Whether you just spent the last year reading the Anne of Green Gables series at bedtime with your 9-year-old, or are just looking for a way to relax and reconnect with your adult daughter, the birthplace and inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery is the perfect vacation.
While there are dozens of attractions to visit related to Montgomery’s novels and poetry, there are also many things to enjoy if you haven’t read the books. If you’re looking to visit more than one of the Anne destinations, investigate if the package with the Anne and Gilbert musical package might save you some money.
The Anne things:
Anne of Green Gables or Anne and Gilbert musical: If you need a refresh on all things Anne, start your trip with a showing of one of the two musicals featuring her story. They are surprisingly well done and the music is so catchy, it had me singing it all weekend long to the annoyance of my mom. A word of warning, buying front row center seats at The Guild may not be what you expect. You’ll feel a breeze from the whirling skirts of the dancers, the children in the schoolhouse may sit on your shoes and you’ll end up being fully immersed in the show due to the closeness of the actors. But don’t worry, everyone has fresh breath. Not into that? Buy second or third row seats instead.
Green Gables Heritage Place: This newly modernized park is a replica of the Cuthbert home from the Anne series. You can tour the home built in the 1800s and hike in the Haunted Wood. Be sure to catch the charming video about Montgomery’s life, and don’t be afraid to ask for it in English because they’ll likely offer the French version first.
Anne Museum: The Campbell home where Montgomery wrote many of her novels and poetry. The museum tells a wonderful story of her life and celebrates the Canadian national treasure that she was. The main draw of this spot is the private carriage rides along the beautiful rolling hills of the estate and then along the beach. It’s a magical experience that adults and kids would both enjoy. They even provide wool lap blankets.
Lucy Maud Montgomery birthplace: If you’re a super fan, you may find it interesting to pop into the little corner home where Montgomery was born. This area certainly exploits all they can from Montgomery’s popularity and particularly cater to international tourists from Asia as Anne of Green Gables is required reading in Japanese schools. If you’re passing by, stop in to have the docent tell her version of Montgomery’s story and see the small room where she was born.
The non-Anne things:
There are gobs of cottages to rent in Cavendish, but I’m a sucker for the unusual. This Airbnb is more than just an interesting round home. It slowly rotates so all four spacious apartments get ocean views. It’s an absolutely incredible stay with modern amenities and local treats. I’d consider going back to PEI just to stay here again. We even had a cozy night in because of a thunderstorm and the owner brought down some of his personal board games for us to enjoy. If you’re going to PEI, stay here. It’s central, it’s affordable, it’s like nowhere else you’ll ever sleep.
Cows Ice Cream: Yes it’s a chain but it’s a Canadian treasure with it’s home in PEI. While the ice cream is good, it’s actually the souvenirs that really make the experience. Cow-themed parody t-shirts and trinkets galore make it worth a visit to your nearest location.
Local breweries: Looking for a place to imbibe? Prince Edward Island Brewing Company and The Gahan House are good places to start. Stop by the fridge on your way out of Gahan to get some of the raspberry sour to take to home.
Brackley Drive-In: There aren’t many old fashioned drive-ins left so this is a nice add to your laid back holiday in Canada. Pro tip: Show up way earlier than you normally would. It’s a very popular destination and we almost didn’t get a spot an hour before the show. Also, because you’re likely renting a car, be sure to investigate how to keep your radio on with your headlights off. We all probably know how to do this in our own vehicles, but in a Canadian rental, we had to dig out the owner’s manual to double check.
Kayak the coves: If you’re visiting in the summer or fall, take a tour of the North Rustico Bay to see the beautiful red rock cliffs and beaches. Pack warm though because the intense Atlantic winds and spring rains can make for a less than fun time on the water if you’re not dressed appropriately.
Canadian Potato Museum: More than a celebration of the delicious spud, this museum serves as a time machine of potato harvesting through the years. The best part? They have a kitchen! Read this menu and tell me your mouth isn’t watering. My strategy would be to go for lunch then visit the museum and eat again before you leave.
A note on the weather: It’s easy to forget that even though Prince Edward Island doesn’t look that far on the map, it’s still an island on the northern coast of the Atlantic Ocean so it’s much chillier than we experience in the Midwest. Even in June the weather can imitate the early spring weather we’re used to, like 35 degrees and rainy. Pack layers and rain gear so you won’t be stuck inside in this beautiful Canadian province.
Looking for help planning your mother-daughter trip elsewhere? Just holler!