Charlottetown 
Credit: Jack Frost Festival!
Charlottetown is a magnificent place to visit in the winter. Whether you’re spending a weekend or a few days, there’s something for everyone. Despite the small size of the island, there’s an abundance of fun to be had in spite of the cold and snow — in fact, that’s exactly what makes the experience better!
Wintertide Holiday Festival
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Fine Winter Dining
The Winterdine Festival in Charlottetown occurs every year at the end of January and beginning of February, this fine dining in the city is when the local restaurants open their doors of an evening to celebrate Prince Edward Island’s local chefs and local culinary masterpieces. Spending a week on the Island just got even more authentic if you plan around Winterdine.
Enjoy Music Week
Music Week on the island runs throughout the last week of Winterdine. The week includes a showcasing of a variety of local musicians performing at venues in Charlottetown — so you can combine fine winter dining with fantastic local music. The week culminates with the PEI Music Awards Gala, so you get to check out too! For more information about Music Week, visit the event’s website.
Outdoor Skating Rinks
Credit: City of Charlottetown
Victoria Park
Being Charlottetown’s largest park, Victoria Park is home to lots of winter family fun. Grab your skates and helmet and head to the outdoor skating rink, which is open daily. The walking trails are open even when snow is falling.
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Brighton Road, Charlottetown
Jack Frost Festival!
The Jack Frost Festival in Charlottetown will take place during Islander day weekend (or Family Day for most of Canada) , it features three days of snow-filled fun for the whole family. This year, there’ll be lots for your children and you to do as the Jack Frost features face paintings, ice sculpting, sleigh rides and live music. For those wanting to come in from the cold, there’s the Indoor Playland for your kids, but for those braving the outdoors there’s also the Outdoor Snow Kingdom! Those three days in February are sure to make a great weekend away from home for you and the whole family.
Charlottetown Islanders Hockey
The Charlottetown Islanders hit the ice at the Eastlink Center to take on fellow Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues to battle it out for the Presidents Cup.
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Eastlink Center,46 Kensington Road Charlottetown
Charlottetown Farmers Markets
Even in the winter, the Charlottetown Farmers Market is still open on Saturday mornings. Farmers are still growing and harvesting fresh produce and crafters and artisans are creating one of a kind items. It is worth waking up early to go to the market for freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries.
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100 Belvedere Avenue, Charlottetown
Confederation Centre of the Arts
Hopyard
The Hopyard is the place to be if you love food and craft beers. The menu changes every 2 weeks. They also have a collection of over 500 vinyl albums, which is the only music that is played in the cafe.
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151 Kent Street, Charlottetown
Founders’ Food Hall & Market
In the heart of downtown a hidden gem for foodies. Founder’s Food Hall & Market brings together mouth-watering Island flavours and local artisan products under one roof.
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6 Prince Street, Charlottetown
Receiver Coffee Co.
Warm up with a cup of some the best coffee around at Receiver Coffee Co. They roast and serve their own coffee beans, so the grounds are always fresh. Their menu and fresh baked goods feature local ingredients.
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128 Richmond Street, Charlottetown
PEI Escape Rooms
Gather the clues, and solve the puzzles to find the key and escape the room in just 60 minutes. PEI Escape Rooms offers games for 2 to 10 people. They have themed rooms to pick from
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81 Prince Street, Charlottetown
Bell Aliant Centre
Water fun at the Bell Aliant Centre does not stop when snow starts falling. Featuring three pools, a hot tub, a huge water slide, and diving boards, you cannot go wrong splashing around at Bell Aliant Centre. They also have a rink that is just for hockey games on.
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560 University Avenue, Charlottetown
PEI Regiment Museum
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3 Haviland Street, Charlottetown
Pure Spa & Modo Yoga
Spend an afternoon treating yourself and leave feeling calm and renewed. Pure Spa offers luxurious spa treatments to suit your needs. Try hot yoga at Modo Yoga to stretch your muscles and calm your mind.
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4 Prince Street, Charlottetown
Skiing at Brookvale Provincial Park
Great Northern Adventures
Go dashing through the snow in a horse-drawn sled this winter. The farm is only five minutes from Charlottetown. You can also meet some farm animals in the petting pit, and kids love the pony rides. If you get cold, warm up next to the fire pet and toast some marshmallows.
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924 Fort Augustus Road, Mount Herbert
Leonhard’s Cafe & Restaurant
Warm up with a cup of coffee and snack, or with a full meal at the Leonhard’s Cafe & Restaurant. Leonhard’s serves Down East Coffee, which is roasted in New Brunswick, and a menu that highlights are inspired by local in-season produce.
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142 Great George Street, Charlottetown
PandaFun
Snow does not stop the fun at PandaFun. Kids can burn off extra running around, climbing the play area and sliding down the slides. Parents can relax while their kids are playing and exploring the 10,000 square feet of play structures, jungle gyms and more.
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9 Jordan Cres, Charlottetown
From $12.99
The Alley
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200 Richmond Drive, Charlottetown
Bell Aliant Centre
Water fun at the Bell Aliant Centre does not stop when snow starts falling. Featuring three pools, a hot tub, a huge water slide, and diving boards, you cannot go wrong splashing around at Bell Aliant Centre. They also have a rink that is just for hockey games on.
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560 University Ave, Charlottetown
Owls Hollow
Owl’s Hollows is known for offering award-winning toys and games for children. Did you know that there lower level is an indoor playland? This indoor playland is filled with lots of toys and games for all ages.
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95 Capital Drive, Charlottetown
Small Print Board Game Cafe
Cozy up and watch the snow fall while playing great board games at PEI’s first board game cafe. Along with picking from over 300 games, the cafe also serves up gourmet coffee, local craft beers and menu of gaming snacks.
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119 Grafton Street, 2nd Level, Charlottetown
Explore History!
Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. And therefore it is packed with the history of Canada. In 1864, the Charlottetown Conference changed the course of Canada as a nation, when the three Canadian Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward were encouraged to form a Union by Britain, and become a British colony. However, the Province of Canada (including Quebec and Ontario) would have their interests represented by delegates. The outcome of the conference would lay the foundation for the unification of Canada as one nation under British rule. To that end, there are plenty of museums and historical buildings and monuments for you to explore. Even if you visiting in winter, spending a few days in Charlottetown is a must for any history buff visiting Atlantic Canada.
30 Things to Do this Winter in Prince Edward Island
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