I’m planning a day trip to PEI in 2 weeks & am wondering what some of the must see/must dos are keeping in mind mobility issues.

Hello from Prince Edward Island Becca,

You must be excited about your upcoming trip to PEI! You’ll be here at the peak of the summer season, and there will be so many wonderful things to see and do. Below are some of top recommendations (these places are accessible to varying degrees).

Charlottetown

One of the nicest ways to explore Charlottetown is via the boardwalk, which stretches from the end of Prince Street to Victoria Park. Along the way, you’ll find Peake’s Wharf which has amazing indoor and outdoor dining, live music and gift shops.

Wander along Victoria Row, a pedestrian street in historic downtown Charlottetown that has restaurants, gift shops and live music (the block of Richmond Street located between Queen Street and Great George Street).

The Charlottetown Festival has an interesting summer line-up. I saw “Maggie” a couple of weeks ago and I loved it. It’s based on the life of Johnny Reid’s grandmother, a single mother in Scotland who perseveres through adversity and finds joy in her family and community. The theatre can accommodate guests with mobility needs – learn more.

If you’ll be downtown on a Sunday, plan to visit the Downtown Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, which takes place on lower Queen Street from 10 am to 3 pm. You’ll find more than 70 local vendors selling crafts (pottery, woodwork, artwork, hooked rugs, knitted goods), homemade soap and body products, clothing and jewelry, as well as fresh produce and baked goods; there is also a Canadian and ethnic food service. There’s usually live music too!

Rural PEI

PEI has three coastal drives that follow the spectacular coastlines of western, central and eastern PEI, and take you inland as well, through some of the Island’s most charming rural communities, villages and towns.

North Rustico is one of the Island’s most picturesque fishing villages. It’s located on the north shore, and it has boardwalk with great views of the bustling harbour. Watermark Theatre has two great shows running this season and is accessible. 

The PEI National Park has accessible beaches, trails and facilities, so this would be a great place to experience the Island. There are several access points - Cavendish, Brackley, Stanhope and Greenwich.

Food

Prince Edward Island is known as Canada’s Food Island. Here are some of my favourite places to eat.

• To enjoy a feed of lobster, I suggest you plan to spend an evening at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. It’s not just a place to eat, it’s been a quintessential Island experience since 1958.
• At the beach near Tracadie Harbour, you’ll find Fin Folk Food. This is part of the Blackbush at Tracadie Harbour, a thoughtful resort development with a gentle footprint that welcomes both visitors and locals to enjoy the beach, as well as the public bathroom facilities at no charge. The restaurant serves delicious food, and there’s an ice cream bar nearby. This has actually become our favourite beach destination over the last couple of years!
• At the Charlottetown waterfront (end of Prince Street), you’ll find Lobster on the Wharf. With decks right in the water, and a stunning view of the busy harbour, this is one of the most memorable dining experiences in downtown Charlottetown.
• Victoria Row is a pedestrian street with many dining options indoors or on patios.

Festivals & Events

Be sure to check out Festivals & Events and the Buzz – this is how locals stay up-to-date with community events and local art, music, theatre, film and much more.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again. Enjoy your PEI holiday!

Nicole