Prince Edward Island

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Canada's Maritime Provinces

A June 2004 trip to Prince Edward Island by fastoy

PeggyMore Photos

We flew into Halifax to begin our week-long visit to the Maritimes. We planned our trip for Canada Day to see the fireworks over the Halifax harbor. A half-day's drive took us to Charlottetown, P.E.I., where we spent four nights. We then drove back down the Nova Scotia coast to Halifax.

  • 7 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 18 photos

Canada's Maritime ProvincesBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Peggy's Cove
Halifax's Public Gardens had just reopened but were absolutely beautiful. Peggy's Cove was awesome, but the swarms of tourists gave it a feel of ants crawling all over it. The drive cross-country from Halifax to P.E.I. was nondescript, but it was an easy drive. Charlottetown is just a small town with a harbor. Green Gables makes you feel like you're actually in the book!

Quick Tips:

Don't miss Victoria by the Sea for anything. The bridge was out on the approach from Charlottetown, so we had to drive past it and come back.

Best Way To Get Around:

Gotta have a car! We picked up one at Halifax Airport and kept it for a week for US.

Waverley InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Waverley Inn in Halifax
This is a beautiful place! It was freshly painted in the summer of 2004. Complimentary wireless Internet made it possible to upload photos before we returned. There was a nice breakfast available and very convenient free parking.

Their web site is http://www.waverleyinn.com/. Don't forget the second "e."

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Waverley Inn
1266 Barrington Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J1Y5
(902) 423-9346

Hillhurst InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hillhurst Inn in Charlottetown
This inn is luxurious and very personable, but there is no Internet. Even my dial-up was sloooooow. Parking is available on the street. It is a longish walk to the harbor. The room air-conditioner was unusual but very effective. You shouldn't need it much here.

Their web site is http://www.hillhurst.com/.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Hillhurst Inn
181 Fitzroy St. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
(902) 894-8004

DunesBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The Dunes"

The Dunes
Trust me, that address is more than you'll need if you get to Brackley Beach! You have to walk through a striking gallery to get to the café. The building is surrounded by beautiful flowering water gardens and panoramic dunes. Their web site is http://www.dunesgallery.com/.

The food is simply extraordinary and is served on the Dunes’ handmade pottery. For the two of us, the tab was US$71.94, including a couple of glasses of wine.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Dunes
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Chives Canadian BistroBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

We didn't find this on any of the tourist sites. We were walking down Barrington on Canada Day night and noticed a group of well-dressed young women entering this restaurant. We thought that it must be an upscale place, so when we returned to Halifax, we made a point to dine there. We were not disappointed.

Their website is http://www.chivesbistro.net/.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Chives Canadian Bistro
1537 Barrington St. Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1Z4
(902) 420-9626

Seagull PewterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

We stumbled across this store almost literally in the middle of nowhere. The northern shore of Nova Scotia is about as close to nowhere as you'll come.

This friendly shop is chock-full of unique pewter pieces. Shops across Canada and the U.S. carry their goods, but this is their home.

Be sure to keep your receipts so you can get the tax back!

Their web site is http://shop.itnweb.com/seagull_car1/.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Seagull Pewter
9926 Durham Street Pugwash, Nova Scotia B0K 1L0
(902) 243-3850

Trout River PotteryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

On the way to Trout River Pottery
I don't know how my wife learned about this place! I don't know how we found this place! Any place whose directions include "turn off the paved road" is really out in the sticks. You should persist, though, because it's worth it (and remember, the car is rented).

The potter is a native of Prince Edward Island. He talked to us about how life was "before the bridge."

His pottery is some of the most beautiful and unique I've seen, and I've seen a lot over my wife's shoulder.

Plan to spend some time with Darren, and he'll show you how he works his magic.

His web site is http://www.peipottery.com.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by fastoy on December 28, 2004

Trout River Pottery
Rt. 239 Prince Edward Island, Canada
(902) 621-0498

Prince Edward Island LighthousesBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

P.E.I. Lighthouses
I was more interested in the lighthouses than my wife was, but she let me drive down many red dirt roads looking for them. Several of them were open for tourists, but be aware that the openings are seasonal. Summer begins (and ends) in July!

About the Writer

fastoy
fastoy
Southaven, Mississippi

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