Known as the Birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown is a thriving, vibrant city renowned for its charm and reputation as a culinary, arts and cultural haven. It’s also as charming as it gets.
Perhaps the best way to see the sights for a tourist is to take a ride on the Pony Express Sightseeing Trolley or a horse-drawn carriage ride. Both options begin at Founders Food Hall & Market, where you can also pop in at the Tourism PEI information desk to pick up a map of Charlottetown and chat with the friendly staff about things to see and do.
The 45-minute tour is narrated live by our outgoing and informative driver, Steven who is doing double duty as both driver and tour host. Top sights he points out include Confederation Centre of the Arts (Home of the Charlottetown Festival), St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Province House National Historic Site (the second-oldest legislature in Canada, currently under renovation), City Hall, Government House (the Lieutenant Governor’s Residence), the historic Beaconsfield House and the Red Shores Casino and Horse Racing.
Although this was not a ‘hop-on-hop-off’ tour, it gives visitors a great idea of sites you may want to go back to see. Here are a few suggestions for must see and do sites and experiences:
St. Dunstan’s Basilica
Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, St. Dunstan’s Basilica is a glorious example of High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and is one of the most ornate churches in the Maritimes. Built between 1897 and 1907, its soaring spires can be seen throughout most of Charlottetown. The Gothic exterior boasts 10-foot-tall spiral crosses at the top of the double spires, while inside, the 37-foot high alter and 44-foot-long altar screen houses 23 statues of saints and angels. stdunstanspei.com
Government House National Historic Site
Government House (known as Fanningbank) serves as the Vice-Regal official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of PEI, the personal representative of His Majesty King Charles III. King Charles and Queen Camilla stayed at Fanningbank during their recent visit on the island. The palatial Georgian style home was built in 1834, designed by architect Isaac Smith and overlooks the Charlottetown Harbour. With its towering pillars and ballroom-sized reception room and sweeping staircase, Fanningbank serves as the centre of official hospitality in the province.
Government House was built in 1834 on a parcel of land set aside by Governor Edmund Fanning in 1789 as Crown land for the specific site of a residence for the Lieutenant Governor. Today, the grounds cover 10 of the original 100 acres and include Government House along with extensive gardens. The house is 95 feet long and 65 feet wide with two large wings located at the rear of the house. Beautifully furnished throughout with period antiques, visitors can enjoy guided tours during July and August.
The tour begins in the office of the Lieutenant Governor (which this summer also housed a notable collection of period clothing), followed by visits to the reception room, dining room and up the centre hall double staircase to the ‘royal suites’ (bedrooms), the bedroom of the Lieutenant Governor and the children’s bedrooms. Guests can then tour the gardens at their leisure, including the Rose Garden, Woodland Garde,n and the Kitchen Garden. lgpei.ca/history/government-house
Beaconsfield Historic Home
Built in 1877 for wealthy shipbuilder and merchant James Peake, Beaconsfield is one of seven Museum and Heritage PEI sites. This stunningly beautiful Victorian home was designed and built by W. C. Harris and featured all the best materials and latest conveniences of the day with a price tag to match!
Overlooking the Charlottetown Harbour, visitors are welcome to tour the rooms and admire the fine Victorian antiques. tourismpei.com/attractions/beaconsfield-historic-house
The Charlottetown Festival, Confederation Centre of the Arts
The Charlottetown Festival is the largest summer musical theatre festival in Atlantic Canada, dating back to 1965. Performances this year at the Confederation Centre of the Arts include Tell Tale Harbour starring Canadian musical icon Alan Doyle: running until August 29. (sidenote—this musical is coming to Toronto, playing at Royal Alexandra Theatre from September 23 to November 2); Million Dollar Quartet and Becoming Dolly, both of which are running until August 30.
The Charlottetown Festival is also the home of Anne of Green Gables-The Musical™, which will be presented from June 25 to September 5, 2026. Having seen this musical a few years ago on a previous visit to Charlottetown, it is highly recommended! Cherish the story of Anne, Marilla, and Matthew based on the classic book Anne of Green Gables written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, as the 28-member company and 14-member live orchestra bring the story to life. It’s a musical that has delighted millions of people from around the world, and it’s a must-see while visiting PEI. Confederationcentre.com
Enjoy Fresh Seafood on Canada’s Food Island
Charlottetown is a foodie’s haven. The city is home to the renowned Culinary Institute of Canada at Holland College, a world-class, industry-based training school for Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts and Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management. Charlottetown is also home to the annual PEI International Shellfish Festival (happening September 18-21), a four-day celebration of PEI’s world-famous shellfish, including oysters, mussels and lobsters. PEI is known as “Canada’s Food Island” so it’s no surprise that the city of Charlottetown is renowned as a culinary centre offering a myriad of dining experiences from casual to upscale.
Must-try culinary delights include savouring a lobster roll or enjoying a bowl full of fresh oysters or PEI mussels. A few of the many options to get your fill of seafood include Claddagh Oyster House, The Gahan House, Sea Rocket Oyster House, Peake’s Quay Restaurant and Bar, Charlottetown Beer Garden & Seafood Patio, Founders’ Food Hall & Market, among others.
Another must-try culinary experience is to enjoy an ice cream cone from COWS Ice Cream. Founded by Scott Linkletter in 1983 in Cavendish, PEI, Linkletter used a family recipe that included 16% butterfat along with PEI milk from Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL). Originally, the company made just vanilla ice cream, but due to demand, COWS Creamery expanded to include several flavours, along with opening several ice cream shops. Today you will find COWS Creamery Ice Cream locations in four locations throughout PEI as well as in Halifax, Banff, Whistler, Quebec and Niagara. COWS is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Cowscreamry.ca
There are many other interesting sites to see in Charlottetown, so plan on spending at least two days. Stay at a historic inn, see the sites, enjoy an evening performance at The Charlottetown Festival and then perhaps take a harbour tour, enjoy a stroll on the waterfront trail. Be sure to enjoy your fill of fresh seafood to round out a truly great visit to this charming city.
For more information on Charlottetown visit:
Discover Charlottetown, discovercharlottetown.com
Tourism PEI, tourismpei.com, lobsterpei.ca, peipotato.com
by Laurie Wallace-Lynch
Other articles from totimes.ca – mtltimes.ca – otttimes.ca
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