magical pei: a week-long itinerary
Prince Edward Island had been on our family’s travel list for a while, and this summer we finally made it happen! What followed was a week full of stunning beaches, charming lighthouses, seafood feasts, and lots of quality time together. We based our itinerary on a mix of relaxing beach days and low-key adventures — here’s how it all unfolded.
Day 1: Arriving & Exploring Charlottetown
We landed in Charlottetown and dove right into vacation mode with the Eckhart in the City scavenger hunt — a fun way to explore downtown and get the kids excited about PEI’s literary side. Little bronze mouse statues are hidden across the city and you can pick up a scavenger hunt brochure at a vistor's centre with clues to his whereabouts.
For dinner, we went to The Merchantman, which was a solid intro to local seafood. The food was great with a solid craft beer list, and we banked on it being kid friendly since it offered a kids menu! When I'm unsure, I always take that as a sure sign I'm heading to an establishments where kiddos are welcome.
Afterward, we checked in to our cozy rental at Hope River Retreat, our home base for the week. Tucked away in a peaceful setting overlooking a lake, this sweet cottage was the perfect spot for our family. The cottage has four spacious bedrooms (including kid-approved bunk beds), a spiral staircase, and beautiful coastal-inspired decor — some of which was custom made by your truly, Little Grey Farmhouse! We especially loved the luxurious bathrooms, the well-stocked kitchen, and the bonfire pit for evening marshmallow roasts. It also came with games and DVDs for rainy days or quiet evenings in.
Day 2: Cavendish Classics & Coastal Views
We started the day with souvenir shopping at the Cavendish Boardwalk, followed by browsing local shops and eateries in Avonlea Village. Lunch was at Piatto Pizzeria, which hit the spot before heading to Cavendish Beach. Later, we walked the Dunelands Trail (a scenic, family-friendly trek), grabbed ice cream at Little Sol, and stopped at Doiron Fisheries to pick up fresh lobster, scallops, and shrimp for a seafood night at home (and a box of KD for the kiddos, obv). We ended the day with a relaxing walk on North Rustico Beach which was gorgeous and nearly empty right at golden hour.
Day 3: Butterflies, Beaches & a Bonfire
We began with breakfast and browsing at the PEI Preserve Company, followed by a stop at the Butterfly House — one kiddo was enchanted while the other found it scary. We visited Covehead Lighthouse and spent the afternoon at the PEI National Park beaches nearby. For food, we tried both Roe’s Tacos and Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Covehead (both worth repeating!). Dinner and a backyard bonfire wrapped up the day perfectly.
Day 4: A Birthday on the Beach
It was my youngest's big 4th birthday, and he had asked for "birthday hats and a beach party." Of course, this was the one day of the trip that was COLD and grey, but we layered up and headed to beautiful Brackley Beach which we had nearly to ourselves once again. We ended up building a positively epic sandcastle that must have been nearly 12 feet long, complete with turrets, a "power generation station" and a dungeon pit with a crayfish shell at the bottom so warn off intruders. We have all agreed that this was a highlight of the trip - the kind of spontaneous experience you can't plan and remember forever.
We couldn’t resist going back to Roe’s and Richard’s for more tacos and lobster rolls (clearly, they’re favorites!). Later, we visited the dramatic Cape Tryon Lighthouse before heading to Sou’West Restaurant for dinner with an ocean view.
Day 5: Anne, Ice Cream & More Beach Time
We returned to Cavendish Beach in the morning, followed by a visit to the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Site — a must for fans of the classic novel. I'll be honest, we were in and out pretty quickly with bored kiddos in tow, but my childhood self was totally geeking out seeing the real Green Gables! We popped back into Avonlea Village and treated ourselves to Cows Ice Cream, then headed back home for dinner and another cozy bonfire night.
Day 6: Hidden Beaches & Seaside Charm
This was a day for discovering hidden gems. We started at Thunder Cove Beach, famous for its red cliffs and photogenic shoreline. You'll see lots of photos of Teacup Rock on tourist sites but it was sadly lost to Hurricane Fiona in 2022. However the red cliffs and rocky coves are still a sight to see - you'll feel like you're on Mars!
We then drove to Victoria by the Sea for lunch at the Lobster Barn — good, but Richard’s still wins the lobster roll crown. We wandered through the artisan shops, grabbed beers and (yes) lobster rolls at Richard’s. My husband, a lobster roll afficionado, would like me to emphasize that if you head to PEI these are THE lobster rolls. We wrapped up the day with a much-needed date night at Sea Rocket in Charlottetown. We ended the night with drinks at Gahan House, while the grandparents and grandkids had a movie night back at the cottage.
Day 7: Summerside & a Classic Lobster Supper
My husband and in-laws attended a "shuck & learn" at nearby Raspberry Point oyster farm. We knew the kids wouldn't enjoy this so I happily agreed to take them out for the morning in exchange for fresh, hand-shucked oysters upon my return!
We made our way to Summerside, where we walked the boardwalk, checked out local shops, and spotted Indian Head Lighthouse from afar. There wasn't much to see in Summerside but my kids enjoyed running around the boardwalk and donuts from Get Caked. Later my mother-in-law and I snuck in some shopping at artisan and vintage shops near Cavendish. For our final dinner, we had the classic New Glasgow Lobster Supper — a perfect send-off feast!
Day 8: Panmure Island Road Trip & Farewell
Before heading home, we took one last road trip to Panmure Island, visiting the lighthouse and I was delighted to learn for a small admission fee you can climb to the top of the lighthouse. Finally - my PEI bucket list complete! Lunch and craft beer at Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague was a great stop, and we squeezed in one last cone at What’s the Scoop before heading to the airport.
Places Still on Our List
Like any good trip, we didn’t get to everything. A few of the spots I hoped to see were significant drives from our cottage and we had promised ourselves to allow ample downtime for the beach. Here’s what we’re saving for next time:
- Basin Head, Little Harbour, Souris & East Point Lighthouse
- West Point Lighthouse & the Potato Museum
Final Thoughts
PEI was everything we hoped for — laid-back, beautiful, and full of hidden gems. Whether you’re chasing red cliffs, sandy toes, or the perfect lobster roll, it’s the kind of place where family memories are made. We’ll be back!