RADAR
10 Things to Do in Charlottetown
Follow the red roads to this Maritime gem, no matter the season.
By Stephanie Wallcraft
Charlottetown is a blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy, anchored by its natural harbour. | PHOTO: DBVIRAGO/iSTOCK
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND'S CAPITAL doesn’t slow down when summer transitions into fall. Ranked among the top 10 sustainable destinations in Canada in 2023 in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, a fall visit to Charlottetown is a particularly eco-conscious choice thanks to the lower carbon footprint that comes with off-season travel. Discover symphony performances and fall festivals, fantastic seafood and farm-to-table dining, eco-friendly accommodations and a rich history. All that plus friendly East Coast culture is here in the largest city in Canada’s smallest province.
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FATHERS OF CONFEDERATION. The Charlottetown Conference in 1864 was the catalyst for Canadian Confederation. Trace this history yourself by starting at Confederation Landing, on a replica of the wharf where delegates’ ships landed. The nearby shopping district and the Founders’ Food Hall are local gems worth exploring. Then, follow historic Great George Street along the same path the Fathers of Confederation walked to reach Province House, which is set to reopen in late 2025 following a decade-long restoration project. STROLL ON VICTORIA ROW. This centrepiece of downtown is a brick-lined block of Richmond Street between Queen Street and Great George Street. With historic stone buildings housing locally owned artisan shops and some of the city’s best restaurants, it’s the perfect place to discover new favourite treasures. TAKE IN SOME LIVE THEATRE ... See a performance of the popular Anne & Gilbert: The Musical. It's based on the novels Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, and follows Anne Shirley's journey into adulthood and her romance with Gilbert Blythe. The shows runs until October 15, 2025 at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall. ... OR SOME LIVE MUSIC. Live music is essential to the Atlantic Canada experience. In Charlottetown, this can be anything from formal performances, such as those by the PEI Symphony Orchestra, to the Trailside Music Hall inside the Arts Hotel, where local talent is consistently featured. Or simply wander until you find a pub with a catchy tune wafting through the windows. It won’t take long.
One of Charlottetown's nine statues of Eckhart the Mouse. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF DISCOVER CHARLOTTETOWN
CRACK SOME LOBSTER AND SLURP SOME OYSTERS. Attending the Fall Flavours Festival is a must-do. This celebration of PEI dishes, including lobster rolls and seafood chowder, runs from September 25 to October 11. And, year-round in Charlottetown, you'll find some of the best and freshest seafood on the East Coast. Try Sea Rocket Oyster House, Claddagh Oyster House, or the Cork and Cast to sample the island’s oysters. Dig into fresh lobster at Lobster on the Wharf or Water Prince Corner Shop. Grab some pub-style fish and chips at Churchill Arms or Gahan House, or hit up Salt & Sol for clam chowder with a seaside view. TURN YOUR WALKING TOUR INTO A SCAVENGER HUNT. Visiting Charlottetown with kids? Here’s a great way to keep them engaged as you explore the city. Nine statues of Eckhart the Mouse — the main character in the children’s book The True Meaning of Crumbfest by PEI author David Weale — are tucked away in downtown Charlottetown. (You may have seen them featured on The Amazing Race Canada.) Head to Downtown Charlottetown’s website to download the clues and see how many you can find as you explore.
A sample of the delicacies at Shaddy's restaurant. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHADDY'S RESTAURANT
DELVE INTO IN CHARLOTTETOWN'S LEBANESE INFLUENCE. Lebanese people began arriving in Charlottetown over a century ago. Today, more than 700 Prince Edward Islanders identify as being of Lebanese descent. If you can’t make it to the annual New Year’s Eve Lebanese Levee, celebrate the community’s contributions by enjoying some Lebanese cuisine. Cedar’s Eatery and Shaddy’s Restaurant are consistently recommended by locals.
SUPPORT LOCAL AT THE CHARLOTTETOWN FARMERS' MARKET. This year-round market is the largest in PEI and runs on Saturday mornings in a dedicated hall alongside the island’s Confederation Trail. Here's where you can find a wide array of delicious food, from fresh seafood and locally raised meats to baked goods and fresh produce grown all over “Canada’s Food Island.” TREK FURTHER ON THE CONFEDERATION TRAIL. The Confederation Trail connects Charlottetown to the rest of PEI, spanning 449 kilometres from end to end. Lace up your walking shoes or rent a bike at one of Charlottetown’s bicycle shops. You’ll find nearly 250 interpretive panels, plus there are more than 1,600 geocaches to discover across the island. PLAN A STAY AT ONE OF CHARLOTTETOWN'S ECO-FRIENDLY HOTELS. Several of Charlottetown’s top hotel properties have sustainability mandates. The Holman Grand Hotel uses geothermal heating and has several green roofs that minimize waste water going into storm sewers. The Delta Hotels Prince Edward is Green Key Eco-Rating Program Certified. The Great George Hotel offers personal care products that help support sustainable pollination research and recycles soap for people in need through Clean the World Canada.