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Charlottetown
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Charlottetown, Canada blends Confederation history, red-brick streets, waterfront walks, Island seafood, live theatre and welcoming cultural experiences.

Confederation and the Waterfront

Charlottetown is the compact seaside capital of Prince Edward Island, set around a sheltered harbour where the Hillsborough River meets the Northumberland Strait. Its importance in Canadian history is closely tied to the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, the meeting that helped set Confederation in motion. Province House, the elegant seat of the Prince Edward Island legislature, remains at the centre of that story, while the Confederation Centre of the Arts gives the city a strong contemporary cultural presence.
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Red-Brick Streets and Island Character

The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, with painted wooden houses, brick commercial buildings, mature trees and quiet residential streets leading towards the water. Victoria Row brings summer dining and pedestrian activity to a particularly atmospheric stretch of downtown, while nearby Great George Street, the Olde Charlottetown Waterfront and Peake's Wharf reveal different aspects of the city's maritime identity. St Dunstan's Basilica rises above the central streets with its ornate interior and twin towers, and Beaconsfield Historic House offers a glimpse of affluent Victorian life.

Culture, Food and Open Horizons

Charlottetown's scale makes it possible to move between galleries, theatres, cafés, markets and harbour walks without long journeys. Prince Edward Island's agricultural landscape and surrounding waters shape the local table, with oysters, mussels, lobster, potatoes and other seasonal produce prominent in restaurants and food events. Beyond the centre, parks, cycling routes and coastal roads open into the wider Island landscape, making Charlottetown both a historical capital and a practical base for exploring Prince Edward Island.

When is the best time to visit Charlottetown?

Best: June–August · 21–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-3112
February-290
March379
April967
May1557
June (best)2163
July (best)2474
August (best)2470
September1960
October1377
November797
December1118

Getting to and around Charlottetown

How to get there

Charlottetown is served by Charlottetown Airport, located north of the city, with connections varying by season and airline. The airport is linked to the centre by taxi, car hire and local or regional ground transport options. Visitors arriving by road can reach the island via the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick or by ferry from Caribou, Nova Scotia, to Wood Islands; both crossings are outside Charlottetown and require onward travel. Intercity buses connect the capital with other Prince Edward Island communities and parts of the Maritime region, although schedules should be checked before travelling. There is no passenger railway service to Charlottetown.

Transportation

Central Charlottetown is compact and well suited to walking, particularly around Province House, Great George Street, Victoria Row, the Confederation Centre and the waterfront. T3 Transit provides public bus services in the city and nearby communities, while taxis and car hire are useful for the airport, beaches and attractions outside the urban area. Cycling is practical in warmer months, with local streets and regional trails offering opportunities for riders, but conditions vary and some roads are busy. A car gives greater flexibility for exploring rural Prince Edward Island, though visitors should allow for distance, changing weather and limited transport frequency beyond the capital.

Best attractions in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's principal attractions cluster within an easily walkable historic centre. Province House National Historic Site introduces the political story of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, while the Confederation Centre of the Arts combines galleries, theatre and Canadian cultural exhibitions in the heart of downtown. St Dunstan's Basilica, with its soaring interior and Gothic Revival character, is one of the city's most recognisable religious buildings. Beaconsfield Historic House offers a more intimate view of Victorian domestic life, and the Great George Street and Olde Charlottetown Waterfront areas provide attractive routes between heritage buildings, public spaces and harbour views. Victoria Row brings pedestrian activity, seasonal dining and street life to a narrow historic lane, while Peake's Wharf presents a more maritime setting beside the water. The city's compact scale makes it possible to combine formal museums and historic properties with independent galleries, cafés, public art and unhurried walks along the shoreline.

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Best landmarks in Charlottetown

Province House National Historic Site is Charlottetown's defining civic landmark, an early Victorian building associated with the 1864 conference that advanced the idea of Canadian Confederation. Nearby St Dunstan's Basilica dominates the skyline with its twin towers and richly decorated interior, representing the long-established Roman Catholic community of the island. Great George Street forms an important historic axis towards the harbour, lined with buildings that reflect the capital's colonial and Victorian development. Beaconsfield Historic House preserves the scale and detail of nineteenth-century domestic architecture, while Government House, also known as Fanningbank, represents the ceremonial side of colonial administration in its landscaped setting. The Confederation Centre of the Arts adds a modern national cultural landmark to the historic core. Together, these buildings express Charlottetown's roles as port, provincial capital, religious centre and symbolic birthplace of Confederation.

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Best restaurants in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's dining identity is closely tied to Prince Edward Island's farmland and surrounding waters. Menus commonly feature oysters, mussels, lobster, scallops, clams and local fish, alongside the island's famous potatoes and other seasonal produce. Downtown restaurants range from polished dining rooms to casual seafood counters, cafés and bakeries, with Victoria Row and the waterfront providing particularly central settings during the warmer months. The Charlottetown Farmers' Market brings together growers, bakers, prepared-food producers and small food businesses, reflecting the island's strong farm-to-table culture. Craft beverages and contemporary Atlantic Canadian cooking often sit alongside traditional seafood preparations, while Indigenous and international influences broaden the scene beyond regional staples. Seasonal availability matters, and menus can change with the fishing calendar and the agricultural year.

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Best bars in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's evening scene is concentrated in and around the downtown core rather than spread across a large club district. Victoria Row, Queen Street and the waterfront offer pubs, bars and restaurants where evenings tend to begin over local drinks, live music or conversation. The Confederation Centre of the Arts provides a major cultural focus, with theatre, musical performances and other programming adding an alternative to bar-based nightlife. Smaller venues and seasonal events may feature folk, rock and other live music, reflecting Prince Edward Island's strong musical traditions. The atmosphere is generally sociable and relaxed, with activity shaped by the summer visitor season and by performances taking place in the city. Visitors should expect a compact evening circuit rather than a late-night metropolis, and should check current arrangements for individual venues.

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Best nightclubs in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's evening scene is concentrated in and around the downtown core rather than spread across a large club district. Victoria Row, Queen Street and the waterfront offer pubs, bars and restaurants where evenings tend to begin over local drinks, live music or conversation. The Confederation Centre of the Arts provides a major cultural focus, with theatre, musical performances and other programming adding an alternative to bar-based nightlife. Smaller venues and seasonal events may feature folk, rock and other live music, reflecting Prince Edward Island's strong musical traditions. The atmosphere is generally sociable and relaxed, with activity shaped by the summer visitor season and by performances taking place in the city. Visitors should expect a compact evening circuit rather than a late-night metropolis, and should check current arrangements for individual venues.

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Best shops in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's shopping is centred on independent businesses, local makers and small downtown streets rather than a large luxury retail district. Queen Street and the surrounding historic core contain boutiques, galleries, bookshops, craft retailers and shops selling Prince Edward Island foods and gifts, while Victoria Row combines heritage architecture with seasonal retail and outdoor activity. The Charlottetown Farmers' Market is a useful place to find island produce, preserves, baked goods, prepared foods and work by local producers. Visitors may also encounter pottery, textiles, artwork, woodwork and other Atlantic Canadian crafts, with selection changing according to the season. The Confederation Court Mall provides a more conventional central shopping option, while larger commercial areas outside the historic core serve everyday needs. Local food products are often more distinctive souvenirs than generic merchandise, particularly when bought from established producers.

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Charlottetown essentials

Currency and Payment
Canada uses the Canadian dollar, written as CAD or commonly indicated by the dollar sign. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in Charlottetown's hotels, restaurants, shops and larger attractions, although small stalls, markets and some seasonal businesses may prefer or require cash. ATMs are available in the downtown area and commercial districts, and international visitors should advise their bank of travel plans and check any foreign-exchange or withdrawal charges. Canadian prices generally exclude sales tax, which is added at the till, and restaurant bills normally require a separate gratuity for table service.
Safety
Charlottetown is a relatively small capital, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables secure in busy streets, markets and transport areas, and avoid leaving possessions visible in parked vehicles. Waterfront paths, parks and quieter residential streets can become isolated after dark, so use established routes and sensible judgement when walking at night. Drivers should watch for cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife on roads beyond the city, while coastal weather can change quickly. In winter, snow and ice may make pavements slippery. Travellers should also take normal precautions around water and follow local guidance at beaches, wharves and coastal viewpoints.
Emergency Situations
In an immediate emergency in Charlottetown or elsewhere in Prince Edward Island, dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance services and state your location clearly. Operators can provide assistance in English and may identify the appropriate service. For non-urgent police matters, use the local police service's ordinary contact channel rather than 911. Visitors who need medical attention can seek advice from a pharmacy, walk-in clinic or hospital, but should confirm current facilities and opening arrangements locally. Travel insurance is advisable because visitors may face charges for healthcare, and emergency responders should be told about allergies, medication and relevant medical conditions.
Do's and Don'ts
Treat historic buildings, churches, memorials and Mi'kmaq cultural references with respect, and ask before photographing people or private property. In restaurants and cafés, tipping for table service is customary, while the amount should reflect the quality of service rather than being confused with the sales tax. Keep beaches, parks and waterfront areas clean, observe posted wildlife and boating guidance, and do not assume that public access includes private shoreland. Islanders generally value courtesy and a relaxed pace, so allow extra time for rural journeys and seasonal services. Canadian smoking and vaping restrictions apply in many public indoor spaces and near entrances.
Local Tips
The historic centre is easiest to understand as a sequence of connected areas: Province House and Great George Street lead towards the waterfront, while the Confederation Centre and Victoria Row form the cultural and dining core. The Charlottetown Farmers' Market on Belvedere Avenue offers a useful introduction to Island produce and local makers, but it is separate from the downtown waterfront. Harbour walks are especially atmospheric in changing weather, and the city's modest hills are worth allowing for when cycling or walking. For excursions, check distances carefully: beaches, national historic sites and Anne of Green Gables locations are spread across the island rather than concentrated around the capital.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[bon-zhoor]
GoodbyeAu revoir[o re-vwar]
YesOui[wee]
NoNon[nohn]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien[seel voo pleh / duh ryen]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé[ex-kyoo-zay mwah / day-zoh-lay]
How are you?Comment ça va?[koh-mahn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi?[byen. ay twah]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[par-lay voo ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray vwar luh muh-nyoo, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vee-and]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray pay-yay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!À l'aide![ah layd]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay voo zahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-puh-lay lah puh-lees]
Call a doctor!Appelez un docteur![ah-puh-lay uh dohk-tuhr]
I'm lostJe suis perdu[zhuh swee pair-doo]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhuh voo-dray ah-shuh-tay]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhuh ruh-gard zhoost]
How much is it?Combien ça coûte?[kohm-byen sah koot]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shair]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-vez voo bay-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kell ur ay teel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel ay tun ur]
Half past (10)Dix heures et demie[deez ur eh duh-mee]
MorningMatin[mah-tahn]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-pray mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swahr]
YesterdayHier[yehr]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-mahn]
1Un[uh]
2Deux[duh]
3Trois[twah]
4Quatre[kat]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[set]
8Huit[weet]
9Neuf[nurf]
10Dix[dee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est...?[oo ay]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kell ay la-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-vez voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (autobus)?[kahn ay luh pro-shahn (oh-toh-bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)[uhn bee-yay (poor)]

History of Charlottetown

Mi'kmaq Homeland and Early Settlement

The land around Charlottetown lies within Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq territory, traditionally known as Epekwitk, and Mi'kmaq communities have maintained enduring connections with Prince Edward Island. European settlement expanded after the island, then called St John's Island, came under British control following the Seven Years' War. In 1764, Captain Samuel Holland surveyed the island and selected the meeting point of the Hillsborough, York and Eliot rivers for a planned colonial capital. The site was later named Charlottetown in honour of Queen Charlotte, consort of George III. The town's location reflected both its defensible harbour and its potential role in administering the island.

A Planned Colonial Capital

Charlottetown developed as the administrative centre of St John's Island, later Prince Edward Island, through the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Its street plan and public spaces reflected British colonial planning, while the harbour supported trade, shipbuilding and connections with the wider Atlantic world. Government buildings, churches, merchants' premises and houses gradually established the architectural character still visible in the historic centre. The settlement changed its official name with the island in 1799, when St John's Island became Prince Edward Island, and its civic importance grew as local institutions, commerce and representative government took firmer shape.

Port, Trade and Civic Growth

During the nineteenth century, Charlottetown expanded around its harbour and commercial core. Timber, agricultural produce, fish and manufactured goods moved through the port, while shipbuilding contributed to the island's economy and employment. The town's social landscape included merchants, seafarers, craftspeople, farmers and public officials, with churches, schools and civic organisations shaping community life. Charlottetown was incorporated as a city in 1855, signalling its growing administrative and commercial importance. Many surviving houses and institutional buildings date from this period, when Victorian architecture and maritime trade gave the centre much of its present visual identity.

The Charlottetown Conference of 1864

In September 1864, delegates from the Maritime colonies and the Province of Canada gathered in Charlottetown to discuss a proposed union of the British North American colonies. Although the meeting had initially been called to consider a Maritime union, the delegates soon focused on a broader federation. Discussions took place in and around the colonial legislature, now Province House National Historic Site, with social events and public debate forming part of the wider encounter. The conference did not itself create Canada, but it established momentum for subsequent negotiations at Quebec and London. Charlottetown's association with the meeting later earned it the enduring title of the Birthplace of Confederation.

Prince Edward Island Joins Canada

Prince Edward Island initially declined to join the federation created in 1867, but economic pressures, railway costs and political change altered the debate. The island entered Confederation on 1 July 1873 as Canada's seventh province. Charlottetown consequently became a provincial capital within the new country, retaining its legislative role while its connections to national institutions broadened. The city's later civic and cultural development continued around Province House, the harbour and the historic downtown. Confederation became central to Charlottetown's public identity, though the story is also understood alongside the continuing presence and history of the Mi'kmaq and the island's diverse communities.

Heritage and Cultural Renewal

Twentieth-century Charlottetown experienced the economic shifts affecting many Atlantic Canadian ports, including changes in shipping, industry and population. At the same time, the preservation of its older streetscapes and the development of major cultural institutions gave the capital a renewed public profile. The Confederation Centre of the Arts, opened in 1964 to mark the centenary of the Charlottetown Conference, became a national centre for visual and performing arts. Heritage conservation, theatre, festivals and waterfront redevelopment have since strengthened the city's cultural identity, while the historic core continues to function as a living neighbourhood rather than a preserved enclave.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Charlottetown

Discover Charlottetown with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide featuring detailed info on top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Explore Charlottetown like never before with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Discover attractions, book experiences, and enjoy local tips all in one place.

  • History of Charlottetown and travel essentials for visitors
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Welcome to Charlottetown, the charming capital of Prince Edward Island! With Evendo, your trip to this beautiful city becomes an unforgettable experience. Imagine strolling through the historic streets, visiting iconic landmarks like Province House and St. Dunstan's Basilica, or enjoying a leisurely walk along Victoria Park. Our app provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

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