Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Found in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, Prince Edward Island is home to iconic lighthouses, red-sand beaches, and amazing seafood. The island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and its most popular city, Charlottetown, is its place to be. All kinds of voyages, including St. Lawrence Seaway cruises, Great Lakes cruises, and New England cruises spend time in this popular Canadian destination.
When arriving at the Charlottetown, PEI cruise port, you'll have the opportunity to explore a lovely city with a unique culture. In town, delicious cuisine, quaint shops, and a colorful history provide lots to do and see. Or, you can head outside to destinations like Prince Edward Island National Park, the Confederation Bridge, and the Wood Islands. Each of these latter destinations offers lots of nature to explore, creating a perfect setting for those that prefer hiking, sightseeing, and other outdoor activities.
Explore Charlottetown food
Local farming and fishing is the bread and butter of Charlottetown's unique cuisine. Prince Edward Island is well known for its International Shellfish Festival and its famous Fall Flavours Festival. Make sure you plan some time to stop and grab some of the best seafood you’ll ever have. PEI even features a Culinary Trail with dishes like freshly harvested Malpeque oysters, and PEI potato cooked just the right way.
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Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is a port of call for the following Canadian, New England, and Great Lakes Cruises:
AMERICAN QUEEN VOYAGES
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Top attractions for Charlottetown cruises
- Beaconsfield Historic House. This historic Prince Edward Island home preserves Victorian elegance and "modern" conveniences from the late 19th century. The home was built in the late 1800s by James Peake, a shipbuilder that migrated from Plymouth, England in 1824. A fine example of wealth during the Victorian era, the Beaconsfield House functions as both a museum and venue, hosting events like lectures and concerts.
- Confederation Trail. This 250 mile (400 km) trail stretches from one end of Prince Edward Island to the other. While walking or cycling the entirety of the Confederation Trail may not be possible given the one day most cruises stop in Charlottetown, visiting the well-maintained path for a short stretch is always great. Over its course, you'll find over 1,600 geocaches and 200 panels documenting PEI's history.
- Confederation Bridge. An 8 mile (12.9 km) bridge connecting Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick, the Confederation Bridge is the longest bridge in the world to stretch across ice-filled waters. It was finished in 1997, replacing the island's old ferry service. When visiting, you'll get to see wide spanning views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
- Skmaqn-Port La Joie-Fort Amherst National Historic Site. Found just half an hour from Charlottetown, this historic destination tells the story of the very first European settlement on Prince Edward Island. Here, you'll find where an alliance was formed between the French and the Mi'kmaq, the Maritime Provinces' largest First Nation.
- Victoria Row. This Charlottetown street mall is the perfect spot to refresh between activities. On the row, you'll find cafes with covered patios and rooftop terraces, boutique shops stocked with local souvenirs to commemorate your Prince Edward Island cruise, and outdoor music all summer long.
More to know when you cruise to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown was originally settled by the Mi'kmaq people, who called their island epekwitk, meaning "cradled on the waves." Learn more Mi'kmaq place names near Charlottetown.
- Charlottetown was originally names Port la Joie by the French, but was renamed for the British Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, in 1763.
- It serves as the capital of Canada's smallest province, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and is one of only two cities on the island.
- Charlottetown is known as the "birthplace of Canada." The Charlottetown Conference, held in 1864, was the first step towards unification of Canadian provinces in 1867.
- The beloved children's book, Anne of Green Gables, was written by PEI native Lucy Maud Montgomery in 1908 and set at nearby Cavendish Beach. The house that inspired the story is a National Historic Site.
- Visit during the Charlottetown Festival (June-September) for tickets to Anne of Green Gables--The Musical, Canada's longest running musical.
- The world's longest softball game was played in Charlottetown in 2008, lasting 96 hours and 4 minutes. In addition to breaking the world record, the players raised $10,000 for cancer research.
- Charlottetown's most valuable exports include potatoes, lobsters, and turbo-jet parts.
Updated 2-16-22 BB
