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Cows Creamery is an ice cream parlor chain rated Canada’s and the world’s most fabulous ice cream by numerous magazines.

Eating some ice cream from Cows Creamery means you have tasted one of Canada’s finest ice creams.

Cows Creamery began in PEI, opening its first store in 1983 in Cavendish. Since then, they’ve grown to six locations across PEI.

This includes their headquarters outside of Charlottetown, where you can have a tour around and purchase their signature t-shirts with cow puns.

Cows ice cream is exceptionally creamy because its milk is from the island’s cows and is served in handcrafted waffle cones.

Wowie Cowie and Prince Edward Island Apple Crisp are some of the favorites from the approximately 30 flavors available, including seasonal specialties like apple ice cream with some apple crumble.

There will surely be a flavor of ice cream for you at Cows Creamery, so visit now!

Address: 12 Milky Way, Charlottetown, PE C1E 2E2, Canada

Founders Food Hall and Market

Founders Food Hall and Market Charlottetown, Canada
Founders Food Hall and Market is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

Sample mouth-watering delights at this food hall and market.

The newest addition to the Charlottetown waterfront is Founders Food Hall. Founder’s Food Hall & Market is Charlottetown’s newest place to eat and shop, serving mouth-watering island flavors in the heart of Downtown Charlottetown.

There are 20 distinct retailers and wonderful culinary outlets for your shopping and dining enjoyment. The market is 16,000 square feet in size, with a mezzanine level upstairs where customers may relax and dine if they like, with seating for roughly 500 people. 

The market is also completely licensed, featuring a brewery as one of the merchants. 

An oyster bar, Receiver Coffee Company, Rawsome Juice, and locally grown fruit and produce are among the vendors. 

Market vendors include Soap & Candle From The Hive, Maritime Marzipan, Island grown lavender and lavender products, and a pottery shop where visitors can create their pottery.

See all Charlottetown offers here at Founders Food Hall and Market now.

Address: 6 Prince St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P5, Canada

Government House

Government House Charlottetown, Canada
Government House Charlottetown, Canada / Chris M Morris / Flickr

A lovely residence for the representative of the queen.

The magnificent Government House, popularly known as Fanningbank.

Its distinctly white-colored building is located in Victoria Park, Charlottetown.

After 1835, the mansion, built in the Georgian style, officially became the Governors’ headquarters.

Local contractors Isaac Smith, Henry Smith, and Nathan Wright constructed this perfectly proportioned neo-classical frame construction as the primary residence of the Lt. – Gov. of Prince Edward Island in 1833-1834. 

In fact, Lt. – Gov. Prince Edward Island is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in Charlottetown.

Moreover, this mansion has given a modest elegance setting for the formal entertainment of the Island community and its notable visitors over the years.

When visiting the island, nobilities, royalties, and diplomats pay a visit to the home; Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip paid a visit in 1959.

It is the best time to tour the Government House in July and August since it is open and with free admission.

Plan your tour, check your calendar, and set the alarm to see this building!

Address: 1 Terry Fox Dr, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T6, Canada

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Mouse Spotting

Mouse Spotting Charlottetown, Canada
Mouse Spotting is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

Can you find them all?

The Eckhart Scavenger Hunt is a year-round interactive activity for people of all ages and families.

Keep an eye out for the nine little mouse statues made of bronze throughout Charlottetown as you travel through the streets.

They play a part in the scavenger hunt centered on Eckhart the Mouse, an attractive mouse appearing in local PEI author David Weale’s novel, “The True Meaning of Crumbfest.”

Suppose you’re with kids when you visit Charlottetown. In that case, it’s a fun game to play, with treasure hunting and historical information about the locations.

To begin, go to Founders Hall and collect a leaflet with the instructions printed, or just download the PDF version ahead of time.

Follow the instructions to go for a lovely walk and look for all nine (9) Eckhart the Mouse statues scattered throughout the city.

Go on this scavenger hunt now and have an awesome time.

Address: Charlottetown, Canada

Peake’s Wharf and Confederation Landing

Peake's Wharf and Confederation Landing Charlottetown, Canada
Peake’s Wharf and Confederation Landing Charlottetown, Canada / William Matheson / Flickr

There are lots to see and do at this waterfront location.

For lunches by the waterfront, some souvenir shopping, boat tours, ice cream, and views of the harbor,  both locals and tourists come to the harbor, especially to Peake’s Wharf because of its string of shops and boutiques.

Peake’s Wharf occasionally hosts some live music and daily and evening concerts in July and August.

This is where guests can get sightseeing cruises, and harbor tours are considered some of the most interesting activities in Charlottetown.

A variety of boats are available, including Zodiacs, sailing ships, and even Chinese junk.

The “Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion,” also known as Founders’ Hall, is located close by where representatives arrived by boat for the 1864 Charlottetown Conference.

Moreover, the exhibits inside the hall show focus on the Confederate Fathers’ key meeting.

A tourist information center can provide some brochures and help with bookings for top attractions.

Come and take a stroll along Peaks Wharf now.

Address: 6 Prince Street, Charlottetown

Port-la-Joye

Port-la-Joye Charlottetown, Canada
Port-la-Joye Charlottetown, Canada / Dennis Jarvis / Flickr

Visit this historic site which is believed to be the island’s first European settlement.

Port-la-Joye was the only first permanent remains of Prince Edward Island’s European settlement.

In 1534, Jacques Cartier claimed this island belonged to the French, naming the island “Île-St-Jean.”

It was the scene of a large expulsion of French and Acadian people after it fell to British forces in 1758.

The Mi’kmaq and French formed a Grand Alliance here, one of only two places in North America where it was commemorated annually with speeches, gifts, and feasting.

Moreover, the fort’s grassy ruins may still be seen, and interpretive panels explain the fort’s fascinating history.

The grounds also provide breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and Charlottetown Harbor.

Blockhouse Point Lighthouse is also near the harbor mouth since it was built in 1851, just south of the historic site.

Visit the location of one of the country’s most historical places!

Address: 191 Hache Gallant Lane, Rocky Point

Prince Edward Battery

Prince Edward Battery Charlottetown, Canada
Prince Edward Battery is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

A fort that has defended the city from conquers.

The Northumberland Strait is seen from Prince Edward Battery, located within Victoria Park. 

A visit to this fort will transport you back to when the massive gun cannons on show were employed to defend the island.

In preparation for defending Charlottetown from growing American hostility, the British built a battery on Governor’s Point in 1805. The site’s firepower continued to expand until the end of the War of 1812. 

The 9-pounder cannons (background) started facing the port in 1865. Three 32-pounder smoothbore guns on wooden carriages were mounted the next year.

The Prince Edward Battery in Victoria Park was decommissioned in 1905. The instructive plaques about historic military places on Prince Edward Island from 1776 to 2005 will appeal to history enthusiasts.

The Battery boasts tons of fascinating advertising as well as stunning views of the water. 

This is a must-see for history buffs in the city. Visit now.

Address: 191 Hache Gallant Lane, Rocky Point

Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park Charlottetown, Canada
Prince Edward Island National Park is one of the best places to go in Charlottetown, Canada

Experience story-book sunsets at this picturesque park.

Dunes, salt marshes, remnants of an Acadian woodland, coastal headlands, beaches, and sandstone cliffs make up Prince Edward Island National Park.

This location inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. It prompted an oil magnate to construct a magnificent Victorian mansion.

Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea are national treasures featured in the park.

What you should do is speak with the park staff.

Ask one of the several staff members in uniform for recommendations on places to see and things to do.

Don’t be shocked if an employee asks you to visit a hidden gem or would share a favorite spot with you. Islanders are known for their friendliness and are also excellent sources of information.

In Cavendish and Greenwich, walking tours on the trails are always popular.

The emphasis is mostly on the animals, ecology, and other natural elements of the coastal areas that are protected, as well as Prince Edward Island’s comprehensive cultural history.

Take a day trip to Prince Edward Island National Park now.

Address: Prince Edward National Park, Canada

Province House

Province House Charlottetown, Canada
Province House Charlottetown, Canada / CP Hoffman / Flickr

It’s “The Birthplace of Canada.”

Although Prince Edward Island is small, it has played a significant role in Canadian history. 

The Charlottetown Conference, which led to the foundation of Canada, was held in September 1864 in Charlottetown by the Fathers of Confederation.

The colonial government building, a three-story sandstone, was built between 1843 and 1847.

Province House is now the site of the Prince Edward Island Parliament, and the parliamentary rooms are open to the public.

Take a stroll down Great George Street, one of only two streets in Canada designated as a National Historic District.

Province House is now being refurbished. The Confederation Center of the Arts has a reproduction of the old Confederation Chamber, which the outstanding Canadian artworks that make it worth the trip.

During the summer, you could see the Confederation Players around Charlottetown.

These costumed interpreters dress up as folks from the 1860s and lead guided walking tours around Charlottetown, sharing the city’s history.

Visit this historic site now on your next adventure in Canada.

Address: 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown

Red Sand Stone Cliffs.

Red-Sand Stone Cliffs Charlottetown, Canada
Red-Sand Stone Cliffs Charlottetown, Canada / Nicolas Raymond / Flickr

Marvel at these stunning Red Cliffs.

You’ll notice flashes of Prince Edward Island’s distinctive brilliant red soil as you travel throughout the island. 

It’s noted for its wind-swept dunes and red sand beaches.

The sea has uncovered the red sandstone of the beach in several areas, generating spectacular and colorful cliffs.

The high quantities of iron in the island’s sandstone oxidize and rust when exposed to the air, giving it its distinctive color. 

Sandstone is useful for farming and creates stunning landscapes, especially when contrasted with PEI’s green fields and turquoise ocean.

On the island’s north shore, Prince Edward Island National Park and Cape Tryon include red sandstone cliffs with strange and amazing rock formations that sparkle at dusk.

Argyle Shore Provincial Park and Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site offer more spectacular sandstone vistas on the south shore.

Visit Charlottetown now to experience seeing these beautiful cliffs.

Address: Prince Edward Island, Canada

St. Dunstan’s Basilica

St. Dunstan's Basilica Charlottetown, Canada
St. Dunstan’s Basilica Charlottetown, Canada / Robert Cutts / Flickr

This beautiful cathedral is hard to miss in the city’s skyline.

St. Dunstan’s Basilica’s red sandstone spires are an exquisite element of Charlottetown’s skyline and reflect the city’s Victorian heritage. 

The current church, patterned after St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, is the fourth church built on the location. 

The diocese’s seat was built in the French neo-Gothic style at the end of the nineteenth century and was rebuilt after the most recent one was destroyed by fire in 1913.

Its interior was remodeled in a more English Gothic style before; now, it is one of the city’s tallest structures. 

The elegant Basilica, which is a National Historic Site, is one of eastern Canada’s largest structures of its sort.

Also, it is known for its altar, which features stunning Italian carving and a magnificent rose window.

Search for the historical monument of the two John Hamilton Grays. They participated in the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 across Great George Street from the Basilica.

Come and see St. Dunstan’s Basilica now.

Address: 45 Great George Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Victoria Park

Victoria Park Charlottetown, Canada
Victoria Park Charlottetown, Canada / Martin Cathrae / Flickr

It’s the city’s biggest park.

Governor William Cleaver Francis Robinson entrusted the care of 40 acres of the Fanning Bank farm to the City of Charlottetown in 1873.

Victoria Park was named after Her Majesty Queen Victoria. She was “to and for the use of all her Majesty’s subjects as a park, promenade, and pleasure ground.”

Now, in Charlottetown, you may join the early evening parade of runners, walkers, and cyclists in Victoria Park.

A walkway goes across boat lines to Peake’s Wharf and the port, through the ruins of an old fort.

Victoria Park is the biggest park in Charlottetown. It offers a variety of outdoor activities such as ball fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, grassy fields, and a new accessible playground.

Victoria Park attracts visitors throughout the year.

Even if it’s popular, you would still feel that the place has a calming feel with living on an island.

Address: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Victoria Row

Victoria Row Charlottetown, Canada
Victoria Row Charlottetown, Canada / Robert Cutts / Flickr

Shop, dine, or be entertained on the city’s loveliest streets.

With its Victorian red brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and shaded trees, Victoria Row – nicknamed The Row – is one of Charlottetown’s loveliest streets. 

The traffic-free Victoria Row is famous for shopping during the day. The Anne of Green Gables Shop is a highlight for many travelers. 

The street is lined with a mix of bars and restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and independent stores selling art, antiques, and gifts, including a few Anne of Green Gable’s souvenirs.

One of the most popular things to do at night in the summer is to sit in its sidewalk cafés and restaurants.

Also, you can listen to live music from its open stage or head up to Fishies on the Roof’s rooftop patio bar for views out over the city’s roofs.

Look up to appreciate the excellent Victorian architecture of the brick commercial structures.

The window frames, cornices, pilasters, and doors on their facades display some beautiful stone carving and brickwork elements.

Wander around this vibrant street now when in Charlottetown.

Need more convincing to travel to Charlottetown, Canada, right? Check out why visit Charlottetown, Canada, at least once in your lifetime here.

Address: Victoria Row, Charlottetown, PE

 

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