- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Aug 20, 2022, 12:35pm
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- CanadaPrince Edward IslandQueens CountyCharlottetownProvince House National Historic Site of Canada46°13’60” N 63°7’26” W
Charlottetown
August 20, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today I am going to explore Charlottetown. It is the capital of Prince Edward Island and is the home of Confederation (in 1867, if some of you need a reminder). This is the place of the famous Charlottetown Conference of 1864 where Canadian and Maritime representatives met to discuss the Maritime Union which later led to the union of the British North American colonies and later to Confederation. The population is about 40,000 and so the largest of the island.
The waterfront area is brimming with shops and restaurants and a nice pathway system that takes you all along. It is bustling with people today since it is a bight sunny day. It is a little warm but there is a breeze coming off the water. There is a little harbour here with pleasure boats and even a few house boats. I would love to stay in one of those! Charlottetown was never a big fishing place; it was always the political and commercial center of the island. This is where merchant ships came in and out of for centuries. It is nice to wander around and check out the shops. There is also an ice creams shop called ‘Cows’. I stop in for a snack. They have about 30 flavours to choose from and I pick a couple to try. It is nice on a hot day but I think Hewitt’s is better, sorry Cows.
I head off the main waterfront and take a walk up the old part of town. There was a major fire in 1866 which destroyed 4 city blocks. There are still many of the remaining buildings though and a beautiful church. I head on over to the Saint Dunstan’s Basilica which was built between 1897 and 1907. It is built in the Victorian Gothic style but inside it is quite light and airy. It has beautiful stain glass and is a very peaceful place.
The surrounding streets have restaurants and bars that flow out to the streets and the historic row-houses are all colourful and neat. There is a statue of two men from the Maritime Conference having a conversation. It is actually ironic that both have the same name: John Hamilton Gray. One from P.E.I and one from New Brunswick!
After my walk I head back to my place for a little rest. I head back downtown for some dinner. I head to a place called Brits Fish & Chips. I have a nice halibut and chip dinner. I then head back to pack up for another destination tomorrow. O’Leary here I come!Read more
Traveler Cute waterfront town, I’ve always wanted to see PEI, thanks for sharing your adventures! I am currently in the Smokey Mts. all week with the girls. Gatlinburg is all Bear art, jeep rentals, pancake restaurants, and a country-Vegas style strip of shows, lights, shops! Sensory overload! Escaped into the National park to see mountain roads and views- the mountains ARE in a Smokey haze! Just beautiful! Love your food and icecream stops- very much a part of any travels! Keep it coming! Enjoy it all!👍❤️🐻
Traveler I love the Smokies. I need to plan a trip there again. Enjoy your girl time!