Notes from a vacation on Prince Edward Island

Most of my family has left now, though Johnny and Jodi from Vancouver are around for another 12 hours until they fly back in the morning at the insane time of 5:50 a.m. Thus closes a family-packed week, most of which was spent at a rented cottage in Canoe Cove.

Highlights?

We all enjoyed go-carting, both at North River, and slightly zippier and slightly longer, at Burlington Amusement Park. The Do Duck Petting Farm was its usual wonderful self — this is, I think, the single best attraction for children on Prince Edward Island.

On the same trip to the north shore, we walked along the beach at Cousins Shore, had dinner at the New London Seafood Restaurant (excellent service, good food).

Otherwise there was a lot of walking along the beach (and, for Oliver, swimming around, tethered to one uncle or aunt or grandparent or another), drinking of beer (recommendation: get a keg from the Gahan House; good, handy form for beer, and works out to about a dollar a pint, Johnny says) and eating both in and out (including an excellent pasta meal cooked by Johnny and Jodi).

Perhaps the wisest decision was to rent a cottage duplex rather than One Big Cottage. This gave everyone their own personal space, and let us split into sub-groups when it made sense. The cottage we rented is owned by the Trainor family (their main base of operations is in Hampton, where they’re known as Hampton Haven Cottages). The duplex was clean, well equipped, and had uncommonly comfortable beds (better than most hotels). The location, about 500 feet from the beach, across from Camp Keir, can’t be beat.

Sometimes it’s good to slip into the tourist role for a while, even if you live here fulltime; helps put the tourism industry in perspective. Having been in Boston, New Hampshire, New Brunswick and Quebec in the past month, I can say without hesitation that the people and facilities of the Island tourism industry are a cut above the rest.

Now, onwards and upwards towards fall…

Comments

Matt's picture
Matt on August 25, 2003 - 21:07 Permalink

Must agree on the Do Duck Petting Farm. We actually went there today, and had a great time. The kids loved it.

John Sinclair's picture
John Sinclair on January 31, 2004 - 06:15 Permalink

Prince Edward Island seems like a dream place in the Hetic World around us. It is definitely the Bermuda of the North with it pristine Beaches. We stayed at Centennial Cottages and found the cottages to be quite pleasant and near most of the attractions. I would recommend the cottage experience for anyone wanting to visit PEI.

Paul Engles's picture
Paul Engles on January 31, 2004 - 06:19 Permalink

Hey I was to Prince Edard Island last year 2003. I stayed at Centennial Cottages in Brackley Beach. They were close to lobster suppers, golf, fine dining and many attractions. They also had a heated pool and free movies! I would recommend to anyone going to PEI to consider the cottage experience.

Arnold MacDonald's picture
Arnold MacDonald on February 28, 2004 - 12:25 Permalink

Cottages seem be the cheapest way to spend a vacation on PEI. I would recommend Centennial Cottages.

Tori Robbins's picture
Tori Robbins on July 7, 2004 - 02:33 Permalink

Centennial Cottages had a nice pool and they have free beach passes to the National Park.

Cathy MacDonald's picture
Cathy MacDonald on July 12, 2004 - 03:59 Permalink

Centennial Cottages are centrally located on Prince Edward Island. Also if you like cuisine try the Dunes down the road — they have food to die for — Toronto Dining has come to Brackley Beach. Also, there is a drive-in theater 1/4 mile down the road

Catherine Smith's picture
Catherine Smith on July 16, 2004 - 01:34 Permalink

Cottages are definitely the way to stay on Prince Edward Island. You can barbecue on you deck and avoid the stove altogether. Centennial Cottages is close to many golf courses on Prince Edward Island and Prince Edward Island now has more than 20 golf courses, which makes it a must place to visit for a golfing enthusiast.