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Canada🇨🇦 | townsSummersideSpinnakers' Landing, Celtic piping shows, Victorian house, strait boardwalk | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Summerside
👀 For curious travelerstown ranked #26
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Summerside once ran on fox farming money and a railway, then on a military base; today it is a quiet harbor town of brick streets and boardwalks in Canada, on Prince Edward Island’s south shore, Malpeque Bay to the north. Salt air, gull cries and fried clams drift along the waterfront. I was surprised how much the small downtown rewards an unhurried stroll. Nightlife is thin, hostels are few, and meeting backpackers takes effort. Skip the strip malls, spend time on the waterfront and in the museums. A first day could be a harbor walk, a lobster roll, then an evening show.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #26 town in CanadaThe unique appeal for travelers

Summerside suits slow travelers who want Island life without Charlottetown’s crowds. Most people stay one or two nights, using the town as a calm stop between the Confederation Bridge and the North Cape. The walkable core holds museums, a boardwalk and seafood joints, and the Spinnakers’ Landing waterfront gives you a place to eat outside and watch boats. Solo travelers and couples with a car will like it most. Party seekers and hikers chasing big mountains will be bored.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Summerside

  1. Spinnakers’ Landing: A colorful waterfront cluster of shops, cafés and a boardwalk with harbor views. Free to wander, 1 to 2 hours, best on a sunny late afternoon.
  2. College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts: Live Celtic music, step dance and piping shows in summer. Tickets about US$25 to 40, 1.5 to 2 hours, best in July and August.
  3. Eptek Art and Cultural Centre: A small gallery on the waterfront with changing local exhibits and a Summerside history display. Often free or by donation, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Wyatt Historic House Museum: A restored 1867 home furnished in Victorian style, tied to the city’s merchant families. Entry around US$5 to 8, about 1 hour, open in summer.
  5. Summerside Boardwalk and Lighthouse area: A flat shoreline path with views over the Northumberland Strait, good at sunset
… read more 👉
  1. Spinnakers’ Landing: A colorful waterfront cluster of shops, cafés and a boardwalk with harbor views. Free to wander, 1 to 2 hours, best on a sunny late afternoon.
  2. College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts: Live Celtic music, step dance and piping shows in summer. Tickets about US$25 to 40, 1.5 to 2 hours, best in July and August.
  3. Eptek Art and Cultural Centre: A small gallery on the waterfront with changing local exhibits and a Summerside history display. Often free or by donation, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Wyatt Historic House Museum: A restored 1867 home furnished in Victorian style, tied to the city’s merchant families. Entry around US$5 to 8, about 1 hour, open in summer.
  5. Summerside Boardwalk and Lighthouse area: A flat shoreline path with views over the Northumberland Strait, good at sunset and for a free walk. Allow 1 hour.
Summerside’s sights can be covered in one full day, with a show in the evening. Nearby day trips include Malpeque Bay for oysters, Cavendish Beach, and the Mi’kmaq cultural site at Lennox Island.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Summerside

Green Gables House & Our Island Experience

Green Gables House & Our Island Experience

4.6(531) 4h
From €76
per personViator
Charlottetown Walking Tour

Charlottetown Walking Tour

4.8(338) 2h
From €17.98
per personViator
Historic Walking Tour of Charlottetown

Historic Walking Tour of Charlottetown

5.0(266) 2h
From €18.63
per personViator
Solar harbour cruise with live music! (Optional lunch/dinner)

Solar harbour cruise with live music! (Optional lunch/dinner)

4.8(269) 1h 30m
From €51
per personViator
Prince Edward Island Small Group Tour With Anne of Green Gables

Prince Edward Island Small Group Tour With Anne of Green Gables

4.4(373) 4h
From €96
per personViator
Charlottetown Food Walking Tour

Charlottetown Food Walking Tour

4.8(120) 3h
From €63
per personViator
Charlottetown City Highlights

Charlottetown City Highlights

4.4(182) 1h
From €23
per personViator
Charlottetown Small Group Tour With Province House

Charlottetown Small Group Tour With Province House

4.4(132) 2h
From €18.63
per personViator
Harbour Hopper Tours: Charlottetown, PEI

Harbour Hopper Tours: Charlottetown, PEI

4.7(90) 55m
From €51
per personViator
Amazing PEI Experience 5 passengers only

Amazing PEI Experience 5 passengers only

5.0(58) 7h
From €595
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Summerside is small enough to cover on foot or bike in an afternoon, and three areas matter.
  • Downtown and Spinnaker’s Landing: Spend most of your time here. Boardwalk planks creak underfoot, gulls cry over the harbor, and fried clams and chowder smell from the waterfront shacks. Shops and cafes line Water Street. Quiet by 9 pm, with live music at a few pubs.
  • Summerside Waterfront: Wind off Bedeque Bay, red sandstone shoreline, and the Lighthouse Boardwalk. Lovely at dusk, but little to eat. Skip it in rain.
  • Historic House District: Tree-lined blocks of gingerbread-trimmed houses, easy for a 30 minute stroll. Look, don’t linger. Chain restaurants and big-box stores out on Water Street East are not worth the walk.

⌛️ 1 dayWhat you can realistically do in a day

The day is best on foot, since everything sits within a few flat blocks of the water, with a car only for the last stop.
9:00 AM, Spinnakers’ Landing: Start with coffee on the boardwalk while the harbor wakes up, then walk the shore path.
10:30 AM, Eptek Art and Cultural Centre: Browse the exhibits, then stroll up to the Victorian streets.
12:30 PM, Downtown Water Street: Lunch on chowder or a lobster roll at a casual spot.
2:00 PM, Wyatt Historic House: Tour the restored rooms and learn how fox money shaped town.
4:00 PM, Linkletter Provincial Park shoreline: A quiet, rarely visited beach area west of town, good for a rest and sea breeze.
7:30 PM, College of Piping: Finish with a fiddle and step dance show.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

July and August are the warmest and busiest months, though Summerside is still manageable year-round.
  • Summer (Jun to Aug): 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), long daylight, beach weather, festivals, and the highest lodging prices.
  • Fall (Sep to Oct): 8 to 17°C (46 to 63°F), quieter, lower rates, bright foliage.
  • Winter (Dec to Mar): -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), snowy, and many seasonal attractions close.
  • Spring (Apr to May): 2 to 12°C (36 to 54°F), cool and damp, with services slowly reopening.
Book summer beds weeks ahead if you want a weekend stay.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Downtown near the waterfront is the best base, because most of what you want sits within a 10 minute walk. Dedicated hostel beds are scarce in Summerside, so budget travelers rely on guesthouses, campgrounds, cabins and basic motels, usually US$60 to 110 a night in summer. The core is quiet and safe after dark, with only modest pub noise on summer weekends. The highway strip toward Water Street East has cheaper motels and easy parking, but you will want a bike or car to reach the center. Book early for July and August.
Best hostels in Canada


Best quality hotels in Canada

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

Summerside is a walking and cycling town, and the small local transit service costs roughly US$2 to 3 a ride, paid in cash on board. Traffic is light, but buses are infrequent and mostly useful for reaching the outskirts, so do not plan around them.
  • Walking: Free and the best option. Downtown and the waterfront are compact, about 15 to 20 minutes end to end.
  • Cycling: Flat terrain and the Confederation Trail make bikes the smart choice. Rentals run about US$20 to 35 a day.
  • Local bus (Summerside Transit): Limited routes, weekday daytime focus, little to none on Sundays. Worth it only if your bags are heavy.
  • Taxi or rideshare: A few local taxis, US$8 to 15 for most trips across town. Call ahead, as you will not find them cruising.
  • Rental car: Around US$50 to 90 a day. Worth the money if you want to
… read more 👉
Summerside is a walking and cycling town, and the small local transit service costs roughly US$2 to 3 a ride, paid in cash on board. Traffic is light, but buses are infrequent and mostly useful for reaching the outskirts, so do not plan around them.
  • Walking: Free and the best option. Downtown and the waterfront are compact, about 15 to 20 minutes end to end.
  • Cycling: Flat terrain and the Confederation Trail make bikes the smart choice. Rentals run about US$20 to 35 a day.
  • Local bus (Summerside Transit): Limited routes, weekday daytime focus, little to none on Sundays. Worth it only if your bags are heavy.
  • Taxi or rideshare: A few local taxis, US$8 to 15 for most trips across town. Call ahead, as you will not find them cruising.
  • Rental car: Around US$50 to 90 a day. Worth the money if you want to see beyond town, since regional buses to other Island points are sparse.

👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Summerside costs about US$145 a day for a backpacker in high season, mostly because beds are scarce and pricey.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$60 to 85Few hostels exist, so expect a basic room or campsite (US$25 to 40 for camping)
MealsUS$30 to 45Groceries plus one casual meal, chowder or fish and chips
Local transportUS$10 to 20Bike rental or occasional bus ride
Basic activities/entry feesUS$5 to 15Museums, beaches and trails are mostly cheap or free
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Coffee, laundry, snacks
Total Daily BudgetUS$145High-season estimate using the upper range
Cook your own meals at a grocery store and save US$15 or more a day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Summerside

Summerside works well as a day-trip base if you have a car or bike, since the island is small and distances short.North Cape and Tignish: Drive about 1 hour 15 minutes to the island’s northern tip, where wind turbines turn above red cliffs and tidal rocks stretch into the strait. Budget US$15 to 25 in fuel and entry. Go in summer and bring a layer, because wind bites.
Cavendish and Green Gables: About 50 minutes by car, this is the Anne of Green Gables landmark and beach area. Admission is about US$5 to 8. Arrive before 10 am in July and August, since crowds build quickly.
Charlottetown: The provincial capital is roughly 50 minutes away by car, with a waterfront, historic streets and good seafood. Costs run US$20 to 40 with lunch. Many first-timers underestimate how late it gets, so leave by 5 pm.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Summerside is very safe, and violent crime against visitors is rare. Walking alone at night downtown feels comfortable, though streets empty early, so stick to lit areas after 10 pm. Lock your rental car and keep bags out of sight at trailheads and beaches, since petty theft from vehicles is the usual problem. Tourist scams are essentially nonexistent. Winter ice and summer ticks along grassy trails are the everyday annoyances, so wear grippy boots and check yourself after walks.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Summerside is worth a night or two rather than a long stay, especially in summer. The boardwalk at Spinnaker’s Landing, the waterfront and the Historic House District are the draw, and the town also sits within about an hour of Cavendish and Charlottetown by car. If you want big sights, treat it as a base rather than a destination.
Summerside needs one full day for the town itself and up to three days if you add day trips. Allow about 3 hours for the boardwalk, the Historic House District and a seafood meal. A car lets you reach North Cape in about 1 hour 15 minutes and Cavendish in about 50 minutes.
Summerside is easy as a day trip from Charlottetown, roughly 50 minutes away by car, but public transport is limited, so a car or tour makes it practical. A half day covers the waterfront and main sights. Expect fuel and parking to run about US$10 to 20, and plan to leave by late afternoon.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Canadian towns near Summerside

Explore more nearby:

  • Charlottetown—Confederation chamber, Victoria Row, harbor seafood, Anne musical| 53 km away
  • Moncton—Magnetic Hill, Petitcodiac tidal bore, Acadian market, mudflat trail| 83 km away
  • Saint John—Reversing Falls, 1876 City Market, Fundy geology, Irving Nature Park| 216 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Many travelers rush through Summerside on the way to the beaches and skip the evening. Don’t. I would plan around the College of Piping show, then walk the lit boardwalk afterward, and sleep here rather than drive on.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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