You Don’t Need an Excursion to Enjoy Charlottetown
If you’re ready for an easy day ashore without another tour bus, Charlottetown makes it remarkably simple.
Within about 5–10 minutes of leaving the cruise terminal, you can be walking along the waterfront toward Peake’s Wharf, a compact collection of shops, casual food stops and outdoor seating right beside the harbour.
This is a good port for keeping the plan loose. Try some PEI potatoes. Find a lobster roll. Get the COWS ice cream. Browse the shops. Sit beside the water for a while—or keep walking if you feel like seeing more of Charlottetown.
You don’t have to do all of it.
You do you.
Follow the Waterfront to Peake’s Wharf
Once you leave the cruise terminal, head toward town and pick up the wide red-brick path toward the wharf. Stay along the water and you’ll walk straight into Peake’s Wharf. The whole walk takes roughly 5–10 minutes.
No taxi, shuttle or complicated directions required.
Pick Your Taste of PEI
Once you reach Peake’s Wharf, everything is close together. Small shops, casual food stops and outdoor seating cluster around the waterfront, making this an easy place to browse and decide what sounds good.
PEI may be famous for its seafood, but don’t overlook the potatoes. They’ve been grown on the Island for generations, and they’re every bit as much a part of the local food story as lobster, mussels and oysters.
The Chip Shack sits right on the waterfront, serving hand-cut fries made with PEI potatoes. Order them straight up or go for one of the loaded versions, then grab a picnic table beside the water and enjoy them with the harbour in front of you.
If lobster is higher on your list, Dave’s Lobster is another easy option without committing to a full sit-down meal. If you can’t decide between the traditional cold lobster roll and the warm buttered version, look for the Half-and-Half and try both.
And before you leave Peake’s Wharf, look for COWS Ice Cream, the Prince Edward Island original known for its wonderfully ridiculous flavor names. Wowie Cowie is hard to resist—and if you want to continue our accidental PEI potato theme, Chip Chip Hooray includes chocolate-covered potato chips.
Get your favorite in one of their handmade waffle cones and take it outside to enjoy along the waterfront.
I mean, Wowie Cowie. C’mon.
Want to Sit Down for PEI Oysters and Mussels?
Peake’s Wharf has the casual waterfront experience covered. But if you’re ready to sit down over a plate of PEI oysters and mussels, you have two good options just a short walk away.
Sea Rocket Oyster House on Queen Street has a modern oyster-bar atmosphere and a changing selection of PEI oysters. It’s also close to Victoria Row, making it an easy choice if you’d like to wander that way after your meal.
Claddagh Oyster House on Sydney Street has a dedicated oyster bar with PEI oysters shucked to order, along with steamed Island mussels and other local seafood.
Stay by the Water or Wander Into Town
Once you’ve had enough to eat, Charlottetown gives you an easy choice.
If you’re enjoying the waterfront, stay there. Browse the small shops around Peake’s Wharf, wander through Confederation Landing Park, find somewhere to sit by the harbour or simply start making your way back toward the ship.
If you feel like seeing a little more of Charlottetown, head inland toward Victoria Row. The pedestrian-friendly stretch of Richmond Street is lined with colorful historic buildings, shops, restaurants and outdoor patios, and it’s an easy addition if you’re already walking into town for oysters or mussels.
There’s no particular finish line you need to reach before turning around.
When you’ve had enough, head back toward the waterfront and follow it to the cruise terminal.