31 Jul Cruisin’ Central Coastal: Anne Lovers
There’s something magical about Prince Edward Island that keeps Anne of Green Gables lovers coming back year after year. If you love L.M. Montgomery’s writing or Anne of Green Gables, these are some of the best places to visit on PEI.
New London Lighthouse
Located on the New London Bay, the New London Lighthouse is considered the inspiration for the Four Winds Lighthouse in the Anne of Green Gables series. The surrounding grassy dunes and beach make it a classic Prince Edward Island view. This lighthouse is also featured in Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables film.
Oceanview Lookout
Within walking distance of the Cavendish Visitor Information Centre, Oceanview Lookout is one of those hidden gems that perfectly captures the beauty of Prince Edward Island. From the lookout, you can see the Cavendish beach and the red cliffs around it. If it is a clear day, you may be able to spot the Cape Tryon Lighthouse in the distance! L.M. Montgomery often went to the shore here, and it is easy to imagine why these landscapes inspired the vivid descriptions found throughout the book Anne of Green Gables.
Lower Bedeque Schoolhouse Museum
Lower Bedeque Schoolhouse is a beautifully preserved one-room school that offers a glimpse into rural education during Lucy Maud Montgomery’s time. L.M. Montgomery taught in this very schoolhouse from 1897-1898, and the building has been preserved so you can get an authentic look at life on PEI in the late 1800s.
Green Gables Heritage Place, Lover’s Lane, and the Haunted Woods
No Anne-inspired vacation is complete without visiting Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. Tour the historic home with its iconic green gable windows, explore the interpretive exhibits, and then wander along the Lover’s Lane and Haunted Woods trails. Montgomery loved nature and often went for walks on the lane that she named “Lover’s Lane”. In her journal, she often wrote about Lover’s Lane and said, “How beautiful it was– green and alluring and beckoning!”
Heritage Dirt Roads
Take some extra time to explore PEI’s heritage red-dirt roads in the summer. Driving these roads makes you feel like you have gone back in time, with tunnels of green foliage lining the road. Because they haven’t been paved, these roads are far more bumpy and narrow than what you are used to, so be sure to slow down and enjoy the view at a leisurely pace!
Anne of Green Gables Museum
Located in Park Corner, the Anne of Green Gables Museum offers a more intimate glimpse into Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life and inspirations. This property was owned by Montgomery’s aunt and uncle, and she would often come here to visit her family. She called this place the “wonder castle of my childhood”. The museum showcases original artifacts such as the blue chest from The Story Girl, photographs, and personal connections to the author. This is also the house where L.M. Montgomery was married in 1911. On the property, you can sit by the pond that inspired Montgomery to write about the Lake of Shining Waters in Anne of Green Gables!
Dalvay by the Sea
This historic hotel famously appeared as the White Sands Hotel in the Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea television adaptations. Inside the Prince Edward Island National Park, Dalvay by the Sea overlooks a lake and offers stunning architecture and delicious dining. Even if you’re not staying overnight, stopping for afternoon tea, lunch, or to simply admire the historic building will be well worth your time.
One of the best parts of exploring Prince Edward Island is discovering how closely L.M. Montgomery weaved Anne Shirley’s story into her own life. After a visit to PEI, you will have a deeper appreciation for Anne of Green Gables and the places that made her come to life.