19 Best Things to Do in Charlottetown

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A coastal city full of art galleries, fresh seafood, and fascinating history, there are a ton of unique things to do in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

I recently visited Prince Edward Island with the precise mission of uncovering the best things to do in PEI and the coziest places to stay, and I was thrilled with what I found. The island as a whole features quaint villages, dramatic red cliffs, sprawling beaches, and poignant Canadian history. The capital city of Charlottetown acts as the hub of it all.

Downtown Charlottetown is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also walkable, incredibly safe, and friendly. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Charlottetown:

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19 Best Things to Do in Charlottetown

Victoria Row

Go shopping in a historic setting right in the middle of the city.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 6:30 am – 3 am daily, summer hours

Looking to browse mom-and-pop shops, gaze at historic buildings, sip drinks on patios, and listen to live music? Then Victoria Row in downtown Charlottetown is the place to be.

Your experience here will depend on when you visit PEI. This quaint street is pedestrian-only in the summertime, and this is also when the restaurants stretch their seating areas to cover the sidewalks.

The whole area offers free Wi-Fi and the street often features buskers and festivals. Along this strip, I especially love Receiver Coffee Co., Row House Lobster Co., and Northern Watters Knitwear & Tartan Shop.

🛎️ Need a hotel? The Holman Grand Hotel is centrally located, luxurious, and has amenities for the whole family.

Victoria Park Boardwalk

Take a stroll by the sea.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: Always Open

Running from the Beaconsfield Historic House to West Street, taking a stroll along the 1.2km (0.74 mile) Victoria Park Boardwalk is not to be missed in Charlottetown.

Not only is this an excellent way to stretch your legs and take in the idyllic harbor views, but it’s also the path to Victoria Park, Government House National Historic Site, and the Prince Edward Battery.

Also along the boardwalk, you’ll find a tennis court, splash pad, kids play area, dock, lighthouse, and more. It may not be one of PEI’s beaches, but if you go at sunset, chances are you’ll be greeted with a beautifully-colored sky over the water.

Anne of Green Gables Store

Indulge in everything Anne at the Green Gables Store.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-800-665-2663 | Website | Hours: Seasonal | 👉 Browse Anne of Green Gables Tours from Charlottetown

Anne of Green Gables fan? Then you’re in luck! Prince Edward Island was the setting for the beloved by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and the island is home to prominent Anne sites (including a museum and farmhouse in Cavendish). 

Though not a site referenced in the novels, the Anne of Green Gables store in Charlottetown’s core is a great place to get a slice of everything Anne.

The store features all kinds of souvenirs, most notably dolls, posters, and shelves full of candy. I hope you have a sweet tooth!

St. Dunstan’s Basilica

Explore Charlottetown’s regal Cathedral.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902- 894-3486 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 12 pm, 1pm – 4pm Monday – Friday

One of Prince Edward Island’s most distinguished sites, St. Dunstan’s Basilica on Great George Street was built in 1916 and is a Roman Catholic Cathedral noted by its spires and gothic revival architecture.

Modeled after St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, the structure as we see it today is actually the fourth church built on the property. After the most recent one was destroyed by a fire in 1913, the church was rebuilt to be one of the tallest buildings in the city.

The exterior is what will grab you, but the interior is just as stunning with stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and a pipe organ.

Microbreweries

Sip on some of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s best local brews.

📍 Google Maps (Gahan House) | Phone: +1-902-626-2337 | Website | Hours: 11:30 am – 12 am Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 am – 10 pm Sunday, 11:30 am – 11 pm Monday through Wednesday | 👉 Browse Charlottetown Pub Crawls on Viator

For any craft beer lovers in the house, Prince Edward Island has a few notable microbreweries that will level your trip up a notch. In particular, Charlottetown lays claim to Upstreet Craft Brewing, The Gahan House, Red Island Cider, and Prince Edward Island Brewing Company. 

Each of these locations has its own taproom and great selections, although I’d have to give it to The Gahan House for ambiance — they regularly feature live music in a warm pub-style setting. Visiting some breweries is a must on any PEI itinerary.

I found their 1772 India Pale Ale to be especially delicious.

Peake’s Wharf

Discover Charlottetown’s wharf area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-629-9806 | Website | 👉 Browse City Highlights Bus Tours in Charlottetown

Comprised of an area along Charlottetown’s harborfront with shops, restaurants, boat docking, live music, and a boardwalk, spending an afternoon at Peake’s Wharf is fun for the whole family.

Here you’ll find Confederation Landing Park, Peake’s Quay Marina, Prince Edward Island Convention Centre, harbor sailing tours, and a ton of coastal-themed artisan shops and restaurants.

I also found that on nice evenings, local musicians would come out to play in this area. It’s worth grabbing a drink and sticking around for.

Confederation Trail

Hike or bike across Prince Edward Island.

📍 Google Maps | Website

At 449 kilometers, the Confederation Trail is Prince Edward Island’s longest hiking trail. Stretching from Tignish in the west and Elmira in the east, this trail runs along an old railway track and is popular with athletic types who want to travel coast to coast at their own pace.

However, just because the trail is long doesn’t mean your hike has to be. The trail has a branch running straight into Charlottetown (beginning at the Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park) and is easily accessible.

Though this branch runs 80km to Murray Harbour, feel free to make it an out-and-back trip at whatever length you’re comfortable with —  it makes a great adventure on a nice day!

👉 Pro tip: If you plan on taking a Prince Edward Island road trip, check rates with Discover Cars. Not only will they compare all the top options in your destination, but they’ll also get you the best bang for your buck.

Charlottetown Farmers Market

Shop for fresh produce & souvenirs at Charlottetown’s premier farmer’s market.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902- 626-3373 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 2 pm Saturdays

Featuring over sixty vendors every week, visiting the Charlottetown Farmers Market is one of the top places to go in Prince Edward Island. It’s a great way to try fresh seasonal food, meet some local Prince Edward Island residents, and learn all about island life.

Though you probably won’t purchase too much local produce on a short trip to the city, the market does feature ready-made food vendors, pottery, knitting, fine art, and more. 

It’s the perfect place to get that one-of-a-kind Prince Edward Island souvenir.

Harbour Hippo

Take a land and sea tour in an amphibious vehicle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-628-8687 | Website

For a great lay of the Charlottetown land, hop on a Harbour Hippo Tour. These 55-minute tours will take you to the most popular land and sea sites in the city, and have you riding hippopotamus-style while you do it.

This is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Charlottetown PEI.

Seal Watching

Take a tour to see seals in their natural habitat.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-916-9940 | Website

Feel like getting out on the water and seeing some wild animals? Then book yourself on a seal-watching tour! One of the most fun things to do in Charlottetown, these summertime tours will take you out on the water in a small group and even include a rundown of Charlottetown history.

Bring a pair of binoculars if you can, as you’ll see many different species of birds along the way as well.

There are a few companies in Charlottetown that you can book these through, most popularly Peake’s Wharf Boat Tours and Adventures Marine.

Food & Drink

Cows Creamery

A Prince Edward Island ice cream staple.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-628-3614 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Sunday-Thursday, 10 am – 9 pm Friday-Saturday

Founded in Cavendish in 1983, Cows Creamery is a chain of ice cream parlors that have historically been named both Canada’s and the world’s best ice cream by various publications.

A bold statement, Cows Creamery stands by the title and you’ll find “World’s best” printed on their packaging — which also includes products like cheese, butter, sweet & salty chips, and popcorn.

There are two Cows locations in Charlottetown itself, but it’s the one at the marina where you’ll be able to take a free tour to see how the products are made. 

Water Prince Corner Shop

An understated eatery with renowned dishes.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-368-3212 | Website | Hours: Seasonal

Looking to find the best lobster roll in Prince Edward Island? Then I have to recommend Water Prince Corner Shop.

A casual place located on Water Street, the shop is a family-run business that has provided fresh seafood to Charlottetown residents for over 30 years.

Though their lobster rolls have been featured in TV specials and magazines, they’re also known for their scallop burgers, seafood chowder, and potato salad.

Slaymaker & Nichols Gastro House

Upscale boutique hotel & pub.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-629-3411 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Monday to Wednesday, 10 am – 10 pm Thursday, 10 am – 11 pm Friday, 9 am – 11 pm Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm Sunday

One of the best hotels in Prince Edward Island, Slaymaker & Nichols is comprised of a three-room boutique inn and a famed gastropub. It’s an elegant spot that dates back over 150 years to Canada’s confederation days.

The restaurant lends itself to be a great gathering place, with shareable gourmet dishes and an extensive old-fashioned cocktail menu as cornerstone features. The establishment also has a great brunch menu, so don’t feel limited to making your visit an evening affair.

Just do remember to make reservations — this is arguably the most famous restaurant in town, and it does tend to book up.

📚 Related Reading: 13 Canada Road Trips You Should Really Drive At Least Once

Founders Food Hall & Market

Sample local food vendors.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Wednesday through Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm Sunday

One visit to Charlottetown’s Founders Food Hall & Market on Prince Street and you’ll understand why Prince Edward Island is known as Canada’s food island. 

Home to over a dozen vendors, you’ll find everything in the market from vegan cafes to hot sauces, wood-fired pizza, sea glass jewelry, and liquor. 

The market is set in a beautiful brick building by the water, and they even have a full event calendar of live music and holiday specials.

Museums & Culture

Beaconsfield Historic House

A Victorian jewel and historic home in Charlottetown.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-368-6603 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 4 pm Tuesday through Friday, Check seasonal hours  | Entrance: Seniors $5.00, Adult $6.00, Student $5.00, Family: $15.00

Constructed in 1877 for wealthy shipbuilder James Peak and his wife Edith, Beaconsfield Historic House was built to be one of downtown Charlottetown’s most distinguished properties. 

The house changed hands a few times over the years, but today has been transformed into a museum that offers tours, concerts, and even educational lectures. 

If you’re interested in Charlottetown’s fascinating history, then it’s worth stopping in for a tour and checking out the pristine Victorian architecture.

📚 Related Reading: Looking for more awesome places to visit in Canada? Check out my 15 top Canadian destinations!

Confederation Centre of the Arts

Catch a unique performance at Charlottetown’s premier arts facility.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-800-565- 0278 | Website

Located in downtown Charlottetown, The Confederation Centre of the Arts is Prince Edward Island’s primary hub of concerts, theatre, and productions of all kinds.

Here, you’ll find the island’s annual Anne of Green Gables musical, spooky ghost-themed walking tours, and a life-sized replica of the Confederation Chamber (where Canada’s founding members met during the Charlottetown Conference).

👉 Want More Activities in PEI? Be sure to check out my full list of the best things to do in Prince Edward Island!

Confederation Players

Take a lively walking tour through Charlottetown.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-566-1267 | Website

The Confederation Players are an 1800s-costume-clad troupe that leads visitors on multiple historically-themed tours. These include the Historic Great George Tour, the Fairies & Folklore Tour, the Charlottetown Fire Tour, the Infamous Islanders Tour, the Ghost Tour, and the Acadian Tour.

No matter which you choose, these historical tours will give you a glimpse into what Charlottetown’s interesting past.

👉 Love History? Downtown Charlottetown has the perfect blend of historical sites and walkability, and this Charlottetown walking tour will take you to all the top spots.

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

View local and international art at this excellent art gallery.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-800-565-0278 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, 10 am – 8 pm Thu, 1 pm – 5 pm Sat, Closed Mondays | Entrance: Donation-based

Tacked on to the Confederation Centre of the Arts is one of Charlottetown’s most prominent art galleries featuring contemporary, classical, local, and international works. 

The Confederation Centre Art Gallery consists of two levels of permanent displays and temporary exhibits and is home to more than 17,000 items of artistic significance. 

Obviously, this is a must-stop for art lovers, but I’d recommend it for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Canadiana and who wants to learn more about Prince Edward Island’s history as a whole.

Allot at least an hour to peruse the gallery, and click here to view current exhibitions. 

📚 Related Reading: The Best Time to Visit Canada [According to a Local!]

Province House National Historic Site

Canada’s confederation birthplace.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1-902-566-7050 | Website

Built in the 1840’s, Province House is one of the most historical attractions in Charlottetown as it was the site of the Confederation Conference of 1864 — the first meeting regarding Canadian confederation. 

In addition to it being historically relevant, Province House is an example of Neoclassical architecture and is used today as Prince Edward Island’s legislative building. 

You’ll find the house at the end of the Great George Street Historic District, among other notable historic buildings such as St. Dunstan’s Basilica.

FAQs About Things to Do in Charlottetown

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That’s it for my 19 best things to do in Charlottetown, PEI! From Anne of Green Gables to learning all about island life, there are endless fun things to do in this unique corner of the world. For more information about travel in Canada, check out my top 16 Canada travel tips.

Have fun in Charlottetown!