The Top Things to Do in the Charlottetown Cruise Port

I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t too familiar with our Canada/New England cruise stops prior to our sailing. This vacation was a last-minute booking, so I didn’t research each stop as I have in the past. So, this post of things to do in Charlottetown, PEI, from your cruise ship comes from my firsthand experience. It includes what we did, where we went, where we ate, and what I would do differently next time.

Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, also known as PEI.

PEI is a small but charming Canadian port that plays a huge role in Canadian history. The island is small, and one of those places that feels instantly welcoming. Because of its size, most of it can be explored on foot right from the dock.

While I didn’t originally know what to expect from Charlottetown on our Holland America Canada & New England cruise, it quickly became one of my favorite ports.

The town is friendly, walkable, and packed with character. It’s easy to plan a full day here without an excursion, but the half-day tour we took led us all over PEI. I felt it was the best way to see it all and would recommend you do the same.

What to Do in Charlottetown PEI

Once your cruise ship docks at the Charlottetown cruise port, you’re only steps away from many of the city’s highlights.

The waterfront is lively, clean, and easy to navigate.

Just outside the terminal is the Founders Food Hall & Market.

This hall serves as a central hub for gathering port information, catching up with shore excursions or your independent tours, and is a great first stop for coffee or a snack while you get your bearings.

From here, most of downtown Charlottetown can be reached on foot.

The streets are flat, the sidewalks are wide, and the city’s color-coded walking trails make it simple to find your way around.

Explore Historic Charlottetown

Start your day by exploring historic Charlottetown with a walk near the port and toward Province House, a National Historic Site of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that shaped modern Canada.

Charlottetown is known as the Birthplace of Confederation, and Province House is where Canada officially began; the city wears that title proudly.

While the building was under restoration during our visit, you can still view it from the outside and stop into the nearby Confederation Centre of the Arts for exhibits, live performances, and local art.

A few blocks away stands St. Dunstan’s Basilica, a striking Gothic Revival cathedral that’s hard to miss. Step inside to see the towering arches and stained glass.

Then continue to Beaconsfield Historic House, a beautifully preserved 1877 Victorian home filled with stories from Charlottetown’s golden era. Tours are available, and it’s just a short walk from the cruise pier.

Stroll along Great George Street, one of the city’s most photographed areas, lined with heritage homes and historic buildings. This street connects the waterfront to Province House and captures that postcard-perfect Charlottetown feel.

Free Things to Do in the Charlottetown Cruise Port

To make exploring even more fun, Discover Charlottetown has created several self-guided experiences around downtown.

One fun way you can see Charlottetown is to follow the painted lines on the sidewalks. The yellow lines lead to shops and services, the pink to heritage sites, and the green to the waterfront trail. Each route is between 2 and 6 kilometers, perfect for a few hours of exploring.

For a quirky twist, join the Eckhart in the City scavenger hunt.

This family-friendly activity leads you on a search for nine hidden bronze mice tucked around downtown.

The scavenger hunt is inspired by the beloved Canadian Christmas children’s book, The True Meaning of Crumbfest, by David Weale.

Families looking for things for kids in PEI will also enjoy Ringo the Fox’s Walking Trail, a storytelling route marked by playful signs and local legends.

Charlottetown may be compact, but its history and personality shine through every step. Spend a little time exploring its heritage district and you’ll quickly see why this small capital has such a big heart.

My Favorite Charlottetown Excursion

Anne of Green Gables and Our Island Experience

No visit to Prince Edward Island is complete without seeing Anne of Green Gables come to life.

I joined this Anne of Green Gables guided tour, which also included an island tour. Our tour started right at Founders Food Hall. It turned out to be one of the best excursions of our entire cruise.

Cavendish

A comfortable bus ride took us through the countryside to Cavendish, home to the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place.

Fans of the classic novel will love seeing the charming white farmhouse, the walking trails, and the peaceful gardens that inspired author L.M. Montgomery. Even if you’ve never read the book, the scenery alone is worth the trip.

The Heritage Place also includes a visitor’s center, picnic tables, and a snack shop where you can purchase a Canadian favorite sweet treat, beaver tails.

Other Included Stops

Along the way, our tour stopped at the PEI Preserve Co., a lovely local shop and café surrounded by gardens overlooking the River Clyde. It’s the perfect place to grab a cup of tea or pick up homemade jams and island gifts.

We also paused at French River, one of the island’s most photographed viewpoints.

From this overlook, you’ll see colorful fishing shacks, boats, and rolling farmland stretching to the sea. It’s the postcard view everyone pictures when they think of Prince Edward Island.

The final stretch took us through Prince Edward Island National Park, where more red cliffs, beaches, and coastal scenery made the drive just as enjoyable as the stops.

During the drive, our guide played a Canadian trivia game with us, while sharing stories about everyday life. She also shared stories about the Confederation Trail, a former railway line turned scenic path that stretches across Prince Edward Island.

We didn’t have time to walk it that day, but it sounded like a peaceful way to see the island at ground level. If you want to visit the trail, you can reach an access point about 20–25 minutes on foot from the cruise terminal, near the old railway lands by downtown Charlottetown.

By the time we returned to Charlottetown, we felt like we had seen the true heart of the island and learned so much in a short time.

The Anne of Green Gables tour offers a beautiful way to experience the entire island’s natural beauty beyond the immediate port area. And because it is only a four-hour tour, you’ll still have time to explore the waterfront.

Things to Do Near the Charlottetown Waterfront

Back in town, the waterfront area is full of local charm and photo-worthy spots. Charlottetown can totally be explored independently. Check out these experiences near the waterfront.

Horse-drawn Carriage Ride

For a slower, more romantic option, book a horse-drawn carriage ride along the waterfront.

The clip-clop of hooves, the sea breeze, and the charming historic streets make it feel like stepping back in time. Drivers often share local stories and point out hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

You can find the horse-drawn carriage ride in front of the Food Hall.

Waterfront Shopping

Right beside the port, you’ll find rows of cute beach shack–style shops selling souvenirs, handmade crafts, and local treats. It’s the perfect place to pick up PEI jams, pottery, or island-made chocolates before heading back to the ship.

The area is colorful, walkable, and always lively when cruise ships are in town.

Photo Stops

One place I missed while in port was two iconic photo stops. It wasn’t until our ship was sailing that I noticed these down by the waterfront. We just didn’t walk far enough to the edge.

While you’re in Charlottetown, don’t miss these as I did.

The giant red numbers on the boardwalk and the nearby Love Lock sign, where travelers leave a little symbol of their visit, can be found near the pier’s edge.

Walk Victoria Row and Downtown Charlottetown

Victoria Row is one of Charlottetown’s best-loved streets.

The street is a short walk from the port and closed to vehicle traffic in the summer, which makes it perfect for wandering.

Lined with boutiques, local shops, and cafes, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger.

Outdoor patios fill with music, especially on summer evenings, and there’s always something happening—street performers, live bands, and even pop-up markets.

When I visited, it happened to be Canada Day, so there was plenty of energy and fun in the air.

Best Places to Eat in Charlottetown PEI

You won’t go hungry in Charlottetown. The city has a fantastic food scene that highlights fresh local seafood, farm-fresh ingredients, and of course, ice cream.

For some of Charlottetown’s amazingly fresh seafood, grab a seat at Lobster on the Wharf, just steps from the pier. The views are fantastic, and you can watch the cruise ships right from your table.

If you don’t want to sit down at the restaurant, you should at least pop into the storefront to see their giant lobsters.

Some of our other favorite restaurants from this visit were right along the waterfront:

• Dave’s Lobster – Try their warm buttered lobster roll with a craft beer. It’s simple, fresh, and delicious.
• The Chip Shack – A local favorite for fries and seafood baskets, right by the water.
• Cows Ice Cream – Expect a line, but it’s worth it. The flavors are rich, creamy, and made right on PEI. This ice cream was so good!
• Claddagh Oyster House – A cozy, upscale favorite among locals and visitors alike. Their oysters are top-notch, and the seafood chowder and PEI mussels are some of the best on the island.

Inside Founders Food Hall, you’ll find more great options, from artisan pizzas and burgers to baked goods and local coffee.

If you prefer to explore on your own, Charlottetown’s size makes it easy to combine a self-guided walk with time for shopping and dining before heading back to your ship.