The North Cape Coastal Drive on Prince Edward Island

Go Up West

Down-home hospitality, fresh seafood, and the best “dam burger” await you on the North Cape Coastal Drive. Beautiful beaches, sweeping vistas of capes and cliffs, and unique attractions welcome you at every turn. Go Up West to unwind in a 4-star resort, relax in a seaside cottage, or stay in a lighthouse. Go all the way to the northwestern tip to see where waters collide and nature and technology live in harmony. Enjoy music festivals, theatres, museums, and cultural centres for regional charm that showcase the fascinating history of this area. Go golfing, lobster fishing, or beachcombing. Visit an alpaca farm or a village made of bottles. Stomp your feet to Island music and get “Shucked In.” Take some time to play along the shore, too. I promise you will be glad you did.

Summerside

Explore Summerside, this city by the sea provides an authentic Island experience, and celebrates diverse cultural traditions. Wander the tourist shops and grab an ice cream at Spinnakers’ Landing, a tourist attraction and waterfront marketplace with a fishing village theme. Pop into the Deckhouse Pub & Eatery to enjoy delicious seafood and tasty pub fare with lots of kid-friendly options. Head to their upper deck for one of the best waterfront views in the city.

The Knot Beach Bar & Rentals is PEI's only licensed beach and Summerside’s newest watering hole. This on-shore beach bar offers local beer & cocktails, alongside their bike, paddle board, and kayak rentals. Sit back in the cabana-like atmosphere to enjoy this waterfront bar. Wine tastings are available, too.

The College of Piping and its Celtic Performing Arts of Canada Centre’s provides year-round entertainment from up and coming student acts, to school musicals, community theatre, and well-know, seasoned performers. Harbourfront Theatre is a popular venue that hosts theatrical productions, concerts, stand-up comedy, and more.

The Eptek Art & Culture Centre showcases temporary local, and travelling exhibitions on themes of history, art, fine craft, natural history, and heritage. Enjoy a permanent exhibition on the history of Summerside. It is one of the seven sites of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.

Wyatt Historic House Museum

The Wyatt Historic House Museum is considered one of the most impressive historic house collections in Eastern Canada. Built in 1867 this small museum is full of intriguing artifacts collected over a century by the prominent Wyatt family along with current exhibitions of local art.

Downtown Summerside

Downtown Summerside offers the perfect rustic blend of historic brick buildings and heritage homes. It is well known throughout Canada for its lovely nineteenth century and early twentieth century residential architecture. Visit the Lefurgey Cultural Centre or the MacNaught History Centre for a self-guided walking tour publication and set out for a leisurely seaside stroll.

Evermoore Brewing Co.

Evermoore Brewing Co. is Summerside’s first craft brewery. This restaurant/brewery was a former train station and it has a great vibe. Enjoy a casual, fun dining experience. Live Music Tuesdays, Trivia Thursdays, and Celtic Saturdays keep the locals coming in week after week. There is also an outdoor patio perfect for enjoying a craft beer and a great meal.

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church is in Grand River PEI

Green Gable Alpaca Farm

Green Gables Alpaca Farm is a healing place. You feel its welcoming warmth the minute you arrive. It was established in October, 2009 by Janet Ogilvie following a devastating family tragedy. After much soul searching, Janet decided to pack up and leave her corporate city life behind in Hamilton, Ontario, and move to the tiny rural community of Birch Hill, PEI to become an alpaca farmer. Janet says she leads an enriched life on PEI, and calls herself “an islander by choice.”.

The Happiest Alpacas

My husband, Eric and I met Janet this summer when she gave us a tour of her farm. She introduced us to the happiest alpacas and the most charming (and handsome) llama you will ever meet. Less than a week after our visit, Janet shared that a brand new baby alpaca surprised everyone with his arrival during a tour. His name is “Cadeau” for the gift his presence has made on the farm.

We discovered this sweet farm in Birch Hill is surrounded by my husband’s mom’s and his grandfather’s and grandmother’s childhood homes. We were smitten with the area and this dear alpaca farm that Janet has lovingly created. It is a special place. Book a visit and be sure to drop into the Fiber House Boutique to discover unique alpaca products and gifts made from luxurious alpaca wool fibre, including the cutest miniature alpacas.

The Best ‘Dam Burger’ in PEI

Backwoods Burger is just up the road from Birch Hill in Tyne Valley. It serves up the best ‘Dam Burger’ in PEI. This craft beer cookhouse delivers delicious locally-sourced food. Count on friendly service, good eats, and heaps of character with their rustic decor including hanging cheese grater lights and even a bicycle dangling from the rafters. Oh, and the “Dam Burger” certainly lived up to its claim. It gets two thumbs way up from me.

Tyne Valley Teas Café

Another favourite eatery in the area is Tyne Valley Teas Café. They serve healthy light lunches and boast the best tea and coffee in the Valley. A Fancy High Tea is popular here with vegan and special diet options available. Tarot Card Readings and Tea Leaf Readings are also available by appointment.

Lennox Island

Lennox Island is a nearby 540-hectare island located in Malpeque Bay. It is connected by a short causeway and bridge. Lennox Island is home to many Lennox Island First Nation band members. Enjoy unique Mi’kmaq cultural experiences led by gifted teachers, storytellers, crafters, and cooks.

Mill River Resort

Mill River Resort was a great location to stay while we explored the North Cape Coastal Drive. We loved our Junior Suite luxury accommodations with a view overlooking the golf course and our meals at Callaghan’s Restaurant & Bar. We were on the road, and just here for late-day enjoyment, but Eric ran to the resort’s driving range every chance he got. We look forward to another trip back for longer to truly settle in and soak up more of this 4-Star resort. I saw a spa with my name on it and you know where my hubby will be. SCORE Golf Magazine rated Mill River in the Top 3 Best Golf Courses in Atlantic Canada.

Check out local history at the *Alberton Museum and Genealogy Centre*, which was originally built as the *Alberton Court House* in 1878. The building is a *National Historic site* and a *Designated Provincial Historic site.*

Northport Pier Inn & Restaurant

The Northport Pier Inn is a 4-star 14 waterfront inn on the scenic waterfront of Northport Harbour. The Northport Pier Restaurant is next door in an authentic boat building shop. Be wowed with the restaurant’s 18-foot ceilings and multi-level dining area. Two floor-to-ceiling walls of windows at the far end showcase a beautiful view of Cascumpec Bay and Northport Harbour. The wide plank floors, vintage photographs, and maritime touches all add to the atmosphere but the food is the real star here. It is next level. Located next to a working fishing harbour, the North Pier Restaurant prides itself by sourcing local fresh seafood. Their fries are house-cut daily with potatoes from local growers, and freshly-baked bread is made in-house daily too. In-season PEI vegetables garnish plates and all desserts are made in-house from scratch. Locals love it here. Reservations are highly recommended. This coastal community charmed us. We explored the fishing harbour and boardwalk then locals suggested a beach and scenic point down the road. Northport has an authentic maritime culture in a community built around the sea. We will be back!

North Cape

Take the journey to Prince Edward Island’s northwesternmost extremity to witness the meeting of the waters as the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait converge over the longest natural rock reef in North America. Nature and technology exist in perfect harmony here. Walk the Black Marsh Nature Trail and view the gigantic windmills.

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada

Soak up the stunning panoramic views of red cliffs and and blue waters then look up - look way up. The Wind Energy Institute of Canada is here, where you will also find a lot of windmills - some of them are over 80-metres tall! Visit the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre to learn about wind energy and the significance of North Cape. There is a gift shop and restaurant on site here too.

The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a lighthouse here at North Cape as a navigational aid beacon to warn mariners of the hazard posed by the reef. The Meteorological Service of Canada has a remote weather station adjacent to the lighthouse. Tales of pirates and buried treasure are legend this area. Keep an eye out for seals on your walkabouts, too. A trip to PEI is not nearly complete without visiting North Cape.

Stompin’ Tom

Stop at the Stompin’ Tom Centre (STC) in Skinners Pond to learn about the legendary musician, his ties to Prince Edward Island, and his many contributions to Canada through his music and remarkable life. The on-site restaurant offers PEI specialities, including poutine, lobster rolls, and The Stompin’ Burger. Eric proudly devoured every single bite of this ginormous burger! Enjoy free live entertainment every day between 1- 2 pm and during July and August, visitors can enjoy getting ‘Shucked In.’ Down a freshly shucked PEI oyster, chased down with a shot of PEI Shine, and recite the Salty Pledge. Complete all three tasks and you will be designated an “Honourary Islander,” with a certificate to boot. The Centre encourages everyone to “Come for the music and stay for the oysters.”

The Canadian Potato Museum

Both Eric and I were very impressed with the Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary. Stick a fork in it - ‘cuz it’s well done! Seriously! Who knew potatoes were so interesting?! We learned so much. My husband enjoyed the evolution of farm machinery warehouse, and I loved all the little-known potato history factoids. The interactive displays kept us both engaged, and fascinated. There is a great Rick Mercer video not to miss and keep an ‘eye’ out for Mr. Potato. We couldn’t believe how extensive this museum was. Later, we sat down to a tasty lunch featuring “potato dishes” at their on-site restaurant. The Chili and Cheese Baked Potato was done to perfection, and the homemade apple crisp and bread pudding desserts were downright scrumptious. Definitely take in a museum tour, and plan on staying for lunch. Find Covered Bridge Potato Chips in the gift shop, and catch a selfie with the giant potato before you leave.

West Cape

West Cape has to be the prettiest drive on PEI! The only problem is which way to look… windmills and potato fields on one side and red cliffs and blue ocean on the other. Eric and I wondered if people in this area ever tire of the spectacular views they have. I doubt it.

We stopped at the West Cape Wind Farm situated near O’Leary. It is Prince Edward Island’s largest wind farm with a total of 55 turbines capable of powering approximately 25,000 homes, annually.

West Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum

West Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum beckons you with its striking black and white stripes, modern 4-star attached inn, and fascinating seafaring past. I encourage you to ‘seas the day’ and click on the photo link below to discover my blog post on West Point Lighthouse Inn to learn more about its history and mystery.

The Bottle Houses

The Bottle Houses were created over several dedicated years of work of retired Prince Edward Island Cape-Egmont Lighthouse Keeper, Édouard Arsenault and his daughter, Réjeanne Arsenault. Click on the link above to discover more about this magical Bottle Village born from a simple recycling project and a lighthouse keeper’s vision.

The North Cape Coastal Drive

The North Cape Coastal Drive offers 350 km of some of the most breathtaking vistas you will ever see! The sunsets are truly spectacular here. Beginning at the gateway of Summerside, along a winding coastal drive, enjoy genuine Western PEI cultural events and unique attractions. Go Up West to discover a new adventure at every turn.

This article was sponsored by PEI Tourism; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!