Canoe.ca | Travel

Destination: PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

P.E.I.: A recipe for family fun

Attractions, hospitality and history match the beautiful scenery

By A. P. RODRIGUES -- Special to Canoe Travel

Covehead Harbour Lightstation, Prince Edward Island National Park. -- Photo by <a href=

Phil Raby " />

Covehead Harbour Lightstation, Prince Edward Island National Park. -- Photo by Phil Raby

Prince Edward Island is known as the Garden of the Gulf for good reason; the warmer months bring splashes of colour courtesy of purple lupins and emerald green pastures, and hints of the ocean's serene blue can always be caught out of the corner of your eye.

Measuring just 143 miles from tip to tip, Prince Edward Island is located east of Nova Scotia in the Maritimes. Although small in size, P.E.I. is big on attractions, hospitality and history -- three ingredients, that mixed in with some beautiful scenery, provide the perfect recipe for a great family vacation.

Attractions:

Although all things related to Anne of Green Gables may come to mind when one thinks about P.E.I., there is much more to see and do on the island than some people might imagine.

Prince Edward Island National Park is the perfect place to spend the day for a family of outdoor enthusiasts. Take your bathing suits for a swim at one of the supervised beaches, then put on your hiking boots for a trip into the woods. Getting hungry? Head over to Covehead Harbour for some fish and chips at one of the food outlets while enjoying the sights of the colourful lobster boats. A short walk away is Covehead Harbour Lightstation and another sandy beach to explore.

For a museum with a twist, try Jurassic Bart's Dinosaur Museum and Petting Farm. Exhibited are the lesser-known details on dinosaurs' lives, such as their babies, injuries and even some petrified "dino poop." The displays are hands-on and provide information in entertaining ways. Outside, an ensemble of friendly farm animals, including some cute bunnies, awaits little hands to pet them.

Of course, there are many attractions associated with Anne of Green Gables and L. M. Montgomery, the creator of this enduring fictional character. But, by far, the most fun spot is Avonlea, the Village of Anne of Green Gables. Kids will enjoy watching their favourite Anne of Green Gables characters come to life as actors play out parts of the books. As well, there are pony rides, cow milking and music shows.

The Cruise Manada Seal Watching Boat Tour is another popular attraction with families. This award-winning, interpretive river tour is a wonderful way to learn more about some of the island's marine life, such as harbour seals. You'll also get a chance to see these curious and playful creatures in their natural habitat. The history of mussel cultivation is also taught as the boat cruises by several farms.

Hospitality:

"Be our guest" could well be P.E.I.'s motto. Families are made to feel right at home whether they are having a mid-afternoon snack or a grand lobster dinner. And there's no shortage of fun places to stay on the island.

Carr's Oyster Bar and Seafood restaurant is the perfect stop for a family lunch for many reasons; besides superior food, their deck overlooks picturesque Stanley Bridge Harbour and New London Bay. Majestic blue herons are a common sight as they saunter about slowly in the water. After lunch, the whole family can enjoy a visit to the adjoined Stanley Bridge Marine Aquarium and Manor of Birds. Besides several tanks of Maritime fish, there's the opportunity to get up close and personal with some very entertaining seals.

A traditional P.E.I. lobster supper can be enjoyed at The Millstream Barn Restaurant. The casual atmosphere is great for families looking for a laid-back place to enjoy some island seafood. There's a kids' menu, an all-you-can-eat-salad bar and, on certain evenings, some local entertainment live on stage.

The best way to enjoy a stay on the island, many will say, is to rent one of the many cottages. An excellent place is Brackley Bay Tourist Home and Cottages. The owners, Ronald and Jeanne Brewster, go out of their way to ensure visitors have a comfortable stay. The cottages are fully equipped and full of special little extras, such as toys for little ones, barbecues and a lot of extra fluffy towels and comforters. It's a good place to stay if you have infants since they also have strollers and cribs.

Dalvay-by-the-Sea is another popular place to stay and dine because of its location in P.E.I. National Park and all the amenities families can find on site. Miles of sandy beaches are only a short walk away and bike rentals are located on the premises. Breakfasts and dinners are included in the room/cottage rates and a menu especially designed for children is available. For kids of all ages, there is also the famous Dalvay Sticky Date Pudding, served with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Colourful fishing boats await their next outing at Stanley Bridge Harbour. -- Photo by Phil Raby

The history of the building is as fascinating as the many gables and dormers that adorn it. Dating back to 1895, it was built as the summer home of Alexander McDonald, an extremely wealthy American businessman who was the one-time president of Standard Oil. Many years later, the family fortune was lost and Dalvay was sold over the years to various owners, some with colourful backgrounds. In 1959, a Swiss couple, the Reymonds, purchased the building and opened an inn. Today, the inn is run by the Reymond's grandson and his wife and offers the same wonderful hospitality from over 40 years ago.

History:

Prince Edward Island is a place brimming with history. And although children may bristle at the word, P.E.I. shines at showcasing its past in a way that's anything but tedious.

Founders' Hall, Canada's Birthplace Pavilion, is a truly unique history lesson. This interactive heritage attraction is 21,000 square feet of hi-tech displays, holovisuals and on-screen trivia games that make learning history fun. And what is exactly the lesson being taught? Well, in 1864, delegates from various areas of what is today known as Canada arrived at the Charlottetown waterfront with the intent of discussing the advantages of uniting the different provinces under one country. That first meeting was successful and later led to the birth of Canada, hence the name of the pavilion.

To get a sense of what Charlottetown folk might have looked like in 1864, you can take a guided tour of the historic downtown with the Confederation Players, a group of young people who bring history alive by speaking, dressing and acting like Ladies and Fathers of Confederation.

Jurassic Bart's Dinosaur Museum and Petting Farm. -- Photo by Phil Raby

There's so much more to see on Prince Edward Island that families are sure to return year after year to enjoy everything the island has to offer. To help with the decision making regarding what to see and where to go, there's a great online tool called Explore P.E.I. that allows visitors to create their own personalized itinerary.

For more information:

Prince Edward Island Tourism website:
www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide

Prince Edward Island National Park
www.canadianparks.com

Jurassic Bart's Dinosaur Museum and Petting Farm
(902) 886-2398