Welcome to the North Cape Coastal Drive where you will find beauty around every turn! There are colourful sail boats coming in and out of the harbour, charming villages, waves crashing against the majestic fiery-red cliffs and sandy beaches, and lively music that emanates from historic buildings. “Up West” might as well belong to another world – one rich in culture and natural beauty – and here are a few stops Up West you really can’t miss!

 

Mill River Resort 

What’s a trip west without a stop at Mill River Resort? This newly renovated 4-star hotel is about as fun and relaxing as it gets! Mill River’s 18-hole golf course is a challenge and a pleasure for golfers of all handicaps. Kids can make a splash as they zip down the waterslide into the large indoor pool, while you take time to relax and unwind at the full service spa. End the day at Callaghan’s Restaurant and Bar with their signature seafood chowder and a crisp glass of white wine, then settle in for a cozy night in one of their beautiful rooms. There’s no doubt, Mill River Resort really has it all!  

 

Evangeline Region 

Kick up your heels and reel in some new friends at an Acadian kitchen party! There’s nothing quite like it. The Evangeline Region is filled with festivals and special events throughout the year that celebrate its rich Acadian heritage and culture through the food, music, artists and crafters. In July and August, expect daily toe-tapping tunes from lively and talented musicians, traditional Acadian cuisine and interactive activities at the Village Musical Acadien.

 

Experience Lennox Island

Lennox Island is home to the incredibly rich culture of the Mi’kmaq heritage and legacy in PEI. Such history is preserved and passed down through oral tradition and artifacts dated from over 10,000 years ago! Discover the beautiful culture, enriched by authentic practices and activities with Experience Lennox Island and their Culture Engagement Experiences. Learn how to make a traditional hand drum, as well as the importance it and many songs and chants hold to the Mi’kmaq culture. Or join Lennox Island community elders in an interactive day baking bannock and clams in the sand just like in years’ past. Whichever of the many experiences you choose take in, you will find yourself caught up in the beautiful and important stories of past and present.

 

Northport Pier Inn 

Watch the colourful fishing vessels sail across Cascumpec Bay from the comfort of your room at the Northport Pier Inn. Take a deep breath of fresh salt air as you stroll to the Northport Pier Restaurant, affectionately called The Boat Shop. Dine on fresh seafood in a unique Maritime atmosphere, and with floor to ceiling windows you may even catch sight of the fishers unloading a giant Bluefin tuna from their vessel!

 

Valley Pearl Oysters 

What happens when two championship oyster shuckers with deep connections to oyster fishing decide to open a business? You get Valley Pearl Oysters. What happens when these two guys are genuine characters who run on pure passion? You get a heck of a lot of fun! This Tyne Valley mainstay farms, harvests, sells and shucks the pride of the region along the Island’s Oyster coast. Stop by Valley Pearl Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and enjoy the every-changing menu, live music & trivia events while you sup a drink and an oyster or few!

 

Stompin’ Tom Centre 

Stompin’ Tom Connors is an iconic folk-country Canadian artist, beloved to PEI. His homegrown music is inspired by his boyhood roots in Skinner’s Pond, and it still vibrates across the province (and country) tugging at the heartstrings. Map his life at the Stompin’ Tom Centre that’s filled with memorabilia, as well as concerts, dinner theatres and and open-mics which are chock-full of talent! And of course, step back in time as you walk into Tom’s original schoolhouse from his childhood.

 

Canadian Potato Museum 

Dig deeper into the rural roots of this region at the Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary. Generations of families have been tilling the land, and as a result of their hard work, PEI potatoes have a world-class reputation. Highlights of the museum include the world’s largest exhibit of potato-related machinery, agriculture and community artifacts and the world’s largest potato sculpture! Before you leave, try the poutine at the onsite restaurant and take home delicious potato fudge (you won’t regret it!). 

 

Moth Lane Brewing

Have you ever rambled down a country road, far away from everything else and thought, “this would be a great place for a craft brewery”? If so, a visit to Moth Lane Brewing is an essential experience. Don’t let the old country road fool you. This craft brewery is a happening spot with a hearty snack menu and long list of brews. Grab a growler to go or stick around and sample the full tap list. Thursday, Friday, Saturday evening events from trivia to comedy keep the upstairs pub space festive and fun!

 

North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre

No visit to the North Cape Coastal Drive is complete without stopping at the Island’s northernmost point, which is home to the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre, Black Marsh Nature Trail and the longest natural rock reef in North America. The state-of-the-art displays found at the Interpretive Centre make for a perfect start to this unique tour. As you move outside, you can’t miss the windmill-farm that overlooks the rugged coast, lined with bright-red cliffs and ocean as far as the eye can see. End your visit with a bite at the Wind & Reef Restaurant for a meal with a view that beats all!

 

The North Cape region is a land where culture, heritage and history overflow. It’s impossible to not feel the spirit of this region though its lively music, traditional Acadian cuisine or even as you listen to the haunting sound of the bagpipes at the largest Celtic celebration at the College of Piping in Summerside. There’s truly nothing like Western PEI – don’t miss out on the adventure waiting for you! 

 

For more coastal beauty, check out Unforgettable PEI Experiences Up West, 49 Travel Tips from PEI Locals, or Why a PEI Summer Will Make You Swoon.