5 Best Sights in Points East Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

The west end of the Greenwich Peninsula, known for its superior beach and shifting sand dunes, was federally protected in 1998 when a 6-km (3½-mile) section was incorporated into Prince Edward Island National Park. Because the dunes are still moving, gradually burying the nearby woods, here and there bleached tree bits thrust up through the sand like wooden skeletons. The road in ends at an interpretive center (open daily early June to mid-September) where displays, hands-on activities, and themed programs teach visitors about the ecology of this unique land formation. Walking trails let you follow the progression from forest to dune to beach, and include a photogenic boardwalk over Bowley Pond.

This park, 13 km (8 miles) east of Souris, is noted for an expanse of exquisite silvery sand that's backed by grassy dunes. The beach (accessible via a boardwalk and supervised in peak months) is well worth visiting, and not only because it's one of the Island's most beautiful. If you scuff your feet in the sand here, you can hear it squeak and squawk. The so-called singing sand is a rare phenomenon produced by the sand's high silica content. For visitors with mobility issues a floating wheelchair is available when conditions are safe.

From late June to late August, the park promises interpretative programs, plus a wealth of outdoor opportunities—including boating, hiking, and horseback riding. There's also a heated swimming pool from July through early September. Two championship golf courses (Brudenell River and Dundarave) are the icing on its proverbial cake.

Marking the entrance to Georgetown Harbour, it stands more than 60 feet tall. You can ascend to the top; then catch your breath browsing the on-site gift shop.

This National Historic Site, about 2 km (1 mile) outside Georgetown, commemorates the trading post that French merchant Jean Pierre Roma established here in 1732. Costumed staffers offer interpretive programs and guided tours daily (there are trails with informational panels if you'd prefer to explore independently). Heritage lunches with sustaining soup and brick-oven-baked bread are also served on-site.