If you’re craving a getaway filled with beautiful coastlines, incredible food, and small-town charm, Prince Edward Island should be high on your list—especially in the fall. Known as Canada’s Food Island, PEI comes alive each autumn with its Fall Flavours Festival, a celebration of local ingredients, talented chefs, and warm Island hospitality.
This five-day itinerary blends the best of PEI’s scenery, history, and culinary delights, from coastal villages to lively food events. Whether you’re flying in from across the country or visiting from nearby, here’s how you can make the most of five unforgettable days on the Island.
We want to express our gratitude to Tourism PEI for sponsoring this blog post! They planned a fantastic trip for us. *All thoughts and experiences are our own.*
Day 1: Arrive in PEI and Explore Victoria by the Sea
Getting to Prince Edward Island from Western Canada is easy, with direct WestJet flights from Calgary to Charlottetown several times a week. After landing, you can conveniently pick up a rental car right at the airport from Avis or Budget. Renting a car is the best way to see the Island, giving you the freedom to explore its coastal drives, charming towns, and hidden gems at your own pace.
Stroll Through Victoria by the Sea
Start your trip with a visit to Victoria by the Sea, a picture-perfect village brimming with art studios, boutique shops, and ocean views. Located just a 30-minute drive from the Charlottetown airport, this former fishing community is now a haven for artists and food lovers. You can wander the cozy streets, stop into a gallery, sample handmade chocolates, or simply soak up the relaxed coastal vibe.
Dinner with a View
Plan to have dinner at Casa Mia by the Sea, a locally owned restaurant offering both indoor and patio dining overlooking the ocean. The menu highlights fresh seafood and Island ingredients paired with a view that captures the magic of PEI’s coastline.
Don’t Miss: Oyster Rockefeller, Bruschetta, Fish & Chips, and The Ribs!
Stay at Holman’s Heritage Suites
Spend the night in Summerside, just a 30-minute drive from Victoria by the Sea, at Holman’s Heritage Suites. This beautifully restored heritage property offers spacious, thoughtfully designed suites with full kitchens, private balconies, and elegant touches that blend comfort with old-world charm.
The location is ideal—quiet and tucked away, yet only a short walk from downtown shops, restaurants, and the waterfront boardwalk. The owners, Daniel and Emmeline, are wonderfully welcoming and go out of their way to make guests feel at home. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring, with all the warmth and character you’d expect from a historic Island stay.
Plus, it’s one of the most unique places we’ve ever stayed because our room was right upstairs from an ice cream parlour! More on that, later.
Day 2: A Day in Summerside & Fall Flavours: Beef & Brews
Summerside is one of Prince Edward Island’s most welcoming areas, blending small-town charm with plenty to see and do. As the Island’s second-largest city, it offers a relaxed pace with historic streets, boutique shops, and great food. Plus, the scenic boardwalk overlooking the harbour makes it a perfect place to spend your first full day in PEI.
Morning Coffee and Seaside Views
Start the day with breakfast at Samuel’s Coffee House, a bright and cozy spot known for excellent coffee and wholesome breakfast dishes. You can either grab breakfast to go before a day of exploring, or to sit and relax in their spacious, charming café filled with local art.
Don’t Miss: The Breakfast Sam and Vegan Breakfast Bowl.
Just behind the café, you’ll find the seaside swing—a peaceful spot overlooking the water that’s perfect for photos or a quiet moment by the shore. It’s located right along the Summerside Baywalk Boardwalk, a 6.5 km trail that winds along the city’s scenic waterfront.
The path is perfect for a morning stroll, with plenty of benches and lookouts along the way. It also connects directly to the provincial Confederation Trail, offering even more opportunities to explore PEI’s natural beauty.
Explore Local Culture and Shops
After breakfast, stroll along Spinnaker’s Landing, a colourful waterfront boardwalk lined with shops and boutiques. Even if some of the shops have closed for the season, it’s a lovely area to walk, relax, and take in the harbour views.
Then, visit the Eptek Art & Culture Centre and the Lefurgey Cultural Centre to dive deeper into the Island’s rich heritage and creative spirit. The Eptek Centre features rotating exhibits on local history, traditional crafts, and contemporary Island artists. It gives a fascinating glimpse into PEI’s culture and community.
Just a few blocks away, the Lefurgey Cultural Centre is a beautifully preserved historic building that now serves as a hub for local artisans, workshops, and heritage programs.
Lunch, a Lighthouse Stop, and Ice Cream
For lunch, head to Evermoore Brewing Co., a laid-back brewery and restaurant that perfectly blends a relaxed local atmosphere with excellent service. The menu offers creative pub fare made with fresh, local ingredients. Make sure to pair your meal with one of their locally brewed craft beers!
Don’t Miss: The Hot Pepper Pickle Smash Burger and Braised Beef.
After lunch, take a drive out to Cape Egmont Lighthouse. The road here is beautiful, with rolling farmland, coastal views, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence sparkling in the distance. The lighthouse stands on bold red cliffs, making it a peaceful place to stretch your legs, snap a few photos, and take in the classic PEI coastline.
After visiting the lighthouse, stop by Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour, conveniently located on the first floor of Holman’s Heritage Suites. Their handcrafted, small-batch ice cream is made entirely in-house —from the rich flavours to the sauces, chunks, and even the cones.
Every morning, the smell of freshly made waffles would drift up from the kitchen, making it impossible to resist a mid-afternoon treat! You can grab a cone to enjoy on your balcony or sit at an outdoor table.
Evening Event: Beef & Brews
We wrapped up the day at Fall Flavours: Beef & Brews, a lively event featuring local chefs, Prince Edward Island beef, and craft beverages. The night featured a red-carpet entrance, 5 grazing stations, 5 drink stations, live music, and interviews with chefs and local farmers. This Fall Flavours event is a fun way to experience PEI’s culinary scene, and we highly recommend it!
*Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and it only runs once each fall.*
Day 3: The North Shore and Big Night at Bogside
Breakfast at C&B Corner Cafe
Start the day by checking out of Holman’s Heritage Suites before heading to C&B Corner Café in Kensington. This cozy spot is known for its friendly service, delicious homemade bagels, and the best iced coffee on Prince Edward Island! It’s the perfect fuel for a full day exploring PEI’s North Shore.
Don’t Miss: Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches, French Toast, and Iced Coffee!
Scenic Stops and Anne of Green Gables
After breakfast, be sure to stop at French River Lookout for a postcard-worthy view. No trip to Prince Edward Island is complete without a visit to Green Gables Heritage Place. The historic farmhouse, forest trails, and gardens inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables novels. The setting is nostalgic, and the museum is full of interesting information about the author and the area’s history.
Lunch and Art at The Dunes
Stop for lunch at The Dunes Studio Gallery & Café, where you can enjoy locally inspired dishes among art, pottery, and gardens. The mussels and nasi goreng are excellent choices, and the cafe itself feels like an art exhibit.
Nearby, you can also visit Brackley Bay Oyster Company to sample some of the Island’s freshest oysters. Located in the same spot is Oh Hey by the Sea, a charming, women-run boutique where you can browse locally made goods, try small-batch treats, or pick up a memorable souvenir to take home.
For those interested in local art and crafts, Fox PEI is a must-stop—it’s a curated collective of Island artisans offering everything from handmade jewelry to unique home décor. Each stop gives you a little taste of PEI’s creative and culinary spirit.
Lighthouses & Sand Dunes
Next, stop in at Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, one of PEI’s most iconic and photographed spots. Its bright red-and-white structure sits among the sand dunes, offering classic North Shore views and a glimpse into the Island’s maritime history. If you have time, you may also want to visit Dalvay Beach, just down the road.
For your last stop on the North Shore, we highly recommend hiking the Greenwich Dunes Trail in Prince Edward Island National Park. The trail is about 4.6 km round trip with minimal elevation gain. It winds through wetlands, forests, and a floating boardwalk, eventually leading to PEI’s tallest sand dunes and a stunning beach.
Check into Lane’s Riverhouse Inn
Finish the day in Montague, known as Montague the Beautiful for its riverside views and small-town charm. Check into Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, where you can choose between cozy hotel rooms or fully equipped cottages overlooking the water.
The rooms are wonderfully spacious, with plenty of room to relax after a full day of exploring. Our plush, king-sized bed was incredibly comfortable, and the balcony offered a peaceful view overlooking the Montague River. Each stay also includes a complimentary continental breakfast!
Fall Flavours: Big Night at Bogside
Tonight’s evening highlight is Big Night at Bogside, another event from the Fall Flavours series. Hosted at Bogside Brewery, it featured a four-course plated dinner prepared by Executive Chef Brad MacDonald, showcasing local ingredients from land and sea.
Each course was paired with specialty drinks from the brewery, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The live music really added to the atmosphere, creating an unforgettable night of Island hospitality.
*Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and it only runs once each fall.*
Day 4: Sunrise, E-Biking, and Fiddler’s Feast
Sunrise at Panmure Island
If you can, wake up early to catch the sunrise at Panmure Island Provincial Park. We practically had the whole place to ourselves! The lighthouse is beautiful, and the long causeway connecting the island to the mainland is surrounded by water on both sides. With its quiet white sand beach and serene atmosphere, it’s a magical spot that’s well worth the early start.
After a complimentary breakfast at Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, take a walk to explore Montague Waterfront and browse the Artisans Waterfront. Next, drive 25 minutes to Nellie’s Landing for a fun afternoon adventure.
E-Bike Adventures Around the Southeast
Rent e-bikes from Nellie’s Landing and set out to explore the southeastern tip of PEI. Routes are mapped on their website for different interests—some focus on lighthouses, others on beaches or wineries. They also have Bluetooth helmets, which we loved! This allows you to chat while riding, making it an easy and interactive way to sightsee together.
Recommended stops include:
- Beach Point Lighthouse: A peaceful spot with wide ocean views.
- Cape Bear Lighthouse: Here you can climb to the top and learn how this station received Canada’s first Titanic distress signal in 1912. You get free admission with your bike rental!
- Black Brook Lookout Point: A beautiful red rock lookout ideal for panoramic photos.
- Rossignol Winery: One of PEI’s original wineries, offering tastings with a view.
For lunch, Milestone Grill is a great casual choice with friendly service and hearty comfort food. If open, The Terrace at Double Hill Cidery is another excellent option, offering cider tastings, snacks, a bar, and panoramic coastal views.
Fall Flavours: Whoa Nellie – Fiddler’s Feast
After you return your e-bikes, you’re in the perfect location to end the day with one of the most iconic Fall Flavours events: Whoa Nellie – Fiddler’s Feast! This waterfront dinner at Nellie’s Landing showcases PEI seafood and farm-fresh ingredients paired with live Celtic music.
We really enjoyed the performance by world-renowned fiddler Richard Wood as we dined under the stars beside the fishing docks. The combination of music, storytelling, and great food made for a truly authentic PEI experience.
*Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and it only runs once each fall.*
Day 5: Charlottetown and Farm Day in the City
Breakfast and Scenic Drive
On your last day in Prince Edward Island, check out of your hotel and enjoy breakfast at The Lucky Bean Café in Montague. The 40-minute drive to Charlottetown is especially beautiful in the fall, with vibrant foliage lining the roads.
Fall Flavours: Farm Day in the City
We were lucky to be in Charlottetown for Farm Day in the City, the area’s largest outdoor market and a signature event of the Fall Flavours Festival. Lower Queen Street, Sydney Street, and Victoria Row were all shut down to cars and transformed into a lively open-air celebration of local food, art, music and culture.
Here, you can sample Island-made products, chat with farmers and chefs, and enjoy live entertainment. There was even a petting zoo, interactive activities for kids, beer gardens, and street performances to enjoy.
Explore Historic Charlottetown
This was also a great time to explore Charlottetown, Canada’s birthplace and a city full of character. Here are some things you can’t miss:
- Great George Street: Lined with historic buildings and views of St. Dunstan’s Basilica.
- Province House National Historic Site: Currently under renovation, but worth seeing from the outside.
- Victoria Row: A pedestrian street with local boutiques, cafés, and often live music.
- Peake’s Wharf: A beautiful waterfront area.
- Cows Ice Cream: The best ice cream in Canada!
- Founder’s Food Hall & Market: An indoor market attached to the PEI Visitors Centre, full of restaurants, local goods and souvenir shops.
Most of the direct flights back to Calgary leave in the evening, meaning you’ll have tons of time to explore before heading to the airport.
Final Thoughts
Prince Edward Island may be Canada’s smallest province, but it’s overflowing with beauty, warmth, and unforgettable flavour. The Fall Flavours Festival is the perfect reason to visit, bringing together the Island’s chefs, farmers, and musicians for a celebration that feels both local and world-class. Plus, visiting in the fall means you can enjoy fewer crowds and vibrant colours!
From seaside villages and lighthouse views to farm-fresh meals and live music, this five-day itinerary offers the best of PEI in one compact, easy-to-follow trip. Wherever you go, you’ll be greeted with friendly faces, delicious food, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel at home, immediately.
We hope you enjoyed our 5-day Prince Edward Island Itinerary! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comment below with your thoughts. We would love to hear from you.
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