History and Culture

Canada’s Birthplace, tells the story of this great Nation like no other. Spend a day in Charlottetown taking in our history and experiencing our culture. See the colourful, painted buildings; duck into the quiet back streets, and trace the city’s graceful passage of time.

Visit Founders’ Hall – Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion where visitors are transported back in time through the “Time Travel Tunnel” and walk through the pages of Canadian history; starting with the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 and concluding with the joining of Nunavut in 1999. Founders’ Hall makes learning history fun and entertaining.

Continue your journey with a guided walking tour in the Historic District with the Fathers and Ladies of Confederation. Walking tours depart daily (June - September) from the Charlottetown Visitor Centre at Founders’ Hall.

From Founders’ Hall, make your way to Historic Great George Street. Stroll where every building and street corner tells a story. It’s worth the stop to St. Dunstan’s Cathedral Basilica, one of many great churches located throughout the city.

It’s easy to step back in time, with the City’s new wayfinding system. The signage makes the Historic District easy to find. Look for the NEW district signage marking your way, and storyboards on the street corners telling tales of old. Historic Great George Street leads to Province House National Historic Site of Canada, the official Birthplace of Confederation and a Charlottetown landmark.

Next to Province House is the Confederation Centre of the Arts constructed in 1964 as Canada’s National Memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. The Confederation Centre is also home to Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™ and the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, one of the largest in Atlantic Canada.

From the Confederation Centre, travel to the west side of the city to Beaconsfield Historic House, former home of wealthy shipping entrepreneur James Peake Jr. Built in 1877, Beaconsfield stands as an enduring symbol of Victorian elegance. Just up the street is Government House, known as Fanningbank, the centre of official hospitality in the Province. Take in the panoramic view of Charlottetown’s waterfront and end your day with a stroll around Victoria Park.

Visit the Reserve it Now kiosk inside the Charlottetown Visitor Centre at Founders’ Hall (6 Prince Street) to book daily walking tours or the Celebrate Canada Package.  Or book before you arrive by calling 1-877-286-6532.