Start at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market when it opens—typically Saturday mornings, so confirm the 2026 schedule if this date is a Tuesday; if it is closed, use the market’s seasonal weekday vendors or move straight to downtown breakfast. Allow about an hour for coffee, Island berries, baked goods, and local crafts, budgeting C$10–25 per person. From there, walk roughly 15 minutes through the historic core to Province House National Historic Site. Admission is generally free, though tours and seasonal programming can vary; allow an hour, and check Parks Canada’s September hours before setting out.
Continue on foot to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, just a few blocks away, for its gallery and Canadian visual-arts exhibits. Plan about 90 minutes and check the day’s gallery hours—September schedules can be shorter than summer hours. Afterwards, wander down Victoria Row, a compact pedestrian street of colorful heritage façades, boutiques, and patios; 45 minutes is plenty, but it is a good place to slow down for a coffee or browse local woolens and PEI-made gifts. The whole downtown route is easy on foot, though cobblestones and uneven sidewalks make comfortable walking shoes preferable.
Head downhill toward the waterfront for the Peake’s Wharf Boat Tour. Reserve ahead and confirm the September sailing time, since late-season departures are less frequent and weather can cancel cruises; arrive 15–20 minutes early at the wharf. The harbor cruise usually lasts about 90 minutes and is best enjoyed with a fleece or windbreaker—the breeze feels much cooler on the water. Finish at Water Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound, a short walk from the wharf, for a classic lobster or seafood dinner; allow C$45–75 per person before drinks and tip. Bring a semi-casual layer, and if the evening is rainy, call ahead about seating since the experience is more casual than a formal restaurant.
Leave Charlottetown around 7:30–8:00am via Route 2 west and Route 6; the drive to Cavendish takes roughly 40–50 minutes. Start at Cavendish Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park, before the shore gets busy. Allow about 90 minutes to walk the broad sand, photograph the red cliffs and dunes, and enjoy the September light. Use the marked parking areas and bring your national park pass or be prepared for the seasonal day-use fee; facilities and lifeguard services may be limited in September. Waterproof hiking shoes are worthwhile if the dune paths or beach access are damp, and keep your rain jacket handy—the north shore can be breezy even on a sunny morning.
Continue a few minutes inland to Green Gables Heritage Place, open seasonally with hours that vary in September, so check Parks Canada’s 2026 schedule before setting out. Spend about two hours visiting the farmhouse and walking the Lover’s Lane and Haunted Wood trails associated with Anne of Green Gables. Admission is generally in the C$10–20 range for an adult, depending on the current Parks Canada fee structure. The trails are easy but can be muddy after rain; this is the point in the day for hiking shoes rather than sneakers.
After a short drive, settle into Avonlea Village for roughly 90 minutes. This recreated 1890s village typically operates seasonally, with September hours and performances reduced from midsummer, so confirm what is running on your date. Browse the small shops, see whether a live character performance is scheduled, and leave room for a snack rather than making this a rushed stop. From there, drive about 15 minutes to North Rustico Harbour, where you can watch fishing boats, wander along the waterfront, and see the practical, working side of the north shore. Give yourself around 45 minutes; late afternoon is especially pleasant when the harbor light turns warm.
Finish at Blue Mussel Café, right on the North Rustico waterfront, for dinner around 5:30–6:30pm. Expect about C$35–60 per person before drinks and tax, with mussels, local seafood, and other casual maritime dishes; reservations are sensible in September if the restaurant is operating on its seasonal schedule. Ask for a harbor-facing table, but bring a light sweater—the view is lovely and the waterfront cools quickly after sunset. After dinner, it is a straightforward 35–45-minute drive back toward Charlottetown, or a short drive to accommodation in Cavendish if you are staying locally.
Start around 8:30 a.m. with the Cavendish Dunelands Trail, driving west from North Rustico on Route 6 and allowing roughly 15–20 minutes for the trailhead and parking. This is a lovely contrast to the open beaches: the path threads through spruce and dune vegetation before opening toward the Gulf, with the familiar red-clay slopes appearing along the coast. Plan on about 1½ hours, and wear waterproof hiking shoes—the boardwalk and shaded sections can stay damp in September. Bring insect repellent, water, and a light rain layer; there is little shade once you reach the exposed viewpoints. Check Parks Canada’s seasonal access notices before leaving, since facilities and parking services may be reduced after Labour Day.
From there, allow roughly 35–40 minutes by car to Macphail’s Woods Nature Trail near Orwell, using Route 6 and Route 2. The marked woodland paths make an easy late-morning reset after the coast, with quiet stands of mixed forest and occasional interpretive signs. Spend about 1½ hours here, keeping your daypack light and carrying water; trails can be muddy after rain. Parking is generally straightforward, but there are few nearby services, so this is a good place to use the washroom before moving on if facilities are open.
Drive about 15 minutes to New Glasgow Lobster Suppers for a generous traditional lunch, ideally arriving around 12:45–1:00 p.m. The meal is built around PEI mussels, lobster, chowder, and a dessert buffet, and typically costs about C$45–70 per person before drinks and gratuity. September hours can be narrower than summer hours, so confirm the day’s opening time and reserve if possible—especially for a weekend. Allow at least 1½ hours; this is meant to be a relaxed Island meal, not a quick stop.
After lunch, drive approximately 25 minutes east to Stanhope Beach. Park near the beach access and take an easy hour-long walk along the broad shoreline, where the Gulf feels quieter and less busy than Cavendish. The wind can pick up quickly, so this is the moment for the fleece or windbreaker; keep binoculars handy for shorebirds and bring a small bag for anything you carry in or out. Continue about 10 minutes to Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site for the late afternoon. Walk around the grand summer resort’s exterior and along the nearby shoreline, but treat the building as a historic property rather than assuming all interiors are open. Aim to arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset for the warmest light on the water and red shoreline, then return to North Rustico via Route 6; allow about 20 minutes, with limited dining choices late in the evening, so pick up dinner or confirm your restaurant plans before leaving Dalvay.
Leave North Rustico around 7:00–7:30 a.m. for St. Peters, allowing roughly 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes via Routes 6, 2, and 16. Start with the Confederation Trail — St. Peters to Morell section, using the parking area and trail access near St. Peters. The former railway line is flat and easy, making it ideal for a relaxed two-hour walk or cycle; ask locally about bike rentals before setting out, as September availability can be limited. Bring water, insect repellent, and a light waterproof layer, and download or photograph your route beforehand since rural reception can be patchy.
After the trail, drive about 15 minutes north to St. Peters Harbour Lighthouse. Give yourself around 45 minutes to walk the dune edge and take in the red-and-white tower against the open Northumberland Strait. The ground can be sandy and uneven, so waterproof hiking shoes are more useful than sneakers here. There is little nearby in the way of services, which is another reason to carry a filled bottle and a small snack.
Continue to Souris Historic Lighthouse, roughly 20 minutes away by car, for an early-afternoon look at the harbor and the town’s maritime history. Allow 45 minutes; check seasonal opening hours before relying on an interior visit, since September schedules can be reduced. For lunch or an early dinner, settle in at Green Gables Seafood Restaurant in Souris for local seafood—budget about C$30–55 per person and allow 1½ hours. This is a good place to slow down after the morning outdoors; call ahead if you are traveling outside peak summer, as restaurant hours can change.
Finish with a 20-minute drive to Basin Head Provincial Park. Spend about 90 minutes on the beach, listening for the famous “singing sands” as the dry grains move beneath your feet—conditions are best when the sand is dry. Bring your windbreaker and avoid lingering too close to the water after sunset, when the exposed coast cools quickly. If you are staying in Souris, return there after the beach; otherwise, this is a natural final stop before continuing along Route 16, with limited services between the park and the larger communities.
Leave Souris around 7:30 a.m. for Cape Bear Lighthouse and Marconi Museum, allowing about 45–50 minutes on rural roads via Routes 16 and 17. The lighthouse grounds are generally best visited in daylight hours, but opening schedules can be limited in September, so check ahead; budget roughly C$5–10 if admission is charged. Give yourself an hour to see the small museum, walk around the tower, and look across the Northumberland Strait—this is a windy stop, so bring the rain shell and sturdy shoes. Continue about 35 minutes to Point Prim Lighthouse, PEI’s oldest lighthouse, for another hour of coastal views and photographs; lighthouse access and interior tours are seasonal, so treat the grounds and shoreline as the dependable part of the visit.
Drive roughly 20–25 minutes to Wood Islands Lighthouse, arriving around lunchtime or shortly afterward. Allow 45 minutes to explore the grounds and maritime displays, with a small admission fee possible depending on the day’s staffing. From here, it is about 25 minutes to The Wheelhouse in Georgetown. Settle in for a relaxed seafood lunch or early dinner—fish and chips, lobster, and other casual fare typically run about C$25–50 per person. Hours can change after summer, so verify that the kitchen is serving before committing; if you have time, take a brief harbor walk around Georgetown before leaving.
Finish in Victoria-by-the-Sea, about 35–40 minutes from Georgetown. Park near the village center and spend roughly 90 minutes wandering its compact historic streets, browsing galleries, and walking down toward the harbor. September is quieter than midsummer, and some shops may close by late afternoon, so prioritize the harbor and any galleries that are open rather than trying to fit in every storefront. Depart around 5:30 p.m. for Charlottetown via Route 1; the drive takes approximately 45–55 minutes. Expect to arrive around 6:15–6:30 p.m., depending on stops and traffic, and refuel before returning the rental car if you are dropping it at the airport or downtown.