Jess Dickie
Jess Dickie is a born-and-raised Islander who loves the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island. From the white sand beaches, to the red cliffs, to the rolling greens of the golf courses, to the coastal and woodland trails, she considers herself lucky to call PEI home.
What is your favourite thing about life in PEI?
Getting outside on PEI in any season feels magical. Watching the landscape change through all four seasons is such a gift, too. Spring blossoms, summer nights, sunny, colourful fall afternoons, and a true winter wonderland. PEI changes slowly and steadily, at a pace that feels a lot like life here, and it gives you the chance to really soak in each season as it comes.
What is something people wouldn't know if they're not from the Island?
I think a lot of folks wouldn’t realize that PEI is truly a four-season destination. I’ve had so many conversations with visitors over the years asking what happens here in the fall and winter. They’ll ask if the Island shuts down or if Islanders leave. And while that might have happened to a degree in the past, it’s really different now.
It’s exciting to see how much our arts and culture scenes, along with our hospitality industry, have grown to offer exceptional experiences year-round. We have festivals in every season, our shoulder seasons continue to grow, and there really is always something to do on PEI.
What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? What can’t you stop talking about?
I have so many passions, especially when it comes to my personal life on PEI. I love supporting local businesses and sharing stories about the people I meet and the experiences I have here. I’m passionate about food. I mean, we live on Canada’s Food Island. We have some of the world’s best dairy, potatoes, beef and shellfish. And we have the Culinary Institute of Canada, which has helped shape an incredible dining scene from tip to tip.
I’m also passionate about music. Since I was a little girl, music has been such a huge part of my life. And now, working in local radio and regularly connecting with local musicians, I can honestly say the music and arts scene on PEI is so impressive. Many of these artists have travelled the world performing, and yet they’re creating and sharing right here at home too.
If you had to choose one spot on the Island to take someone who has never been here, where would it be?
My favourite place to take someone in the summer is the PEI National Park - Greenwich in eastern PEI. The massive grass-covered dunes are absolutely stunning, and they’re paired with beautiful hiking trails and a floating dock that gives you the perfect place to take in the scenery.
And being up east makes the whole day even better, because there are so many great spots to stop and eat or shop along the way from Charlottetown. The Seagull is a great stop for coffee and a sweet treat. Further along in Morell, you’ve got great food options like Pie Oh My and Dreadnaught Eatery, plus favourites like the Seafood Shack and Holy Cow. Depending on the season, you might even catch the lobster fishers coming into Morell Harbour with a haul.
And if you really wanted to make a full day of it, I’d probably take you down east on the way back, too, maybe to one of the charming coastal towns like Georgetown or Murray Harbour, or maybe both. They each have great shops, restaurants and places to catch some local music.