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Charlottetown -

Named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was Queen of Great Britain and of Ireland as the wife of King George III, Charlottetown is Prince Edward Island's charming and unassuming capital. Founded in 1855, the city is regarded as the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation (for reasons we'll discuss). This historic lineage, plus its attractive Victorian-era veneer, makes Charlottetown an enticing destination and an ideal starting point from which to explore the rest of the island.

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Province House -

Province House, a National Historic Site of Canada, is where the 1864 Conference of Charlottetown was hosted to discuss Confederation. Prince Edward Island didn't actually join the union until 1873. Visitors can tour the period rooms and, depending on the timetable, catch a performance by the Confederation Players dressed as Fathers and Ladies of Confederation that takes place in front of the building.

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Victoria Row -

Victoria Row is the city's pedestrianized retail hub, a cluster of shops and boutiques sharing the sidewalk with lively bars and restaurants. The neighborhood honors the Victorian architecture of the red brick commercial buildings that lend this retail district a character all of its own.

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Retail therapy -

One of the most popular stores sitting in Victoria Row is the Anne of Green Gables shop. 'Anne of Green Gables' is a beloved children's novel written by Lucy Maud Montgomery and published in 1908. The author's life is commemorated throughout PEI by various historic sites.

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Confederation Centre of the Arts -

To glean more about PEI and its history, spend a couple of hours perusing the excellent Confederation Centre of the Arts. The complex houses a museum, art gallery, provincial library, two theaters, and a restaurant. The annual Charlottetown Festival is hosted here from June to September, during which the yearly summer production of 'Anne of Green Gables — The Musical' takes place.

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St. Dunstan's Basilica -

Another striking reminder of Charlottetown's Victorian heritage is St. Dunstan's Basilica. Consecrated in 1907 and rebuilt in 1916 after a fire, the landmark basilica, designated as a National Historic Site, defines the city's skyline, its twin spires serving as an ecclesiastical reference point.

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Beaconsfield Historic House -

Built in 1877, this enduring symbol of Victorian elegance is well worth exploring for its finely crafted interior and period furnishings. The property houses the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, the exhibits of which further enlighten visitors' knowledge of the island's heritage.

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Victoria Park -

Victoria Park is the site of Prince Edward Battery, which overlooks the harbor. The fortification dates back to 1805.

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Government House -

Set within Victoria Park is another historic Charlottetown property, Government House. The official residence of the lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island, this venerated building has in the past welcomed royalty and other high-profile dignitaries, among them Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The house is open to the public admission-free during July and August.

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Prince Edward Island National Park -

For some people, the principal reason for visiting PEI is Prince Edward Island National Park, set along the island's north and central shore. The park's habitats encompass broad sandy beaches, sand dunes, and both freshwater wetlands and saltmarshes, and provide sanctuary for an exciting variety of wildlife.

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Rare wildlife -

Birders flock to the park to catch a glimpse of one of its rarer residents, the piping plover. Protected beaches furnish nesting habitats for this small shorebird, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

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Dalvay-by-the-Sea -

Located at the eastern end of the park is Dalvay-by-the-Sea. The most significant landmark is a regal hotel that was once the home of Alexander MacDonald, a wealthy businessman and one-time president of Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. The property and Dalvay-by-the-Sea itself is a National Historic Site of Canada.

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Stanhope Beach -

One of the finest carpets of sand dusting Prince Edward Island National Park is found near Brackley—Stanhope Beach. The beach is pinpointed by the wonderful Covehead Harbor Lighthouse.

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Green Gables -

Besides its wildlife, another excellent reason for exploring the park is to visit Cavendish and the green-roofed farmhouse known as Green Gables. This is the building that served as the setting for the 'Anne of Green Gables' novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

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Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942) -

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, and became one of Canada's most acclaimed novelists. 'Anne of Green Gables' made her internationally famous.

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Green Gables Heritage Place -

The 19th-century farm is now a National Historic Site of Canada and can be visited by the public. The interior appears much as it would have in Montgomery's day.

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Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst -

Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst identifies the site of one of the first Acadian settlements in present-day Prince Edward Island, known as Port-la-Joye and established by the French in 1534. In 1746, British forces overran the fortified settlement and in 1755 began deporting the Acadian settlers. The historic site today also acknowledges the role played by the indigenous population in assisting the French, the word Skmaqn meaning "the waiting place" in the Mi’kmaq language. Pictured is a marker noting the Le Grand Dérangement, or deportation of Acadians.

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Blockhouse Point -

Set just south of Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst is Blockhouse Point and its famous lighthouse, positioned at the mouth of the harbor since 1851. Constructed of wood, this key navigational structure is the second oldest lighthouse on the island.

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Points East Coastal Drive -

In fact, PEI is studded with numerous historic lighthouses. And by following the Points East Coastal Drive you can admire the best of them, for example the Wood Islands Lighthouse (pictured). Built in 1876, it's now a museum.

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Point Prim Lighthouse -

Point Prim Lighthouse, seen here in the depths of winter, is made of brick and is circular—one of only two so constructed this way in Canada. The lighthouse dates back to 1845 and is PEI's oldest lighthouse. While still active, it can be visited by the public from late June to early September.

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Panmure Island Lighthouse -

This octagonal, tapered, wooden tower surmounted by a 12-sided, cast-iron lantern is PEI's oldest wooden lighthouse, commissioned in 1853.

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Cape Bear Lighthouse -

Cape Bear Lighthouse stands on Prince Edward Island's southeast coast. Established in 1881, the lighthouse is noted for being the first location of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station, built next to it in 1905 to communicate with ships at sea. On the night of April 14, 1912, the station received the first distress signal in Canada from the Titanic as it was sinking off the coast of Newfoundland.

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Souris Historic Lighthouse -

Built in 1880, Souris East Lighthouse is a wood-constructed tower on Knight Point overlooking the town of Souris. Tourists can browse an interpretative center before climbing to the lantern room for inspiring ocean views.

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East Point Lighthouse -

East Point Lighthouse has the distinction of being "Canada's Confederation Lighthouse," as it was built in 1867, the year the Province of Canada (then made up of parts of modern-day Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one federation called the Dominion of Canada.

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North Lake -

Game fishing enthusiasts should head to North Lake at the far eastern tip of Prince Edward Island. This tiny town is known as the "Tuna Capital of the World" for its excellent deep sea fishing opportunities.

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North Cape -

You can top out your exploration of Prince Edward Island at North Cape, which juts out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence like an arrowhead. It's blustery here, the cape exposed to blasts of unharnessed wind and gales. But hey, you can learn all about wind energy at the fascinating North Cape Interpretive Centre, itself surrounded by wind turbines and meteorological instruments.

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Summerside -

Warm and inviting Summerside is PEI's second largest city, though its popular image is that of a colorful fishing village thanks to its picturesque harbor. In winter, of course, this scenic destination is anything but warm, but it's just as inviting.

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Acadian Museum -

Summerside is blessed with one excellent cultural facility, the Acadian Museum. Visitors can delve into the 300-year-old history of the Acadians' presence on the island by way of interpretative videos, historical maps and paintings, and permanent and changing exhibitions that showcase the multifaceted aspects of Acadian culture and heritage.

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Victoria-by-the-Sea -

This yummy destination is where to sample some of the best seafood on the island. A once thriving port, Victoria handled steam sailing ships from as far away as Europe and the West Indies. Today, trade is more leisurely, with locals welcoming visitors from equally far flung places with open arms.

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Confederation Trail -

If you're planning to stay in PEI for several days, why not walk or bike the wonderful Confederation Trail? Its total length of 273 km (169 mi) may be daunting to most, but there are plenty of excursion options across flat and well-maintained sections of the route that will appeal to day walkers and cyclists.

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Confederation Bridge -

The Confederation Bridge carries the Trans-Canada Highway from Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick on the mainland. The 12.9-km (8 mi) structure is Canada's longest bridge and the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water.

Sources: (IUCN Red List) (Britannica) (Lighthouse Friends) (The Canada Encyclopedia)

See also: The world's most remarkable bridges

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