The best way to learn about Charlottetown is by taking the historic and waterfront walking tours. The Visitor Centre offers maps, showing the walking tours: historic on red lines and waterfront on green. These walking tours reveal that there is much more to Charlottetown than Anne of Green Gables and the “Birthplace of the Canadian Confederation.” I spent many days at this seaport as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea. So, I love sharing about how to enjoy a Charlottetown PEI walking tour. Plus, Prince Edward Island is referred to as “Canada’s Food Island,” so I include delicious foodie options.
Charlottetown is the capital city on the southern coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Walking its streets, you find a history book brought to life. It’s most known for holding the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, leading to the birth of the Canadian Confederation. The town showcases well-preserved Victorian buildings, a vibrant harbour and serene boardwalk. The native people of PEI were the Mi’maq, which is a loaded subject as is so many stories about the indigenous peoples all over the world. The takeover of their Mi’kmaq land is the largest Acadian Expulsion in Charlottetown. And of course, not to overlook the fanfare around Anne of Green Gables, which was inspired by the author L.M. Montgomery on her farm in the PEI countryside.
Check out my YouTube video on Charlottetown:
Charlottetown PEI Walking Tour Historic, Waterfront & Food
A great way to start the walking tour is by stopping at the Peake’s Wharf and Founder’s Food Hall & Market. Especially for lunch, it offers eclectic indoor food stalls with seating outside. I loved Dal’s Potato Bar, with my potato customized and loaded to my liking. PEI is known for its potato fields, with over 100 varieties. I also bought some potato fudge with variegated flavors. Both were delicious!
From here, I turned left on Water Street and went one block to Great George Street. This is the starting point for the self-guided walking tour. You simply follow the red line to see the historic sites. The first stop is at the St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, a Roman Catholic, stone French Gothic Church with 2 spires, 200 feet high. It’s free to go inside and worth the visit. Across the street is the red Great George Hotel and interesting sculptures of 2 men talking. They represent the conversation that happened here about having a Canadian Confederation.
The next landmark is the beautiful St. Paul’s Church, a red sandstone, Gothic Revival building on Charlottetown PEI Walking Tour.
Then, walking along Grafton St. to the corner of Queen Street is the Confederation Centre of the Arts, commemorating the fathers of the Confederation. This complex has an art gallery, library and memorial hall. Also, it has a Parks Canada film, “A Building of Destiny” about the birth of the Canadian Confederation in Charlottetown. Then, across the street is Cows Creamery. This is a top attraction here and the best ice cream on the island. It is made with high quality ingredients and high butterfat of 16%. Don’t miss out on this scoop of heaven.
Then, you walk down Queen Street (biggest shopping street) and go past a used bookstore and The Bookman. If you’re a booklover, don’t miss out on The Bookman. It’s a traditional relic of the good ole days when bookstores had soul. Then, continue to Kent Street on the corner where the City Hall is. Then, you take a right on Pownall St. and left on Fitzroy St. to All Soul’s Chapel, an island sandstone, in High Victorian Gothic style. Across the street is the Rochford Square, a serene place to rest with gorgeous flower gardens.
Next, on Kent Street I detoured off the historic red line and took the green waterfront line. I walked along the boardwalk to the end and back.
Afterwards, I finished the historic trail. On the waterfront boardwalk, I walked past the Beaconsfield Historic House. It’s a great example of Victorian architecture with historic tales about Charlottetown. I didn’t go inside, as it’s closed on Monday. Continuing to the boardwalk along the Charlottetown Harbour, I noticed the Governor’s House across the street. The gate was open with a sign saying pedestrians are welcome to walk the grounds. I walked by the Governor, Antoinette Perry, outside getting her photos taken. Then, I walked past the white mansion and discovered beautiful flower gardens. If you go, don’t miss those gardens.
Getting back on the boardwalk, I walked up and back in about 1 hour. I walked and stopped at Old Battery Point to take a look at the large canons from times past. Additionally, along the boardwalk on the inland side is Victoria Park with numerous walking trails. I finished the boardwalk on Brighton Street and got a view of the red and white Brighton Beach Lighthouse. Then, walking back I stopped at the Victoria Floating Dock, a serene place with benches. This is a good place to watch the sunset.
Returning to West and Kent St., I finished the red lined Historic Trail. Walking along the shady street, I went by The Culinary Institute of Canada. Maybe, this is one of the reasons that PEI is known as “Canada’s Food Island.” Then, I walked by the Joseph McDonald House, the first General Hospital in Charlottetown. I end my walk at the Water Street Fish & Chips for the freshest halibut that I ever had. Yum, perfect ending to a perfect day! Finally, I make one last photo op at the end of the Queen Street on the waterfront:
Even More, The Island Walk
On Prince Edward Island, there is a new, spectacular 435-mile walking route encircling the island. It’s a path for all levels with grades no steeper than 2%. Also, The Island Walk begins at Joe Ghiz Memorial Park in Charlottetown. Experience PEI organizes tours for this popular walk.
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