Charlottetown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Charlottetown showing a city and a church or cathedral
Charlottetown which includes a house, snow and heritage architecture
Charlottetown which includes a city
Charlottetown showing snow and a house
Charlottetown which includes snow and a bay or harbour as well as a small group of people

Enjoy the historic waterfront, charming streets, entertaining theatre, diverse dining options and rich art and cultural scene of Prince Edward Island’s capital city.

Charlottetown is known as the Birthplace of Confederation, where Canada’s Fathers of Confederation gathered in 1864 to discuss forming a nation stretching between the oceans. See the picturesque cottage home of William Henry Pope, one of the founding fathers, at the Ardgowan National Historic Site of Canada. Interestingly, Prince Edward Island remained independent until 1873.

Follow some of the 250 miles (400 kilometers) of the Confederation Trail, with hiking, cycling and picnicking along woodland paths that were once train tracks. Rent a kayak or sailboat to enjoy Charlottetown Harbour. Play on the beach or try lobster fishing.

Visit diverse museums and galleries ranging from the military artifacts in Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum to artisan boutiques featuring sea glass, pottery, jewelry making and glass blowing. The region also hosts festivals and performing arts events. Performance spaces at the Guild in downtown Charlottetown feature plays, musicals, lectures, improvisation and more. For Celtic appreciation, attend the Highland Games at Lord Selkirk Provincial Park in Belfast, about a 30-minute drive southeast.

Drive north for 30 minutes to Cavendish to view the green-gabled house, haunted woods and trail that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s much-loved series of novels, Anne of Green Gables. See a musical performance of the popular story at the summertime Charlottetown Festival.

Explore the downtown area on foot, with a wide range of restaurants reflecting the diverse ethnicities in the community. Sign up for a culinary bootcamp at Holland College. See if you’re lucky at Redshores Racetrack and Casino. Gaze at the historic buildings along Victoria Row. Find fresh produce at the summer farmers market and enjoy some great golf nearby.

Fly into Charlottetown’s airport, just a few miles from downtown or drive across the Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick. Moncton is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) west. For a pleasant journey over the water, take the ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Nova Scotia. Charlottetown is about a 4-hour drive northeast from Canada’s border with Maine.

Where to stay in Charlottetown

Prince Edward Island as well as an individual male

Downtown Charlottetown

4/5(6 area reviews)

While visiting Downtown Charlottetown, you might make a stop by sights like Confederation Centre of the Arts and Victoria Row.

Downtown Charlottetown
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Parkdale

You'll enjoy the museums and live music in Parkdale. You might want to make time for a stop at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino or Prince Edward Island Brewing Company.

Parkdale
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Winsloe

While Winsloe may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Royalty Crossing Mall and Red Shores Racetrack and Casino.

Winsloe
The Arts Hotel
The Arts Hotel
3 out of 5
155 Kent St, Charlottetown, PE
The price is NZ$283 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$283
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Charlottetown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and rainfall showerheads. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (751 reviews)
"The Arts Hotel does a fantastic job for what it offers: a no-frills stay. (I personally did not enjoy the glass-walled bathroom-maybe it's just me.), and I feel the no-frills brand goes a little too far (no hair dryer in the bathroom, for instance; bring your own). The first night of our stay was ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

The Arts Hotel
Rodd Royalty
Rodd Royalty
4.5 out of 5
14 Capital Drive, Intersection of Highways 1 & 2, Charlottetown, PE
The price is NZ$437 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$437
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Charlottetown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,099 reviews)
"Good location. Staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good with lots of options. We enjoyed an evening meal at the hotel restaurants. Shopping and many restaurants are within walking distance."

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Rodd Royalty
Hampton Inn & Suites Charlottetown
Hampton Inn & Suites Charlottetown
2.5 out of 5
300 Capital Drive, Charlottetown, PE
The price is NZ$384 per night from 24 July to 25 July
NZ$384
24 July - 25 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charlottetown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,013 reviews)
Excellent but could use a hot tub
"Property is very well maintained and quiet even though it was busy. The pool could really use a hot tub like most Hampton inn's. Breakfast was really good and rooms really clean and quiet."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites Charlottetown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Glendenning Hall
Glendenning Hall
2 out of 5
331 Grafton Street, Charlottetown, PE
Stay at this aparthotel in Charlottetown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (717 reviews)
"The breakfast is not good at all; egg is most expensive one:-)"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Glendenning Hall
"The Preston" Downtown CORE close to everything
"The Preston" Downtown CORE close to everything
Charlottetown
Stay at this apartment in Charlottetown. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Historic Charlottetown Waterfront and St. ...
Charlottetown fetaway
"Very good location, walking distance to downtown, great shower, comfortable bed, good tv. Would go back. ."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2024

"The Preston" Downtown CORE close to everything
Cozy retreat 10 minutes to Downtown Charlottetown; 20 minutes to Stanhope beach
Cozy retreat 10 minutes to Downtown Charlottetown; 20 minutes to Stanhope beach
Charlottetown
Stay at this vacation home in Charlottetown. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Historic Charlottetown Waterfront ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Family getaway
"Very clean, well decorated and well furnished with everything you would need. Very quiet. Perfect for a family getaway!"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Cozy retreat 10 minutes to Downtown Charlottetown; 20 minutes to Stanhope beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Charlottetown

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very enjoyable town to walk around admiring the historic homes and buildings. We loved watching “Anne the Musical” at the Homburg Theatre and historic Beaconsfield House.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Preferred other areas of PEI especially Anne of Green Gables home and touring around the island stopping at interesting sites and loved the lighthouses.