It’s the height of the summer and there’s no better time to be in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island! When the red dirt roads lead in so many directions, it’s hard to know what to do. Whether you have bouncing babies, toddlers on the go, little munchkins, or big swimmers — this list has something for everyone on the family’s list. Have fun!

Avonlea Village

Get an early start and enjoy lattes and breakfast sandwiches at Samuel’s Coffee House. Check out the Avonlea Artisan Studio on your way through, where crafters come from all over PEI to sell their wares. The village is also home to COWS Ice Cream’s second Cavendish location (in addition to Cavendish Boardwalk) and to Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, Anne approved of course.

Cows in Avonlea | Photo by Via Reyes

Avonlea Village | Photo by McKendra Deveau

Samuel’s Coffee in Avonlea

Shining Waters Family Fun Park & Sandspit

The epic water park adventure, Shining Waters, has something for everyone, from the biggest to the littlest. My kids are super fans! We love the diversity of this park, between the splash pad and water play to the swinging bridges of forest adventures. There are flying rides that are perfect for kindergarteners, and even a barn full of baby goats, if that’s your jam! Older kids will appreciate adding Sandspit Amusement Park to the mix across Route 6, where splashy bumper boats and the Cyclone Roller Coaster can add a classic thrill to your vacation adventure.

Sandspit Scrambler | Photo from Maritime Fun Group

Shining Waters Waterslide | Photo from Maritime Fun Group

Cavendish Beach Adventure Zone

Cavendish Beach Adventure Zone lives up to its name and is full of adventure for kids of any age. Take a tour of the Route 6 Motel and you will walk, run, or for some, just barely crawl out of the haunted winding corridors. For some action-packed fun, there’s an indoor laser-tag area that is sure to get you moving through the black-lit, fog-filled, obstacles. And not to worry, for those of you who want to stay in the beautiful sunshine, the River of Adventure Mini Golf course is there to challenge your golf skills… and maybe add in a few curveballs to throw you off your game!

Laser Tag at Cavendish Beach Adventure Zone

Route 6 Motel | Photo from Cavendish Beach Adventure Zone

River of Adventure Mini Golf | Photo from Cavendish Beach Adventure Zone

Grandpa’s Antique Photo Studio

What kid doesn’t love dressing up? At Grandpa’s Antique Photo Studio, your kids (and you!) will have a chance to dress up and be silly. Even pets are allowed to throw on a costume. Your family photos have no chance of being boring when you go back in time to the Victorian era, or head to the Wild Wild West. 1920’s flapper dresses are a huge hit, while Southern Belles are quite charming too! Whatever time and place you decide to go back to, Grandpa’s has the outfits and camera ready to capture the fun.

Photo via Grandpa’s Antique Photo Studio

Photo via Grandpa’s Antique Photo Studio

Cavendish Beach – PEI National Park

This white sand beach offers full wheelchair access and has the benefit of full-time surfguards in a supervised area. The park offers walking trails and interpretive programming, and miles of PEI sand dunes. Take the back way in by hiking through Cavendish Grove. Most Islanders grew up with the theme park Rainbow Valley on that property, so if you’re lucky, you’ll still see the magical dust of fairies around.

Photo by Stephen Harris via Tourism PEI

Cavendish Boardwalk

The Boardwalk has long been a staple on the Cavendish scene for those looking to hook up with new flip-flops, beach towels, or some PEI souvenir merch – drop your anchor at Coastal Culture, the Island’s number one souvenir shop. If you’re travelling with a tweener, head to BeaverTails  at the Sunset Boardwalk next door, they will love to SnapChat to all their friends back home. For adventurers, go banana chocolate, for purists, cinnamon and sugar!

Cavendish Boardwalk

Potter’s Parlour

Just off of Cavendish, you can cool off in New London with the area’s newest ice cream shop, the Potter’s Parlour! Located right on Route 6, the Potter’s Parlour offers flights of ADL ice cream, East Coast craft soda floats, giant Jenga, hammocks, and a dress-up room for kids of all ages.

Cousins Shore & Thunder Cove

When you’ve conquered Cavendish and feel like a little drive, the coastal drive to visit neighbouring beaches is a great way to spend the day! The perfect beach for babies, Cousins Shore will delight young splashers with tidal pools ‘til Tuesday. The beach sweeps from dynamic dunes to jutting rock fronts on Thunder Cove, and offers quietude and privacy from Cavendish’s busy beachfronts. If it’s a road trip you’re looking for, the stretch from Cavendish to Darnley overlooks New London bay, French River, and then the PEI’s north shore, making it by far one of the most beautiful drives on Prince Edward Island. No wonder it’s a locals fave!

Photo by Paul Baglole via Tourism PEI

Interested in exploring the Island tip to tip? Head to A Guide to the Best of the West, or An Islander’s Guide to Eastern PEI for bucket-list worthy spots to see!