I was invited as part of the Canadian Homeschooling Blogging Team to share with you a virtual trip through Prince Edward Island.
I am very excited to write about our gentle island and to share with you our favourite places. It was difficult to choose only a few places to write about!
I chose a few of our favourites as a homeschool family, places that are interesting, fun, and easy to do on a budget. I added links to extra information or resources whenever possible. I have loved writing about our adventures on Prince Edward Island since our move here almost three years ago, so I added links to past blog posts throughout.
If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, a visit to Green Gables is a must! You can visit the home and land that inspired L.M. Montgomery to write the story of "Anne with an e".
Walking through the 19th Century home is a great experience. My family enjoyed walking the nature trails even more, especially as they are mentioned in the story, the Haunted Woods and Lovers' Lane. Both these trails are short , Haunted Woods is only 0.9km, and include many interesting signs to read about Green Gables, the nature and history around it.
To see more photos and story of our visit to Green Gables and trails, check Exploring PEI: Green Gables.
One of our favourite destinations in the summer, is the Prince Edward Island National Park. We have purchased a seasonal pass every year we have lived here because we go several times a week! We love the beaches here and there are also many beautiful nature trails to explore.
The PEI National Park includes three locations: Cavendish, Brackley-Dalvay, and Greenwich.
We have visited Cavendish and had a great time playing on the rocks and with the waves.
See more photos and the story: Exploring PEI: Cavendish Beach, Orby Head, and a Fox!
Brackley-Dalvay is our favourite destination for beaches. There are several to choose from in this area. Soft sand, clean beaches, some with lifeguards and activities, beautiful dunes... Some have full facilities and even playgrounds.
One of our favourite activities is building sand castles. In the past, a sand castle artist held free "workshops" to learn how to build sand sculptures.
Here are a few posts to visit for more photos and stories:
Perfectly Awesome Day: Sandcastles Competition, Paddleboarding, Cupcakes and More..
Exploring PEI: Brackley Beach
PEI National Park: Between Cavendish and North Rustico
Exploring PEI: PEI National Park
Sandcastles and Tide Pools
A special day trip to Greenwich, which is part of the PEI National Park, is highly recommended if you love nature. There are more beautiful trails and a beach that seemed to go on forever! The parabolic dunes are rare in North America and well worth the visit, in my opinion.
Informative signs and a interactive visitor centre help to learn more about these and the nature all around this area. The Tlaqatik Trail along St Peters Bay had many signs telling the history of the area.
Learn about all different types of dunes at this National Geographic Education article.
To see more of Greenwich:
Greenwich Part One: Exploring PEI
Greenwich Part Two: Exploring PEI
Prince Edward Island also has many provincial parks, and all are free to access. Many have picnic facilities as well as washrooms, and sometimes playgrounds.
We like to visit Argyle Shores Provincial Park for its beautiful red sand, rocks, and tide pools. We saw our very first starfish there and loved seeing all the little hermit crabs scurrying around.
.JPG)
I often tell friends and family that visit the island they should visit at least two beaches while here, one on the North Shore (Brackley Beach for example) and one on the Northumberland Strait shore (Argyle Shores).
See more photos from Argyle Provincial Park here and here.
A visit to the island should include a day in Charlottetown! For a homeschool family, there is a nice blend of fun and interesting learning opportunities, especially history related.
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and the biggest city on the island. It is small by most city standards (a little over 34,000 people) and feels like a community.
A visit to the Province House would be a great way to learn (or review!) Canadian history, specifically the Confederation. Province House is a National Historic Site and known as the Birthplace of Canada. It is also currently where the Legislative Assembly meets.
During the summer, the Confederation Players make history come alive with their free reenactments. There is often free live music near the Confederation Centre or on Victoria Row.
The Historic Downtown part is a beautiful area to walk around. There are many restaurants and sidewalk cafes to stop and rest for a tasty snack! You could also pack a picnic and relax at one of the parks. Confederation Landing park and Victoria Park are both located near the harbour. Many love the Cows Creamery Ice Cream, and we particularly like the combination of cows chips and raspberry cordial.
Along with the architecture of the buildings, there are art sculptures to look for while walking around. A fun and free family activity is the mouse hunt! There are little statues of mice hidden all around the historical area of town.
Check out these blog posts for more detailed information and photos about Charlottetown:
Exploring PEI: Province House, the Birthplace of Canada.
A Show and Live Music: Confederation Centre
Exploring PEI: Cows Creamery and Anne of Green Gables Chocolates
Saturday Mornings: Farmers Market & Bakery
A Mouse Hunt in Charlottetown
Snapshots from Charlottetown
Beaconsfield Historic House: Exploring PEI
Two last suggestions are visiting lighthouses found throughout the island, and taking a walk, a bike ride, or even geocaching on the Confederation Trail.
To see more photos and stories about our adventures at various lighthouses on the island:
Red Fox at Blockhouse Lighthouse
Wood Islands Lighthouse
East Point Lighthouse and Souris Lighthouse
Panmure Head Lighthouse
More posts about the Confederation Trail:
Geocaching Near Berrigans Creek
Confederation Trail: West of Winsloe
Prince Edward Island is a great family destination for a vacation. I think hjmeschoolers and families would enjoy the beautiful nature, the history of the island, and the simpler, slower pace of life.
This post is part of the monthly series from the Canadian Homeschool Blogger Team. Be sure to visit The Canadian Homeschooler for more virtual trips through Canada!
You can enter the giveaway, open to Canada only, for 18+. The prizes are really cool! Check it out:
I am very excited to write about our gentle island and to share with you our favourite places. It was difficult to choose only a few places to write about!
I chose a few of our favourites as a homeschool family, places that are interesting, fun, and easy to do on a budget. I added links to extra information or resources whenever possible. I have loved writing about our adventures on Prince Edward Island since our move here almost three years ago, so I added links to past blog posts throughout.
If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, a visit to Green Gables is a must! You can visit the home and land that inspired L.M. Montgomery to write the story of "Anne with an e".
 |
| Inside Green Gables |
 |
| Inside Green Gables |
Walking through the 19th Century home is a great experience. My family enjoyed walking the nature trails even more, especially as they are mentioned in the story, the Haunted Woods and Lovers' Lane. Both these trails are short , Haunted Woods is only 0.9km, and include many interesting signs to read about Green Gables, the nature and history around it.
To see more photos and story of our visit to Green Gables and trails, check Exploring PEI: Green Gables.
 |
| Haunted Wood Trail at Green Gables |
One of our favourite destinations in the summer, is the Prince Edward Island National Park. We have purchased a seasonal pass every year we have lived here because we go several times a week! We love the beaches here and there are also many beautiful nature trails to explore.
The PEI National Park includes three locations: Cavendish, Brackley-Dalvay, and Greenwich.
.JPG) |
| Cavendish Beach |
We have visited Cavendish and had a great time playing on the rocks and with the waves.
See more photos and the story: Exploring PEI: Cavendish Beach, Orby Head, and a Fox!
 |
| Stanhope Cape Beach |
Brackley-Dalvay is our favourite destination for beaches. There are several to choose from in this area. Soft sand, clean beaches, some with lifeguards and activities, beautiful dunes... Some have full facilities and even playgrounds.
One of our favourite activities is building sand castles. In the past, a sand castle artist held free "workshops" to learn how to build sand sculptures.
Here are a few posts to visit for more photos and stories:
Perfectly Awesome Day: Sandcastles Competition, Paddleboarding, Cupcakes and More..
Exploring PEI: Brackley Beach
PEI National Park: Between Cavendish and North Rustico
Exploring PEI: PEI National Park
Sandcastles and Tide Pools
A special day trip to Greenwich, which is part of the PEI National Park, is highly recommended if you love nature. There are more beautiful trails and a beach that seemed to go on forever! The parabolic dunes are rare in North America and well worth the visit, in my opinion.
 |
| Greenwich Beach |
Informative signs and a interactive visitor centre help to learn more about these and the nature all around this area. The Tlaqatik Trail along St Peters Bay had many signs telling the history of the area.
Learn about all different types of dunes at this National Geographic Education article.
 |
| Greenwich |
Greenwich Part One: Exploring PEI
Greenwich Part Two: Exploring PEI
Prince Edward Island also has many provincial parks, and all are free to access. Many have picnic facilities as well as washrooms, and sometimes playgrounds.
 |
| Argyle Shores Provincial Park |
We like to visit Argyle Shores Provincial Park for its beautiful red sand, rocks, and tide pools. We saw our very first starfish there and loved seeing all the little hermit crabs scurrying around.
I often tell friends and family that visit the island they should visit at least two beaches while here, one on the North Shore (Brackley Beach for example) and one on the Northumberland Strait shore (Argyle Shores).
See more photos from Argyle Provincial Park here and here.
A visit to the island should include a day in Charlottetown! For a homeschool family, there is a nice blend of fun and interesting learning opportunities, especially history related.
.JPG) |
| Victoria Row, Charlottetown |
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and the biggest city on the island. It is small by most city standards (a little over 34,000 people) and feels like a community.
 |
| Province House |
A visit to the Province House would be a great way to learn (or review!) Canadian history, specifically the Confederation. Province House is a National Historic Site and known as the Birthplace of Canada. It is also currently where the Legislative Assembly meets.
 |
| Confederation Players |
During the summer, the Confederation Players make history come alive with their free reenactments. There is often free live music near the Confederation Centre or on Victoria Row.
 |
| Great George Street |
The Historic Downtown part is a beautiful area to walk around. There are many restaurants and sidewalk cafes to stop and rest for a tasty snack! You could also pack a picnic and relax at one of the parks. Confederation Landing park and Victoria Park are both located near the harbour. Many love the Cows Creamery Ice Cream, and we particularly like the combination of cows chips and raspberry cordial.
 |
| Raspberry Cordial, Cows Ice Cream, and Cows Chips! |
Along with the architecture of the buildings, there are art sculptures to look for while walking around. A fun and free family activity is the mouse hunt! There are little statues of mice hidden all around the historical area of town.
 |
| Mouse Hunt in Charlottetown |
Check out these blog posts for more detailed information and photos about Charlottetown:
Exploring PEI: Province House, the Birthplace of Canada.
A Show and Live Music: Confederation Centre
Exploring PEI: Cows Creamery and Anne of Green Gables Chocolates
Saturday Mornings: Farmers Market & Bakery
A Mouse Hunt in Charlottetown
Snapshots from Charlottetown
Beaconsfield Historic House: Exploring PEI
 |
| Covehead Lighthouse, PEI National Park |
Two last suggestions are visiting lighthouses found throughout the island, and taking a walk, a bike ride, or even geocaching on the Confederation Trail.
 |
| Lighthouse Light ~ Souris Lighthouse |
To see more photos and stories about our adventures at various lighthouses on the island:
Red Fox at Blockhouse Lighthouse
Wood Islands Lighthouse
East Point Lighthouse and Souris Lighthouse
Panmure Head Lighthouse
 |
| Confederation Trail, West of Winsloe |
Geocaching Near Berrigans Creek
Confederation Trail: West of Winsloe
Prince Edward Island is a great family destination for a vacation. I think hjmeschoolers and families would enjoy the beautiful nature, the history of the island, and the simpler, slower pace of life.
This post is part of the monthly series from the Canadian Homeschool Blogger Team. Be sure to visit The Canadian Homeschooler for more virtual trips through Canada!
You can enter the giveaway, open to Canada only, for 18+. The prizes are really cool! Check it out:
1) Family/Group Discovery Pass from Parks Canada. Valid for 1 year from date of issue. Value $136.40.
2) Rough Guide: Canada - travel guide book. Value $29.99
3) The Ultimate Guide to Field Trips in Canada ebook. Value: $5.99.
You can enter the giveaway here:
such a beautiful place!! I hope to visit there one day!
ReplyDeletewhat a great post ! great pictures . i look forward to visiting pei one day . thanks :)
ReplyDeletelisa
Virtual field trip? More like a virtual vacation! I can't wait for summer now. Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to visit PEI. My brother is in the military and now lives on the East Coast, so he's toured there. I keep hoping that maybe I'll have a good excuse to head out and visit him and drop by PEI while I'm out there. :) Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great round up of some amazing places. I think you've covered it all!
ReplyDeleteI hope we get the chance to visit PEI again. It was by far one of our favorite places to go on vacation. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see BC as I have been east and west to Edmonton.
ReplyDeleteI do so love PEI as I am an Islander living away :) I would love to visit any National Park in this great country of ours :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photography, Alexandra. This truly is a beautiful island and you have given people a glimpse of that beauty. But just a glimpse. Now people need to come and see it for themselves.
ReplyDelete