Here are the most popular “must-see” attractions in the Charlottetown area:
Ardgowan National Historic Site
2 Palmers Lane, Charlottetown, C1A 5V6. (Corner of Mount Edward Rd and Palmers Lane)
902-566-7626
Was home of William Henry Pope (one of the fathers of confederation, and was the scene of the reception for delegates to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. Visit the serenity of the restored Victorian grounds. Grounds open year round.
Beaconsfield Historic House
2 Kent St., Charlottetown
(902) 368-6603; fax (902) 368-6608;
Built in 1877, Beaconsfield Historic House is an enduring symbol of Victorian elegance. Visitors are welcome to this bright yellow 25 room mansion, which for a while serves as the YWCA and nurses residence. Enjoy the wonderful view of Charlottetown Harbour from the verandah, huge lawn, and flower garden. Open year-round, daily 10-5 in the summer, Tue-Fri + Sunday 1 pm to 5 pom the rest of the year. Admission $2.50, free for those 12 & under. the “Great PEI Children’s Festival” playing July and Aug. Open year round.
Charlottetown City Hall
199 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7K2
(corner of Kent and Queen Streets)
(902) 566-5548, (902) 629-4115
Built in 1888, the Charlottetown City Hall is the oldest municipal hall in Prince Edward Island. Designed by Phillips and Chappell in the Romanesque Revival style often favoured for 19th-century civic buildings. Open year-round
Confederation Centre of the Arts
145 Richmond St., downtown Charlottetown, C1A 1J1
(902) 566-1267 Toll free: 1-800-565-0278
Home to the magical Anne of Green Gables – The MusicalTM, the Festival features musical theatre and comedy, daily outdoor performances, gallery exhibitions, licensed restaurant, shopping and free guided tours.
The permanent collection is a national treasure comprising over 15,000 historical and contemporary Canadian works of art. Displays Canadian art, historical and contemporary visual arts. Winter hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Summer hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Confederation Trail
PEI Visitors Center 800-565-0297
Reaching from island tip to island tip trail covers the backbone of the island. A number of spurs let you reach the sea in-between. The trail bed is crushed stone. While not a true MTB trail it is unique and allows you to bike the whole island. The length of trail is over 100 km+ with “Novice” level of difficulty.
TransCanada Trail
Island Trails, P.O. Box 265 o Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7K4
(902)894-7535 Fax:(902)628-6331
A Canada-wide association for the completion of a cross country, multi-use trail of walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The length of trail once complete is about 14,200 km
London Double Decker Bus
902-894-9966
Abegweit Tours offers these charming guided tours of Prince Edward Island, the city of Charlottetown as well as the South Shore. There is also a tour to the North Shore to the fabled farm home of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s heroine Anne of Green Gables.
Prince Edward Island Regimental Museum
PO Box 1480, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7N1
3 Haviland St ¸Charlottetown
(902) 368-0108 Facsimile: (902) 368-3034
Collection of Prince Edward Island and Canadian military artifacts which include uniforms, pictures, medals, badges, from 1820’s to present. Open year-round Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday evenings 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Province House
165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE
(902) 672-6350
Completed in 1847, this neo-classical building was designed and built by local architect Isaac Smith to accommodate the provincial legislature and administrative offices. It housed the Island’s Supreme Court until 1872. Province House retains its central role in Island public life, with the Assembly holding sessions here. In September 1864 it was the scene of the first conference on colonial union, the Charlottetown Conference, where delegates from the colonies of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada met in the legislative council chamber, now the Confederation Chamber, to begin discussions which led to confederation in 1867. The building was designated a historical site in 1966. Open year-round admission $2 for commercial tours, and by donation for others.