Charlottetown
Around Charlottetown
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Prince Edward Island · 78k people
Charlottetown
“Birthplace of Confederation”
The little city that started a nation
Island GreenRed SoilGulf Blue
Welcome to Charlottetown, the heart of the Island! Whether you're here for the red sand beaches, the lively waterfront, or the friendliest folks in Canada, you'll feel at home. Grab a Cows ice cream and join the conversation.
Clubs for Charlottetown
No clubs for Charlottetown yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Charlottetown. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Charlottetown. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Confederation Centre of the Arts National arts centre and theatre, home of the Charlottetown Festival.
- Victoria Park Large waterfront park with walking trails and sports fields.
- Charlottetown Farmers Market Indoor market with local produce, crafts, and food vendors.
- Beaconsfield Historic House Victorian-era house museum overlooking the harbour.
- Peake's Wharf Historic wharf with shops, restaurants, and boat tours.
- Confederation Trail Multi-use rail trail running through the city and across the Island.
- Outdoors Bike the Confederation Trail
- Outdoors Kayak in Charlottetown Harbour
- With kids Visit the PEI Museum at Beaconsfield
- With kids See a show at Confederation Centre
- Evenings Catch live music on Victoria Row
- Evenings Pub crawl on Grafton Street
- Locals love Farmers markets
- Locals love Waterfront patios
Through the year
- Charlottetown Festival June to September Summer-long musical theatre celebration at Confederation Centre.
- PEI International Shellfish Festival September A weekend of mussels, oysters, and lobster cooking competitions.
- Gold Cup and Saucer August Harness racing event held during Old Home Week, a local tradition.
- Jack Frost Festival February Winter celebration with ice sculptures, skating, and family fun.
- PEI Jazz Festival August Jazz performances in venues across the city.
Maritime climate with mild, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is summer and early fall, when the weather is warm and the Island is lush. Best: July to September
Talk like a local
- “b'y”
- Friend or buddy, common in Atlantic Canada.
- “right”
- Very or really, as in 'right good'.
Getaways
- Summerside Second-largest city on PEI, with waterfront and boardwalk.
- Cavendish Home of Anne of Green Gables and beautiful beaches.
- Moncton Largest city in New Brunswick, with the famous tidal bore.
- Halifax Nova Scotia's capital, rich in history and nightlife.
Local flavour
Teams
- Charlottetown Islanders QMJHL
- UPEI Panthers U Sports
Eat and drink
- Lobster rolls PEI lobster is world-famous.
- PEI mussels Mussels are a staple, often steamed in white wine and garlic.
- PEI potatoes The island's red soil grows some of the best potatoes in Canada.
- Cows ice cream A local chain known for its creamy, award-winning ice cream.
Where people go
- Red sand beaches Stunning beaches with distinctive red sand, like Brackley and Cavendish.
- Lighthouses Historic lighthouses dot the coastline, many still active.
- Confederation Trail A scenic rail trail that spans the island, perfect for walking and cycling.
- Historic sites Province House and other sites mark Charlottetown as the birthplace of Confederation.
Heritage and traditions
Charlottetown is proud to be the Birthplace of Confederation, where the Fathers of Confederation met in 1864, and to carry a rich Scottish, Irish, Acadian, and Mi'kmaq heritage with a strong sense of community and island pride.
This time of year in Charlottetown
- Potato harvest Fall The island celebrates the harvest with festivals.
- PEI Marathon October A scenic fall marathon that draws runners from across Canada.
Say it like a local: “right” — very, quite
Festivals
- PEI Fall Flavours September A culinary celebration across the island with many events in Charlottetown.
- Island Fringe Festival August Independent theatre and performance art in venues around the city.
- St. Patrick's Day Parade March A lively parade and celebrations reflecting the city's Irish roots.
- Canada Day Celebrations July 1 Fireworks and festivities at the harbour.
- PEI Marathon October A scenic fall marathon that draws runners from across Canada.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Dunstan's Basilica A grand Catholic cathedral with twin spires, a landmark in the city.
- The Kirk of St. James A historic Presbyterian church with a tall steeple, known for its stained glass.
- Great George Street Historic District A well-preserved street of Victorian homes and heritage buildings.
- Government House The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, a neoclassical mansion.
- Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum A small military museum in the city.
- Charlottetown City Hall A historic civic building with a clock tower.
Food traditions
- Kitchen party spreads Potluck dishes like casseroles and pies at informal gatherings with fiddle music.
- Oyster shucking Fresh oysters served at local events, a nod to the island's aquaculture.
- Acadian fricot A hearty chicken stew with potatoes and dumplings, from the Acadian community.
- Blueberry grunt A steamed blueberry dessert, a Maritime classic.
- Dulse A dried seaweed snack, a Maritime tradition.
Music and arts
- Celtic and folk music A strong tradition of fiddle and step dancing, often heard at kitchen parties.
- PEI Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra based in Charlottetown.
- Confederation Centre Art Gallery A major art gallery with a focus on Canadian art.
- Island craft tradition Pottery, weaving, and other crafts inspired by the island's landscape.
A little history
- 1864 The Charlottetown Conference, where the Fathers of Confederation laid the groundwork for Canada.
- 1855 Charlottetown incorporated as a city.
- 1866 A major fire destroyed much of the downtown, leading to rebuilding.
- 1964 Confederation Centre of the Arts opened to commemorate the centennial of the conference.
- Game day Harness racing
- Game day Junior hockey
- Outdoors Walk the boardwalk
- Outdoors Clam digging
- With kids Visit the public library
- With kids Attend a hockey game
Charlottetown residents speak with a distinctive Maritime accent, often dropping 'r's and using Canadian raising. They use phrases like 'b'y' for friend and 'right' for very.
Only here
- Birthplace of Confederation – the 1864 conference that led to Canada's founding.
- No snakes – Prince Edward Island is free of snakes.
- Red soil – the island's distinctive red clay soil is visible everywhere.
- Only city in PEI – Charlottetown is the province's sole city.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the weather: bring warm layers for winter and a raincoat for spring.
- Learn to say 'Charlottetown' as 'CHAR-lut-tawn'.
- Take time to explore the Confederation Trail for a true island experience.
- Try the potatoes – they're a point of pride.
- Get used to 'island time' – things move a bit slower.
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Nearby
Every areaQueens CountyPrince Edward IslandRed soil, green fields, and the sea's whisperKings CountyPrince Edward IslandWhere the red soil meets the sea.Prince CountyPrince Edward IslandWhere the red soil meets the sea, and everyone knows your name.SummersidePrince Edward IslandA harbour town with red soil and warm heartsNew GlasgowNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the highlands and the pizza is legendary.North ShoreNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the hills, and the welcome is warm.TruroNova ScotiaTides, trails, and true Maritime charmMonctonNew BrunswickWhere the tides turn and the welcome is warm.
Charlottetown. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.