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Garden of the Gulf

The Allure of Prince Edward Island

By AP Rodrigues

Prince Edward Island is a place brimming with history. And although children may bristle at the word, PEI shines at showcasing its past in a way that's anything but tedious.

Founders' Hall: Canada's Birthplace Pavilion is a truly unique history lesson. This interactive heritage attraction is 21,000 square feet of hi-tech displays, holovisuals and on-screen trivia games that make learning history fun. And what exactly is the lesson being taught? Well, in 1864, delegates from various areas of what is today known as Canada arrived at the Charlottetown waterfront with the intent of discussing the advantages of uniting the different provinces under one country. That first meeting was successful and later led to the birth of Canada, hence the name of the pavilion.

To get a sense of what Charlottetown folk looked like in 1864, you can take a guided tour of the historic downtown with the Confederation Players. This group of young people brings history alive by speaking, dressing and acting like the women and men of that time.

There's so much more to see on Prince Edward Island that families are sure to return year after year to enjoy everything the island has to offer. To help with the decision making regarding what to see and where to go, there's a great online tool, Explore PEI, that allows visitors to create their own personalized itinerary.