The Coastal Getaway I Refuse to Keep to Myself
Where to eat, stay, explore, and over-order oysters on PEI
When I was searching for a coastal escape for my 30th, I kept hitting a wall. My birthday lands on a holiday weekend, and while I usually dream about somewhere picturesque in New England, everywhere is typically mobbed. And double the price for no reason.
This year, I was looking for a retreat from the holiday weekend travel frenzy. I wanted seaside charm, yummy seafood, and a peaceful house to rent. A place that felt like an exhale.
In one of my many midnight google searches, I stumbled upon a little Canadian island just north of Maine. It seemed to have all of the charm I was looking for yet, at half the price? I had a good feeling about this.
With a week’s notice, my trip to Prince Edward Island was booked. And not to sound overly dramatic, but it became one of my all-time favorite trips. So while I briefly considered gatekeeping this dreamy coastal hidden gem—here it is. My full PEI Edit.
Stay
We stayed in the sweetest little storybook house we found on Airbnb in Kensington.
Just a heads up: Kensington is pretty remote. Most places we visited were anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half away, but the peace and charm of where we stayed made it feel worth it.
If I do it again, I’ll probably opt for an Airbnb a bit more central to the island, but I think a house was definitely the way to go.
If you're looking for something with a little service, the Inn at Bay Fortune is a dreamy B&B option (especially if you snag a spot at the FireWorks Feast), as well as Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort, which you can also visit in the daytime (more on that later).
What I wore all weekend:
Everything that’s still available linked here!
To Do
$70 CAD for a day pass to hot/cold pools, saunas, steam rooms. We went for my birthday and I brought a book – it was all the relaxation we needed.
Even if you don’t eat here, it’s worth a stop. Gorgeous gardens, local pottery, and art throughout the property. Got the coolest pendant necklace for $20.
Beaches
Thunder Cove — Magical red sand and rock formations, it felt like we were on mars
Cavendish Beach — More traditional beach vibes if you want somewhere to bring a chair and plant yourself for the day, with a lively boardwalk nearby.
Avonlea
And because it bears mentioning, since PEI is famously known as the home to Anne of Green Gables – so it’s worth popping by Avonlea or seeing the Green Gables house while you’re there. Maybe more so if you’re a fan. Personally I don’t need to go back next time, but it was very picturesque and made my mom happy.
Eats
I’m going to make a bold claim: this was the best seafood I’ve ever had. I’ve seen PEI oysters and mussels on menus for years, but nothing compares to the freshness and flavor of having them right at the source. We didn’t have a single bad meal - rare for me, a self-proclaimed picky restaurant critic. So here it is: my ultimate list of PEI food gems.
Coffee & Breakfast
Willow Bakery & Cafe — Wildly tasty baked goods. Get the cream cheese cinnamon roll, and the lattes were yummy too.
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