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I spent last week in Prince Edward Island with family, and this wasn’t the kind of trip I could have planned on my own. Prince Edward Island has a way of looking simple on the surface (think red roads, green fields, lighthouses), but without insider knowledge, it takes some help to know how to move through it. And for that, I owe a big thank you to my sister (and many of you).
She handled most of the research—digging through maps, blogs, and follower DMs to build out a route that balanced exploration and ease. We traveled with my daughter, tried to avoid overscheduling, and somehow ended up with a weeklong Prince Edward Island itinerary that felt… effortless. I owe that all to my sister!
We stayed in a mix of spots across the island. Charlottetown, Cavendish, and back again, which gave us access to beaches, national parks, and towns without spending hours in the car. Lodging in PEI can be tricky during peak season, but we booked in April/May and stayed flexible. We looked into everything from old inns to seaside cottages to slightly chaotic multi-bedroom Airbnbs.
Below is a full breakdown of our Prince Edward Island itinerary.
I’m sharing what we did, what we loved, and what we’d recommend if you’re planning your own quiet, snack-filled, slow-moving week on the island. You can also reference this map to find the locations and addresses.
Day 1: Arrival in Charlottetown
Lodging: Rodd Charlottetown
Location: Charlottetown
Vibe: Historic hotel downtown, convenient for walking and adjusting to the slower pace.
We flew in and met up with my sister, who arrived the day before! We stayed downtown for one night to get our bearings and reset before heading toward the coast. This gave us a chance to explore Charlottetown without needing a rental car right away. We did a short walking loop through the city (into some bookstores, of course)—just enough to stretch after travel and see what Charlottetown feels like: a bit coastal, a bit quiet, very charming, and very into lobster.
We tried The Chip Shack lobster roll, which wasn’t worth writing home about, to be honest. Then we found a table at Peakes Quay that had a good kids’ menu, and Bennett ate two plates of chicken strips while we played Sleeping Queens. The area was really fun and full of people on vacation. We stood in a long line to get ice cream at COWS (which was worth it and soon became a nightly ritual for the entirety of the trip).
Day 2: Charlottetown Wandering and Cavendish Transition
Lodging: Red Island Getaway VRBO
Locations: Charlottetown, Avonlea Village, and Cavendish
Drive Time: ~45 minutes from Charlottetown to Cavendish
Vibe: A day of puttering, small finds, and rain that felt kind of cinematic.
We started the day with breakfast at The Cork and Cast on Victoria Row, where I had my first of many delicious Caesars (Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary but with a salty, briny twist). Get the breakfast sandwich and the fish cakes.
Then we wandered. The city had a little craft fair set up, so we walked through that, hit a couple of used bookstores, and found one of our favorite trip souvenirs: a hand-carved rabbit driving a carrot-shaped car, handmade by a local brand called Woodypix. My sister got a cat driving a rainbow trout. We were extremely into it. I bought a fish bracelet that I am very into at Mrs Peakes Fancy Goods, which was my favorite gift shop in that area.
After a couple of loops through town and a beer at Olde Dublin Pub, we picked up my mom and sister-in-law from the airport and headed toward Cavendish. The timing lined up perfectly—we made it to Piatto Pizzeria in Avonlea Village just before the sky cracked open and it poured all night.
Avonlea Village is designed to look like Avonlea (a made-up town in the Anne of Green Gables series) and it is adorable, but it has many of the same shops you can find in Charlottetown. Don’t spoil Avonlea by visiting the gift shops in Charlottetown! I wish I had seen them in Avonlea first before realizing they’re located in many places on the island.
We checked into our VRBO in Stanley Bridge, which is near Cavendish; it was cute, quiet, near the water, and exactly what we needed. Then we settled in: snacks, wine, and an obligatory rewatch of Anne of Green Gables while snacking on COW Chips and drinking raspberry cordial we picked up in Avonlea. As one does.
Day 3: The Full Anne Day
Lodging: Red Island Getaway VRBO
Locations: Cavendish and Thunder Cove
Vibe: Anne of Green Gables immersion day (not by accident, not totally on purpose either)
We woke up to birdsong and quiet, made breakfast at the VRBO, and started the day in the most on-brand way possible: with coffee and pastries at The Willow Bakery, a converted church that now serves excellent espresso. We stopped at Village Pottery, a pottery shop with a lot of charm. PEI really leans into its quiet charm—and somehow it never feels forced.
From there, we went all in and visited:
It was a lot of Anne. But we loved EVERY second. Nothing felt overly precious or staged—it just felt PEI. Like the story had always been there, stitched into the landscape.
We ate lunch at The Lost Anchor (casual, good for groups). The lobster mac and cheese and fish dinner were the favorites. Then we drove out to Thunder Cove Beach to see the red cliffs. It was a moody day with wind, purple clouds, and rays of sun peeking through to make for a cinematic drive along the coast. Photos don’t do it justice. It’s one of those places where you kind of stop talking for a minute just to take it in.
Back to the VRBO. We cooked dinner, opened a bottle of wine, and talked about how weirdly satisfying it was to spend an entire day inside a fictional universe based on such a beautiful place.
Day 4: North Shore to Charlottetown
Lodging: Charles Palmer House Airbnb
Locations: Cavendish, North Shore, and Charlottetown
Vibe: A meandering day along the coast.
We had breakfast at the VRBO, loaded up the car, and spent the morning winding our way through the North Shore before heading back to Charlottetown. No real rush, which made the day feel easy.
Stops along the way:
Just driving along the coast here is worth it—open skies, sea grass, and that red PEI soil that looks fake until you see it in person.
We had lunch at Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico, which was casual and fantastic. It felt like a hidden gem, even though everyone knows about it. Make sure you plan on a bit of a wait. Get the mussels, Caesar (with fresh PEI oyster garnish), and lobster dip. I loved how quaint and free of tourists this area felt. We also heard Route 6 Fish ‘n Chips is worth a stop!
We picked up pizza on our way to our Airbnb and then took a walk to get another hit of COWS ice cream before heading to bed early.
Day 5: Charlottetown and a Detour to Dalvay
Lodging: Charles Palmer House Airbnb
Locations: Charlottetown and Dalvay by the Sea
Vibe: A little movement, a little luxury, and the best lobster roll of the trip.
We started the day with breakfast at Receiver Coffee Company, which quickly became our go-to in Charlottetown. Good coffee, no frills, and in the middle of everything.
My sister-in-law and I went to a somatic yoga class at Charlottetown Yoga Space, while Bennett, my mom, and my sister joined a kids’ craft class at a local store nearby. It was one of those small-town moments where everything just sort of worked out. No stress, everyone entertained, everyone happy.
We went to Water Prince Corner Shop for lunch. It was next level. Hands down the best lobster roll of the trip—perfectly toasted bun (that was soft and easy to bite into!!), not overdressed, exactly what you want it to be. The side of potato salad was amazing, and I don’t even like mayo-based potato salad. Make a reservation there or go early for lunch.
In the afternoon, we decided to take a detour to Dalvay by the Sea, about 25 minutes away, just to walk around and take in the views. It was a spontaneous add-on, and it ended up being one of our favorite evenings. The property is featured in Anne of Avonlea, and it has hosted everything from royal visits to elaborate weddings. It’s one of those places that feels both grand and approachable. If you’re looking to splurge on a higher-end stay while visiting the island, this would be a beautiful choice.
We had martinis on the patio, played lawn games with Bennett, wandered down to the beach, and lingered longer than we meant to. It was light out forever (thank you, maritime summer), and no one was in a rush to leave.
We drove back into Charlottetown and tried to grab a spot at Slaymaker, but it proved to be difficult to negotiate a table with a long waitlist of people wanting to get in. Must be good! So we walked to Victoria Row, grabbed some pizza, and then got more ice cream (because why not), wrapping up the day. One more full morning left.
Day 6: Souris, Sea Glass, and a Strong Lobster Roll Contender
Lodging: Charles Palmer House Airbnb
Locations: Charlottetown and Souris
Vibe: Slow morning, coastal drive, unexpectedly perfect ending.
I started the day with one last yoga class while everyone else packed up, snacked, and settled into the vibe of “we leave tomorrow, but we’re not talking about it.”
My sister dropped my mom and sister-in-law off, and we took a drive out to Souris, a town on the eastern edge of the island that felt a little more remote and windswept.
Here’s what we did:
- Walked along the beach near the lighthouse
- Hunted for sea glass with the kids (and actually found some)
- Played cards at 21 Breakwater, a spot right on the water that felt easy and low-key in the way only coastal towns pull off
For a late lunch/early dinner, we went to The Lobster Shack in Souris. I wasn’t expecting to have my lobster roll loyalties challenged this late in the game, but this one might’ve taken the top spot. It was that good. If you’re driving out here, go hungry. Get a beer. Walk the beaches. Get ice cream (again).
We lingered, ran around with Bennett, and soaked in one more salty afternoon before heading back to Charlottetown. It felt like the perfect note to end on.
Tips for Planning Your Prince Edward Island Itinerary
These are a few things we’d recommend (and a few we wish we’d known).
Lodging Tip: The most important thing is to book lodging early. Like, as soon as you decide to go. The best spots fill up fast in the summer.
Packing Tip: Bring layers. Always layers. The weather changes by the hour, and the wind does not care what your outfit is doing.
Where to Stay
- Charlottetown is a great jumping-off point. Stay walkable if you can. Book early to snag a spot at The Great George Hotel.
- Cavendish puts you in the heart of Anne country and close to Thunder Cove. It’s touristy at the boardwalk, Avonlea Village, and at Green Gables.
- Souris is quiet, beautiful, and ideal if you want less tourist traffic. (It’s the best spot for hunting sea glass!)
- North Rustico is also quiet and far from the touristy shops.
Budget
- Expect to spend more on flights, especially if you’re coming from the U.S.
- That said, once you’re on the island, most things are surprisingly affordable—especially food (lobster rolls were the exception, which ran nearly $30 each), activities, and accommodations (if you book early).
Food Highlights
- Lobster Roll #1: The Lobster Shack, Souris
- Lobster Roll #2: Water Prince Corner Shop, Charlottetown
- Blue Mussel Café: Worth the hype
- Dalvay by the Sea: Go for martinis and lawn games at sunset
- COWS Ice Cream: A trip rite of passage (don’t skip it, even if the line looks long)
What Worked Well
- Booking two main hubs (Charlottetown and Cavendish) and doing day trips from there.
- Leaving a couple of unscheduled afternoons for spontaneous stops.
- Traveling with a loose plan instead of a packed itinerary.
What We’d Do Differently
- Book spa appointments earlier (Mysa fills up fast).
- Book lodging earlier (the popular Airbnbs book up a year or so out).
- Bring running shoes for trails and longer hikes.
- Consider staying on the east side (Souris/North Lake) for a slower pace.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
