A guide to a Prince Edward Island (PEI) road trip

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest of the Canadian Provinces, however what it lacks in size, it makes up for in grandeur. The rolling hills, rural towns and picturesque farms make a PEI road trip unforgettable. [NOTE: PEI road trip map below]

PEI is where the land and sea collide at your table in culinary delight. The fertile farmlands and rich sea life provide a palate-pleasing experience. While food may take center stage on Prince Edward Island, there is so much more to experience. In this PEI road trip guide I will provide a number of ideas for you to consider.

I arrived on PEI from New Brunswick, crossing the Confederation Bridge, which is located nearly in the middle of the province. There are only two other ways to get to the island, by air into the capital city of Charlottetown, or, by ferry, which is located at the southwestern part of the province. [Note: The ferry only runs from May through mid-December.]

A guide to a Prince Edward Island (PEI) road trip

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 1

The border town of Borden-Carleton is on the other side of Confederation Bridge and a good place to grab something to eat or fuel the car. I stopped by the Handpie Company, which seemed a bit familiar. Not the place, but the name “Handpie.” It finally came to me…handpie is a term used in the wildly successful novel and T.V. series, Outlander, a series of books and T.V. shows I have an affinity for. If you’re not familiar, a handpie is especially a hot pocket filled with savory deliciousness.

PEI Road Trip to have a Handpie

From Borden-Carleton, head north, toward West Point. Along the way stop by:

  • Kool Breeze Farms (late summer, early fall they create an elaborate corn maze)
  • Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Church is the islands oldest. This church towers over the magnificent shoreline backdrop and is home to a graceful graveyard.
  • West Point – The beaches and lighthouse museum will keep you busy for a couple of hours. The West Point Lighthouse  is also a great place to stay the night.
  • Not much in way of a town or nearby restaurants, but not far from the lighthouse is The Catch Kitchen and Bar. The food menu is limited and just okay, but the setting sure is nice.

PEI road trip to West Point Lighthouse. Photo supplied by: Tourism PEI - Photo by: Stclair Macaulay

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 2

From West Point, head along the coast to North Cape, the very northern tip of PEI.

  • It can be quite windy here, so hold on to your hat. North Cape is home to Canada’s National Wind Energy laboratory and there is a trail along the shore on which you can walk and see some of the windmills. There is also an interpretive center with an aquarium to explore in the same vicinity. If you visit the gift shop in the interpretative center, they will give you a ribbon saying you were at the most northern part of the island. If you present this ribbon to the most southerly part, you will receive a surprise. The beach in this area is a rusty red color and quite fascinating.
  • Stop in O’Leary to check out the Canadian Potato Museum. You can’t miss the massive potato sculpture at the entrance. This museum is dedicated to the delectable spud. The museum is actually pretty interesting, displaying potato-related machinery and agricultural artifacts. You can even order some potato items in their café.
  • Continue driving south to Victoria by the Sea and explore this storybook village.
  • Take a stroll through Fort Amherst National Historical park.
  • Depending on the time of day, I suggest dinner at the Lobster Barn Pub & Eatery. They have delicious seafood and pub favorites right on the wharf. If you’re into Lobster Rolls, they have those too.
  • Head to the capital city of Charlottetown. I highly recommend staying at the Great George Hotel. Make this your home base for a few nights.

The Great George Hotel exterior

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 3

The Great George Hotel makes the perfect home base to explore the PEI capital city of Charlottetown and its surrounding areas.

  • On PEI, it’s all about farm fresh food. To learn more about the sea-to-farm food on the island and to see how they weft and warp the ingredients together, I suggest heading to New London to check The Table Culinary Studio, a stupendous experience that provides visitors an opportunity to learn where and how local foods are grown and harvested, while also discovering how to blend these locally sourced ingredients into a masterful meal. Essentially, The Table Culinary Studio showcases an experiential agritourism workshop that delighted this epicurean.
  • After having a delicious meal at The Table, explore the area of New London a bit. Don’t miss stopping at the village near French River.
  • Then, stop by the Cape Tryon Lighthouse. The views are simply breathtaking and you’ll enjoy the coastal trail along the edge of the cliff, which allows for a number of different vantage points.
  • If you’re familiar Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables, you’ll want to stop by the place that inspired it. Don’t miss a chance to walk through the Haunted Woods, a scene from the novel.
  • If you’re into outdoor adventure, you may want to stop by Rustico Bay and go kayaking. Even if you’re not interested in kayaking, Rustico Bay is still worth exploring.

Mike in apron at The Table Culinary Studio in New London PEI

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 4

If you stay at the Great George Hotel, they have some bikes available and I would highly recommend grabbing one to explore the fantastic city of Charlottetown.

  • Ride down the boardwalk to Victoria Park, where the views of the harbor are simply fantastic.
  • There are other parks around the city and often festivals and farmers markets to explore, and the best way to do it is on a bicycle.
  • You may also want to go kayaking or paddle-boarding along the gentle shoreline of the historic Hillsborough River, where you’ll see the beautiful Victoria Park coastline, historic homes and lots of fowl.
  • After a bike ride and getting freshened up, I would suggest taking a stroll down Victoria Row (a pedestrian-only street), just a few hundred yards from the Great George, where you’ll find an array of restaurants and pubs. Just around the corner on Queen Street you’ll also find many great restaurant choices. Sim’s Corner Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, Terre Rouge and Local 343 are all great choices for dinner.

cyclists, Victoria Park, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 5

  • Drive to the other side of PEI and explore the Confederation Trail and scenic lookouts. One of the best ways to explore the area on a bike (or walk), from Summerside up to North Cape. Scenic Lookouts also dot the drive at West Cape, Urbaineville, Seacow Pond and Grand River.
  • If there is one thing you have to do on a PEI road trip, it is to visit the Greenwich PEI National Park. You will be enamored by this area and will want to spend half a day here, so if you don’t have time on day 5, push it to day 6. From the scenic walking trail, to the massive and unique floating boardwalk, to the fabulous beaches, this is an area you will want to not rush. The beauty is so awe-inspiring, and the setting, so peaceful.
  • Nearby lodging will be in Georgtown, a sleepy little fishing village with a charming bed and breakfast called the Georgetown Historic Inn.

Pedestrain floating bridge at PEI National Park by Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

PEI ROAD TRIP DAY 6

  • If you stay in Georgetown, don’t miss a stroll through the Macdonald Memorial Gardens, a particularly beautiful place to spend some time.
  • There isn’t a whole lot to see or do in Georgetown, but there are some nice photos to be taken of the fishing shacks. While I was in town the Taste of Georgetown was going, an annual celebrity chef event absolutely worth attending.
  • Point Prim Lighthouse. Built back in 1845, the Prim Point Lighthouse is the first and oldest lighthouse on PEI. With a large football field-sized grass park surrounding the lighthouse and stunning shoreline, it was easy to spend a couple of hours. There are many lighthouses on PEI, but Prim Point was my favorite.
  • If you’re hungry, I highly recommend the Point Prim Chowder House, the only place around to eat. The outdoor seating right on the waters edge and the fantastic gastro food made this one memorable experience.

Georgetown PEI road trip Photo supplied by Tourism PEI. Photo by: Emily O'Brien

Depending on how much time you have, you could explore some areas of PEI I have not mention, or, you could catch the Wood Islands ferry to Nova Scotia. Or, you could make your way across the Confederation Bridge and explore New Brunswick.

Maritime Canada Lighthouses - Prim Point Light Station on PEI by Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

If you have any questions about doing a PEI road trip, please leave a comment below. If you’ve ever been to Prince Edward Island, please share some of your favorite places or things to do.

PEI ROAD TRIP MAP

A guide do a PEI Road Trip Pinterest Pin by MikesRoadTrip.com.Prince Edward Island PEI Road Trip Guide by MikesRoadTrip.com

FAQ

  • What is the wealthiest city in Prince Edward Island, Canada?

    Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest of the Canadian Provinces. The largest and richest city in PEI is Charlottetown, with a population of 32,500, the median income of $53,000. Second is Summer side, population 15,000 and median income $39,000.Prince Edward Island has a low population and, consequently, affordable housing is widely available in the province.

  • What is the most fascinating things to do in PEI?

    While food may take center stage on Prince Edward Island, there is so much more to experience. The smallest province in Canada, Prince Edward Island is famous for red sand beaches, red soil, potatoes, and the irrepressible Anne of Green Gables. It also is known as the "Birthplace of Confederation.

  • Do you heard about Canadian potato museum?

    The Canadian Potato Museum in O'Leary, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a living testament to the humble tuber and those who have tilled the soil in its evolution. The museum is actually pretty interesting, displaying potato-related machinery and agricultural artifacts. You can even order some potato items in their café.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
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19 Comments

  1. We are looking to do a road trip in two weeks from northern Ontario out east. Want to adventure New Bruns Wick, Nova Scotia, PEI and do the loop into the states and back to Ontario end of May.
    If you have any suggestions of a great way to do that trip and what to see, I would love your input.

    Thank you, Sonia

    1. Hey Sonia, thanks so much for stopping by. I am about to leave for a trip, but if you go to the contact tab of the website and send me an email in a couple weeks, I’ll see if I can provide some assistance. All the best, Mike

    1. Hi Valerie…thanks for stopping by. If you watch the video, you’ll have a pretty good idea. Fantastic fresh food, entertainment, beaches…you’re going to have a blast!

  2. Hi Mike
    My husband and I are from Victoria BC and doing an eastern trip to NB, NS, PEI, Nfld. We have allotted 2.5 days in PEI.. do you have recommendations of the must see’s while we are there and what city to stay in for 2 nights as a home base?
    We will be driving in from the Moncton area.

    1. Hi Sue…if you only have a couple of days, I would recommend staying in Charlottetown, this is a great home base. Lots to see, do and some great places to stay. Many things to see within a short drive. Hope you have a fantastic time.

  3. What a great road trip. Visiting Nova Scotia in September and really looking forward to visiting PE Island. It’s rather whistle stop but a recce for further visits.

    1. Hey Maureen…thanks so much. Oh, you’re going to have a great time. I have written a lot had have several videos on MikesRoadTrip.com about Nova Scotia as well, so just type in “Nova Scotia” into the search bar on my site and you’ll find more info of interest. Hope you have a wonderful trip. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, Mike

  4. Hello Mike-

    I will be going to PEI end of July with my two teenage sons. I have a hotel in Charlottestown. I will be there two days. What is the best route to see most of the island and Anne of Green Gables area?

    Shannon

    1. Hey Shannon, thanks for stopping by. Two days is not a lot of time, but the island is pretty small so you can certainly get to any area you wish from Charlottetown. There are not a lot of different roads/routes you can take, so just decide on a few places to see, each route will be quite scenic. In addition to Green Gables, don’t miss Greenwich PEI National Park and try and hit the Prim Point Lighthouse (fantastic restaurant nearby as well). Hope you and your sons have a wonderful time. Cheers, Mike

  5. When we were in Georgetown we went on a fishing trip form Tranquility Cove Adventers. What a great tour and great people.

  6. Hi Mike,
    Can you please recommend me a great seafood restaurant in either PEi, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia? My Mexican family is visiting us to celebrate my Dad’s 70 birthday. He loves lobster and we love seafood and clam chowder. We plan to hit mainly natural landscapes. Greatly appreciate your suggestions.
    My kids and I enjoyed your videos

  7. Mike,

    Very nicely written and informative blog. Wonder where you took the picture of the potato field with the backdrop of confederation bridge?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Edwin…thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Regarding the image, I can’t recall, it was a couple years ago. I travel so much that I often forget where I was the previous week. 😉 All the best, Mike

  8. Hi mike
    I am going with my three teenage kids
    What month and and how many days I should look to book off to see PEI and Nova Scotia
    Driving from Toronto.

    1. Hi Kiran…thanks for stopping by. I would say any of the summer months, May through Sep would be best. You would need at least 4 days, maybe 5 on PEI. Nova Scotia could take quite a bit longer, I would allocate 7-10 days. Hope you have a great time. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Mike

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