We are spending 1 week on the Island: 2 nights in Freeland; 3 nights in Cornwall and 2 nights in Murray Harbor. What is a must do in all 3 areas?

Hello Jennifer,

Thank you for reaching out on Ask An Islander. 

Prince Edward Island has three Coastal Drives, North Cape Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive and Points East Coastal Drive.

North Cape Coastal Drive is 350 km, about a five-hour drive, without stopping. You will want to stop, the tall red dramatic cliffs are photo worthy! Lighthouses, harbours, the windmill farms and charming small communities.

Dining in North Cape Coastal drive, in Tignish enjoy Our Family Traditions. They are known for their meat pies and at home atmosphere. If you are looking for a sweet to nibble on, try visiting M.J.'s Bakery and Caboose Cafe. In Tyne Valley, check out Backwoods Burger. Backwoods has won awards for their burgers! Then on the weekends reserve High Tea at Tyne Valley Teas.

Places of interest to stop and enjoy would include the Stompin' Tom Centre, Canadian Potato Museum, Lennox Island, Island Traditions Store, Moth Lane Brewing, Green Gables Alpacas, West Point Lighthouse Inn & Museum, Village Musical Acadien, Cascumpec Bay Oyster Co., Beach Goats, Lefurgey Culture Centre, International Fox Museum and Hall of Fame and so much more!

While in the area you could head to the Bideford Parsonage Museum. I would even suggest checking out the Green Park Shipbuilding Museum in Green Park. It is hauntingly beautiful. Staff take pride in telling tales about the sightings on the property.

Central Coastal Drive is 253 km, a solid four-hour drive. This is a great drive featuring the Green Gables Shore and Red Sand Shore. Visit the artisan village of Victoria by the Sea. Artisans, restaurants, walking tours, trails and theatre. Enjoy some of the freshest seafood and unique meals in this community. Walk the red sand beach looking for seaglass. Travel to the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. and walk the grounds, they have amazing public gardens. Stroll the boardwalk in North Rustico and stop into Pier 15 for an amazing meal or enjoy the 60 ft salad bar and lobster supper at Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Supper. The drive through the National Park is beautiful. Take a spin into Kensington and see the Haunted Mansion, try the amazing bakeries and restaurants and if you love to walk or bike, jump on the Confederation Trail. If you didn't stop in North Rustico for dinner, check out Island Chef at the Pier in Stanley Bridge. 

Dining in the Central Coastal region is a struggle, because there are just too many wonderful restaurants and chefs.

Looking for breakfast, the Blue Goose in DeSable, Budley's at the airport, Linda's Coffee Shop and Casa Mia are all in Charlottetown. The weekend brunch at Old Triangle and Chambers at the Rodd are a treat. Good basic breakfasts.

Lunch can be enjoyed almost anywhere, but I love the atmosphere at Founders' Hall and the numerous food spots. Don't forget to check out Oh Fudge, it is made with Island potatoes!! Looking for the feel of the Island, try the Old Dublin Pub, Churchill Arms, Gahan House or Hunter's Ale House. Great meals, beautiful buildings with some great history. In Kensington, try the Island Stone Pub in the old train station or across the road Family & Friends. Any of the bakeries in Kensington are great.

Activities to enjoy, the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts Centre, Glenaladale Heritage Trust, Seacow Head Lighthouse, Under the Spire Mustic Festival, The Dunes Studio Gallery & Cafe and of course, Green Gables.

On our Tourism website we have a wonderful Anne itinerary, so you can use that as a base to your trip. Walk the property of Green Gables. All things Anne can take you a full day to enjoy. I will just mention a few extras which might delight you! 

While in Cavendish, walking through the National Park, there are lovely boardwalks. Part of the boardwalk is a floating walkway, taking you through the dunes, marshes and Acadian forests. You will see all sorts of amazing birds, you might even see a frog, squirrel, rabbits and dragonflies. One spot which I love is MacNeills Brook. This bubbling brook sits on the property owned by the MacNeills, neighbours and cousins to L.M. Montgomery. The brook and MacNeills property provided inspiration for many of L.M. Montgomery's writings. I love packing a picnic and enjoying a day on the beach. Make sure to wear fancy brooches and fascinators!

“Several afternoons we spent at the shore, going down with our cameras and lunch baskets, donning bathing suits as soon as we got down and living a sort of amphibious life, wading and diving and snap-shotting. One day we had a never-to-be forgotten surf dip. It was glorious.” (L.M. Montgomery’s Journal, August 3, 1904, describing time with her friend Nora Lefurgey).

Montgomery Park has a beautiful Bronze sculpture of L.M. Montgomery. Make sure you have a fascinator or your Anne hat and sit, get your picture taken and be sure to pet the cats! L. M. Montgomery was a lover of cats, so should you see some on your journey, you may want to take their pictures!

The Montgomery Park is also the beginning of the L. M. Montgomery literary trail.

In Borden-Carlton, visit the Marine Park and have your picture taken with the Confederation Bridge and the lighthouse. If you position yourself in the right spot, you can make it look like you are holding the lighthouse in your hand!

Visiting Charlottetown, take a tour with the Heritage Players and Historic Walking Tours.  Informative and takes you back in time. Beaconsfield Museum is very interesting. An opportunity to see how the wealthy lived many years ago and how quickly it is all lost. The home is absolutely stunning and the gardens in the summer are wonderful for pictures.  A walk along the Victoria Park boardwalk and a stop for an ice cream, while watching the sail boats in the harbour. Maybe even walk the boardwalk all the way to Founder's Hall, a lovely foodies and artisan's boutique, home of Oh Fudge-PEI Potato Fudge and Dal's Potato Bar.

Anne of Green Gables the Musical plays every second year, it is playing this year, but will not be on stage in 2025. You can go and see the Anne & Gilbert production.

You will love the small towns and white sand beaches along the Points East Coastal Drive, you may wish to visit Orwell Corner, there you can enjoy For the Love of Maud it is a culinary experience, with stories about L.M. Montgomery. You even get to take a carriage ride through the site. While there, you may wish to experience New Life on the Farm. Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead is part of the L.M. Montgomery literary tour. While in the area, visit Point Prim Lighthouse, where you can climb to the top of the lighthouse. Maybe grab a pizza at Barvelapei and dine by the lighthouse, while watching for whales.

Visit Montague, Georgetown and Cardigan. All three locations have wonderful museums and Georgetown has several artisans, a wonderful bakery and Cardigan, I love going to Clam Diggers and getting an order of deep fried clams and the Beach House Platter! Don't forget to enjoy the public gardens while you travel. Travel down to Roma at Three Rivers, week days soldier bread is baked in their wood fired brick oven. On Saturdays there tends to be a farmers market.

Panmure Island beach is wonderful, if you drive to Souris, check out Basin Head beach. Locals call it the "Singing Sands".

I trust this will help fill some of your time!

Enjoy!

Erin Davis