What I Did On A Dreamy Girls’ Trip To P.E.I.
(Photo: Mikayla Halushak)
Within an hour of landing in Charlottetown, my niece Mikayla and I were sitting on a wharf overlooking the ocean, enjoying the most delicious lobster rolls we’d ever tasted. And thus kicked off a truly delightful vacation—so much so, I’ve already booked a return trip.
Prince Edward Island has seen record numbers of tourists in recent years, with good reason: The island offers gorgeous beaches, delectable seafood and a range of attractions you might not expect, from jewel-box boutiques to massive music festivals to a zen thermal spa overlooking tranquil St. Peter’s Bay. Here’s what we did over the course of five heavenly days on the island.
Where To Stay In Prince Edward Island
We split our stay between teensy St. Peter’s Bay and Charlottetown, the island’s capital. At the former, we slept in a chic cabin at Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort. We loved the thermal circuit (which includes hot and cold pools, multiple saunas and a eucalyptus steam room) as well as the breakfast we ate the next morning—mushroom eggs benny and a garden salad I’m still dreaming about—in the spa’s lounge. (Mysa grows much of its own produce; dining is only available to spa guests.)
In Charlottetown, we stayed at a heritage house in the heart of downtown that was operated by the adjacent The Great George Hotel. We arrived during happy hour and enjoyed wine from Nova Scotia’s Benjamin Bridge while relaxing in the cozy lobby, before getting settled in our four-bedroom house just down the street.
Where To Explore In Prince Edward Island
While the majestic Cavendish is P.E.I.’s most famous public beach, there are dozens of other stunners to explore. If you’re headed to Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Covehead—which locals consider the best of the three Richard’s locations on the island—make an after-lunch pit stop at Stanhope Beach. We walked the length of it on a sunny and warm Thursday afternoon in September and had the place to ourselves. Similarly, on our way back to Charlottetown after touring Green Gables Heritage Place (sure to delight any Anne stan; this was my third visit and my first after the addition of an extensive AGG exhibit), we changed into our swimsuits and joined a handful of sunbathers at Brackley Beach.
The annual Sommo Festival in Cavendish is a hybrid music-food fest featuring menu offerings from local chefs, a boozy smorgasbord of wine, cocktails and craft beer, and a spectacular musical lineup. (Irish singer-songwriter Hozier closed the 2025 fest with a performance I’ll never forget.)
The Confederation Trail runs from one tip of the island to the other. We took a run alongside St. Peter’s Bay to Greenwich and an equally picture-perfect bike ride from St. Peter’s Bay to Morrell (we rented bikes from Confederation Trail Bike Rental).
But the most jaw-dropping vista I encountered was purely by chance. I made a wrong turn while looking for a pottery studio in North Rustico and ended up taking a meandering route back to Charlottetown. I was awestruck by the endless rolling hills and cerulean sky.
Where To Eat And Drink In Prince Edward Island
We took it upon ourselves to eat as many lobster rolls as possible during our time in P.E.I. (alongside pints of Gahan Blueberry Wheat Ale). The first and best was from the aforementioned Richard’s in Covehead. The lobster rolls from Fin Folk Food on Tracadie Beach—a new-ish restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surf—were just as generously stuffed and nearly as delectable.
We ate unbelievably briny oysters from the roadside Brackley Bay Oyster Co. (while hoping to reenact the meet-cute from Carley Fortune’s This Summer Will Be Different—soon to be a Netflix series) and had mussels and steamed lobster at Charlottetown’s homey Water Prince Corner Shop.
We ended our trip with steaming mugs of seafood chowder and massive bowls of rosemary and lemon mussels at the iconic Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico. (Note: This spring it’s relocating to South Rustico.)
Where To Shop In Prince Edward Island
Downtown Charlottetown has some excellent boutiques, including Moonsnail Soapworks (for delicious-smelling bodycare), Crow’s Nest (for local pottery) and Luxury Market Consignment (for resale clothing in pristine condition).
But our absolute favourite Charlottetown shopping experience was at Croft—a tiny shop that’s masterfully stocked by owner Meg Ferris (and tucked into a room in her family-owned inn). Visit for made-in-Canada beauty and home products, and impeccable slow-fashion finds.
Outside of the city, Freckles and Porcelain—which a shop clerk described to us as “being curated by a modern-day Anne of Green Gables”—is a must-stop in St. Peter’s Bay for beautiful stationary illustrated by owner Emily Carlaw.
What I Bought In Prince Edward Island
Works of Art
The beautiful botanical illustrations in this Freckles and Porcelain calendar can be trimmed for framing.
A Chip To Remember
I never understood the appeal of chocolate-covered potato chips until I tried these perfectly crunchy ones from the iconic Cows ice cream shop.
Tee Time
Swenn in downtown Charlottetown sells stylish P.E.I. merch, including this whimsical lupine T-shirt.
Pretty Pane
The provincial flower of P.E.I. is the ladyslipper, but the lupine is a common motif in local art, including this fused glass panel from Canoe Cove Studios.
✈️ How To Get To Prince Edward Island
All the major Canadian airlines fly into Charlottetown—including Flair and Porter.
🗓️ When To Go To Prince Edward Island
The summer months are peak season, but if you can swing it, visit in early September when the crowds thin but the seasonal attractions remain open.
🚗 How To Get Around Prince Edward Island
Renting a car is essential to get around the island. The good news? Traffic is non-existent (music to any big-city dweller’s ears)and nothing is more than a few hours’ drive away.
🧳 What To Pack For Prince Edward Island
A pair of sneakers and your coziest clothes—including a sweater for cool nights. And don't forget a stack of books for the beach (or thermal spa).
Why Prince Edward Island Is A Great Girls' Trip Destination
- There’s lots to do, but you’ll also have plenty of time to unwind and reconnect—P.E.I. is not for go-go-go vacations.
- Group accommodation options abound, from ocean-view cottages to downtown heritage homes.
- No matter where you stay, you can easily drive anywhere on the island.
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Maureen Halushak is the editor-in-chief of Chatelaine. Outside of work she's an avid runner, writer, reader and dog walker.
