Downtown Charlottetown Tour: A Guide to Historical Lore and Landmarks

Welcome to Charlottetown, the charming capital city of Prince Edward Island! On this walking tour, you’ll explore the historical and cultural treasures that make this city so special.

Our 90-minute walk starts and ends at Port Charlottetown. As you wander through Charlottetown Marina, Peakes Quay, and down the vibrant pedestrian street, Victoria Row, you’ll learn all about the city’s founding, and Canada’s early history. I’ll tell you how Prince Edward Island was discovered by Europeans, and then handed over to British landlords. You’ll find out how the islanders gained their independence, tiptoed on the brink of bankruptcy, and what eventually convinced them to join the Confederation. You’ll quickly realize it’s been a wild ride for these islanders to get to where they are now. Along the way, I’ll show you St Dunstan’s Basilica, one of only 26 basilicas in Canada, and one of the most visible landmarks in the city. You’ll also see the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, Province House National Historic Site, one of the oldest functioning parliamentary buildings in the world.

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to:

• Visit the largest and the smallest churches on the island, St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral and All Souls Chapel
• Explore the Confederation Center of the Arts, a cultural center dedicated to Canadian visual and performing arts, where productions of Anne of Green Gables (the world’s longest continuous-running musical) were held annually until the pandemic hit
• Hear about the ghosts who foretold the tragedy of the burning phantom ship, and an exiled Irish God who lurks in the rocks near the Irish Settlers Monument
• Stroll past COWS ice-cream parlor, Lobster on the Wharf restaurant, and the Culinary Institute of Canada, where you can discover local cuisine
• Find out about the last public execution in the province in Connaught Square, where convict George Dowie was hung three times before being declared dead
• Take in a few of the city’s hidden quirks, including a canon planted in the sidewalk, and statues of Eckhart, the mouse from David Weale’s best seller The True Meaning of Crumbfest
• Discover how the PEI Railway became one of the world’s most crooked rail beds with a third of its total line made up of curves

Whether it’s your first time in the city or you’re a curious local, this tour is a valuable introduction to Charlottetown’s history. By the end of this tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation of Canada’s birthplace, its rich cultural heritage, and its lesser-known stories. So, grab your walking shoes and join me as we explore the best of Charlottetown. Let’s get started!