23 Things to Do on PEI That Are NOT Anne of Green Gables

3. Join a Charlottetown Walking Tour

Charlottetown is small enough to wander on your own, but a guided walking tour adds to the appreciation of the town even more. You’ll hear about the “birthplace of Confederation,” see some gorgeous Victorian buildings, and learn which houses have the juiciest ghost stories.

There are daytime history tours and even evening ghost walks with guides in fun period attire, or foodie tours that give you a sampling of the many PEI tastes. 

I love walking tours as you always learn something new, and local guides have the best personal stories and tips, whether it’s where to grab dinner or which hidden gems are worth a detour.

➡️ Book Your Spot on a Charlottetown Walking Tour Here!

4. Sample Drinks at Winery, Cidery, or Brewery

There’s no shortage of places to sip something local on PEI, whether you’re into wine, beer, cider, or mead.

Spend an afternoon at Island Honey Wine Company, where you can drink mead among the lavender fields. Or head to Double Hill Cidery for a crisp cider flight overlooking rolling Caledonian hills. Breweries like Bogside and Lone Oak are perfect for sampling hoppy island beers, while wineries such as Rossignol Estate serve up pours with beautiful water views.

Whatever you choose, plan for at least one slow afternoon of “research” — you know, for educational purposes 😉.

➡️ Book a Designated Driver Tour Here!

5. Browse the Charlottetown Farmers Market

Only open on Saturdays (and Wednesdays in summer), this indoor market is packed with quality local vendors. I kind of think of it as a mini Pike Place Market in Seattle. 

You’ll find artists, craftspeople, and plenty of food stalls inside the big barn-like building, with a few extra vendors and live music buskers overflowing outside. 

The parking lot is pure mayhem, so I suggest getting there right at opening and parking on the outer edge before you get trapped in a weird maze of cars.

6. Get Sand Between Your Toes on a PEI Beach

The thing that stood out to me the most on PEI was the beaches. Even in Hawaii, I’ve never walked on sand this fine and soft.

With their iconic dunes and striking red cliffs, these beaches are uniquely picturesque.

I was also impressed to find that many of the more established beaches have well-maintained bathrooms, showers, changing rooms and even food options, which is a nice bonus when you’re spending the whole day there.

Some of the beaches are even wheelchair accessible with a beach wheelchair available and mat runners to get you to the middle of the sand.

7. Try Potato Pie at Prince Edward Island Preserve Co.

Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. is a two-fer.

First, it’s a preserve company where you can sample endless varieties of jams and jellies at the tasting bar tucked in the back. I especially loved the Haskap and the Blueberry Gin. 

They also sell loose leaf teas and a handful of locally made crafts worth browsing.

Second, their restaurant is home to the famous Potato Pie and is a MUST-TRY. 

I didn’t know what to expect,  but it was far better than I could imagine: thinly sliced PEI potatoes layered high, topped with a crispy all-bacon crust, and finished with a creamy sauce that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

💁🏼‍♀️Tab’s Trip Tip: If you don’t want a whole slice, order the “Breakfast Sized” slice for a fraction of the cost. I had enough room to order a side of toast with their jam of the day.

The dining room has large windows overlooking the lake, plus fun stained glass panels of the life-cycle of fish around the edges. 

Reservations are pretty much required, especially for lunch. I learned the hard way when I showed up at 2 p.m. and was turned away. Learned my lesson and reserved breakfast for the next morning.

8. Get Inspired on the Arts & Heritage Trail

PEI is chock-full of artists and craftspeople, and I was surprised at just how established the scene is here.

I picked up a free Arts & Heritage Trail pamphlet (you can find it pretty much anywhere there’s tourist information), and I referenced it a lot during my trip. It lists artists, shops, and studios you can visit all over the island.

That’s how I discovered Robert McMillan’s pottery studio. I lucked out as he was actually working when I stopped by, and he gave us a mini tour of his process. His pieces are some of the most colorful pottery I’ve ever seen (seriously, why don’t more potters use bright glazes?), and I couldn’t resist bringing home a set of coffee mugs.

We also visited Knit Pickers and had a lovely chat with Margaret MacEachern, who, fun fact, used to play Rachel Lynde in Avonlea Village (you really can’t escape Anne here). She offers weekly knitting classes for beginners and skilled knitters if you want to create your own souvenir to bring home.

The island is brimming with arts and crafts to admire, shop, and even learn a skill or two (like basket weaving at Islands Tradition Store).

9. Eat Wood-Fired Pizza at Stoked Bakehouse

When it comes to pizza, I have very high standards as Moose’s Tooth in Alaska is my par.

A local recommended Stoked Bakehouse and boy! was it the best recommendation!

Everything about their wood-fire pizza was perfection. From  the perfectly blistered but soft crust and the flavorful sauce (both make-or-breaks for me), to the cheese that actually stretches when you bite in with fresh toppings.

The pizzas are all 12-inches, good for two people to split, and come generously topped, unless you build your own. 

We ate here twice in one trip. The first time, we went for the Glen, an all-meat pizza, and it was loaded. 

The second time, we made our own Hawaiian, which was a little skimpy on toppings but redeemed by fresh pineapple instead of canned. 

Heads up for fellow Americans: their “salami” is what we’d call Canadian bacon.

They share a building with Bogside Brewery,  so you can grab a pint to go with your ‘za.

10. Take a Wildlife Tour on the Water

You’re gonna see plenty of Canadian geese on the island, but if you are looking for more “substantial” wildlife you can opt to take a boat tour in search of whales and seals.

The Atlantic ocean is full of a variety of whales but they can be unpredictable. The whale watching tours on PEI double as fishing tours. So while you may ride along without fishing, whales cannot be guaranteed.

Peakes Wharf Boat Tours does a seal and lobster boat tour where you go pull out lobster from traps in the ocean (they’ll even let you hold one!) while keeping your eyes out for harbor seals.

You can always keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife on the island as well.

Foxes are a common animal as they used to be bred here. I even saw my first wild baby skunk coming out of my Airbnb in downtown Charlottetown!

11. Grab a Raspberry Roll at Willow Bakery & Cafe

The Willow Bakery & Cafe has two locations on the island: Kensington and Stanley Bridge. Both are located in historic buildings and offer different eclectic ambiences.

Kensington is in an old train station, cozy and warm, with windows overlooking the old railroad tracks.

The Stanley Bridge location is a refurbished white chapel, complete with colorful stained-glass windows glowing behind the bar and tends to be a noisier and echoier

Their baked goods are incredible, especially the Raspberry Roll. So soft and fluffy, not too sweet on the inside and a cream cheese frosting that compliments the fruit nicely. I would argue it’s the best sweet treat on the island!

12. Walk or Bike the Confederation Trail

The Confederation Trail is a decommissioned railway line  that runs the length of PEI, stretching 279 miles in total. The main route connects Tignish to Elmira, with branch trails leading to coastal towns and even right through Charlottetown.

It’s mostly flat, making it perfect for casual walking or cycling. Along the way, you’ll pass a peaceful mix of fields, forests, and farmhouses. 

There are plenty of access points, so you can hop on for a quick stroll (like maybe right after grabbing that raspberry roll) or spend the whole day exploring.

I hear it’s absolutely stunning with all the leaves turning in the fall.

13. Stroll Through the Artsy Village of Victoria

Victoria is a special little village by the sea, where the streets are lined with old Victorian houses serving as an artist’s storefront.

The rule in town is: if you want a shop in Victoria, you have to live in the house. That means every store is also someone’s home, giving the whole place a lived-in, personal feel.

Browsing is like wandering through a permanent craft fair, except instead of visiting booths, you’re welcomed right into the artist’s home. It’s quaint, it’s personal, and it makes every conversation and purchase feel a little more special.

15. Attend a Traditional Ceilidh 

One thing I wish I’d made time for on PEI was a ceilidh. 

A ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a lively social gathering with traditional Celtic music, singing, storytelling, and dancing very much in the spirit of the island’s Scottish and Irish heritage.

While the word ceilidh comes from Gaelic and historically meant any kind of social visit, on PEI it’s almost always used to describe a community “kitchen party”.

They’re often held in church halls, community centers, and sometimes pubs. You can find them most nights of the week during peak tourist season, and it’s a great way to meet locals and soak up island culture.

16. See the Unique Glass Bottle Houses

PEI actually has not one, but two places where you can see buildings made entirely from glass bottles.

The O.G. is The Glass Bottle Houses and Gardens in Wellington, built in the 1980s by Édouard T. Arsenault using thousands of recycled bottles. Sunlight turns the walls into glowing mosaics, and the property makes a great picnic spot.

For something quirkier, check out Hannah’s Bottle Village on Point Prim. It’s donation-based, more eclectic in style, and features a mix of bottle-built structures from a castle tower to bottle “trees” in a make-believe Sherwood Forest.

17. Time Travel to the Past at Orwell Corner Historic Village

If you’ve ever wanted to see what rural PEI life looked like in the 1890s, Orwell Corner Historic Village is your opportunity. This little cluster of heritage buildings is set up like a small town complete with staff in period costumes.

Talk with a school teacher in a schoolhouse, the manager of a general store, a blacksmith pounding away at hot iron, or a farmer at the still working barns filled with animals you are encouraged to pet and feed.

And the horse-drawn carriage ride was even a little more fun than I expected.

The whole place has a laid-back charm where it’s easy to spend an hour or two. Just watch out for the creepy mannequins in the farm equipment display room!

Disclaimer: the barns and church were used as a film location for the Anne movies, but you can still enjoy visiting without knowing that! 😉

18. Tour St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral

St. Dunstan’s Basilica is a stunning Gothic cathedral in Charlottetown, complete with 200-foot twin spires, vaulted ceilings, and vibrant stained glass. 

Built in 1897 (and rebuilt in 1913 after a fire), it’s free to visit and rarely crowded. 

Step inside to admire the intricate woodwork, soaring arches, quiet reverence, and if you’re lucky, catch one of the donation-based concerts occasionally held here.

19. Entertain the Kids with Amusement Park Attractions

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find plenty of amusement options in the Cavendish area. 

Splash around at Shining Waters Family Fun Park with waterslides, a rollercoast, and bumper boats. 

For dry-land fun try Mariner’s Cove Mini Golf, get lost in the Amazing Maze, snap a selfie at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium or Wax World of the Stars, or brave the Route 6 Haunted Motel.

20. Skip the Canadian Potato Museum

We used the Canadian Potato Museum as an excuse to explore the west side of the island.

I’m warning you right now, don’t waste your time here.

Most of it is just rooms lined with plaques about PEI potato farming, a few videos to stand and watch, and some rusty farm equipment. There is a “historical museum” on the opposite side that feels more like an antique store with labels, including random displays on wartime medicine.

It wasn’t worth the money or the time, and the on-site café looked so much like a bland hotel cafeteria that I didn’t even want to try the potatoes.

21. Get Cow’s Creamery Cheese (Not Ice Cream)

You are gonna see a lot of Cow’s on the island, and I don’t mean the animal. 

This local creamery is a tourist trap that lures in overheated visitors with a long lineup of ice cream flavors made with local ingredients.

We gave in on a hot summer day and honestly It was quite disappointing. It’s fine ice cream, it’s just a bit on the icy side and tasted just as good as any store bought brand.

Now, their Appletree Smoked Cheddar? That’s a different story. The smokey flavor really comes out and gives a unique taste to the cheese, so it’s no wonder it’s a local favorite. I’d love to try it in a grilled cheese, but it was excellent on its own with water crackers.

22. Find Eckhart in the City Scavenger Hunt

Eckhart the mouse, from The True Meaning of Crumbfest by PEI author David Weale, is a curious little adventurer hiding all over Charlottetown.

Download the brochure (or pick one up at a local tourist spot) and follow the scavenger hunt clues to historic sites around town, where nine little bronze Eckharts are tucked away, each with a bit of local history to learn along the way.

23. Check Out a Book From Canada’s Smallest Library

This is one of those quirky stops that you either get a kick out of or think is the dumbest thing ever.

The tiny shed measures just 11.5 x 11.5 feet, and if you’re not looking for it, you’ll probably drive right past.

Inside, the cabin-like space is lined with sun-bleached books on mismatched shelves and the checkout system is good-will based, like a free little library.

I was told by the tourist info lady across the street that this library isn’t on the Canadian library system so technically it’s not Canada’s smallest library. That’s why “smallest” is in quotes. But it’s the map as such, so we’ll just roll with it.