Highway map of Eastern PEI Prince Edward Island Canada

From the Victorian ambience of Charlottetown to the wild  remoteness of East Point, eastern Prince Edward Island affords a  kaleidoscopic view of island life. While the capital city celebrates the  foundation of Canada as a nation, the fishing villages provide a window  on traditions that are still followed today.      

Ferry connections to Nova Scotia and lies de la Madeleine  reflect the strong links to the sea where work on the water is the norm.  Locally fished lobster and scallops are prized for their flavor. As  well, aqua-culturists grow mouthwatering mussels in Murray River, St.  Peters Bay, and other areas.      

Lighthouses, no longer manned, are preserved and open as  museums or craft shops. Cape Bear Lighthouse, built in 1881, is the site  of the first Canadian Marconi station to hear SOS calls from the  Titanic. The East Point Lighthouse marks the meeting of the tides of  Northumberland Strait and Gulf of St. Lawrence, and has been the site of  many a shipwreck. Climb the tower to glimpse the churning waters, if  you dare.      

Basin Head [B7] Basin Head is home to a museum chronicling the  island's fishing industry and one of the island's best beaches. Pure  white sand stretches for kilometers and, when conditions are right,  "squeaks" as you walk on it, earning the beach the nickname "Singing  Sands."      

Charlottetown [B1-C1]      

In 1864 Queen Victoria steamed into the harbor bound for  meetings that led to the birth of our nation. Follow the Fathers of  Confederation from their landing point to Province House, the birthplace  of Canada. Costumed players, carefully preserved architecture, a  commemorative park, and interactive Founders Hall bring the capital  city's history alive at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The P.E.I.  Heritage Foundation offers more history in the beautiful Victorian  Beaconsfield House. Don't miss the twin spires and fine Italian carvings  of the ornate St. Dunstan's Basilica (1898), one of Canada's largest  churches.      

Georgetown [C4]  A deep-water port known for ship repairs,  Georgetown also boasts championship golf courses, marine sports, and  full resort facilities at nearby Brudenell River Provincial Park. The  Brudenell Golf Academy is one of this country's largest golf schools.      

Little Sands [E3] The island's only winery, Rossignol Estate  Winery, allows you to sample while you shop. Lush vineyards overlook  Northumberland Strait, where some local legends recount sightings of a  sea serpent with a head shaped like a horse.      

Murray River/ Murray harbor [E4]      

These small villages are typical of P.E.I.'s fishing  communities. Seal-watching tours also provide a great view of the area's  mussel farms. Kings Castle Provincial Park in nearby Gladstone is a  must-see storyland for kids.  

A restored agricultural community of the 1890s settled by  Scottish immigrants can be found here, and is noted for its lively  ceilidhs. At Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead, experts on native trees and  plants make walking the woodlands an enlightening experience. Ask about  the resident ghost.     

Souris [B6] A plague of mice gave Souris its name [sourisis  French for mice) in the early 1700s. Souris is the connecting point for  ferry service to lies de la Madeleine. Listen for fiddle music as you  pass through Rollo Bay-its festival is legendary.      

Wood Islands [E3] The ferry to and from Nova Scotia is often  dubbed a mini-cruise, which attunes "come-from-awayers" to P.E.I.'s  slower pace of life. Stroll by the working fishing wharf for a visit to  the lighthouse in nearby Wood Islands Provincial Park.      

CITY GUIDE      

CHARLOTTETOWN ATTRACTIONS      

Confederation Centre of the Arts Confederation Centre Art Gallery and Museum Province House Beaconsfield House      

Founders Hall Government House      

Victoria Park Ardgowan National Historic Park Mi'kmaq Indian Village      

Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National      

Historic Site The Island Crafts Shop Peake's Wharf      

AIRPORT INFORMATION      

(902) 566-7997      

RADIO STATIONS      

CFCY 630 AM CHLQ93.1 FM      

TOURISM OFFICE      

Tourist Information Centre, City Hall (902) 566-5548      

TOURISM WEB SITE      

www.  city. charlottetown.  pe.ca