It’s easy to fall in love with the warm culture, breathtaking vistas, salt air and signature red sandstone cliffs of North Cape Coastal Drive. The North Cape is what many call true Prince Edward Island. So head Up West — and pack your sense of adventure!

 

Diverse History & Culture

This vibrant rural region is rooted in a rich history of the Mi’kmaq people, Acadian and Celtic settlers and a legacy of fishing and farming.

 

Stroll through the charming seaside hamlet of Summerside, the gateway to the North Cape Coastal Drive. Discover the stories and history of this town at one of its many museums.

 

A tour of Wyatt Historic House in Summerside will show you a glimpse into the history and legacy of the Wyatt family as you see artifacts preserved in this beautiful Edwardian Home.

 

A romp through the Acadian Museum in Miscouche will paint a colourful picture of the history of Acadians and the vibrant French culture of this region. Don’t miss the Potato Museum in O’Leary where you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for these humble spuds and those who till the soil to grow them. 

 

Harvests from the Land and Sea

Pastoral landscapes and spectacular sea views are hallmarks of this region, where farming and fishing are the economic backbone.

 

Families have worked these two main industries for generations, producing and harvesting world-class potatoes and oysters. The North Cape Coastal Drive is known as the ‘Canadian Oyster Coast’ producing the famed PEI Malpeque oysters.

 

Feel the warm sun on your face and cool wind in your hair as you sail along the calm waters past the signature red-sandstone cliffs. Or, get a taste for life on the water with a deep-sea fishing excursion or chartered boat tour.

Extraordinary Experiences

No worries if you don’t have sea legs, a visit to Green Gable Alpaca farm in Tyne Valley is a fun – and fuzzy – outing for for kids of all ages.

 

Find centre at a yoga class with Nigerian dwarf goats in rural St. Chrysostome. Or, wade out into the water of the Northumberland Strait where you never know what fun you’ll have with the local ‘Beach Goats’!   

 

Local Treasures

Bring home something extra special as a reminder of your experience “up west”. All through the year, skilled artisans are busy creating treasures you simply won’t find anywhere else. Quilts, stained glass, wind chimes, handmade soaps, traditional ash tree woven baskets and carved wooden masterpieces – they’re all here!

MacAusland’s Woolen Mills in Bloomfield is one of the Island’s oldest businesses, taking pride in producing pure wools and woolen blankets using old-fashioned craftsmanship.

Natural Wonders

No visit to the North Cape Coastal Drive is complete without stopping at the northernmost point, which is home to the Wind Interpretive Centre, Black Marsh Nature Trail and the longest natural rock reef in North America. Watch from the red cliffs as a rip current cuts through the breaking waves and out to sea.

 

So much awaits you along the North Cape Coastal Drive – come, explore and discover why this is true PEI. For more “Up West” vacation inspiration, check out A Guide to the Best of the West.