The Best 12 Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Charlottetown, PEI

November 3, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 1463 Views

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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Table of Contents

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.

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