Discovering Prince Edward Island in the fall is like stumbling into a wonderland. Each street is filled with bright oranges, reds, and yellows as the colours of the leaves approach their peak. The smell of wood stoves, crisp apples, and the salty ocean mingle in the air. Days become gradually cooler as we embrace the season ready for cozy comforts and lots of fun… the spooky, festive, fall fun that you seem to find around every colourful corner her this time of year! Celebrate the season in full fall style on PEI, whether you’re out in nature, racing your way through corn mazes, looking for thrills in haunted houses, or tasting the delights of harvest. Though this year is unlike any other, fall fun on PEI remains the same!

Photo by Alex Bruce

Scarecrows in the City

Discover Charlottetown has certainly kicked things up a notch for fall activities this year! Their new festival Scarecrows in the City, is 10 full days of outdoor fun that you can safely enjoy. With hundreds of scarecrows decorating the downtown core, psychic readings, live music, wine tastings, fall feasts, scavenger hunts, midnight yoga, stilt walkers, and fairy tours, there is no shortage of fun to be had! Check out their full schedule of events so you don’t miss a beat!

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

A frightful stay…

Crowned the ‘scariest haunted house in Atlantic Canada’, the Route 6 Motel is an experience not to be missed if thrills and chills are on your fall bucket list. As the story goes, what was once a cozy motel in Cavendish has abandoned for years due to… well…  its last and scariest residents. A weekend visit to the Route 6 Motel isn’t exactly the relaxing stop it once was. October is the month to take advantage of the clowns coming out to play… do you think you can make it through?

Go Pickin’!

Quite simply, there’s nothing more iconic in fall than spending a day wandering an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and corn maze. Not only are these total hotspots for the best Instagram pictures of the season, but there’s just something about being outside in the gorgeous sunshine, spending time with family and friends, and the smell of warm apple cider everywhere you go that makes this the fall activity we can’t bear to miss. Wander through Arlington, Wintermoor, MacPhee’s, or Olde Towne Orchard for some crisp, ripe apples, or head to Compton’s, Berry Hill, Toad Hill, or Pater’s Pumpkins to get your fill. Then race your way through the Belfast Corn Maze, or find the secret message in the maze at MacKenzie Produce!

Pater’s Pumpkins

Toad Hill | Photo by Loopy Lupin

Photo by Wintermoor Orchard

Belfast Corn Maze

MacKenzie Produce

Faeries and Folklore and Gravediggers, oh my!

Discovering the mystical magical world that swirls around us is most definitely a world best explored during the glory of fall! For family-friendly fun, Finding Faeries and Folkore is a 45-minute adventure that introduces you to the mythical, mysterious creatures of PEI and the mischief they have been known to cause! Looking for something to put the fright in you? Follow Charlottetown’s Gravedigger as he regales you with stories of unsolved murders, ghostly hauntings, executions, and learn of the superstitious beliefs of Islanders past. Joining the Confederation Centre for these haunted tales is the perfect kind of Halloween fun.

Photo via The Confederation Centre of the Arts

Photo by @officialhotdan

A little Island love

With only a few days left of PEI’s annual Burger Love competition, time is ticking for you to get those burgers in! But trust us, the race to that October 15th finish line is a delicious one. With over 70 burgers to try – beef, chicken, seafood, even veggie – 2020’s Burger Love is more amazing than ever. Whether you’re crushing the burgers yourself or sharing with friends, choosing your favourites will be nearly impossible!

The Gahan House

Bar1911

Backwoods Burger | Photo by Chef Ilona Daniel

Thatchers at Bogside Brewing

Nimrods’

History’s spooky side

Marking the 20th anniversary of the historic ghostwalk through Summerside, Culture Summerside is shaking things up for 2020! Each year, this ghostwalk brings to life the history of Halloween and the darker side of Summerside.. one that deserves to be explored. This years’ ghost “walk” will be a seated event on the lawn of the Wyatt Heritage Properties and the audience will have the pleasure of encountering storytelling spirits throughout this ghoulish evening. Make sure to get your tickets as there are only three performances on October 22nd!

Wyatt Heritage Properties

Photo by Culture Summerside

Fearful Theatrics

The College of Piping presents their haunted theatre this October to showcase an end to a story that never had the chance to be finished. Earlier this year the stage was set for a performance… the lights lowered, curtain drawn, the show began but never finished. No one left the building that night and the mystery of that night remains, only to be uncovered this October. Step into the haunted theatre and discover the eerie stories of ghosts at the College of Piping.

College of PIping

Savour the Island

PEI vacations are not just reserved for summertime. Fall in PEI is one of the most magical times of year. It’s the time to get cozy, admire the changing colours, enjoy delicious, local meals, and get out and explore! This year you can savour the Island and keep the tastebuds happy with Canada’s Food Island Gift Cards. Purchase your own or receive one for free when you book a Stay an Savour package at a participating Island accommodation! Use your gift card  at restaurants, merchants, stores, and accommodations Island-wide.

Redwater Rustic Grille

Sims Corner

The Merchantman

The Great George Hotel

Mill River Resort

Mill River Resort

Take a hike!

With autumn in full swing, PEI is brimming with beauty! From backyards to the rolling hills of trees as you drive around the island, the colours are truly breathtaking. They make you want to run outside and into the arms of Mother Nature! Luckily, we live in a beautiful place full of ample opportunity to do just that! All across the island you’ll find trails and parks perfect for anything from a quick stroll to a great hike – not to mention, the Confederation Trail which takes you tip-to-tip across the Island. Visit Greenwich National Park with its floating boardwalks and surrounded by PEI beauty. From the trails at Winter River, to Dromore, Robinson’s Island to the Black Marsh Nature Trail along North Cape… you’ll surely find a piece of colourful bliss along the way.

Robinson’s Island | Photo by @kitocea

Dromore | Photo by Jithin Vellayikal

Bonshaw | Photo by @atlnortheast

Winter River Trail | Photo by @lansphotography

Greenwich National Park | Photo by Brett Sanderson

There are games left to play!

The season is not over yet! We’ve had an extraordinarily beautiful fall so far in PEI and that bodes well for many people… especially golfers. Mill River, Stanhope, Anderson’s Creek, and Glasgow Hills are some of the Island’s finest courses and their fairways remain wide open for you to sneak in a round or few. Why not make the most of the season while we have it?

Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf | Photo by Evan Schiller

Stanhope Golf & Country Club | Photo by Alex Bruce Photography

Anderson’s Creek | Photo by Evan Schiller

Photo via Mill River Resort

A well deserved night out

Getting to enjoy the Island’s harvest flavours is such a delight, and doing so from one of the three dining rooms at the Top of the Park as you overlook the live action below at Charlottetown’s Driving Park… now that’s a whole experience! This fall, Dining Experience Manager Sean Furlong and his culinary team are hosting Fall Harvest Nights, where you can enjoy a delicious 3 course meal, take in the fun from the races below, and relax as you enjoy a well-deserved night out at Red Shores.

Photo by Red Shores

Spooky or not, a Prince Edward Island fall is a season of stunning scenery and memories to be made! Discovering the delicious flavours, warm hospitality, and even the haunted corners of our fair Isle’ is what makes it oh-so charming… don’t you think?

Photo by Al Douglas

For more Island fun and beautiful scenery, check out our Local’s Blog.