The Green Gables cottage in Prince Edward Island National Park that inspired the setting for Montgomery's most famous novel is a must-visit. Montgomery's birthplace in New London shows off the author's bedroom and her wedding dress.
Tracing the author's ties to the island even offers the chance to meet her relatives. The Anne of Green Gables Museum was the home of the author's aunt and uncle and the one she called "Silver Bush." Here, author artifacts are tended by her cousins, the Campbells. True Anne devotees can arrange a wedding package in the parlor where the author was married.
Two more stops for Anne enthusiasts include a pilgrimage to the Cavendish cemetery where Montgomery is buried and touring the remains of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Homestead in Cavendish.
Once you've covered the Anne connections, there's much more to see and do on the island.
Charlottetown's historic district harbors beautiful waterfront views. Stop at the Province House National Historic Site, where the country's leaders decided in 1864 to form Canada as we know it, or head for Founders' Hall, where colorful interactive displays depict Canada's history in a very different style.
Reward yourself for walking along the waterfront with lunch or dinner at the Culinary Institute of Canada's Lucy Maud dining room where the food is as stunning as the dining room's grand water views.
Shop Peake's Wharf gift shops. Lick loaded cones of PEI's super-premium Cow's ice cream. Stop at the Anne Store if you've got a youngster who hankers for an Anne doll, pencil, pen or even a straw hat with bright red pigtails attached to it.
Shopping done? It's time to get out of town.
Tour lighthouses like the attractive 1853 Panmure Island Lighthouse. Look for gray and harbor seals while aboard a Cruise Manada seal-watching tour from Montague. No seals? You'll still see and learn about mussel farming and what the fishermen endure to feed our desire for steamed shellfish. Hit the links. Prince Edward Island is a prime Canadian golfing destination.
But whatever you do during the day, save enough energy to attend ceilidhs every night.
The night concerts at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada in Summerside are a grand way to experience the Celtic piping and dancing traditions from the islanders' heritage (70 percent trace their roots to Ireland and Scotland). But it's also a good place to begin developing your appreciation for PEI's own songs and music.
