Charlottetown 
One of PEI’s most colourful roadside attractions might also be the most magical. On the province’s southern coast is a bright, shiny, and breathtaking view that does not involve the ocean. This view is from inside three incredible structures called the Bottle Houses.
How the Bottle Houses Came to Be
The construction of the Bottle Houses is credited to Édouard T. Arsenault, who began the project with Vancouver’s Glass Castle as inspiration. Mr. Arsenault started construction in 1980, and as his first building began to take shape, the project started to attract attention. Visitors would check in on his progress throughout the building stages. In a mere four years, he constructed all three buildings.
Each building has a traditional roof structure with walls made entirely of colourful glass bottles held together with cement!
Now a must-see tourist attraction in PEI’s Cape Egmont, the Bottle Houses contain over 25,000 glass bottles to create three separate buildings. Each building is open for public viewing from the spring to the fall.
Visiting the Bottle Houses & Gardens
Those three buildings include a six-gabled house, a chapel, and a tavern. Each building has a distinct look thanks to the rainbow of coloured bottles used for each. One of the most exciting features of the buildings is that no matter what angle you look at or photograph them from, they will always look a bit different! Browse, appreciate, and shop even more glass artwork and other souvenirs from the on-site gift shop. The Village is decorated with manicured gardens and a small, picturesque lighthouse.
More Coastal Attractions
The section of Highway 11 on which you’ll find the Bottle Houses and Gardens is also the southern start to the North Cape Coastal Drive. Start with these southern attractions before finishing or starting the road trip.
- The Cape Egmont Lighthouse is a short drive from the Bottle Houses and Gardens. The Lighthouse sits on top of bright red cliffs and is a great spot to catch a sunset over the water.
- Union Corner Provincial Park is open each season until September 30th as a day-use park. The beach and park are east of the Bottle Houses and offer a perfect coastal picnic setting.
- Have fun with a coastal attraction just as unique as the Bottle Houses. The Beach Goats Farm offer happiness-inducing goat meet and greets and socializing experiences- right on the beach!
Planning Your Trip – Bottle Houses & Gardens
What: A village and garden made up of three buildings made from colourful glass bottles, a garden, and lighthouse.
Location and how to get there: 6891, Highway PE-11, Cap-Egmont
Access Highway PE-11 from Summerside or PE-2
Best time to go: May-September 12
How much: $5-$10 per person
For more information:
