5 Best Sights in North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

Built in 1867 (the year Canada was "born"), the restored, heirloom-filled home of a prominent local family feels like a Summerside time capsule. Guided interpretive tours last about 50 minutes. There are concerts in the garden on Wednesdays, and this is also a venue during the Summerside Lobster Carnival and Summerside Arts Festival. The entry fee also admits you to another of the Wyatt Heritage Properties: the Lefurgey Cultural Centre at 205 Prince Street.

Many descendants of PEI's first French settlers still live in the Miscouche area, 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Summerside, and the Acadian Museum commemorates their history. This National Historic Site includes a permanent exhibition on Acadian life, including six large paintings by Claude Picard that portray Acadian national symbols, as well as an audiovisual presentation outlining the story of Island Acadians from the early 1700s onward. A genealogical center, heritage walking trail, and themed gift shop are also on-site.

On the waterfront, this center has rotating exhibits of PEI history and fine arts on display in the main gallery: the variety of the exhibitions is one of the center's hallmarks. It also hosts art and craft demonstrations in July and August and lunchtime films on winter Thursdays.

Housed in a 1911 armory used by local militia until 1992, the museum recounts the days when fox fur was the height of fashion and fox "farming" was a thriving Summerside industry, and also charts its eventual decline. The heritage building also has a seasonal art gallery upstairs.

The cornerstone of Summerside's waterfront revitalization project is this collection of cheery little structures that are linked by a boardwalk and designed to evoke a seaside fishing village. The development offers a good blend of craft, clothing, and souvenir shopping, history, and entertainment; plus you can climb a lighthouse lookout for panoramic views of Bedeque Bay and the city. In summer, weather permitting, there's often free weekend entertainment (usually starting at 6 pm, earlier on Canada Day) on the outdoor stage over the water.