A short drive west from Seaview is Cabot Beach Provincial Park, one of the larger parks on the Island. An hours walk along the beach west of Seaview, are two lighthouses which you will see on Profitt's Point. A short drive east along the Gulf are two more lighthouses; one on Cape Tryon, and the other in New London Bay.

There is approximately 5 miles of beach either way, and if you walk about 1/8 mile down the beach from the Chalet, there is a place to build your own fire.You can sit and enjoy the sites and sounds of the ocean while taking pleasure from the warmth of the fire.

Prince Edward Island has 320 different species of birds including the Great Blue Heron. The Blue Jay is the Island's provincial bird.

About a 10 minute drive away from the Chalet is a sleepy little village called Malpeque. Here you will find a small store, a museum, and a church.

The town of Kensington is filled with many little shops to satisfy a variety of tastes. You will also find a neat little train station that was built in 1905, and later converted into a museum. There are a handful of century old churches to enjoy, as well as shopping on the Boardwalk.

On Prince Edward Island you will find a wide range of golf courses that will tempt every level of player, and amenities that make for a well rounded vacation. In a short period of time, P.E.I. has grown to be recognized as one of the best destinations for traveling golfers, and THE place for golfers throughout Canada. The Forest Hills Golf Course and the Red Sands Golf Course are a short drive from Seaview.

The People of PEI

At the present time, there are four small Mi'kmaq reserves in Prince Edward Island. Three of them, Rocky Point, located southwest of Charlottetown Harbour, and Scotchfort and Morell, both located northwest of Charlottetown, belong to the Abegweit Band. The largest reserve in P.E.I., is Lennox Island, located about 50 kilometres northwest of Summerside. Situated as it is, on the northwestern tip of Malpeque Bay, Lennox Island is one of the prettiest spots in West P.E.I., and is now easily accessible by causeway from the mainland.

One quarter of the Island's population is of Acadian or French ancestry. The Acadians are the descendants of the French colonists who settled in Acadie in the 1600s. Acadie constituted a strategic territory for both Britain and France. As a result of the continuing battles between the two cultures, the Acadians lived under rule by both. For a brief history of the Acadians, please click here.

Today, many organizations on the Island have as their directive, the promotion and development of the French language and Acadian culture. The weekly newspaper, La Voix Acadienne, published in Summerside, the Carrefour de l'Isle Saint-Jean in Charlottetown, the Acadian Museum in Miscouche, the L'Exposition Agricole et le Festival Acadien in the Évangéline Region, the Club Ti-Pa in Tignish, and the numerous musicians and singers such as Angèle Arsenault from Abram's Village and Lennie Gallant from Rustico are but a few examples of the vibrant Acadian presence in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island is an overwhelmingly Celtic province. In terms of percentages, it is easily the most Celtic province in Canada. Despite it's current ethnic diversity, the Island's population remains dominated by the descendants of immigrants from the British Isles. Reminders of that heritage can be seen throughout the province.

Not only can you see the influence in the architecture and in placenames such as Kinkora, Kilmuir, New Glasgow, Emerald, and New London, you can hear it in the music. Old-time fiddling is making a strong comeback, as are bagpipes, tartans and Highland dancing.

The Arts

The "Land of Anne", has a spirited arts community that extends far beyond the Road to Avonlea. Many visitors flock to the Confederation Centre of the Arts in the summer, for the musical Anne of Green Gables. In addition, the Confederation Centre usually runs several added shows during the summer, either on the Confederation Centre main stage, or at the nearby MacKenzie Theatre.

There is more to theatre than what one can see at the Confederation Centre, and MacKenzie Theatre. Theatre P.E.I., the province's foremost community theatre organization, mounts several productions throughout the year. The productions range from locally authored works to Shakespeare, making use of the theatre in Le Carrefour de l'Isle Saint-Jean. Yet another performance space is the newly-refurbished Arts Guild Performance Hall in downtown Charlottetown.

There are also signs of theatrical life ourside the Charlottetown area, and one worth noting is Victoria-By-The-Sea. Victoria is its own peaceful little world of shops and artisans, and a thriving theatrical scene at the Victoria Playhouse drawing visitors and local alike.

If you're more of a sound-seeker, the Island will be music to your ears. P.E.I. is a blossoming community of local talent. Traditional and Celtic music thrive, as do alternatives such as country and rock 'n roll.

If you're looking for live performances, you won't have to go far to find it. Charlottetown's club scene includes several live-music venues year-round. Fans of Irish and Celtic music may be interested in the Benevolent Irish Society. Click here to view a list of upcoming events at the Society.

If one wanders the streets of Charlottetown in the summer, a growing number of buskers perform on downtown sidewalks. A particulary choice spot is Victoria Row, in the shadow of the Confederation Centre Library. In the summer, it is closed to motor traffic and fills with vending booths for a variety of crafts, clothing, and other goods.

Speak to the Islanders, and see where the coversation leads. The Island has many gems to discover.