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Victoria Park
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BY JOHN SUTTON
An impressive gateway to the Garden of the Gulf, the 13-kilometre
Confederation Bridge offers visitors a dramatic view of the gently
rolling farmland and pristine red sand beaches that characterize the
"Charlotte's Shore" region of P.E.I. Used to refer to the southern
shore of our fair Island, Charlotte's Shore presents to travelers
the idyllic, gentle beauty of the surrounding landscape bordered by
the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait. Once off the bridge,
the Gateway Village in Borden provides road-weary visitors with an
opportunity to stretch their legs and check out the various
attractions. Included in the village are a park, numerous food
counters, The Official Island Gift Shop, a Visitor Information Centre
and an intriguing interactive exhibition.
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Province House
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From Borden, the road to Charlottetown offers a plethora of various
sites and attractions. Chelton Beach Provincial Park provides an
ideal venue for swimming while Wall's Road, one of P.E.I's Scenic
Heritage roads, enables visitors to better acquaint themselves with
the beauty of Charlotte's Shore. As well, hiking trails leading
through to Kinkora and Emerald are present for those who wish to
completely absorb the natural magnificence of the surrounding area.
Victoria By The Sea, a quaint, cozy little village 20 minutes east of
Borden, overflows with a variety of gift shops which offer everything
from pottery and paintings to delectable hand-dipped chocolates. A
number of tea rooms and cafes will entice many a hungry traveler,
while the Victoria Playhouse entertains guests with a diverse menu of
theatrical productions and summer concerts. Visitors can also
delight in Victoria's waterfront, where lobster fishermen still
harvest the most revered seafood delicacy from the waters of the
Strait. Amidst the tangy salt air Victoria still remains strongly
tied to the past while providing the finest in modern comfort for all
visitors.
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Great George Street
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Other notable attractions on the way to Charlottetown include the
Brookvale Provincial Ski Park and Port-la-Joye/Fort Amherst. By
taking a slight detour along Route #13 visitors will come across the
ski park, a popular summer destination for many hikers and avid
mountain bikers. Port-la-Joye/Fort Amherst, a National Historic
Site, provides an ideal picnic venue dominated by a commanding view
of Charlottetown Harbour
and the city's waterfront. An interpretive
centre provides visitors with many interesting historical facts about
the fortress which once overlooked the harbour.
Charlottetown,
the provincial capital and the birthplace of
Canadian Confederation, offers a cornucopia of attractions for
visitors of all ages. The restored buildings that line Queen Street,
Victoria Row and Great George Street give the downtown interior a
look that reminds one of a busy 19th century seaport. The true
architectural jewel of downtown Charlottetown, however, is the
majestic St. Dunstan's Basilica. Adorned by three copper spires
visible virtually anywhere in the city, the church adds to the
Victorian splendour of the downtown core.
While visiting Province House, located just a short distance from
St. Dunstan's, guests can explore the great halls of the building
where the Fathers of Confederation met in 1864 to plan the future of
our now great nation. Neo-classical in its design, Province House,
along with St. Dunstan's, form the centre of old Charlottetown.
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Victoria Row
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Those with a flair of the artistic will no doubt be drawn into
the Confederation Centre of the Arts located adjacent to Province
House. Opened in 1964, the centre's art gallery and museum house
many historical works that reflect the diversity of Canadian culture.
As well, the annual Charlottetown Festival delights visitors with a
variety of theatrical productions, including the beloved musical
"Anne of Green Gables".
Lovers of cuisine have a wide variety of culinary tastes to choose
from while in Charlottetown.
The many restaurants offer up a range
of styles including Contemporary, Lebanese, Chinese and Italian
foods, all located within walking distance of each other. After
dinner a stroll through Confederation Landing, located along the
Charlottetown
Waterfront, enables visitors to catch a breath of fresh
air while shoppers can browse through the shops of Peakes Quay. The
activities and attractions that can be found throughout Charlotte's
Shore provide visitors and Islanders alike with many a wonderful
summer day and night.
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