The smallest of Canada’s Maritime provinces, Prince Edward Island (more succinctly known as PEI by locals) has long been beloved by residents of nearby Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as a vacation land.
Once you arrive, you’ll understand why, as the bucolic pace of life here will relax you shortly after arrival.
If you are planning a summer holiday to PEI, don’t miss out on the following activities:
1) Relax on Cavendish Beach
PEI is known for having some of the best beaches in the Maritimes. On a visit, be sure to spend at least one day relaxing on the sands of Cavendish Beach.
Unlike the North Atlantic, the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are much more bearable for swimmers.
With temperatures peaking at a refreshing 68 degrees Fahrenheit in August, you’ll have the perfect place to cool off when the heat and humidity of Canada’s east coast are at their collective peaks.
Nearby, you can check out attractions such as Ripley’s Believe or Not and Sandspit Amusement Park, both of which are great for families.
If you wake up only to find that the weather has decided not to cooperate, fire up Google and look up the best casinos Canada. If you do, you’ll find plenty of sites that will give you a place to kill time until the sun decides to make an appearance.
2) Attend a lobster supper
As soon as the sea ice clears off the coast of PEI in the spring, its fishing fleets hit the waters of the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf to set thousands of lobster traps.
Much of the bounty they bring back is destined for global markets, but there is plenty left over to supply kitchens across the island with an abundance of this tasty crustacean.
As a result, you’ll see lots of communities that offer lobster suppers in church basements and community centers.
If you can’t track one down spontaneously, the village of New Glasgow has a dedicated restaurant that puts on these suppers on a nightly basis from early June through early October.
Known conveniently as New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, it will fill you and your friends full of some of the best tasting shellfish you have ever had.
3) See an Anne of Green Gables stage show
You might have stopped into the house that inspired the Anne of Green Gables while you were in the Cavendish Beach area.
If you haven’t read the books, though, why not witness them through the power of live entertainment?
In Charlottetown, PEI’s capital, the Confederation Center for the Arts puts on a seasonal run of musicals based on the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
By the time it is finished, you’ll be singing the tunes sung by everybody’s favorite red-haired girl on the ride back to the hotel.
4) Get a scoop of Cows ice cream
Finally, you can’t depart PEI without trying a scoop of Cows Ice Cream.Founded on the island in 1983, they have also become known for their whimsical cow-themed t-shirts and merchandise, and more recently, their own line of cheeses.
Found across the island, be sure to stop at one of their shops before crossing the Confederation Bridge back to the mainland.