The north of middle Prince Edward Island, and Cavendish in particular, is home to all the tourist traps you could ever want in a vacation destination. If you’re looking for wax museums, laser tag, paintball, mini golf, and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (the true test of a location’s tourist-ness) look no farther than the Green Gables shore.
With L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and a large national park in this area as huge draws, the money traps will soon follow. I guess it’s not so different than the U.S.–the bigger the national park, the larger the adjoining tourist area will be.
But there *is* an amusement park and water park in this area, and that’s the kind of low-ball tourist-ness I can get behind. In this post, I’ll only discuss the things that look interesting to me. I’ll also leave out all the Anne-related stuff since I covered that in another post.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Stretching 37 miles along PEI’s north shore is Prince Edward Island National Park. The park encompasses dunes, beaches, boardwalks through marshland, red cliffs, a lighthouse, two campsites, the Green Gables Heritage Site, and the historic inn at Dalvey by the Sea.
You can drive by the seaside on the Gulf Shore Parkway from Cavendish to North Rustico, then again from Brackley Beach to Dalvey by the Sea. There are several perfect picnicking spots–you can even order up your own picnic through the park!
There are several trails, including 3 miles around the Robinsons Island Trail System. Most are easy, but some, like the Gulf Shore paths, are long enough to be better suited for biking. And of course, you can swim at the beaches, including areas with park lifeguards.
Make sure to check out what programming they have during your visit. They offer events like yoga on the beach, educational classes at Green Gables with “Miss Stacy”, various story sessions, even building epic sandcastles.
Admission fees are $7.80 ($5.92 USD) and under (youth 17 and under are FREE), $3.90 ($2.96 USD) and under in shoulder season (May-June and September-October), or you can buy a seasonal pass for $39.20 ($29.75 USD), or for $19.60 ($14.88 USD) if you buy between April 1-June 15! There are also FREE Admission days for Canada Day, and in 2018 on July 21.
The park is open year-round but trails are only maintained during the summer months. Most facilities are open mid-May to Mid-Oct, with full service in July and August. Entrance and hiking are without support for the rest of the year.
SHINING WATERS FAMILY FUN PARK
In the heart of the most touristy spot on the island, right next to the Green Gables Heritage Place, and at the west end of the PEI National Park, you’ll find Shining Waters Family Fun Park.
Boasting “40 wet & dry attractions,” only 4 are waterslides that an adult can experience. That being said, one of those slides is a toilet bowl ride, which I always find fun. Plus there’s a newish roller coaster, and something called a “surf coaster” on which you freely stand (i.e. not strapped into anything) so I’m not sure what that’s all about.
Elsewhere in the park is a petting zoo (with an animatronic chicken show–I am not making that up), two paddleboat areas, fairytale character statues, a treehouse, swing bridge, and lots of playground and kiddie attractions. All in all, this park would be best for families with smaller children.
A one-day pass costs $16.15-24.70. ($12.26-18.75 USD) A weekly pass for neighboring Sandspit Park plus Shining Waters costs $22.33-78.38. ($16.95-59.49 USD) In the $100-ish range can get you a weekly pass for both parks plus many of the nearby tourist attractions (Ripley’s, mini-golf, laser tag, the works.) All ticket options have 4-person family savings as well. Open June 15-Sept 2 from 10 to 6 or 7. In Cavendish.
SANDSPIT AMUSEMENT PARK
Next door is the Sandspit Amusement Park featuring one roller coaster and few familiar favorites like the tilt-a-whirl, scrambler, Ferris wheel, and a drop ride. They’ve got bumper cars AND bumper boats, and a go-cart track which you can experience for an extra fee.
Unlike Shining Waters, here you can either get an all-rides wristband (excepting the go-carts) or pay per ticket for just the rides you want to ride. This works well if you’re going to send your kids on a lot of rides that you won’t be riding yourself.
Costs are the same as Shining Waters: a one-day pass costs $16.15-24.70. ($12.26-18.75 USD) A weekly pass for Sandspit Park plus Shining Waters costs $22.33-78.38 ($16.95-59.49 USD). In the $100-ish range can get you a weekly pass for both parks plus many of the nearby tourist attractions (Ripley’s, mini-golf, laser tag, the works.) All ticket options have 4-person family savings as well.
If you want to pay per ticket, prices per ticket are $1.50 ($1.14 USD) with most rides costing 2-4 tickets each. You can save on a book of 25 tickets for $31.11 23.61 USD) or 50 tickets for $53.44 ($40.56 USD) and you can even purchase online ahead of time.
I personally like the idea of popping in during the evening with the park lights on, riding the roller coaster for $4.50, snacking on some cotton candy, and calling it a night. Open June 14-Sept 3 from 10 to 6, 10, or 11 pm. In Cavendish.
BRACKLEY DRIVE-IN THEATRE
For another fun evening activity, check out the retro Brackley Drive-In Theatre. Cool 50’s motifs decorate the canteen and the stage, and two movies and a fountain drink are included in the price. Movies start late, so if you watch both features, plan to stay up until 1 or 2 am. This is starting to sound like a great date night–a roller coaster and/or Ferris Wheel ride at Sandspit, followed by a late movie…
Admission is CASH only, $11.50 ($8.73 USD) per person includes a drink, $7 ($5.31 USD) for kids does not. Children 5 and under are FREE. On Sundays and Wednesdays, $35 ($26.57 USD) covers a carload of up to 5 people, drinks excluded. The canteen takes cash & debit (NO credit) or bring your own food. And if you let them know at the gate, you can park overnight as long as pay for the movie the night before–they’ll keep the bathrooms open for you. Open May 2-Sept 30. In Brackley Beach.
THE GREAT CANADIAN SOAP CO.
I don’t like souvenirs, but I *do* like things I can use, like goat’s milk soap from The Great Canadian Soap Co. Here you’ll find soaps of all scents, bath salts, lotions, and other all-natural skin care solutions.
The main shop in Brackley Beach is open year-round from 9-6. A summer outpost in Cavendish is open from June 29-Sept 2, 10-6. And you can shop online anytime!
THE DUNES STUDIO GALLERY AND CAFÉ
For a stylish meal in a beautiful setting, try The Dunes Studio Gallery & Cafe. Owned by a pair of potters, this art gallery is full of Canadian-made glassworks, sculpture, pottery, and even furniture. The studio is surrounded by beautiful gardens as well. They serve lunch and dinner, with dinner reservations being highly recommended.
Prices are reported on the high side, both for the art and the food, but almost everyone seems to like it, especially the seafood dishes. Open May & October from 9-6. June & September from 9-9, and July & August 9-10. In Brackley Beach.
THE FARMER’S BANK OF RUSTICO & DOUCET HOUSE MUSEUMS
This historic collection of buildings include the Island’s first “people’s” bank, an Acadian co-op that was a precursor to today’s credit unions; perhaps the island’s oldest home; and just next door, St. Augustine Catholic Church, the oldest building on the island. All reports are that the information is a fascinating looking into Acadian resilience and history and the docents are enthusiastic.
On Thursdays in July, a special Acadian dinner is prepared, followed by a musical performance. Extra fees for both and reservations are required.
Admission is reported around the $6 ($4.55 USD) range, but there’s no information on the official website. Museums are open June 1-Sept 30 from 9:30-5:30, 1-5 on Sundays. St, Augustine Church is open anytime. In North Rustico.
JEM BOOKS
I’m never one to pass up a good independently-owned bookstore, so I’d love a visit to Jem Books, a collection of new and half-price used books. Look for the pale pink house!
Open May 15-Sept 15. In Rusticoville.
GLASGOW GLEN FARM ARTISAN CHEESE PRODUCERS
The island’s only artisan cheese-making shop is Glasgow Glen Farm Artisan Cheese Producers, making several varieties of aged and flavored gouda. You can also visit the on-site bakery for pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches. On Saturday mornings only, you can get some of the island’s best cinnamon rolls, but they sell out quickly! You can purchase cheese online, but it looks like they may only ship within Canada.
Open year-round from 10-5 Tuesday-Saturday, open until 6 on Fridays. In New Glasgow.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND PRESERVE CO.
Similarly food-related but much more upscale is the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. This riverside restaurant serves up sumptuous breakfast, lovely lunches, and memorable dinners, and serves as a more-than-adequate tearoom in the bargain with their collection of beautiful teapots. Lobster pot pie, potato pie, and raspberry cream pie get top mentions.
Adjoining is a gift shop with preserves and gift items. Adjacent to the restaurant is the beautiful Gardens of Hope and a butterfly house.
Hours of operation are complicated, but generally 8:30 or 9 to 4 or 8 pm for the restaurant and 8:30 to 5 or 8:30 pm for the gift shop. Butterfly House open 10-5 daily, the cost is $6.50-8.50 ($4.93-6.45 USD) per person. Open from May 1-Oct 8. In New Glasgow.
HAUNTED MANSION
This place might be too cheesy-awesome for me to pass up! But all the same, I might not want to go alone–I’m not the bravest in haunted houses… The Haunted Mansion looks like a real Tudor-style mansion, with three floors of set pieces and jump scares. Outside, you’ll find gardens, plus a playland with a tilt-a-whirl, the Red Baron (like a dumbo ride), a bitty land-train like they have in the mall, and a pay-to-play shooting gallery.
Reviews suggest that it might be best for older kids and above and there are multiple “chicken exits” throughout the attraction. They have an annual Halloween haunted house experience with live actors, The afternoon hours are family-friendly, but at night is definitely not.
Admission is $17 ($12.90 USD) for adults, $15 ($11.39 USD) for seniors, $10 ($7.59 USD) for kids 6-16, and FREE for kids under 5. Open from June 9-Sept 9 from 10-7, or 10-5 in shoulder season. In Kensington.
SUGGESTED TOURING
I feel Prince Edward Island National Park deserves at least a full day to experience, or at least most of a day. It might be nice to follow up a day of hiking, stories, and picnicking at the beach with a slide down a waterslide at Shining Waters and a few rides at Sandspit after the sun has gone down. Though in reality, I’d probably only visit Sandspit due to cost–$60 is way too much to park hop just a few rides.
Another day includes a morning of shopping and lunch at The Dunes Studio, an afternoon at the historic buildings in Rustico, then more shopping followed by a walk through the Gardens of Hope and dinner at the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. Then an evening scare at the Haunted Mansion and a late movie back at Brackley Beach.
Wow, I didn’t know drive-in movies were still around. I’ve always thought it would be cool to go to one!
There’s one nearby that I’ve gone to with my friends. The only thing is that it’s so late and it always seems that the second movie is the one I really want to see–and that usually doesn’t *start* until about 11:30! Ha, but maybe we should go sometime!
That would be great! 🙂