City Lights  

The 2017 sesquicentennial celebrations only underscored the role Charlottetown played in Confederation. Top attractions like Province House, which is currently undergoing renovations, and Ardgowan, both national historic sites, were central to the events, while Confederation Landing and the Confederation Centre of the Arts—a waterfront recreation area and world-class cultural centre, respectively—reflect its legacy. But this place appeals as much to foodies as history buffs, thanks to its vibrant restaurant scene. Throughout Charlottetown, you’ll also find walking trails, waterside boardwalks and specialty shops (www.discovercharlottetown.com).

Although the City of Summerside is smaller than the provincial capital, it too has a bustling waterfront replete with indoor and outdoor theatres, interesting boutiques and eateries. Acadian influences are apparent here, as are Celtic ones. You can see the latter come to life at rousing shows featuring bagpipe-playing, step-dancing, fiddling and snare drumming hosted by the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada (www.exploresummerside.com).

The Great Outdoors   

The renowned local beaches aren’t just for swimmers, sunbathers and sandcastle builders. For instance, the rare parabolic dune system in the Greenwich Dunes Trail section of PEI National Park also acts as a stunning backdrop to an extensive trail system complete with a floating boardwalk that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pei).    

Hikers and bikers alike love the PEI portion of the Trans Canada Trail—the Confederation Trail—which stretches 435 km (270 mi.) from Tignish in the west to Elmira in the east, and connects to the Island’s two entry points. Ambitious cyclists can pedal it from end to end, while competitive ones can enter the three-day Gran Fondo PEI event in August (www.tourismpei.com/what-to-do/events; www.granfondo-pei.ca).     

Great golfing is also par for the course on PEI There are many spots open to the public from May through October, and they are all within an hour’s drive of each other. The Links at Crowbush Cove, Dundarave, and Mill River are among the premier picks (www.golfpei.ca). 

Throughout the Island there are endless other opportunities for visitors wanting a fresh-air fix. Kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, birdwatching, horseback riding—the list goes on. Enjoy a do-it-yourself activity or join one of Experience PEI’s group offerings to try unique alternatives like potato farming or clam digging (www.experiencepei.ca).

Heritage And Culture  

The Arts & Heritage Trail—an Island-wide guide for authentic PEI cultural experiences—provides an overview with elements such as museums and historic sites, performing arts venues, special events, theatres, galleries, craft shops and artisan studios (www.artsandheritagepei.ca). 

To get a taste of Acadian culture, visit the Acadian Museum in Miscouche for a history lesson; then head to Village Musical Acadien for traditional food and fiddle tunes (www.museeacadien.org; www.villagemusical.ca).

If you prefer Celtic music, follow the provincial tourism board’s themed itinerary. Choices run from casual ceilidhs and concerts to professionally-staged shows and fun festivals.

To learn more about the Island’s Indigenous heritage, be sure to drop by the Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre or attend drum-driven powwows and other related events held across the province (www.experiencelennoxisland.com). 

Must See, Must Do  

From Cavendish’s tourist-friendly strand to the pristine beaches at Greenwich National Park and Basin Head Provincial Park’s silica-rich “singing sands,” PEI has a beach to suit every taste. Better yet, they’re lapped by some of the warmest waters north of the Carolinas (www.tourismpei.com/what-to-do/beaches-parks). 

Many shellfish fans call the Island Canada’s oyster capital because its prized Malpeque variety, drawn from the eponymous bay, have set the gold standard for more than a century. Sample them waterside or slurp some back at the Fall Flavours Festival, Tyne Valley Oyster Festival or the island’s International Shellfish Festival (www.fallflavours.ca, https://tvoysterfest.ca, www.peishellfish.com). 

Conceived by celebrity chef Michael Smith, The Inn at Bay Fortune’s FireWorks Feast features multiple courses cooked in a 7.5-m-long (25-ft.) wood-burning, fire-breathing stove that has an integrated smokehouse, hearth, grill, plancha, rotisserie and oven (www.innatbayfortune.com).

The entire world seems to know about COWS ice cream. Its 32 varieties are available at several locations in PEI, but you can get the inside scoop at COWS Creamery on the outskirts of Charlottetown, which offers tasty and educational tours (www.cows.ca; www.cowscreamery.ca).

Scenic Drives  

The 350-km (217-mi.) North Cape Coastal Drive is full of contrasts. It’s quickly getting a reputation as the Canadian Oyster Coast. There is everything here from Mi’kmaq and Acadian communities to secluded beaches and towering wind turbines (www.northcapedrive.com). 

The 253-km (157-mi.) Central Coastal Drive—which includes Green Gables Shore and Red Sands Shore—covers key Anne sites and PEI National Park, plus communities ranging from Cavendish to quaint Victoria-by-the-Sea (www.centralcoastalpei.com). 

The 475-km (295-mi.) Points East Coastal Drive is dotted with lighthouses and lined with 50-odd beaches. There are timely attractions, too—among them Orwell Corner Historic Village and Roma at Three Rivers National Historic Site (www.pointseastcoastaldrive.com). 

Family Fun                                    

Kids of all ages love making sandcastles, and Maurice Bernard is the expert in residence at PEI National Park. You can sign up for Experience PEI’s “Sensational Sandcastles” program to receive a private sandcastle building lesson with a professional sand sculptor (www.tourismpei.com/experiences/sensational-sandcastles; www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pei).