3 Best Sights in Prince Edward Island, Canada

This was once home to Lucy Maud Montgomery's aunt and uncle. The writer also lived here for a time and was married in the parlor in 1911—in fact, that room serves as a wedding venue for modern-day couples. Inside the house, which is still owned by Montgomery descendants, are mementos such as photographs and a quilt Montgomery worked on. The site includes a gift shop jam-packed with licensed Anne of Green Gables goodies, and there is a Matthew Cuthbert look-alike on hand to take visitors on buggy rides around the pastoral 110-acre property. Trips for up to five passengers cost C$75 for a half-hour, C$125 for one hour.

In addition to a popular campground, 360-acre Cabot Beach Provincial Park has fine day-use facilities—particularly for families. In summer, the sandy beach is supervised, plus there's a playground and children's programming. Naturalist-led walks are also available. Surf conditions can sometimes deter swimmers, and alerts are issued if it becomes dangerous, but when it's calm, it's very calm. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Just north of Darnley (on Route 20, about halfway between Park Corner and Malpeque), this long stretch of sands includes Thunder Cove Beach, weather-sculpted sea stacks, and a number of sandstone caves. There are no developed facilities here, other than a campground, and the beach is often almost entirely deserted except for the seabirds—so it’s perfect for those seeking a "castaway" experience. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.