PEI where to eat & what to see in 2 days
 

We're taking a quick trip to PEI and don't want to miss the best PEI has to offer in two days. Where's the best fresh fish? And what do we absolutly don't want to miss seeing?

Skip Charlottetown, head to Cavendish.
Mussels and lobsters off the dock yummmmy

Thanks, we weren't planning on a lot of time in Charlottetown, you've just confirmed it.

Hmmm, it depends on what you like to do.

Charlottetown has the theatre (Anne of Green Gables play), decent restaurants, shopping, waterfront area, etc. and you don't absolutely need a car to get around.

Cavendish is a kitschy little place, full of small amusement parks, Ripley's museum, minigolf, and the Anne monuments and sites are within 20 min drive; it also has one of the national parks and beaches close by. It's great if your party includes kids, but you'd need a car to get around.

There is fresh fish everywhere... find out when the boats come in and buy from the fishermen.

You might want to stay in Ch'town but rent a car and make a day trip to Cavendish or other places on the island.

Do you want to golf? See Anne places and things? Hang out on the beach? Shop? Eat fine meals or in family restaurants?

Without knowing what you like, it's hard to recommend.

Hi, I agree with Andiegirl, I do my best to avoid Cavendish when I go 'home' to the Island for a visit. It's very touristy/hokey and busy. Most restaurants pride themselves on fresh fish, (and even the supermarkets are very good there) but the lobster suppers are famous and fun - check New Glasgow or New London and ask the locals for their favourite. Check out this site for lots of info. www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/

I've been to PEI a few times and only went to Cavendish once - pretty touristy but a "must see" if you want to see the Anne of Green Gables stuff. I spent more time at the great red sand beaches.

Charlottetown is worth a visit for their musical and Confederation Hall is one of the best multi-media exhibits I have seen.

I was in Ch'town earlier this spring and just a word of warning...the "magic of the island", which I had always felt, was washed away by the panhandlers (albeit harmless ones) and theft from our car. PEI is a small place but don't get complacent about being a cautious traveller.

Enjoy-la!

As an islander I would make a side trip to Cavendish, and definitely tour Charlottetown. Cavendish is "touristy"... There are beautiful areas surrounding it, but I would not stay here. Fresh fish would be anywhere. The Inn at Bay Fortune, is beautiful but a tad out of the way. For Charlottetown the Inn at Great George would be a nice idea. Tour the island during the day, come back to Ch'Town at nite, stroll through town and choose your restaurant. 7 days and I'm back on my fair isle!!!Can't wait!

Is there a "dock" in Cavendish?!!

I'd say no. Most of Cavendish's buildings etc. are inland, on the main road (route 6). There are smaller communities just east and west of Cavendish with docks, like North Rustico and New London(?).

My attempt at humor, I didn't think there was a dock in Cavendish proper...

Faithie, oops, I am too serious! It must be time for a nice long PEI vacation! ;-)

I lived in Charlottetown for almost 3 years and I agree with the other posters about staying in Charlottetown and doing a day trip to Cavendish. In fact, most of PEI is an easy day trip from Ch'town.

Cavendish is only really interesting for kids. It really is kitschy.

From Ch'town, you can go up to Brackley Beach for the day (try Blooming Point - a deserted beach not too far from there). You could rent a bike and take the Confederation Trail. The Rustico region is also beautiful. Or you could spend a night in Ch'town, then head to the western Island (Summerside, O'Leary, North Cape). It's a bit closer to the bridge from western PEI.

I also agree about the lobster supper. There's a great one in New Glasgow in a big hall. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is very lively!

We want to eat fine meals, no kids and enjoy the scenery. We're staying in Morell and have a car.

Morell would not be my choice, but hey! You do have a car....

I'm trying to avoid the typical tourist area's for lodging. Not an "Anne" fan, so we're avoiding those area's. You still haven't named any restaurants, we don't want to cook so the supermarkets are out.

Off Broadway, The Merchantman, Ch'towns small enoughthat you could stroll around checking menus and choose what suits your tastes.You would have loved the Inn at Bay Fortune....

Charlottetown also has the Culinary Institute of Canada, about two blocks from the tourist area. Gourmet food is prepared by student chefs. You could probably google up their web site to find out about reservations. We were there a few summers ago and the restuarant and kitchen was being operated by the instructional staff as the studends were on break. Also, an interesting place to visit is the College of Piping in Summerside. People come from all over to learn piping and drumming from professionals. They put on several free shows during the day and, for a small admission, have a more elaborate show of piping, singing and dancing in the evening.

Okay, let me clarify. We stayed at a cottage in the National Park area that overlooked the ocean. We just had to cross the road to walk down to the beach and it was spectacular. Then in the late afternoon we drove about 5 miles down the road to the dock where the fishermen brought in a fresh catch. Sorry that I wasnt more specific and that I didnt explain this. I wouldn recommend staying on the main street in Cavendish but I also found Charlottetown not what I wanted to go to PEI for. Its okay but the ocean , beaches hiking trails in the park were what I found to be the best of PEI on my ten trips there. Different strokes for different folks.

a

I like the ocean better than the city no matter how small. Getting mussels & lobster fresh is just what we're looking for, but we don't want to do the cooking!