I think I was around 11 when I first watched the movie “Anne of Green Gables.” From the first few scenes, I was hooked and have been a fan of the movie ever since. Not only did I identify with Anne Shirley’s dramatic and passionate ways, but I longed to go to Prince Edward Island. Everything about the island seemed like a dream. Well, in 2011, I got my chance to visit Prince Edward Island. When my husband and I got married we couldn’t go on a honeymoon so we promised ourselves that on our 10-year anniversary we would make that happen.
Prince Edward Island is very small and there is really only one “biggish” town–Charlottetown. We didn’t get to explore the entire island, so I can’t comment on all of it, but we did stay in Charlottetown and up on the North Shore. For this blog, I will give you a place to stay, two places to eat, and two things to do in each location. I will, also, give you a Catholic place to worship.
Charlottetown
PLACE TO STAY: SHIPWRIGHT INN
We got in sort of late on our first night and everyone was asleep at the inn, but they left us a way in and a personal note. When we got to our room we found a cozy, quaint room all ready for us, complete with homemade cheddar cheese, chocolate covered strawberries, and a bottle of wine. The personal touches at this inn made all the difference to me. In the morning, we came downstairs to a chef-made breakfast that was wonderful. The owners stopped and chatted with us for awhile and gave us all kinds of recommendations for our day. You will feel right at home at the Shipwright Inn.
PLACES TO EAT: WATER PRINCE CORNER AND THE GAHAN HOUSE
The Water Prince Corner Shop was actually one of the places recommended to us by the owner of the Shipwright. She said, “By day, it’s a small market, but at dinner, they turn it into a seafood restaurant. Get the lobster.” Of course, when you describe something like that, I have to go. Sure enough, it’s a grocery market by day, seafood restaurant by night. I’m not wild about seafood, but the lobster and the mussels there were right on point. We stuffed ourselves. The atmosphere in this tiny place is very laid-back.
The Gahan House is a brewery in a historic, old brick-building. You know how I love historic things. The place oozed with the coolness factor. My husband and I sampled the beer and learned about how the building had once been a convent for the Sisters of the Precious Blood from 1922 until the 1960s.
TWO THINGS TO DO: RENT BIKES AND VISIT THE LIGHTHOUSES
Charlottetown is not very big, so riding bikes all over it is very doable. My husband and I really enjoyed riding all over town. I think you really get a feel for a town when you walk it or ride bikes around it. It’s so easy to hop off your bike and explore. We saw so much: Old stately homes, the shores, the pier, and the university.
I love lighthouses. Each one tells a story and has such a neat history. PEI has lighthouses all over it, so you definitely need to make time to see a few. You can even take a lighthouse tour if you want.
North Shore
PLACE TO STAY: BARACHOIS INN HISTORIC BED AND BREAKFAST
This place is unreal. I’m not even kidding. You will write me letters thanking me for suggesting this place. Set on a country road in North Rustico, you cannot dream up a more perfect bed and breakfast. In the morning, you eat around a big table and the owners ask you what you want. They literally will make you anything. Then, the sweet older woman will pack you a homemade basket lunch to send you off with for the day if you so desire. There is tea time and peace and quiet all around you. This place is what you dream of when you go on vacation. The Barachois is rated 5 stars for a reason.
TWO PLACES TO EAT: THE MILL IN NEW GLASGOW AND THE PEARL EATERY
At The Mill in New Glasgow, I tasted the most amazing dessert of my life–the sticky date cake. There are no words. Eating that was other worldly and that’s about all I can say. The restaurant is situated right near a river and you can sit by big windows and watch the river while looking for bald eagles. PEI is very unique in that there aren’t many towns. It’s more like little settlements here and there. You just drive along and then right in front of you are a few homes, one restaurant and maybe a little shop. It’s very endearing. Dinner here was awesome, but the dessert…my goodness.
The Peal Eatery was one of those places we just stumbled upon. At first we thought it was just someone’s house, but, nope, it was a tiny little restaurant in a home. There are only like ten tables in the whole place, so it’s very intimate. Here’s what’s amazing about this place: The chef goes out into the garden out back and picks your food straight out of the ground before preparing it for you. Talk about fresh and so very delicious. All the food on the island was fantastic.
TO THINGS TO DO: GO ON AN CARRIAGE RIDE NEAR THE LAKE OF SHINING WATERS AND TAKE WALKS ALONG THE NORTH SHORE
If you are any kind of an Anne of Green Gables fan then you know that in the book and movie Anne talks about the “Lake of Shining Waters.” Well, you can take a carriage ride by the very lake that inspired L.M. Montgomery, the author of the book. The countryside is breath-taking and incredibly peaceful and calming. If you want, you can also take the house tour that L.M. Montgomery grew up in and what was the inspiration behind “Green Gables.” It’s not the house in the movies, but it’s still worth seeing.
Honestly, one of the best things you can do up on the North Shore is just drive and explore. Take walks. Go to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and experience what it’s like to feel like you are standing at the edge of the world. Stop off at all the little museums and take your time. This was one of the most relaxing, enjoyable trips because my husband and I explored with no real plan in mind. We took a nap on a beach after enjoying our picnic lunch. We trekked through woods where we stumbled upon a very old cemetery. We walked by the water and skipped rocks on little ponds. It was bliss.
PLACE TO WORSHIP: ST. DUNSTAN’S BASILICA
St. Dunstan’s is the only cathedral on the island. You’ll find it in Charlottetown. The Catholic Faith was brought to the island by the French. Jacques Cartier was the first European to explore the island. He was a French mariner with a good reputation. He was also a practicing Catholic. After his arrival, more French made their way over and soon there were little pockets of Catholics throughout. My husband and I stopped in at this beautiful cathedral to pray.
This was a honeymoon trip for my husband and me, but we left wanting to share it with our children. Hopefully, some day we can make it back and check out other parts of the island. If you do plan to travel to PEI, make plans for the summer otherwise most things will be closed and it will be too chilly. There is something very special about this tiny island and my mind often drifts back to all the wonderful things we did and experienced there. It’s a great place to connect because there is no flash or noise to life on the island. It’s a perfect place to be still and enjoy the simple things in life while surrounded by great beauty. I definitely recommend putting this destination on your list!
Till next time, travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
