DAY THREE
What to do?
Is it a trip to Prince Edward Island without a trip to Green Gables? I think not! The house up on the hill is the inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel about a red-headed orphan who comes to live with brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Now part of Prince Edward Island National Park, Green Gables Heritage Place allows visitors to tour Anne’s home and take a stroll down Lover’s Lane or in the Haunted Woods. You can even get your photo with Anne. Heritage Place is open from May to October with July and August being the most popular time to visit. Cost: Youth (0-18) Free; Adult about $6, depending on the exchange rate.
Your visit starts in the Welcome Center that has an extensive display about Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life and time on PEI. There’s also a play space with Legos, an area about the wildlife at Green Gables, and a bit about the history of the area.
KidTripster Tip: Be sure to pick up the Park Xplorers booklet for kids at the front desk. There are activities throughout the book that keep kids engaged and interested in the surroundings. It also guides you to each section of the property.
You’ll find short, guided tours from the Welcome Center to the house. There’s also a short film that plays on repeat on the lower level of the barn. The tour of the house is self-guided, though staff are positioned inside to answer questions and provide additional information.
In the barn, you’ll find a dress-up space where children and adults can try on outfits inspired by Anne, Matthew, and Marilla and then pose in front of a Green Gables backdrop. My kids loved this part and spent a great deal of time picking out their outfits and posing “just right.”
During July and August, you can participate in arts and crafts programs, ceilidhs, Victorian picnics, and ice cream making. Check the website before arriving to see what’s on the schedule during your visit.
Where to eat?
The small, on-site cafe serves coffee and BeaverTails, fried dough pastries. It has limited seating, but it’s a good place for a quick bite.
What else to do?
If you didn’t get enough of Anne from your time at Heritage Place, you can head about 14 miles west to Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner. The estate called Silver Bush is where Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Aunt Annie and Uncle John Campbell lived and where Montgomery spent many summers. She was even married in the house’s parlor in 1911.
The museum is maintained by members of the Campbell family, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet them during your visit. Admission to the museum includes a self-guided tour of the house, which starts with an introduction to the life of Montgomery lead by a staff member. Throughout the half dozen rooms, you’ll see many items from Montgomery’s younger years. There are references to Anne and her stories including a view out a second floor window to what has become known as the Lake of Shining Waters. You also can see Anne’s enchanted bookcase in the parlor.
The house is set on a 110-acre lot. In addition to the house, visitors can explore the open fields, children can play on the small playset, and everyone is welcome to visit the gift shop for sweets and souvenirs. Cost: Youth (5 and under) Free; Youth (6-16) $2; Adult $5.
KidTripster Tip: By appointment and for an extra fee ranging between about $65 to $103 (depending on the exchange rate), you can arrange a carriage ride in “Matthew’s carriage.” These rides will take you through the grounds and by the Lake of Shining Waters. On the day that we were there, it was quite windy, and the carriage rides were cut short. It was still quite pleasant as we went toward the Lake of Shining Waters with our guide telling us about the grounds and some of the history. We all agreed that we would have loved a longer ride to the beach, as we were caught up in the joy and imagination of Anne.
So can you still enjoy these attractions if you haven’t read Anne of Green Gables? Yes, I think so, but you’ll definitely get more out of the visits if you and your kids read the classic series in advance.
Not far from the museum, you’ll find one of the most Instagrammed locations on the island – Teacup Rock. Some locals don’t even know that it exists, and it’s not easy to find. Follow Route 20 to Darnley, turn right onto Lower Darnley Road, turn right onto Thunder Cove Road, and go to the end. Park alongside the road. You’ll know that you’re in the right place based on how many cars are parked along the same road.
Now head down the cliff and walk to the left (keep the ocean on your right) toward a rock cliff. About a half mile down, go around the last rock cliff and voila! You’ve found Teacup Rock – the wondrous product of wind and water. The best viewing is at low tide, but you can still see it from above at high tide.
The beach is another gorgeous stretch of reddish sand but no amenities. There are small caves that your kids can explore or use as changing rooms. The water is still incredibly warm, and it’s a perfect place to spend the day.
Day 4 takes us to a historic small town.
