Charlottetown is the capital of the Prince Edward Island (PEI) province of Canada. Some of the best things to do in Charlottetown, PEI include exploring the history of the Confederation, Colonial architecture, coastal areas, beaches, and nature retreats.
The city is considered the birthplace of the Confederation. Many of the popular things to see in Charlottetown concern the history of the Confederation and its contribution to the birth of Canada. The city was established in 1855, but the history of European settlement in this place goes back to the 1500s. Among Charlottetown tourist attractions, you will get to see the landing site of Jacques Cartier who first claimed this land for the French.
Other historical places to visit in Charlottetown hail from the Victorian period and are known for the architecture of the period. You will see homes, shops, public places, churches, and government buildings built during the Victorian era.
Charlottetown attractions also include vibrant markets, musical performances, and coastal attractions. The city has a long coastline with many beaches, parks, walking trails, and more. You can also take boat tours for Charlottetown sightseeing.
Other popular Charlottetown, PEI attractions are the natural wonders around the city. The most well-known among them is the national park of the island. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor things to do in Charlottetown such as hiking, trekking, swimming, snorkeling, and more. You can explore the marine life around the national park with boat tours and scuba diving. The national park is also home to some of the most pristine beaches in Canada.
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Top 12 Tourist Places to Visit in Charlottetown, PEI
1. Prince Edward Island National Park
This national park is about half an hour outside the city. It is known for its red sand beaches, rich natural heritage, and vibrant wildlife. It is among the most fun things to do in Charlottetown, PEI in summer. Not that it is bad in any other season. But, when the sun shines brightly over the ocean and the shores, this place looks heavenly. Owing to its geographical features, the national park offers a variety of outdoor activities to do in Charlottetown. You can enjoy hiking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more. It will take at least 3 to 4 hours to explore this national park.
2. Confederation Centre of Arts
This art gallery and performance center is dedicated to the confederation that ultimately led to the birth of Canada. The gallery has paintings, visual arts, sculptures, art installations, and more. It is the venue for the annual performance of Anne of Green Gables. This musical is one of the most interesting things to see in Charlottetown. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place.
3. St. Dunstan’s Basilica
Built during the late 19th century, this church is among the most important victorian monuments of the city. This church is one of the most popular Charlottetown tourist attractions for its architecture and ornate interiors. The church is renowned for its Neo-gothic French architecture. But, the interior of this church exhibits an English variation of Neo-gothic design. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to explore this church.
4. Beaconsfield Historic House / Prince Edward Island Museum
This villa was built in 1877 by WC Harris. It is one of the few remaining Victorian residences in the city. The house is one of the most interesting places to visit in Charlottetown. The house recreates the era. It also houses the Prince Edward Island Museum. It is dedicated to various books and publications concerning the island. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this house.
5. Prince Edward Battery
This waterfront historical site is lined with cannons and barracks. The fortification was moved here from Great George Street in 1805. Though these cannons were never fired for battle, this is a popular site among Charlottetown attractions. You will need an hour to explore this place.
6. Victoria Row
This happening street is known for some of the best things to do in downtown Charlottetown. It has shops, cafes, restaurants, and more. It is also popular for its nightlife scene. You will see many old Victorian architecture buildings on either side of the street. You would need about an hour from Charlottetown sightseeing for this street.
7. Government House
Built around 1835, this house was built as the seat of governance for the islands. In contrast to other buildings of its time, this house exhibits the Georgian style of architecture. It is one of few Charlottetown, PEI attractions frequented by British royalty. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.
8. Peake’s Wharf and Confederation Landing
This wharf is one of the most interesting places to go in Charlottetown, PEI. This place is popular for waterfront picnics, shopping, boat tours, shops, beaches, and more. In the evening, you can enjoy musical performances by local artists. A variety of boat tours leave from the harbour. You can enjoy sailing, row boats, Chinese junk boats, and so on. You can also enjoy a variety of indoor things to do in Charlottetown at this place. You can easily enjoy a few hours at this place.
9. Province House National Historic Site
This building was built for the colonial government in 1847. It still serves as the seat of parliament for the island. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Charlottetown, PEI. The exhibition inside this building focuses on the history of the confederation. You will need about an hour to tour this building.
10. Charlottetown Farmers Market
This market sells local products, food products, handicraft items, and more. It is one of Charlottetown’s top attractions for general hobnobbing, shopping, dining, and street food. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring this market.
11. Fort Amherst National Historic Site
This site was once the first European settlement on the island. The island came under French rule and settlement began in the region around 1534. You won’t find any remains of the settlement at this site now. The site only has grasslands and a lighthouse. Even without the historical significance, this place is one of the most interesting things to see in Charlottetown, PEI. It will take you about an hour to explore this place.
12. Victoria Park
This is the largest public park in the city. It is popular among Charlottetown tourist attractions for outdoor activities to do in Charlottetown, PEI. It has green spaces, sports facilities, and a swimming pool. You can easily spend an hour or so at this park.
If you are looking for more top things to do in Charlottetown (PEI), check out the sections below. We have put together a long list of activities and attractions in and around the city.
Things to do in Charlottetown
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Charlottetown
- Confedreation Centre of the Arts
- Government House
- Beaconsfield Historic House
- St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral
- Province House National Historic Site
- Prince Edward Island Museum & Heritage Foundation
- Details Fine Arts Gallery
- Community Museum Association of PEI
- Prince Edward Battery
- Fort Amherst National Historic Site
- St. Peter’s Cathedral
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Charlottetown
- Prince Edward Island National Park
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Charlottetown
- Victoria Park
- Red Shores Racetrack & Casino
- Confederation Landing Park
- Anne and Gilbert the Musical
- The Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park
- Deep Roots Distillery
- Peak’s Wharf
Shopping in Charlottetown
- Charlottetown Farmers Market
- Victoria Row
- Peake’s Wharf
- Queen Street
Beaches & Islands in Charlottetown
- Heartz Shore Beach
- Blooming Point Beach
- Basin Head Beach
- Red Point Beach
- Thunder Cove Beach
- Stanhope Beach
- Greenwich Beach
- Canoe Cove Beach
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Charlottetown
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Boat Tours
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Sailing
- Scuba Diving
Sightseeing in Charlottetown
- Charlottetown City Hall
- Hillsborough River Bridge
- Victoria Row
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Charlottetown
- Abbiocco
- BOOM Burger
- Bar 1911 Beer
- Buono Mangia
- Casa Mia Cafe
- Chambers
- Churchill Arms
- Coffee Plus
- Cured Creations
- Famous Peppers
- Datcha
- Hunter’s Ale House
Where to Stay in Charlottetown?
Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Charlottetown. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Charlottetown.
- The Great George
- The Holman Grand Hotel
- The Eden Hall Inn
- The Hotel on Pownal
- Dundee Arms Inn
- The Arts Hotel
- Fairholm Boutique Inns
- Comfort Inn
- Ocean Peek B&B
- Rodd Charlottetown
- Rodd Royalty
- Inn on the Harbour
- The Sonata Inn
Custom Tours Package in Charlottetown
How to Reach Charlottetown?
By Air
The city is served by Charlottetown Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Charlottetown from New York, Halifax, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Hamilton. You can get buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport.
By Road
There are no trains to reach Charlottetown. Although you can get buses for Charlottetown travel from several cities and towns in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
If you are planning to reach Charlottetown by road, you will first need to get to New Brunswick and head for route 16. This route will take you to the Confederation Bridge. Once you are on Prince Edward Island, you should stick to highway route 1 to reach Charlottetown.
By Water
Despite being a coastal city, there are no water routes to visit Charlottetown.
Image Reference
- Prince Edward Island National Park – Dave Bezaire / Flickr
- Confederation Centre of Arts – CP Hoffman / Flickr
- St. Dunstan’s Basilica – rickmacewen / Flickr
- Beaconsfield Historic House / Prince Edward Island Museum – amanderson2 / Flickr
- Prince Edward Battery – CP Hoffman / Flickr
- Victoria Row – Robert Cutts / Flickr
- Government House – Chris M Morris / Flickr
- Peake’s Wharf and Confederation Landing – William Matheson / Flickr
- Province House National Historic Site – urban_lenny / Flickr
- Charlottetown Farmers Market – Martin Cathrae / Flickr
- Fort Amherst National Historic Site – Douglas Sprott / Flickr
- Victoria Park – William Matheson / Flickr
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