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20 Things To Do This Summer & Fall in Charlottetown
July 24, 2024
Looking for the perfect antidote to the city grind? Charlottetown has got you! From vibrant festivals and events to refreshing coastal vibes to exceptional culinary experiences, there are so many reasons to fall in love with Charlottetown this year. Read on to find out why so many people are flocking to Charlottetown this summer.
And with lots of options for direct flights to Charlottetown with West Jet, Flair, Porter, and Air Canada, getting to Charlottetown has never been more convenient—or more affordable! Connected to the mainland of Canada by traversing the iconic Confederation Bridge or by taking a scenic ferry ride with Northumberland Ferries, Prince Edward Island is also very accessible by car from many major Canadian cities, as well as US cities along the East Coast. Did someone say road trip?
1) Take a Walking Tour of the Historic Downtown
Uncover hidden secrets of our history-rich city through authentic, local knowledge. During the warmer months, a variety of walking tours are on offer with Olde Charlottetown Walking Tours, Heritage Players Historic Walking Tours, Secrets of Charlottetown Walking Tours, and Walk the Walk Tours PEI. Embrace the spooky season in October with Ghost Tours, and as the holidays approach, don’t miss Christmas-themed tours. Foodie lovers will also enjoy the “Taste the Town” tours around the city with Experience PEI.
2) Enjoy the Serenity of Victoria Park
Sunset strolls or bike rides in Victoria Park are highly recommended, with a special stop at Kiwanis Dairy Bar for ice cream to enjoy on the nearby floating dock. Or pack a picnic and set up for the afternoon in one of their lush green spaces. Families will love the splash pad, exploring the trials through the woods, and exploring the accessible playground.
3) Sleep in a Unique Accommodation
From penthouses with stunning views to grand Victorian abodes to Floating Cottages on the Quay, you’ll find something that suits your style and allows you to unwind in comfort and peace. That deep exhale you’ve been searching for? You’ll find it here.
4) Dine Along the Water’s Edge
A warm sea breeze pairs perfectly with fresh seafood and other culinary delights crafted by some of PEI’s finest chefs. There are plenty of dining options along the Charlottetown waterfront, including (from east to west) Grotto, Lobster on the Wharf, Nimrods’ Floating Restaurants, JC’s Tiki Bar, The Shell Shack, The Chip Shack, Peake’s Quay Restaurant, Dave’s Lobster, Brakish, Salt & Sol, and more.
5) Enjoy World-Class Theatre and Live Music
The sound of music can often be heard wafting from many of the city’s bars and pubs. Enjoy an acoustic performance at one of our many pubs & restos, or stop to listen to local talent playing on the Victoria Row or Peake’s Wharf stage. For traditional music sessions, be sure to check out The Old Triangle. Meanwhile, Trailside Music Hall provides an intimate setting to see both well-known and up-and-coming artists. In search of an authentic PEI Ceilidh? Look no further than the Benevolent Irish Society. Theatre lovers can enjoy jaw-dropping performances of all kinds at a selection of top-tier venues like Confederation Centre of the Arts, The Guild, PEI Brewing Company, and Florence Simmons Performance Hall.
6) Shop (and Eat) in a Historic Train Station
Built in 1906 during the railway era, Founders’ Food Hall & Market is located in a stunning, light-filled brick building that sits at the bottom of Prince Street. Iconic for its brick exterior shell and large round top windows that were all completely restored to modern standards, it truly is a piece of living art. With a growing selection of food vendors from all around the world and shops that feature local makers, artisans, and crafters from across Prince Edward Island, you’ll be delighted by this urban market where the sense of community radiates throughout the space.
Enjoy live music during Sounds of the Waterfront daily during the summer from 12-8pm!
7) Participate in a Powwow or Mawi’omi
The term Mawi’omi refers to a gathering of Mi’kmaw people to celebrate life. Sometimes referred to as a Powwow, this event includes Indigenous ceremony, storytelling, dance, drumming and gathering with friends and family. Keep an eye out for gatherings happening in Charlottetown throughout 2024. Find more info at www.indigenouspei.ca
8) Indulge in ALL the Culinary Delights
Discover the most unique restaurants & culinary experiences in the Charlottetown food scene. Whether you’re in the mood for handmade Italian pasta (Vicinato and Abbiocco, we see you!), flakey homemade pastries, or authentic Japanese sushi (lookin’ at you, Hojo’s), it’s always a good time to get out and explore Charlottetown’s vibrant flavours. Seafood lovers will feel like they have died and gone to heaven: lobster rolls, Fish & Chips, freshly shucked oysters, steamed mussels, seared tuna—you name it, we’ve got it!
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the numerous Happy Hour Specials happening daily throughout the city!
9) Visit St. Dunstan’s Cathedral
St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Cathedral National Historic Site of Canada is a large, stone church in the centre of Charlottetown. It’s an excellent example of the High Victorian Gothic style in Canadian architecture. Erected between 1897 and 1907, it creates an imposing presence that can be seen from many vantage points in Charlottetown. It’s open daily from 9am – 4pm | 65 Great George St
10) Explore Nearby Beaches & Trails
Charlottetown is the perfect base to explore PEI’s 800 km of beachfront. From National and Provincial Park beaches with all the amenities to those with barely any road signs, your options are endless. Whether you hit the red cliffs of the south shore or the white sandy dunes of the north, a day at the beach is never far away.
Don’t miss our blog post, Best PEI Beaches Loved by Locals, to get the inside scoop on all the best Island beaches just minutes from Charlottetown!
11) Cruise the City on an Electric Scooter
Downtown Charlottetown is a perfect blend of modern taste and old-world design. Grab yourself an electric scooter with Epic Electric Scooters, located at various businesses and public spaces throughout the city. Every nook and cranny will have you pausing to take in the contrasting sights of modern architecture, historic red brick buildings, and radiant seaside homes.
12) Soak Up the Coastal Vibes on the Water
The marinas offer refreshing water views and are also a hub for boat tours that take you onto the historic Hillsborough River. There are a handful of tours departing from Peake’s Wharf, including a seal-watching excursion with Peake’s Wharf Boat Tours, a lobster fishing experience with Top Notch Lobster Tours, private speedboat wildlife tours with Explore More Watersports, or eco-friendly options with Sol Paddle Tavern or Ride Solar. Fancy a sail? Saga Sailing Adventures will make all your sailing dreams come true. Or, get a bit of exercise and harbour from a unique vantage point aboard a Stand Up Paddleboard, kayak or seadoo from Paddles.
13) Eat the World’s Best Ice Cream
It’s no secret that Prince Edward Island is home to COWS Ice Cream, some of the world’s very best ice cream. And with three locations in Charlottetown (Peake’s Quay, Queen Street and The Milky Way), there’s really no excuse not to get your ice cream fix at least once—or once a day.
14) Hit the Links
Is there anything better than heading out for a rejuvenating (if not challenging) round of golf? From links-style courses to the more traditional approaches, there are over 400 fairways for golfers of all levels to choose from. There are also lots of affordable rounds and packages, so it’s easy to fit a round into any vacation. Nearby Fox Meadows Golf Course in Stratford or Belvedere Golf Club in Charlottetown are great options close to the city centre. No matter which courses you choose to play, charming pastoral scenery and gorgeous waterscapes are practically guaranteed. Find out more at golfpei.ca
15) Taste the Best Chocolate of Your Life
Before you think this is the overstatement of the century, get your buns to Anne of Green Gables Chocolates and sample their house-made chocolates. All of their Anne of Green Gables-inspired handmade chocolates, including sweets like fudge, chocolate caramels, and chocolate creams are a nod to recipes from 1908. Inspired by one of PEI’s most dominant crops, potatoes, their most famous product is their chocolate-covered potato chips, known whimsically as COW Chips. Drop by their downtown location on Queen Street or head to their flagship store at 15 Milky Way on the North River Causeway.
16) Tour a Micro Brewery or Cidery
For a small city, Charlottetown has several breweries that are happy to take you behind the scenes and share their beer-brewing secrets. Take a tour with Gahan House Brewery, PEI’s original microbrewery, PEI Brewing Co., or Upstreet Craft Brewing. To learn about the cider-making side of things and sample the goods in their cozy taproom, visit Red Island Cider on Longworth Avenue.
17) Mingle with the Locals at a Farmers’ Market
A must-visit in mid-town is the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market where mingling is as popular a pastime as shopping for farm fresh items. This longstanding market features 60+ vendors, including farmers, food producers, hot food vendors, crafters, and artisans. Open Saturdays (9am – 2pm) throughout the year and Wednesdays from late June to the middle of October.
Every Sunday throughout the summer (July – Sept, 10am – 3pm), the Downtown Farmers’ Market sets up a beautiful outdoor market with vendor tents that line the green space of Confederation Landing. You can find homemade treats, local produce, a hot lunch, artisan wares, and lots of other goodies. Don’t miss this quintessential PEI shopping experience!
18) Spend an Inspiring Time on Victoria Row
Among the number of restaurants and patios on this one-block pedestrian strip are a slew of adorable shops that you’ll quickly find yourself being drawn into. Some of the city’s most unique treasures can be found at Kuriosities and Crow’s Nest, Northern Watters Knitwear & Tartan Shop, and Details Fine Art Gallery. Above Vicinato Ristorante on Victoria Row, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with incredible views of the city and a vibe that just won’t quit. Enjoy italian-inspired eats & drinks as you watch the sun go down. Live music also plays from morning until night, so you’re always in for a toe-tapping good time!
19) Take a Coastal Drive
Once you’ve got your bearings and spent some time getting acquainted with Charlottetown as your home base, be sure to explore the rest of our special little Island. Stretching from east to west and every point in between, you’ll find endless beaches and golf courses, unique culinary experiences, picturesque fishing villages, and some of the most genuine locals on PEI. No matter where you choose to go, you’re never far from a good meal, a smiling face, and a coastal view.
READ: PEI DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS
20) Hunt for Vintage Goodies
Hit up antique shops across the island or hunt for vintage goods in town at Green Eye Designs, Luxury Market Consignment Boutique, Back Alley Music, or the Charlottetown Flea Market (Sundays). The 70-mile yard sale every September is also a local favourite—pack the car with snacks and get ready for the ultimate treasure hunt!!
New & Returning 2024 Events:
- THE ISLAND FRINGE FESTIVAL – Celebrate independent art and alternative performances in downtown Charlottetown. The Island Fringe gives local, Canadian, and international artists the opportunity to create and perform new theatrical works in unconventional venues throughout the city. July 31 – Aug 4, 2024
- OLD HOME WEEK – Experience a touch of the country in the city with agricultural elements, horses, beautiful handiwork, daily entertainment, or one of the many exciting harness races! Don’t miss this Island tradition. Aug 9 – 17, 2024
- GRAN FONDO PEI – Three days of cycling through PEI’s stunning countrysides and ocean vistas. Experience breathtaking rides, amazing culinary delights, heritage and cultural traditions. Aug 23 – 25, 2024
- MARCH OF THE CROWS – This whimsical, grassroots parade is a summer highlight for many and a homage to the city’s large crow population and attracts many costumed participants. Aug 24, 2024
- CINEMA UNDER THE STARS – Three nights of free outdoor movies under the stars, for all ages to enjoy. Aug 29 – 31, 2024
- SOMMO FESTIVAL – A two-day celebration of music + food + drink in the beachside town of Cavendish, PEI that welcomes some of the biggest musical artists from around the world, across Canada, and from here in the Atlantic region. Sept 13 & 14, 2024
- PEI INTERNATIONAL SHELLFISH FESTIVAL – Oysters, mussels, and lobster take centre stage during this celebration of PEI’s famous shellfish. Featuring a jam-packed schedule of culinary competitions, kitchen parties, live entertainment, and more. Sept 19 – 22, 2024
- MOONLIGHT BAZAAR – An award-winning, unconventional street festival that celebrates creativity by blending music, food, art, and live performances under the light of a 7-metre inflatable Moon. Get ready for an electric atmosphere on Victoria Row! Sept 28, 2024
- PEI FALL FLAVOURS FESTIVAL – A well-loved food festival with over 60 culinary events highlighting authentic Island tastes and traditions. Sept 26 – Oct 5, 2024
- CHARLOTTETOWN SCARECROW FESTIVAL – This annual fall festival combines the whimsy of the season with incredible hand-made scarecrows all around the downtown core. Featuring events such as haunted ghost walks, live music, tarot readings, food & drink tastings and more. All Oct
- FARM DAY IN THE CITY – The Island’s largest outdoor market and street festival of the year, featuring over 180 vendors and exhibitors. Oct 6, 2024
- STREET FEAST – An epic two-day block party featuring local food & drink, music, comedy, games, and more. Oct 11 & 12, 2024
And there you have it! There are plenty of reasons to escape city life and come enjoy the rejuvenating quality of life in Charlottetown. Now, when are you coming?
Need a place to stay? Check out our amazing selection of accommodations. Curious about what else to do around Charlottetown? Don’t miss a beat over on our events page.
Follow along on social @discovercharlottetown and tag us during your stay to help share the coastal city love!
