Stroll past charming, colorful houses or feel the breeze in the sand dunes by a picturesque lighthouse, and you might think you’ve stepped back in time on Prince Edward Island. Life slows down in Canada’s smallest province, PEI, allowing you to relax into the island’s unhurried pace.

Despite its laid-back vibe, Charlottetown, PEI’s provincial capital, offers plenty of fun activities. The town has a small-town feel but is brimming with creativity, great food, and rich history. It’s an excellent base for exploring the rest of the island. We visited in June when the weather was just warming up. Here are some fun things to do in Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown that we recommend.

Charlottetown feels like a small town where you could easily bump into friends and neighbors. The historic center is compact and walkable, but renting a car is advisable to explore the rest of PEI. The city combines creative energy with a relaxed lifestyle, embodying the self-sufficiency integral to “Island Life.”

In the historic center, you’ll find pretty painted houses mixed with turn-of-the-century brick shopfronts. Victoria Row, known locally as The Row, is the go-to spot on Friday nights for drinks or meals at the many bars and restaurants lining the street.

Charlottetown is an ideal base if you have a few days in PEI. The town offers numerous restaurants and bars for evening outings and easy road access to different parts of the island, known by their old county names: Prince’s, Queen’s, and King’s. A short walk from our hotel, The Great George, took us to the waterfront overlooking the Hillsborough River, where you can explore the small marina and try activities like kayaking or paddleboarding.

Celtic culture is a big part of island life, with many islanders being descendants of Irish and Scottish settlers. Ceilidhs and folk bands are common, offering a great way to experience PEI’s Celtic heritage.

The Confederation Centre of Arts in Charlottetown hosts musical and dramatic performances and is a hub for Canadian visual arts. It features permanent collections of paintings and sculptures, with changing exhibitions exploring themes of Canadian arts and nationhood. Entrance is by donation.

Charlottetown is proud to be the birthplace of the Confederation. The Confederation Centre of Arts houses a replica of the Confederation chamber where politicians met in 1864 at the Charlottetown Conference. A short film explains how their discussions led to the uniting of Canada.

A food tour is a fantastic way to get to know the best restaurants in town. We enjoyed Experience PEI’s Taste the Town tour, where our guide led us to the best places to eat and highlighted local specialties. Seafood is a staple on most menus, thanks to Canada’s Atlantic coastline. We visited the Old Dublin Pub and Claddagh Oyster House for local mussels and seafood chowder, a typical dish in the Maritimes.

Another must-try is the Lobster Roll, with many local restaurants competing for the best one. We found Lobster on the Wharf to be a strong contender, with its soft white roll filled with lobster chunks, mayo, and crisp lettuce, enjoyed on their sunny deck with a harbor view.

PEI is also famous for its potatoes, and we tried some of the best fries at The Chip Shack. Owner Caron, known as the Queen of Fries, serves up double-fried, extra-crunchy fries made from local potatoes.

You can’t visit PEI without encountering the red-haired orphan Anne of Green Gables. We saw the Anne and Gilbert musical at The Guild Theatre, which tells the story of Anne and her childhood sweetheart Gilbert Blythe. The show is a joyous evening of song and dance, reflecting island life.

Another popular show is Anne of Green Gables – the Musical at The Confederation Centre, based on L.M. Montgomery’s novel. It’s now in its 54th season and tells the story of Anne’s childhood.

The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is a vibrant place to visit on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. It’s a bit away from the historic center, so you might need to drive. The market offers fresh produce, homemade jellies, jams, handicrafts, and ready-to-eat dishes and snacks. It’s a great spot for brunch or lunch.

Exploring the island outside Charlottetown, immerse yourself in the story of Anne of Green Gables. We visited Green Gables Heritage Place at Cavendish, the green-roofed farmhouse that inspired the novel. The farmhouse is now a heritage center with restored rooms and activities that bring Anne’s story to life.

After visiting the house, follow walking trails through Lover’s Lane, the Haunted Woods, and Balsam Hollow, inspired by the book. You can also visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum at Park Corner, the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s aunt and uncle, where she chose to get married.

PEI’s coastline, with its sand dunes and lighthouses, is truly inspiring. There are over 60 lighthouses along the coast, many open to the public. We followed the Lighthouse Lover’s Tour, stopping at several lighthouses during our drive around PEI.

Covehead Lighthouse, set in the sand dunes, is one of the most photographed lighthouses on PEI. Cape Bear Lighthouse, on the southeast shore, was the first to receive the distress call from the Titanic in 1912. East Point Lighthouse, at the island’s easternmost point, offers stunning ocean views and a mini-museum with interesting artifacts.

Our walk along the Greenwich Dunes Trail was a highlight of our trip. The trail takes you through farmland, woodland, and over a boardwalk to the sand dunes, offering peace and open skies.

Dalvay by the Sea, a historic hotel and national monument, overlooks the northern shore’s sand dunes. Built by businessman Alexander MacDonald, it featured in the Anne of Green Gables films and TV series. The hotel offers period-style rooms and a highly regarded restaurant open to non-residents.

We also visited The Dunes Gallery, a treasure trove of artistic creativity featuring pottery, paintings, and prints by local artists. The gallery has beautiful gardens and a restaurant serving fresh seafood and local produce.

We loved our stay at The Great George Hotel in Charlottetown, a historic boutique hotel with a homely yet elegant feel. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a buffet breakfast, and a central location in Charlottetown’s historic district.

Charlottetown is a great base for exploring PEI, with plenty of tours available to help you make the most of your visit. We flew into Halifax and drove to PEI, crossing the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick and taking the Wood Island Ferry back to Nova Scotia.

Discover delicious PEI food and explore all that Prince Edward Island has to offer on your next visit!