Points East Coastal Drive
You’ll have plenty of reasons to get up early when you stay “down east,” starting with a delicious country breakfast on your cottage deck while the glowing sun rises over the ocean. That will surely get your day off to a good start and it will only get better from there. The beaches in the east are among the best on the Island; the spectacular dune system at Greenwich in PEI National Park is a must-do for this region. At Basin Head the sand will even sing to you. Really. Some say it’s the special shape of the grains or the high silica count that gives the sand its voice. So take a barefoot stroll along the beach and enjoy the music of “Singing Sands”.
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Not long ago, Islanders depended on the train to travel long distances and to deliver all sorts of goods from tip to tip. After train service ended, the rail bed was turned into the Confederation Trail, a scenic route that lets you bike, hike or snowmobile from one community to another, or if you’re really ambi
tious, across the entire Island. One of the most scenic stretches of the Confederation Trail runs right through the village of St. Peters–also a good stopping point for shopping, dining, theatre and music. Although the trains are long gone, the railway hasn’t been forgotten. The Elmira Railway Museum, at the eastern tip of the Trail, tells the story of the railway. While there, you can jump on board a mini-train for a fun tour through the woods.
When hunger hits, an eatery is likely just a hop, skip and a jump away. Fine dining in cozy country inns is just one choice in the Points East Coastal Drive collection of culinary experiences. For something more casual, there are family restaurants, fish and chip joints, cafés and dairy bars.
As your day progresses, you might choose to go for a sail, take a seal-watching cruise or play a round or two at one of the world-class golf courses located in this region. And there’s always something happening at the Georgetown Theatre. Evening is the perfect time to find a ceilidh, a spirited celebration of Celtic music that’s sure to get your toes tapping. Monticello hosts events on a weekly basis in the summer. The atmosphere is informal and you’ll feel like one of the family in no time.
There’s lots to do in the Points East Coastal Drive. In fact this region boasts: 13 golf courses; 34 beaches; 6 lighthouses; 34 history and cultural attractions; 24 harbours; more than 100 restaurants; 230 fixed-roof accommodations and campgrounds; 12 provincial parks; 6 Scenic Heritage Roads; and a national park.