I spent final week in Prince Edward Island with household, and this wasn’t the sort of journey I may have deliberate alone. Prince Edward Island has a means of trying easy on the floor (suppose pink roads, inexperienced fields, lighthouses), however with out insider data, it takes some assist to know easy methods to transfer by way of it. And for that, I owe an enormous thanks to my sister (and plenty of of you).
She dealt with a lot of the analysis—digging by way 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 one way or the other 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 automobile. Lodging in PEI will be tough throughout peak season, however we booked in April/Might and stayed versatile. We regarded into every part from outdated inns to seaside cottages to barely chaotic multi-bedroom Airbnbs.
Under is a full breakdown of our Prince Edward Island itinerary.
I’m sharing what we did, what we cherished, and what we’d suggest if you happen to’re planning your individual quiet, snack-filled, slow-moving week on the island. You may as well reference this map to search out the areas and addresses.
Day 1: Arrival in Charlottetown
Lodging: Rodd Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Vibe: Historic lodge 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 evening to get our bearings and reset earlier than heading towards the coast. This gave us an opportunity to discover Charlottetown without having a rental automobile straight away. We did a brief strolling loop by way of the town (into some bookstores, in fact)—simply sufficient to stretch after journey and see what Charlottetown seems 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 children’ menu, and Bennett ate two plates of rooster strips whereas we performed Sleeping Queens. The realm was actually enjoyable and full of individuals on trip. We stood in a protracted line to get ice cream at COWS (which was price it and shortly turned a nightly ritual for the whole lot of the journey).
Day 2: Charlottetown Wandering and Cavendish Transition
Lodging: Red Island Getaway VRBO
Places: Charlottetown, Avonlea Village, and Cavendish
Drive Time: ~45 minutes from Charlottetown to Cavendish
Vibe: A day of puttering, small finds, and rain that felt sort of cinematic.
We began the day with breakfast at The Cork and Cast 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 desserts.
Then we wandered. Town had a bit of craft honest arrange, so we walked by way of that, hit a few used bookstores, and located considered one of our favourite journey souvenirs: a hand-carved rabbit driving a carrot-shaped automobile, handmade by an area model known as Woodypix. My sister obtained 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 Goods, which was my favourite reward store in that space.
After a few loops by way 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 evening.
Avonlea Village is designed to seem like Avonlea (a made-up city within the Anne of Inexperienced Gables collection) and it’s lovely, but it surely has lots of the identical outlets you will discover 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 positioned 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 wanted. Then we settled in: snacks, wine, and an compulsory rewatch of Anne of Inexperienced Gables whereas snacking on COW Chips and consuming raspberry cordial we picked up in Avonlea. As one does.
Day 3: The Full Anne Day
Lodging: Red Island Getaway VRBO
Places: Cavendish and Thunder Cove
Vibe: Anne of Inexperienced Gables immersion day (not accidentally, 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 means 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 a variety of appeal. PEI actually leans into its quiet appeal—and one way or the other it by no means feels compelled.
From there, we went all in and visited:
It was a variety of Anne. However we cherished EVERY second. Nothing felt overly valuable or staged—it simply felt PEI. Just like the story had all the time been there, stitched into the panorama.
We ate lunch at The Lost Anchor (informal, good for teams). The lobster mac and cheese and fish dinner had been the favorites. Then we drove out to Thunder Cove Beach to see the pink cliffs. It was a moody day with wind, purple clouds, and rays of solar peeking by way of to make for a cinematic drive alongside the coast. Images don’t do it justice. It’s a type of locations the place you sort 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 complete day inside a fictional universe primarily based on such a gorgeous place.
Day 4: North Shore to Charlottetown
Lodging: Charles Palmer House Airbnb
Places: Cavendish, North Shore, and Charlottetown
Vibe: A meandering day alongside the coast.
We had breakfast on the VRBO, loaded up the automobile, and spent the morning winding our means by way of the North Shore earlier than heading again to Charlottetown. No actual rush, which made the day really feel straightforward.
Stops alongside the best way:
Simply driving alongside the coast right here is price it—open skies, sea grass, and that pink PEI soil that appears pretend till you see it in individual.
We had lunch at Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico, which was informal and unbelievable. It felt like a hidden gem, regardless that everybody is aware of about it. Be sure to plan on a little bit of a wait. Get the mussels, Caesar (with recent PEI oyster garnish), and lobster dip. I cherished 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 approach 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 House Airbnb
Places: Charlottetown and Dalvay by the Sea
Vibe: Just a little motion, a bit of luxurious, and the very best lobster roll of the journey.
We began the day with breakfast at Receiver Coffee Company, which shortly turned our go-to in Charlottetown. Good espresso, no frills, and in the midst of every part.
My sister-in-law and I went to a somatic yoga class at Charlottetown Yoga Space, whereas Bennett, my mother, and my sister joined a children’ craft class at an area retailer close by. It was a type of small-town moments the place every part simply kind of labored out. No stress, everybody entertained, everybody pleased.
We went to Water Prince Corner Shop for lunch. It was subsequent degree. Arms down the very best lobster roll of the journey—completely toasted bun (that was tender and straightforward to chew into!!), not overdressed, precisely what you need it to be. The aspect 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 considered one of our favourite evenings. The property is featured in Anne of Avonlea, and it has hosted every part from royal visits to elaborate weddings. It’s a type of locations that feels each grand and approachable. In the event you’re seeking to splurge on a higher-end keep whereas visiting the island, this could be a gorgeous selection.
We had martinis on the patio, performed garden video games with Bennett, wandered all the way down to the seaside, and lingered longer than we meant to. It was gentle out without end (thanks, maritime summer time), and nobody was in a rush to go away.
We drove again into Charlottetown and tried to seize a spot at Slaymaker, but it surely proved to be troublesome to barter a desk with a protracted waitlist of individuals desirous to get in. Have to be good! So we walked to Victoria Row, grabbed some pizza, after which obtained extra ice cream (as a result of why not), wrapping up the day. Yet another full morning left.
Day 6: Souris, Sea Glass, and a Sturdy Lobster Roll Contender
Lodging: Charles Palmer House Airbnb
Places: Charlottetown and Souris
Vibe: Sluggish morning, coastal drive, unexpectedly excellent ending.
I began the day with one final yoga class whereas everybody else packed up, snacked, and settled into the vibe of “we depart 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 bit of extra distant and windswept.
Right here’s what we did:
- Walked alongside the seaside close to the lighthouse
- Hunted for sea glass with the children (and truly discovered some)
- Performed playing cards at 21 Breakwater, a spot proper on the water that felt straightforward and low-key in the best way 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 recreation, however this one may’ve taken the highest spot. It was that good. In the event 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 right word to finish on.
Ideas for Planning Your Prince Edward Island Itinerary
These are some things we’d suggest (and some we want we’d recognized).
Lodging Tip: A very powerful factor is to guide lodging early. Like, as quickly as you resolve to go. The very best spots replenish quick in the summertime.
Packing Tip: Deliver 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 good jumping-off level. Keep walkable if you happen to can. Guide early to snag a spot at The Great George Hotel.
- 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, lovely, and ideally suited if you need much less vacationer site visitors. (It’s the very best spot for looking sea glass!)
- North Rustico can also be quiet and much from the touristy outlets.
Funds
- Anticipate to spend extra on flights, particularly if you happen to’re coming from the U.S.
- That stated, when you’re on the island, most issues are surprisingly reasonably priced—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 appears to be like lengthy)
What Labored Properly
- Reserving two principal 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 Otherwise
- Guide spa appointments earlier (Mysa fills up quick).
- Guide lodging earlier (the favored Airbnbs guide up a yr or so out).
- Deliver trainers for trails and longer hikes.
- Think about staying on the east aspect (Souris/North Lake) for a slower tempo.
Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is presently studying easy methods to play tennis and is without end testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Comply with her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
