You never know what peace is until you walk on the shores or in the fields or along the winding red roads of Prince Edward Island in a summer twilight when the dew is falling, and the old stars are peeping out, and the sea keeps its mighty tryst with the little land it loves. You find your soul, then. You realize that youth is not a vanished thing but something that dwells forever in the heart.- LM Montgomery

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the pages of Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island is one of the few places where that dream actually comes true.

You can walk through Green Gables, stroll down Lovers’ Lane, wander the Haunted Woods, visit the home that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery, and even watch Anne come to life on stage.

Prince Edward Island is an unassuming little island off the easternmost coast of Canada. Known for its Scottish heritage, potato farms, and dramatic red cliffs, it’s also the place that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to create Anne of Green Gables. Somehow, though, this little island speaks to my soul.

I feel very maudlin saying this because sentiment and I are not generally friends. A good pal of mine once said the mountains replenish her, and I never understood that until we spent some time on the island of ruby, emerald, and sapphire (LM Montgomery’s words, not mine). There is a feeling in this place that the trees and the wind want to talk to you if only they had words and there is something enchanted around each corner, and you are the one to discover it.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Prince Edward Island

I’ve visited Prince Edward Island more than a dozen times over the years, and every trip reminds me why this island continues to capture readers’ hearts more than a century after Anne first arrived at Green Gables.

We first drove with our children to this beautiful island 10 years ago (17 years to the date after our honeymoon to PEI). We found it as enchanting and beautiful as ever, and we decided that we needed to make a biannual pilgrimage to this place that has captured all of our hearts.

 

Why Anne of Green Gables Made Prince Edward Island Famous

Prince Edward Island owes much of its fame to the precocious red-headed Anne of Green Gables, but this beautiful island has so much more to offer than just Anne tourism. For those of you unfamiliar with Anne of Green Gables, stop reading this right now and go pick up the books! Seriously!

The book series is about an orphaned girl named Anne who is adopted by an elderly brother and sister, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Anne has a gift for trouble and great depth of imagination. This series focuses on her life on the north shore of Prince Edward Island in the fictional town of Avonlea (generally considered to be Cavendish).

This book, written by Lucy Maude Montgomery, a PEI native, has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. There are 6 sequels as well as other less-known series, including my favorite, “Emily of New Moon.” Many have said of Montgomery that the island she loved was as central to these books as the main characters. She personifies the island in a way that makes her readers know and love it without even setting foot on its shores. Are you excited to go yet??

Here are my top highlights starting with all things “Anne”! This guide covers every major Anne of Green Gables attraction in Prince Edward Island, along with tips for deciding which ones are worth your time.

(If you don’t care about Anne, here is a post about the other fabulous things to do on PEI.)

 

Anne Attraction	Time Needed	Worth It?
Green Gables Heritage Place	2 hours	?????
Green Gables Museum	1–2 hours	????
Avonlea Village	1–2 hours	???
Musical	Evening	?????
Lake of Shining Waters	30 min	?????
L.M. Montgomery Site	1 hour	????

 

Best Anne of Green Gables Attractions

Green Gables Heritage Place

 

 

Located in Cavendish off Route 6 this house was the home of Lucy Maude’s cousins, which she said was an inspiration for Green Gables. On the site are the house and the barns (depending on the time of year and day, there are artisans making soap, whittlers, etc.). Enjoy trails into the haunted woods and take a stroll down lovers’ lane. A must-see for the entire family.

If you can only choose one attraction to visit, make it this one. This feels the most like the story.

 

L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home Site

Just east on Route 6 is the McNeil homestead, where LM Montgomery lived as a girl. Nothing remains from the original house beyond some of the foundation, but it has beautiful quotes throughout the garden and a nice trail to the post office where Montgomery worked. It tends to be less crowded and remains my favorite “Anne” site.

Tip: you can get a discount on your ticket if you bring your receipt from Green Gables.

Avonlea Village (Route 6 Cavendish)

Avonlea Village has changed over the years. While it no longer has as many live performances as it once did, it’s still worth visiting for the historic buildings and restaurants.

Stroll around and send your kids on a pony ride. It’s a good long ride for the money. Eat a baked potato at Red Island Baked Potato. They are huge!

Plus it still gives you an idea of what it would have felt like to live in Avonlea during Anne’s time.

 

Anne of Green Gables museum

Farther afield from Cavendish in Park Corner (15 minutes west of Cavendish) is a museum run by Montgomery’s cousins. The home was one that cousins owned during her life, and Montgomery was a frequent visitor.

They claim the saltwater lake near the house was the inspiration for the Lake of Shinning Waters. You can take a carriage ride around it and tour the house with a lot of original furniture, including the bookcase that Anne uses to talk to her window friend Katie. There are also a few things that are prominent in the Emily of New Moon Books.

 

Tip: On your ride to Park Corner, you will pass by a farm on your right located on a bend in the road that sells beautiful produce on the honor system. Grab some PEI potatoes, firewood, or my favorite, Elda’s strawberry rhubarb jam.

 

Lake of Shining Waters

There are two different lakes that are purported to be the Lake of Shining Waters from the Anne of Green Gables books. One is right next to the Anne of Green Gables museum, and “Matthew” will take you on a ride around the lake for a small fee. You can book the carriage at the Anne of Green Gables Museum.

 

The other Lake of Shining Waters sits next to Cavendish Beach, and I think this is the more likely site of the lake. You can see the flag for the Green Gables house in the distance, and the lake was probably well-known to LM Montgomery. The real name of the lake is MacNeil Pond, and you can walk over it on a trail called “The Dunelands.” My favorite time to visit is at dusk, the fireflies come out, and you can see them dance near the water and see fish jump to try to catch them.

 

Anne of Green Gables, the Musical

Last but certainly not least, see the musical Anne of Green Gables or Anne and Gilbert in Charlottetown. Both are really terrific, but we all agree that we like the music in Anne and Gilbert better. These stories are truly suited for the stage and for music, and you will be tapping your toes to “You’re Island Through and Through” long after you leave, and if you’re like our family pretty much the entire time, we are on PEI!

Planning Your Anne of Green Gables Trip

How Many Days Do You Need for Anne of Green Gables Attractions?

If Anne of Green Gables is the main reason you’re visiting Prince Edward Island, I recommend giving yourself at least two days.

One day is enough to visit Green Gables Heritage Place and one or two nearby attractions, but you’ll probably feel rushed. Two days gives you time to explore Green Gables, visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum, stop by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home site, drive the scenic roads around Cavendish, and enjoy the island at a slower pace.

If you’re also planning to explore beaches, lighthouses, Charlottetown, or other parts of Prince Edward Island, I’d add another day or two to your itinerary.

Do You Need a Car to Visit Anne of Green Gables Sites?

Yes. While Prince Edward Island is easy to drive, the Anne attractions are spread across several locations (although most of them are in Cavendish) and public transportation is very limited.

Having a car allows you to visit Green Gables Heritage Place, the Anne of Green Gables Museum, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home site, Cavendish Beach, and the surrounding countryside at your own pace.

One of the best parts of visiting Prince Edward Island is simply enjoying the drive. The red dirt roads, rolling farmland, and ocean views are just as memorable as many of the attractions themselves.

What Is the Best Anne of Green Gables Attraction?

If you only have time for one stop, make it Green Gables Heritage Place.

It’s the attraction most visitors picture when they think of Anne. You can walk through the famous house, stroll Lovers’ Lane and the Haunted Wood, and experience the setting that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novels.

If you’re a lifelong Anne fan, however, don’t stop there. I also recommend visiting the Anne of Green Gables Museum. While it’s smaller and less famous, it offers a deeper look at Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life and includes experiences you won’t find anywhere else on the island.

Together, these two attractions give you a much fuller picture of Anne’s world than either one does on its own.

Best Time to Visit Anne of Green Gables Attractions

• Late June through September is ideal.
• August has the most activities but the biggest crowds.
• September is quieter and still beautiful, but some of the attractions of Cavendish begin to close.
• Many seasonal attractions have reduced hours or close outside the main tourist season.

Where to Stay

• I recommend Cavendish if Anne attractions are your priority, but the area around Cavendish is less crowded and nicer in my opinion. So if you like to be in the thick of it, find a hotel in Cavendish. If not, I recommend areas like Stanley Bridge, Rustico or even Kensington.
• If you want to say in a larger city you can stay in Charlottetown . There is more access to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. But the Anne of Green Gables attractions are clustered around Cavendish which is a 40 -50 minute drive from Charlottetown.
• Hotels or cabin rentals are common in Cavendish, but you can rent a house for a week and enjoy the Anne attractions as well as the spectacular beaches. That is what we do when we visit and it is the favorite vacation of the year.

You’ll Love your Visit

If you’re only going to visit one Anne attraction, make it Green Gables Heritage Place.

If you’re a lifelong Anne fan, give yourself at least two days to explore everything connected to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s world.

Prince Edward Island is much more than Anne of Green Gables—but Anne is still the heart that draws so many visitors here. After multiple visits, I still find myself slowing down on those red dirt roads, rereading favorite passages, and understanding a little more why Lucy Maud Montgomery loved this island so deeply.

To check out the rest of PEI, go to our post about the other great things to do on Prince Edward Island.

If you are interested in more Eastern Canadian Vacations, check out the following posts:

Halifax in one weekend

Montreal with Kids

Road Trip from NYC to Toronto

 

 

 

 

 

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