from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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Aerial view of
Charlottetown
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As could be expected for
the capital of Prince Edward Island
(P.E.I.), Canada's
smallest province in size and population, Charlottetown
is a tiny, scenic city. Yet, as if a microcosm of the Island, Charlottetown
is as vibrant and diverse as P.E.I. itself. A major player in Canadian history,
Charlottetown has
many historical monuments
and museums. The city also possesses a thriving arts community, and
a variety of shops
and restaurants
that can cater to any taste. Centrally
situated on the south coast of the Island, Charlottetown has a sheltered harbour,
a view of the Northumberland Strait, many green spaces, and beautiful architecture,
much of it from the 19th century. Cliffs protect the city's seaside entrance,
while the Hillsborough watershed has resulted in surrounding plains and marshlands.
HISTORY
Charlottetown was originally
founded when its protected position at the junction of two rivers close to the
Hillsborough Bay was considered an ideal area for settlement by a British crown
surveyor in 1764. Named after England's
Queen Charlotte, the area was quickly designated as the capital of what is now
Prince Edward Island. As the centre of government on P.E.I., Charlottetown soon
became the dominant town and voice of the province. Even today, the city is
still the cultural and political heart of the island.
Charlottetown's influence
has not just extended to provincial affairs, however. Known as the birthplace
of Confederation, Charlottetown played host to a meeting of prominent politicians
in 1864. The Charlottetown Conference, which discussed the unification of several
provinces, was a success, and in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was founded. In
1992, all eyes in Canada turned to Charlottetown again when the Charlottetown
Accord, which would have granted Canada's provinces more autonomy and given
Quebec special status,
was drafted here by the federal government. The highly unpopular accord was
defeated in a countrywide referendum and lead to an election that saw the reigning
party defeated.
CLIMATE
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Precip. |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-11°C
(2°F) |
-2°C
(28°F) |
106
mm |
| Feb |
-12°C
(10°F)
|
-3°C
(26°F)
|
92
mm |
| Mar
|
-6°C
(21°F) |
1°C
(34°F) |
92
mm |
| Apr |
-1°C
(30°F) |
6°C
(43°F) |
92
mm |
| May
|
4°C
39°F) |
14°C
(57°F) |
97
mm |
| Jun
|
9°C
(48°F) |
19°C
(66°F) |
91
mm |
| Jul |
14°C
(57°F) |
23°C
(73°F) |
82
mm |
|
Aug |
13°C
(55°F) |
23°C
(73°F) |
89
mm |
|
Sep |
9°C
(48°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
94
mm |
|
Oct |
4°C
(39°F) |
12°C
(53°F) |
112
mm |
|
Nov |
0°C
(32°F) |
6°C
(43°F) |
122
mm |
|
Dec |
-7°C
(19°F) |
0°C
(32°F) |
133
mm |
|
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Average
Daily Temperatures and Climate Data for Charlottetown |
Although known in myth for
receiving large amounts of snow, Prince Edward Island in fact boasts some of
the gentlest temperatures in Canada. Never too hot in the summer, never too
cold in winter, Charlottetown's temperature is moderated by its oceanside location.
Temperatures range from -3°C to -11°C (26°F to 11°F) in winter, and average
in the 20s and occasionally the low 30s (70s to 90s) during the summer. While
July and August are the driest months, rain is frequent in the Atlantic
provinces, so packing an umbrella is often useful.
GETTING THERE AND GETTING
AROUND
There is very little public
transportation on Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown is no exception, as
its transit
service only runs from approximately 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday through
Friday. No great skill is required when driving in Charlottetown as the streets
are rarely crowded and parking is plentiful and cheap. Do keep in mind, however,
that the city has several areas that are car-free; it's far easier to just walk,
especially since most places of interest are located within close distance of
each other and the city is safe even at night.
To get to Charlottetown
from outside of P.E.I., there are several different options available. The
Confederation
Bridge joining P.E.I. to New
Brunswick provides a dramatic route for motor vehicles, and is approximately
56 km (35 mi) away from Charlottetown. From Nova
Scotia, take the Northumberland
Car Ferry to Wood
Islands, P.E.I. or fly in from Halifax.
There are also regular flights through Air Canada from Toronto,
Ontario, and there are
several discount providers that also offer flights from cities including Toronto,
Montreal, Quebec
and Detroit, Michigan,
U.S.A., during the summer
months. The Charlottetown
Airport is located approximately 8 km (5 mi) from the city.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations
in Charlottetown vary extensively, and many are only open during the incredibly
busy summer. As such, it's useful to book a room before arriving. From massive
four-star chain hotels
to tiny, shared-bathroom bed
and breakfasts, Charlottetown has every type of accommodation, and many
have harbour view rooms or are located in the city's original buildings. Rates
in Charlottetown are relatively inexpensive, and there is something to fit every
budget and taste, although prices fluctuate wildly between seasons and even
within the same category of lodging. Accommodations are located throughout the
city, including residential areas, with the majority clustered around downtown
Charlottetown and the TransCanada Highway.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
During its lifetime, Charlottetown
has raised the ability to celebrate to an art form. This is a city of celebrations,
and it seems that only a few weeks can go by before another ceilidh (dance or
party) or festival
occurs to the delight of locals and visitors. There is always an event
of some type occurring, especially during the summer months.
At the end of summer, the
Festival
of the Fathers occurs, which celebrates the Charlottetown Conference
with re-enactments, interactive historical events, an historic gala ball and
a pub crawl. The Festival
of Lights meanwhile, is a three-day, four-night celebration of Canada
Day, which includes top musicians from Canada and throughout the world, a massive
fireworks display, a midway and a children's village. There is also the P.E.I
International Shellfish Festival, which is not to be missed by those
who love seafood. The three day event, which includes local music, chowder competitions
and oyster-shucking championships, is considered the largest kitchen party on
the Island. Recently, the Jack
Frost Children's WinterFest has joined the Charlottetown lineup of festivals.
This event features a massive ice castle, ice sculpting competitions, children's
stage and music shows.
The most famous of all these
festivals, parties and celebrations is the
Charlottetown Festival, a two-month long celebration of the performing
arts. Located in and around the Confederation
Centre of the Arts, the festival is best known for its yearly run of
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. This play tells the heartwarming story of
P.E.I.'s most famous resident, red-haired Anne Shirley, and attracts thousands
of visitors to the Island each summer.
ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Historical Attractions
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Charlottetown's
War Veterans Memorial and Province House |
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As a capital city, Charlottetown
has plenty of attractions.
Exploring the city's past at its many historical
sites could take days; Founder's
Hall, Province
House, Fanningbank,
Beaconsfield
House and many other buildings in the area each represent aspects of
P.E.I.'s history. Province House, where the Charlottetown Conference was held
and the current legislature sits is especially interesting. Guided tours and
re-enactments of the conference occur throughout the summer. Founder's Hall
is a new attraction that is situated in a 1906 railway depot and is home to
an interactive, multi-media self-guided tour of Canadian history since confederation,
with special emphasis on P.E.I.'s role.
For those who like their
architecture, there are many historical examples, from Victorian, lemon-yellow
Beaconsfield House, to gothic St.
Dustan's Basilica, to the mid 19th-century grandeur of Province House.
There are also several squares (Hillsborough, Kings, Rochford and Connaught)
that were part of the original city where many fine mansions (some of them now
bed
and breakfasts) can be found.
Exploring on Foot
The city is laid out easily for walking. Between the original city's boundaries
of Euston and Water Streets are major thoroughfares where most of Charlottetown's
attractions and entertainment can be found. A large proportion of these streets
lead to the harbour, where a boardwalk runs through several parks and past many
of Charlottetown's best and favourite shops and restaurants, including those
of the popular Peake's
Wharf. Walking
tours of the city are also available through Founder's Hall, which provides
a costumed guide to show visitors the sights and impart knowledge (and gossip)
about Charlottetown's early days.
Shopping
Although not to be compared with New
York City, Paris,
London or even Toronto,
Charlottetown has the market covered when it comes to one-of-a-kind cottage-industry
style shops.
From organic, P.E.I.-ingredient-made soaps and P.E.I.
Dirt Shirts to stained glass windows and handmade furniture, Charlottetown's
shops can sate the crafter within while providing a wealth of souvenirs
and gifts
to take home. A large proportion of these smaller stores can be found around
the harbour and on Queens
Street and Victoria
Row, while more traditional shops and chains are well represented at
Charlottetown's malls, Confederation
Court Mall, and the Charlottetown
Mall. P.E.I.'s ten percent Provincial Sales Tax (PST) applies to all
non-essential goods (clothing, food and shoes are exempt), and is applied at
the till along with the Canada-wide seven percent Government
Sales Tax (GST).
Arts
Charlottetown's arts community, although not large, is well represented at many
venues in town. Galleries
specializing in the art of P.E.I. abound, and local paintings, crafts and prints
are to be found throughout the city, including at the P.E.I.
Gallery in the Guild, an artist-owned print gallery which offers visitors
introductory lessons and access to the workrooms.
There are always plays
occurring in Charlottetown; while most of these can be found throughout the
year at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, two dinner
theatres, a comedy
sketch troupe and an outdoor Shakespearian
theatre also operate during the summer. Several movie
theatres reside in Charlottetown, including one that specializes in
local, independent and art films, and live music and local bands can always
be found in one of the city's many bars
and clubs.
P.E.I. writers are also
well represented in Charlottetown. Several bookstores
specialize in local authors and hold readings, discussion groups and signings
around these authors' works.
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Walk
or bike Confederation Trail |
Outdoor Activities
Charlottetown has an abundance of natural attractions both within and just outside
the city that provide plenty of recreational opportunities. There are many parks
and green spaces where trails as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball
courts can be found. Water sports are very popular in Charlottetown, and it
is easy to experience sea
kayaking, scuba diving or sailing in the area due to the large number
of shops offering instruction and equipment. Several golf
courses are located just outside of Charlottetown as is Confederation
Trail, which provides ample opportunities for walking, birdwatching,
bicycling or snowmobiling as it winds past the city. There are also several
outdoors
tour organizations operating out of Charlottetown, and fishing
and hunting
trips and tours of the area by boat,
airplane
and bicycle
are all available. Seal
watching is also a popular activity, and many boat tours out of the
harbour offer visitors a chance to see seals at play in their natural habitat.
Dining
There is a wide range of dining
options available in Charlottetown that cater to a variety of tastes. From
mom and pop diners to seafood
bars, fine dining rooms to a cornucopia of ethnic eateries, Charlottetown offers
every type of dining experience. Food can also be found at many bars, and also
at a number of the city's independent coffee
shops. The majority of restaurants are found in Old Charlottetown, with
a large proportion either located on University Avenue or down by the harbour.
Nightlife
Charlottetown has a decent nightlife, and as benefits the home of the University
of Prince Edward Island, Holland
College and several commercial colleges, there are a slew of bars
and restaurants that stay open until all hours of the morning. Favourite bars
for locals are the Olde
Dublin Pub, where live Irish music, sing-alongs and plenty of Guinness
may be found, and Peake'
s Quay, a restaurant and bar that transforms into a club complete with
drink specials and the occasional live act during summer. Two other highly popular
locales are Myron's
and Breakers,
the first a dance club that sees a number of top musical acts, and the latter
a billiards and drinks place where university students can be found. A weekly
entertainment during the summer is the Friday
Night Ceilidhs at Irish Hall, where locals and visitors gather to listen
and dance to traditional Gaelic music.
