29 BEST Things to Do in Prince Edward Island

Red sandstone cliffs. Sandy beaches. Lobster. Anne of Green Gables. Here are my 29 top favorite things to do in Prince Edward Island (PEI). 

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest province in Canada, but big in our hearts. PEI is “the Birthplace of Confederation,” where Canada was founded in 1867. It’s home to our beloved Anne of Green Gables and The Hockey Song. They grow the best potatoes, and make the best fries (very important). And PEI is a lovely island filled with very hospitable people. 

When is the best time to visit Prince Edward Island? Visit in late June or early September to beat the crowds and still enjoy the best of the Island. We visited in early October and it was quiet and lovely, but unfortunately many sites and tours had closed for the season.

PEI has a rural, small village vibe. Its capital city of Charlottetown has less than 50,000 residents, and the next largest city, Summerside, has about 16,000. Little villages are scattered all over the island. To the north is the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and to the south, Northumberland Strait and the 8-mile Confederation Bridge linking PEI to mainland Canada.

Why are PEI’s cliffs red? PEI has red cliffs because of the iron oxide in the soil that “rusts” as it’s exposed to air. Contrast this with PEI’s vivid greenery and deep blue sky, and you have some splendid colors! 

And TIP: Pack bug spray and a windbreaker. You’ll need both often as you explore these best things to do in Prince Edward Island.

Okay, here we go … 

29 best things to do in PEI

1. Explore 3 scenic coastal drives in PEI

Topping the list of best things to do in PEI and giving you a great intro to the island is touring its coastline. Prince Edward Island has 1100 miles (1800 km) of coastline. Plan for three days of driving with lots of stops: the east coast (295 miles/475 km), central PEI (157 miles/253 km) and west coast (217 miles/350 km).

All three drives are packed with brilliant red cliffs, soft sandy beaches, cute villages and historical lighthouses. Eastern PEI has PEI’s oldest lighthouse, singing sand and a floating boardwalk. Central PEI has Cavendish, amusement parks and a drive-in. Western PEI has a potatoes museum (yup) and a lighthouse you can sleep at. Plan your routes with TourismPEI.com.

2. Count lighthouses on your PEI drive

PEI has 63 lighthouses and 35 still operate. While driving PEI’s lovely coastline, why not see how many you can find? Which will be YOUR favorite? 

If 35 is a little much, here are the top four lighthouses to visit in Prince Edward Island:

• East Point Lighthouse: A cute white-and-red octagonal lighthouse and my favorite gift shop. Climb to the top to see the tides of Northumberland Strait meet the Gulf of St. Lawrence, best seen at high tide. The only Canadian lighthouse built in 1867, it’s “Canada’s Confederation Lighthouse” standing at 67 feet.
• Point Prim Lighthouse: PEI’s first and oldest operational lighthouse, built in 1845, and unique due to its round brick construction. Climb to the top of this 60-foot National Heritage site for great views of Northumberland Strait. 
• North Point Lightstation: Bring your windbreaker! Experience the power of the wind and tides at this 63-foot octagonal lighthouse built in 1865. Walk along red cliffs (4 km roundtrip) and visit the museum and oceanfront restaurant. 
• West Point Lighthouse: A unique black-and-white striped, square-tapered lighthouse with an inn. Enjoy the sunset at the beach or climb to the top. West Point Lighthouse is PEI’s tallest at 67 feet 8 inches and built in 1875.

Note that lighthouses are typically only open during the main tourist season (May to September). A helpful post on PEI lighthouses is from WelcomePEI.com.

3. Discover your favorite beach on PEI

PEI has 1100-mile shoreline and a remarkable 23 beaches to explore. Discovering your favorite beach is one of the best things to do in Prince Edward Island!

My favorite beach on PEI is one that gets little publicity: Red Point Provincial Park. It’s a local family favorite for camping, but we were the only ones here in early October. Red Point Provincial Park has soft white sand with cute mounds of tall wispy grass and a rugged red rock at one end that beckons you. Aka my happy place.

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4. Be romanced by PEI’s singing sands 

Only five minutes from Red Point Provincial Park is a popular white-sand beach: Basin Head Provincial Park. Part of what makes Basin Head beach so cool is the “singing” you hear when walking on it. This singing is because of the silica that’s in the sand, best heard when it’s been dry for a few days. Basin Head Provincial Park also has food shops, a children’s play area and a fisheries museum.

5. Stroll miles of boardwalk over Greenwich’s sandy dunes and marsh

Greenwich Trail is definitely one of PEI’s best things to do. Greenwich National Park has three hiking trails ranging from .75 miles (1.24 km) to 2.8 miles (4.5 km). 

Most of the Greenwich Trail is a wooden boardwalk that takes you over grassy sand dunes and ponds, including about half a mile (700-m)  of floating boardwalk. Roundtrip, the walk will take 1-1.5 hours plus a stop at the wide sandy beach, which is rarely crowded. The interpretive center has lots of parking and a 3D presentation on how the peninsula was formed. 

6. Walk the edge of PEI’s red cliffs 

Prince Edward Island shoreline gives you many places to enjoy its brilliant red cliffs as one of the best things to do in PEI. Here are a few highlights:

• Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site (former French fort): A lighthouse-dotted trail just south of Charlottetown overlooking the entrance to Charlottetown Harbour with many lovely lookouts.
• Red Point Provincial Park: The contrast between the brilliant red cliff and rock against the white sandy beach was breathtaking. My favorite spot in all of PEI.
• Prince Edward Island National Park: This 37-mile stretch of wide sandy beaches and dunes also has fabulous red cliffs to explore in central north shore.
• North Cape: A short 2.5-mile hike along the edge of the cliff overlooks a massive rock shelf where the Gulf of St. Lawrence tide meets Northumberland Strait. Stop at nearby Kildare Capes for more fabulous red cliffs.
• Cape Egmont: Fantastic red rock formations and cliffs on both sides of the lighthouse. It’s along the south shore overlooking Northumberland Strait.

7. Kayak along PEI’s shoreline 

I love kayaking. Kayaking is a wonderful way to appreciate Prince Edward Island’s shoreline. These two highly-rated options are recommended for various skill levels:

• North Rustico on north shore with Outside Expeditions: Experience PEI’s brilliant red cliffs from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Rent a kayak, canoe or bike, or take a tour to learn about local history and sea life.
• Victoria on south shore with By The Sea Kayaking: Kayak along the mostly-calm Northumberland Strait to a sandbar to collect clams, and then make clam chowder to enjoy with your new friends. SUCH a cool thing to do in PEI!

8. Catch your own lobster … or tuna

We missed lobster fishing by visiting Prince Edward Island in October (but we still ATE a lot!). Lobster tours are generally available July-August, and then tuna charters run September-mid October. PEI has many highly-rated operators offering deep sea fishing and lobster adventures. If this is on your list of top things you want to do in Prince Edward Island, check the listing on tripadvisor.com.

9. Golf a round … on all 27 courses on PEI!

PEI is considered Canada’s best golf destination, with more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in Canada! Enjoy great variety of courses, stunning scenery, food, friendly hospitality, and affordability. General consensus points to these as the best three golf courses in PEI: 

• The Links at Crowbush Cove (Lakeside): The only golf course in PEI to make Golf Digest’s top courses in Canada. Built in 1993 and designed by Thomas McBroom.
• Dundarave Golf Course (Georgetown): Built in 1999, this 18-hole championship golf course features PEI’s iconic red sandstone. Designed by award winning architects Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry.
• Brudenell River Golf Course (Georgetown): Built in 1969 and accented by gardens, lakes and ponds. Designed by Robbie Robinson.

A helpful resource for golfing PEI is golfpei.ca.

Like golf? Check out Coolest Things to Do on CAPE BRETON ISLAND

10. Sip your way through PEI’s wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries

One of the best things to do in PEI has to be sampling its many craft drinks. PEI has many local wines, craft beers, spirits and ciders to enjoy! A very helpful resource in locating all of them (including maps) is liquorpei.com/local.

If you have a designated driver, easily add many of these stops to your coastal drives. If not, here are two operators with combo tours (i.e. with more than one location): 

• Hop/Sip/Swirl Prince Edward Island Tasting Tour (June to October): strong reviews with stops.
• PEI Winery Tours (winter tours, too): offers blended or strictly winery, brewery or distillery tours. 

11. Make friends with 100 goats at Island Hill Farm

Don’t goats just make you smile? Meet more than 100 new friends, only 20 minutes north of Charlottetown. You’ll also meet a miniature donkey, alpacas and potbelly pics, and get to hold hens, bunnies and kittens. SO fun. Visit the gift shop for local gifts and treats. Check out tripadvisor.com reviews for yourself!

12. Go amusement park hopping in PEI

Near PEI’s north shore are FOUR amusement parks within 20 minutes of each other, all with strong reviews. Each offers something unique and fun for families to burn off energy and to make this list of best things to do in Prince Edward Island. Let’s start in Cavendish and move west:

• Shining Waters Family Fun Park (Cavendish): Waterpark with petting farm. Get a combo pass that includes Sandspit (below).
• Sandspit Cavendish Beach (Cavendish): Rides, including a roller-coaster, bumper boats and go-karts. 
• Burlington Adrenaline Park (Kensington): The longest go-kart track east of Montreal, plus kiddy karts, laser tag, bumper boats, airsoft and mini-golf. Not as crowded as Cavendish.
• Haunted Mansion (Kensington): A Tudor-style, family-friendly home with carnival rides.

13. Take in a double-feature at Brackley Drive-In 

Here’s another super-cool thing to do in Prince Edward Island: go to the drive-in! The Brackley Drive-In has double-features and shows the more family-friendly one first. It’s been restored to its original 1950s condition and sells concession. 

Now, to make sure it’s a fun experience, remember to bring pillows, chairs, extra-warm blankets (even for warm nights), BUG SPRAY, radio (to hear the movie outside the car), hot drinks and your favorite munchies.

14. Linger on Green Gable’s walking trails

My favorite part of the Green Gables Heritage Place was wandering through Lover’s Lane and the Haunted Wood. You can imagine your favorite scenes along these two short, very pretty walks in the woods.

Caution: Know before you come to Green Gables that it’s quite small, rather underwhelming, and not really about Anne. It’s a celebration of her author and what inspired the story. You can easily see this site within an hour and it’s open May to October. 

I didn’t visit the museum (20 minutes west of Cavendish; open mid-May to mid-October). I suspect the Anne of Green Gables Museum feels more like Green Gables, with its rolling fields, “The Lake of Shining Waters” and Matthew’s carriage rides. 

15. Get into character at Green Gables’ Avonlea Village

Avonlea Village is a cute little loop of historical buildings that recreate the fictitious Avonlea from Anne of Green Gables. The costumed characters make this stop extra fun, and the cafes, coffee, ice cream and gift shop make Avonlea Village a great pitstop. There’s no entrance fee. Open mid-June to early September.

16. Watch Anne the Musical in Charlottetown’s live theatre

Nothing could be more quintessential PEI than Anne the Musical. Anne the Musical performances only run June to September. Information and tickets are available at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. 

I think the best way to experience “Anne” in Prince Edward Island is to first see the musical (to rediscover the magic), and then visit the museum, Avonlea Village and Green Gables. 

17. Potato farming … and PEI’s quirky museum

As strange as this potato museum is to me, I think my parents (i.e. farmers) would LOVE this museum. The antique equipment, farm tours (by reservation only) and quirky gift shop cater to us both. But the BEST part of the Canadian Potato Museum? The KITCHEN!! You just know those fries are gonna be delicious.

Learn more about why travelers loved it on tripadvisor.com (some, surprised by how much!).

18. Stomp to some Tom Connors

Stompin Tom Centre is a great lunch or dinner stop while exploring PEI’s west coast. It’s about 15 minutes from North Cape and 45 minutes from West Point. Visitors LOVE the live entertainment, informative exhibits and gift shop. 

Tom Connors is a Canadian musical icon … mostly because of his classic The Hockey Song (just listen to his reception to feel the love!). Check out the reviews of the Stompin Tom Centre on tripadvisor.com.

19. Sleep in a Victorian mansion on PEI

We stayed in central Charlottetown throughout our time in PEI. It was a convenient launching point for the three drives, but what made our stay in Charlottetown FABULOUS was the Fairholm National Historic Inn. 

We stayed in the Florence Babe Rogers Suite with a pretty round window overlooking the front, a fireplace and large washroom with a deep claw tub (plus separate shower). It’s an easy 10-minute walk to Water St (5 minutes to Province House) and includes an excellent full breakfast (changes each day), reliable wifi and parking. Simply staying in this elegant mansion was one of the best things to do in Prince Edward Island.

Charlottetown has quite a few historic homes-turned-inns. Here’s the Charlottetown search on expedia.com.  

Interested in more great places to stay in PEI? Check out Best Hotels for ROMANTIC GETAWAYS in Eastern Canada.

20. Karaoke like a Charlottetown local 

We discovered some really fun pubs just blocks away from the Fairholm Inn along Kent Street. Hunter’s Ale House was fun for live music and The Factory Downtown for karaoke with the locals. I don’t karaoke well – it was a top thing to do in PEI for him.

In Charlottetown, they KNOW how to run a bar. They keep them open until 2 a.m.! 

21. Nod to Confederation and veterans at Province House

Stroll through Canada’s history at the Province House and Confederation Center of the Arts next door. The Province House renovations are expected to be complete in 2025. Learn more at pc.gc.ca. Enjoy a little picnic on the Grafton St lawn of Province House – I gazed at the tasteful war memorial for a long time.

22. Find your favorite cafe and pub in Charlottetown 

Exploring historical streets near Province House definitely makes the list of the best things to do in PEI. Follow Grafton St to Queen St and down to Victoria Row (on Richmond St between Queens and Great George St) and around to Sydney St. On the way, stop at one (or all!) of the many cute cafes and pubs that entice you.

Here are two of our favorite spots: 

• Olde Dublin Pub (131 Sydney St): Fun vibe, friendly service and delicious shepherd’s pie and lobster stew (with lots of lobster).
• The Gahan House (126 Sydney St): A fantastic local brewery and pub. My favorite drink was the honey wheat ale (light and easy to drink!) and the classic shepherd’s pie was also delicious here (garlic mashed potatoes AND cheese … mmm).

23. Lobster, lobster, lobster

Lobster in PEI is sooo good. And often you order by the weight, which my husband loved. Eating lobster ALL. DAY. LONG. is definitely one of the best things to do in PEI.

Now, our experience was that lobster is a casual affair. No matter where we went, we got plastic bibs that made me feel pretty silly. But everyone around you is wearing them, too.

Our two favorite spots for lobster dinners in Prince Edward Island were:

• Lobster on the Wharf (2 Prince St): The waterfront location can’t be beat, and it was extra busy from the cruise ship being in port. But once we got in, the service was very friendly and timely and the food was delicious. 
• New Glasgow Lobster Supper (#604 Route 258, New Glasgow; N46° 24.618 W-063° 20.754): A fun family-friendly experience, with the full-meal deal: dinner rolls, soup, salad, lobster, dessert and coffee. Try the “mile-high” lemon meringue pie.

Two places I wish we’d tried (because they’re local favorites with fabulous reviews but were closed by the time we arrived) are:

• Richard’s (9 Wharf Rd, York; 10-min drive west of Dalvay Beach): A casual fish shack right on the water and known for its amazing lobster roll and fish and chips. Enjoy it on the deck or under a lighthouse at the beach across the street. Richard’s is busy, but worth the wait. Open May to September.
• Blue Mussel Cafe (312 Harbourview Dr, North Rustico): Delicious food in a rustic decor overlooking the water. It’s very popular, so be prepared to wait an hour. Open May to October.

24. Enjoy Canada’s BEST ice cream

Now, doesn’t that claim just MAKE you have to try it? Laying claim to this fame is Cow’s. You can find them along Charlottetown’s waterfront and on the corner of Queen St and Grafton (you know, to give it another sampling). 

I tried wild blueberry. It was certainly very good. For all locations in PEI and Canada, visit cows.ca. Literally one of the coolest things to do in Prince Edward Island.

25. Say a prayer in St. Dunstan’s Basilica

St. Dunstan’s Basilica is elegant and lovely, with pretty stained glass windows, ornate decoration and an impressive pipe organ. Unfortunately like so many old churches, a fire destroyed the original built in 1907. This pretty church was rebuilt in 1919. Check out what other visitors say on tripadvisor.com.

26. Tour the historical Government House and Beaconsfield House

The Government House mansion was built in 1834 to welcome notable guests to PEI. It’s currently home to the Lieutenant Governor and has some pretty gardens. We were here too late, but if you’re visiting in the summer, travelers highly recommend taking the tour inside. 

While here, also check out the Beaconsfield Historical House across the street. It’s a charming yellow Victorian-style home built in 1877 and has a tour for those who love old houses, furnishings and gift shops. Plus, the grounds along Northumberland Strait are fantastic. This area is only a 15 minute walk from Province House.

27. Explore quaint, super-charming Victoria-by-the-Sea

My favorite little village in Prince Edward Island is Victoria along PEI’s south shore. Experience Northumberland Strait’s low-tide by walking right on the ocean floor. It has a super-cute lighthouse with pretty gardens my mom would love and cute shops and cafes to explore on foot. 

Here’s an intro video of Victoria by Escapades with Emma.

28. Find your perfect PEI treasures 

Among the best things to do in Prince Edward Island is finding treasures to bring home. PEI is known for its maple syrup, berry-based jams and jellies, wild edible mushrooms, anything-Anne of Green Gables, lighthouses, and Christmas wreaths.

Find your unique PEI treasures along Charlottetown’s Water St and Queen St. You’ll pass by the Downtown Charlottetown Farmers’ Market (Queen St across from Confederation Centre of the Arts), Anne of Green Gables Store (110 Queen St) and Anne of Green Gables Chocolates (100 Queen St). 

Me? I picked up the warmest and coziest winter gloves ever, handcrafted in PEI. Perfect for chilly Canadian winters. 

29. Confederation Bridge in and ferry out … or vise versa

Simply getting to Prince Edward Island makes the list of best things to do. Try both options: an hour car-ferry ride to/from Nova Scotia and the 8-mile Confederation Bridge that connects to New Brunswick. Both are pretty fun. 

Whether you come/go by ferry or bridge, you only pay when you leave. They say you pay for a roundtrip but it’s “free” to get to PEI and “double” when you leave. Note: If you reserve your spot on the ferry, you’ll pay the ferry roundtrip plus when you leave on the bridge. So, either show up to the ferry without a reservation (an hour before departure, which was totally fine in early October) or take the bridge first.

Find details about the ferry at PEIferry.com.

Summary and Resources

And there you go! I hope you found something fun and inspiring for your own trip to PEI.

Helpful resources for planning a trip to PEI:

• TourismPEI.com: This site has a ton of helpful information for visitors. I suggest starting with the 3 scenic drives.
• WelcomePEI.com: Another great resource for visitors. My favorite section is the Local’s Blog.
• PEIferry.com: For ferry information to/from Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, PEI 
• TripAdvisor.com: My go-to source for traveler reviews of activities, restaurants and small hotels. Even if you can’t book something through this site, it still gives you helpful insight. 
• Expedia.com and Booking.com: My go-to sources for booking accommodations. Usually I prefer Booking.com’s system (it feels cleaner to me), but Expedia.com tends to have more obscure inns and bed & breakfasts.

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• EAST COAST Road Trip: Toronto to Nova Scotia
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• Coolest Things to Do in NOVA SCOTIA (3-Part Series)

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