Family Vacation to PEI National Park
Put Anne of Green Gables and Cavendish Beach on an Island Itinerary
Apr 7, 2009
Prince Edward Island National Park is the lone national park in Canada's smallest province. But a visit to this protected, ocean side park delivers unequaled views, vibrant red sands, and a taste of the charming setting for the Anne of Green Gables books.
The park stretches for 40 km (25 miles) along the northern coast of Prince Edward Island, from Stanhope and Dalvay-by-the-Sea in the east to Cavendish Beach and the Green Gables House in the west. Cavendish Beach lies a convenient 40 minute drive from Charlottetown, the capital of the province, or about an hour from the Confederation Bridge.
Things to Do near Cavendish on a Vacation to PEI National Park
Families will benefit from the many things to do at the Cavendish region of Prince Edward Island National Park, such as:
- Visiting the Anne of Green Gables house
- Hiking along the shore near Cavendish and watching for bird life (such as the rare piping plover) in the sand dunes
- Swimming in the ocean at Cavendish Beach
- Playing a round of PEI golf on the Green Gables Golf Course
- Biking the oceanfront trails from Cavendish West to Cavendish East
- Camping near Cavendish Beach
Perfect for a family beach vacation, Cavendish Beach offers gorgeous sands in a stunning seaside setting. In addition to swimming in the ocean and relaxing on the beach, Cavendish Beach remains trumps for its many amenities. Washrooms, nearby camping, well-maintained boardwalks, and parking make this PEI vacation location appealing and convenient for families.
Anne of Green Gables House is Fun for a PEI Family Vacation
The Green Gables House sits atop a picturesque hill, welcoming visitors year-round to the house that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables books. In addition to rooms filled with historic items from an early 1900s farm, activities in the barns and grounds transport visitors back to old-time island life.
For even more Anne of Green Gables fun, take the family to a showing of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical at the Charlottetown Festival.
Things to Do in PEI National Park near Stanhope and Greenwich
A visit to the eastern portion of PEI National Park also offers plenty of family vacation activities:
- Hiking the trails near Stanhope
- Dining at the lavish Dalvay-by-the-Sea Historic Site
- Walking the length of the Greenwich boardwalk that protects the fragile dunes
- Learning the history of the Mi’kmaq people who first lived on these shores
- Swimming at Brackley, Ross Lane, or Stanhope beaches
- Camping at Robinsons Island Campground
The facilities at Greenwich, the newest portion of the national park added to the eastern end in 1998, will keep everyone entertained on a family vacation—no matter the weather. The interpretive center offers activities for a rainy day while kilometers of trails are great for spring and fall vacations to the island. Taking advantage of the supervised swimming is best saved for the summer months when the ocean is warmest.
Other PEI Attractions for a Family Vacation
Overall, Prince Edward Island National Park remains an ideal destination for an outdoor-activity-based family vacation to PEI. With many activities like swimming, golfing, hiking, biking, camping, and exploring, families have no shortage of things to do during an island vacation.
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