Prince Edward Island, in the Canadian Maritimes, “is an island province of Canada. It is the smallest province by both land area and population, but has the highest population density in Canada. Its capital and largest city is Charlottetown… It is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about ten kilometres (6.2 mi) across the Northumberland Strait from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”
More than halfway across the Confederation Bridge approaching Prince Edward Island (PEI) & our destination in Charlottetown.
Field ready for likely more potatoes. More on PEI potatoes later.
PEI en route to Charlottetown with the Northumberland Strait in the background.
PEI en route to Charlottetown. We passed this museum coming & going. Despite my drooling & wanting to stop & visit, the timing was never right.
City Hall, Charlottetown, PEI.
It looked good, menu looked good & it had sun lit outdoor seating. The Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar | 23 Queen Street situated in the historic 1856 Peake-Carvell building, Charlottetown, PEI.
Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar, Charlottetown, PEI.
Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar, Charlottetown, PEI.
“The bronze statue you see across the street from St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, depicts two men engaged in animated conversation — a nod to the historic discussions that led to the Confederation of Canada.”
“The figures are John Hamilton Gray and John Hamilton Gray — two men with the same name, but from different sides of the political divide at the time.”
The stone structure of the Basilica of Saint Dustan was built between 1913 & 1919; the cathedral of the Diocese of Charlottetown in Charlottetown, PEI.
John Brown Richard Street Grille, Charlottetowen, PEI.
FIFA Soccer World Cup at John Brown Grille, Charlottetown, PEI.
Bacon wrapped scallops with maple bourbon glaze. We had to try the Canadian specialty of poutine. In this case, tenderloin tip poutine was best shared with four people.
“Local beef tenderloin tips sautéed with Spanish onions, mushroom medley, Quebec cheese curds in a demi-cream sauce, served on a bed of perfectly cooked fries/20.”
John Brown Richard Street Grille, Charlottetowen, PEI
Horse & buggy warning sign. Mennonites on the road alert.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour. It was the 2nd tour of the day for our driver/guide. He was a bit bored, but okay. He hadn't cleaned the windshield from the morning's tour when it had rained.
Lupine in Gardens of Hope - Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, New Glasgow, PEI.
This was not an essential stop other than the drive through the PEI countryside.
View across the River Clyde from the Gardens of Hope - Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, New Glasgow, PEI.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Note Green Gables Heritage Place sign. It’s a big tourist draw here. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Anne of Green Gables cousin’s house. We were told that the gardens are gorgeous because way back then there was nothing to do around there so folks got into gardening.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Legos gone wild; Anne of Green Gables cousin’s house.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Anne of Green Gables cousin’s house with unusual outbuilding. Neither of us had read the book so much of it was lost on us.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
“Discover the breathtaking beauty of Cape Turner (North Rustico, PEI), a pristine coastal paradise within Prince Edward Island National Park, where picturesque landscapes and serene nature await every tourist.” Drive along Gulf Shore Parkway as part of Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Cape Turner (North Rustico, PEI) within Prince Edward Island National Park. Drive along Gulf Shore Parkway as part of Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Here we could have spent more time driving along the coast & walking.
Cape Turner (North Rustico, PEI) within Prince Edward Island National Park. Drive along Gulf Shore Parkway as part of Best of Prince Edward Island Tour. Looks like bicycle riding heaven, if no headwind.
“OFF THE HOOK - Deep Sea Fishing”
I really wanted to see the other side of the building but I was not the only one in the van & I didn’t think our driver/guide would be accommodating. He seemed to be in a rush.
Cape Turner (North Rustico, PEI, )within Prince Edward Island National Park. Drive along Gulf Shore Parkway as part of Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
That’s a long enclosed entrance from the driveway into the house. Must be needed when the winds are up in icy weather. Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
So that’s where the fire hydrant was hiding. And note once again a U.N. flag.
Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
A nice old Cadillac.
Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
“Come From Away” is popular around here & for good reason as the action takes place in New Foundland.
Cape Turner, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
The Dunes Studio, Gallery & Cafe, Cavendish Beach, Harrington PEI on Best of Prince Edward Island Tour. We could have spent a little more time here. The pottery & gardens deserved a bit more exploration.
The Honeycrisp was refreshing. The cafe & its menu looked inviting. The Dunes Studio, Gallery & Cafe, Cavendish Beach, Harrington PEI on Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Aren’t these home owners worried about their homes sliding into the water? Cavendish Beach, PEI. Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, Gulf Shore Parkway, Prince Edward Island National Park, Covehead, PEI.
Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, in operation since its reconstruction in 1975. Gulf Shore Parkway, Prince Edward Island National Park, Covehead, PEI.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Opening of inlet into Covehead Bay, Gulf Shore Parkway, Prince Edward Island National Park, Covehead, PEI.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Dredging a channel in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for boat passage. Seen from Gulf Shore Parkway, Prince Edward Island National Park, Covehead, PEI.
Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Approaching Charlottetown at end of Best of Prince Edward Island Tour.
Charlottetown, PEI. There’s a lot of fancy brickwork & interesting windows here but again with the Anne of Green Gables.
Great George Street Historic District National Historic Site of Canada, Charlottetown, PEI - “In the late 1800s, Charlottetown decided to replace wooden sidewalks with stone to enhance the city’s historic charm…
…When workers began laying them, they quickly ran out. To install the heavy stones, they dug deep holes and used horses to lower them six feet into place. When they asked Nova Scotia for more, the vendor was confused — there should have been enough. The stones were meant to be cut into slabs, but Charlottetown lacked the tools to do so, so they were installed as they were . A second shipment from Nova Scotia was refused, leaving only a small section of mismatched stone sidewalks. Today, these two rough-looking stone sections remain — a quirky reminder of a historic mix-up that left its mark on the streetscape."
Our hotel, The Great George, was on this street right behind me.
Charlottetown, PEI.
Charlottetown, PEI. These slabs of rock are likely from Nova Scotia. PEI has a lot of sandstone & the folks here said if they used too much from PEI the island would fall apart,
The roof of the 1877 Victorian Beaconsfield Historic House. Charlottetown, PEI. “Beaconsfield was one of Charlottetown’s most elegant homes. Featuring the finest materials and craftsmanship, it was also equipped with all the latest conveniences of the day.” It was built for a ship builder. When wooden ships were supplanted by iron hulled ships, he went out of business.
Walking through a tony Charlottetown, PEI neighborhood, on our way to the Victoria Park Boardwalk.
Charlottetown, PEI. “La Maison Du Gouvernement - la résidence officielld du lieutenant-gouverneur de l'lle-du-Prince-Edouard.” I thought I’d give you a little French as all the signage here was in French & English.
PRINCE EDWARD BATTERY ca. 1605 above the Victoria Park Boardwalk. “By 1883 the battery was described as ‘entirely useless.’" Charlottetown, PEI.
Kiwanis Dairy Bar, since 1955 along Victoria Park, Charlottetown, PEI.
Soft serve ice cream with their newest dip, pistachio flavour. Neither were very special.
Kiwanis Dairy Bar, since 1955 along Victoria Park overlooking the Charlottetown Harbour & the outlet to the Northumberland Strait. Charlottetown, PEI.
A party for government workers at the Prince Edward Island Government Administration - Sullivan Building, Charlottetown, PEI.
SDU Place, Home of St. Dunstan's University Board of Governors, Great George Street Historic District National Historic Site of Canada, Charlottetown, PEI
“LOBSTER ROLLS AND MORE” at the harbor on The Hillsborough River, Charlottetown, PEI.
Charlottetown, PEI on the bank of the Hillsborough River. The owner was sitting on the rocks reading a book.
“SLUSH PUPPIE”
Charlottetown, PEI.
Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound. Specializing in seafood for over 30 years. Charlottetown, PEI. We had to stand around for a while waiting for a table for four…
…but it was sure worth it. Fish & chips for Don, a whole lobster for Janice, a lobster roll for Nomi & I finally got unadorned local scallops. Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound. Specializing in seafood for over 30 years. Charlottetown, PEI.
Cars rust easily hereabouts. Charlottetown, PEI.
We didn’t get to see the back of a house often. Also beat up by the weather & salt air. Charlottetown, PEI.
Prince Street Pentz-Howe House c. 1880, Designated Heritage Resource, Charlottetown, PEI. The four of us liked this house.
Charlottetown, PEI - License plate EPEKWITK - HOME OF THE MI'KMAQ - “Epekwitk is the standardized spelling of the name for Prince Edward Island in the Mi’kmaq language.”
Pop-Tart @ The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, Charlottetown, PEI. Our server had never heard of Pop-Tarts. Nomi told her about "“Unfrosted'...a 2024 comedy film by Jerry Seinfeld about the creation of Pop-Tarts."
"Cracking eggs & coffee beans since 2014"
&
"Handhelds"
at The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, Charlottetown, PEI.
Don’s souvenir hat at The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, Charlottetown, PEI.
Some brews for Marty & Don before we hit the road to catch our sleeper train in Moncton, New Brunswick to take us to Montéal. Great George Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI.
Great George Street Historic District, Charlottetown, PEI.
To be looking so good this Mazda Miata must be an out of town tourist or kept here in an environmentally sealed garage.
Charlottetown, PEI.
Off to Moncton VIA railroad station.
Potato farm. Drive to Moncton train station, through PEI to New Brunswick.
“Prince Edward Island Potatoes are a Canadian brand and geographic identifier for potatoes grown in Prince Edward Island…
…They are marketed for their unique taste, quality, and sustainability, thanks to the island’s rich red soil, fresh sea air, and over 200 years of farming tradition…Potatoes are PEI’s primary cash crop, producing about 25% of Canada’s potatoes.” Potato farm.
Drive to Moncton train station, through PEI to New Brunswick.
On PEI Route 1 with the Northumberland Strait on the left as we approach the Confederation Bridge to cross over into New Brunswick.
“ATTENTION” with 49 miles to Moncton, New Brunswick on Route 15.
Sweet. On Route 15 to Moncton, New Brunswick.
"The Route of the Acadian Coast”
“From the north to the south of the province, this road runs along the coast and crosses the Acadian Peninsula. It floats like a perfume from Europe to Canada!”…”The Acadian Coastal Scenic Drive is a collection of provincial roads hugging the shoreline of the Northumberland Strait on the eastern coast of New Brunswick, passing small fishing villages, salt marshes and beaches. - Sample the fresh seafood, experience the living history, and bask in the sun. If you’re looking for fun, you belong on the Acadian coast.”
Someday perhaps…
Drive on Route 15 to Moncton train station.
“At the western entrance to the town is a 90-ton sculpture called The World's Largest Lobster.”
Drive on Route 15 to Moncton train station, New Brunswick.
Drive on Route 15 to Moncton train station, New Brunswick.
Moncton, New Brunswick!
Was our overnight sleeper to Montréal on time? Tune in to the next blog. “Canadian Rail Adventure lll -Moncton to Montréal with a side trip to Québec City - June 2026” to find out.