Port Charlottetown
Nestled on the gentle shores of Hillsborough Bay, Charlottetown radiates charm through its pastel-brick streets, leafy parks, and bustling harbor. The Confederation Centre of the Arts anchors a thriving cultural scene, where the annual Charlottetown Festival stages the beloved Anne of Green Gables musical and fills the streets with artisan markets and live performances.
Dubbed the Birthplace of Confederation, this city’s spirited energy stems from the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, where visionaries like John A. Macdonald and George Brown forged the path to a united Canada. Today, you can explore Province House, wander through shaded Victoria Park, and indulge in freshly caught lobster at colorful wharves.
History
Long before European arrival, the Mi’kmaq people thrived here, calling it Epegoitnag. In 1720, French governor Claude de Ramezay founded Port-la-Joye, fortified to protect settlers and traders. British forces seized the island in 1758, renaming the town Charlottetown in honor of Queen Charlotte; by 1769 it was incorporated and soon became the capital of Prince Edward Island.
In September 1864, Charlottetown hosted the landmark Charlottetown Conference, where leaders such as John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier, and George Brown met at Province House to chart Canada’s future. The city continued to flourish, marking its centennial in 1964 with the establishment of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, cementing its role as a cultural beacon.