NIRVANA FOR ANNE FANS
Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud
Montgomery, who was born and buried in
P.E.I., introduced her title character in 1908;
in print ever since, her beloved book has
sold more than 50 million copies. But it is
not only readers who adore the feisty red-
haired heroine. Playgoers have given Anne
of Green Gables—The Musical a record-
breaking run at the Charlottetown Festival.
Fans also flock to the Cavendish area to visit
themed attractions such as Montgomery's
Cavendish home, the recreated Avonlea
Village and, of course, Green Gables Heritage
Place, which features the bucolic 19
th
century
farm that inspired her setting (www.touris
mpei.com/anne-of-green-gables).
A FANTASYLAND FOR FAMILIES
Anne sites aside, the Island has a lot to offer
families. Beach babies, for example, could
spend their entire trip on Island strands,
although there are also lighthouses to climb,
bike and boat trips to take, plus enough
enjoyable festivals to fill any calendar. P.E.I.'s
national park and 21 provincial parks often
offer free, family-oriented activities. Classic
vacation venues, many of them concentrated
around Cavendish, have their own appeal:
Shining Waters Family Fun Park, Sandspit
Amusement Park, and Ripley's Believe It or
Not! are all perennial favourites. As if that
isn't enough, Experience PEI runs cool
hands-on programs that combine entertain-
ment and education (www.tourismpei.com/
pei-family-fun).
MORE IN STORE
And that's just the beginning . . . Pretty,
comparatively flat terrain, coupled with
top-notch facilities, make P.E.I. popular
with both cyclists and golfers. Wedding
parties come as well, attracted by the
postcard-perfect vistas and pastoral
atmosphere, while anglers are lured in by
the prospect of catching species that range
from brook trout and mackerel to big
bluefin tuna. If dancing the night away or
shopping till you drop are on your wish list,
no problem. Love theatre and musical
productions? There's no shortage of
options. Want to immerse yourself in the
local culture? You can tick that box here,
too, thanks to a broad menu of innovative
experiential activities. So whatever your
passion, you'll be spoiled for choice.
WHAT'S NEW?
The bright, modern Green Gables visitor
centre—complete with a gift shop, café,
and interpretative area—is the starting point
for Anne fans (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
greengables).
Montgomery Park includes a literary trail
and life-sized statue of L.M. Montgomery,
and is the recommended starting point of
The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery
Literary Tour (www.tourismpei.com/
green-gables-shore/cavendish).
New this Spring is the First Annual
Watermark Children's Festival with plays and
musicals based on classic books and family-
friendly tales (watermarktheatre.com/
childrens-theatre-festival/).
A second stroke of good fortune! Power couple
Michael and Chastity Smith opened The Inn at
Fortune Bridge, a six-room sister to The Inn at
Bay Fortune (www.innatbayfortune.com/
room-type/inn-at-fortune-bridge).
Looking for cool summer accommodations
in the capital? Three cute Floating Cottages—
each with one bedroom and bathroom—are now
moored at Peake's Quay (www.facebook.com/
peifloatingcottages).
CITY LIGHTS
The 2017 sesquicentennial celebrations only
underscored the role Charlottetown played
in Confederation. Top attractions like
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