The City of Charlottetown was named in honour of Queen Charlotte of England. Charlottetown boasts a rich heritage which can be seen through the magnificent architecture showcased throughout the city. The City overlooks an excellent natural harbour formed by the junction of three major rivers. Charlottetown is Capital City of Prince Edward Island.
Things to do in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Beaches of Prince Edward Island
The beaches that surround the Island of PEI have drawn visitors to the province for over a century and are still the centre of many family vacations. Like the golf courses, PEI beaches come in a variety; the white sand beaches of the north shore and the red cliff beaches of the south shore. For a complete listing of these beaches please refer to our website.
Beaconsfield Historic House
Standing as an enduring symbol of Victorian elegance in the heart of Charlottetown, you will find Beaconsfield Historic House, featuring a mansard roof, elaborate gingerbread trim and crowning belvedere. The House was built in 1877 by a prominent shipbuilder and merchant and was a visible expression of social and economic standing. The House is located near Victoria Park and is open to the public year round for tours, lectures and special events. Visitors are welcome to tour the twenty-five elegant rooms and enjoy the wonderful view of the Charlottetown Harbour from the verandah and garden. This was one of the finest residences in Charlottetown Call 902-368-6603 for more information.
2 Kent Street, Charlottetown, PE
Cavendish Beach
One of PEI’s well known beaches and located in the Prince Edward Island National Park. The Beach preserves the natural and cultural heritage of the Island's North Shore. You will find lots of sand dunes, supervised beaches, sandstone cliffs, salt marshes, ponds, woodlands, wildlife as well as cultural landmarks including Green Gables and Dalvay by the Sea. Park activities offered in July/August include bird watching and beach walks. Pets on a leash are permitted in all areas of the park except the beaches, kitchen shelters and washrooms. The beaches are open annually from April 1 - October 15; the Park is open year round, although some facilities are closed in the off season. Entrance fee is charged June - September. Call 902-672-6350 for more information.
Confederation Bridge
This unique bridge stretches 12.9 kilometers from joins Borden-Carleton, PEI and Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick. Bringing a new age of transportation to Atlantic Canada, the bridge carries two lanes of traffic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and takes approximately 10 - 12 minutes to cross at normal travelling speeds. The normal travelling speed is 80km/h. This is monitored and adjusted according to the current weather and travelling conditions. All pedestrians and cyclists are required to use a shuttle bus to cross the bridge. For more information on this unique bridge you will find a pavilion on the PEI side that takes you through the steps of this Bridge’s construction. Call 888-437-6565 for more information.
104 Abegweit Blvd., Charlottetown, PE
Confederation Center of the Arts / Art Gallery
The Gallery is located in the Confederation Center of the Arts and showcases the wonderful talent of Canadian artists. Featuring contemporary and historical art exhibitions and interactive installation projects; also offering art classes for children through its Kids' Art Classes each summer. Guided tours are available and admission is by donation; hours vary throughout the year. Call 800-565-0278 for more information.
145 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE
Confederation Centre of the Arts
The Confederation Centre of the Arts is celebrating over 40 years of fostering the arts in Canada! As Canada’s National Memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and a National Historic Site, the Centre proudly showcases Canadian talent and treasures on its stages and in its galleries. The annual Charlottetown Festival has entertainment galore to delight visitors as the stages come alive with the best in musical theatre, comedy, and Maritime music. The star attraction of the Festival is Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™, returning for its 40th consecutive season on the Mainstage during the summer season. Call 800-565-0278 for more information.
145 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE
Featured Walking Tours
Choose from one of our Walking Tours and discover all that Charlottetown has to offer. Featuring tours such as our Ghostly Realm where you will discover your "second sight" in this storied walk along the very edge of the ghostly realm, where phantom ships, haunted mansions, apparitions of the long gone, and forerunners of the soon dead are encountered along the path. Or our Historic Great George Street tour where you will relive the past on one of Canada’s most famous streets, where every building and street corner has its story to tell, and where Canadian heroes like Sir John A. MacDonald and Georges Etienne Cartier share the historical sidewalk with peddlers, preachers, and tavern-keepers. Please contact us directly for a complete listing of available tours. Tours are offered mid June – end of June Tuesday – Saturday; June 30 – August 29 tours depart daily; August 30 – September 25 walking tours are offered Tuesday - Saturday. For a detailed schedule please call us directly. Tours depart from Founders’ Hall. Call 800-955-1864 for more information.
Founders Hall / Canada's Birthplace Pavilion
In 1864, the delegates to the famous Charlottetown Conference arrived at this quaint waterfront. Today, it is known as the historic site of Founders' Hall, a 21,000 square foot heritage attraction and retail boutique. Visit the "Time Travel Tunnel" that will transport visitors back to 1864, leading them through the pages of Canadian history, and concludes with a fast paced look at Canadians from coast to coast to coast. You will see hi-tech meet history as you experience Canada's growing pains through the eyes of modern media. News reports and lively theatre tell the tale of politics and people; special headsets narrate your passage through state-of the-art displays, holo-visuals, theatres, on-screen trivia games, drawers, cupboards and much more. It's a multi-sensory experience that makes learning history fun and lively! Open May – June Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm; July – August 30 Monday – Saturday 9am – 8pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm; September 1 – mid October Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm. Call 800-955-1864 for more information.
6 Prince Street, Charlottetown, PE
Golf
The golf courses of Prince Edward Island continue to host an increasing number of visitors to Canada’s number one golf destination. Twenty-five courses, all located within minutes of the Island's main destinations offer challenging courses that have challenged the skills of pros like Mike Weir and Fred Couples to more forgiving courses that offer a great family golf experience. The Cavendish area has seen a number of new courses; there are now seven courses within a 15 minute drive. Call 866-GOLF-PEI for more information.
Green Gables
Located in Cavendish, just minutes from Charlottetown, you will find this National Park and popular tourist destination. Visitors from around the world visit this once rural farm site that inspired the setting for Lucy Maude Montgomery’s fictional novel about a red-haired orphan, Anne of Green Gables. On site you will find the Green Gables house, several museums and sites that invite the visitor to learn more about Anne and Montgomery; a popular musical version of the story runs every summer at the Charlottetown Festival. During May – October, tours that highlight the heritage of the area and explain the importance of this site are offered. Call 902-963-7874 for more information.
Historic Charlottetown Waterfront
Follow the boardwalk along the Charlottetown Waterfront and explore the beauty, the history, and the atmosphere of its quaint shops, restaurants, and cafés! The boardwalk begins at Founders' Hall and continues on toward Confederation Landing. This parkland celebrates the site of the historic landing of the Fathers of Confederation in 1864. Visitors to the park are able to stroll along the pathways, relax on a park bench, or picnic waterside. Your boardwalk stroll continues to Peake's Wharf – Historic Waterfront Merchants, a destination alive with quaint, waterside boutiques, craft shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés. The Charlottetown Marina surrounds Peake's Wharf and tours of the beautiful Charlottetown Harbour depart daily.
Province House National Historic Site of Canada
Standing proudly on the crest of Great George Street is Province House, a National Historic Site of Canada. This is the heart of the 1864 Conference and today is a national icon. Its impressive Colonial portico welcomes you while its stone walls echo of past debates and dances. Open to the public and operated by Parks Canada. A full interpretation and a video presentation are available. Open daily in June 8:30am – 5pm; July – August 31 daily 8:30am–6pm; September 1 – October 10 daily 8:30am–5pm; October 12 – May 31 weekdays 9am – 5pm. Call 902-566-7626 for more information.
Walking Tours & Reenactments
See history come alive as you stroll Charlottetown's historic district with the Founders' Hall Confederation Players. They are a troupe of costumed, young, bilingual Canadians, trained as living Fathers and Ladies of Confederation.