prince edward island anne tour

Anne of Green Gables All Things Anne

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Discover Anne's Land

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

When Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908, most people could only dream of visiting its magical setting. Since then, millions of fans have travelled to Prince Edward Island to discover the place that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories and characters.

Anne of Green Gables Itinerary

Spend your days immersed in the land that inspired L.M. Montgomery and discover the very best Anne of Green Gables museums, attractions and experiences.

L.M. Montgomery

Montgomery’s writing has had an incredible impact on Canada’s smallest province because she completely captures the charm and serenity that makes this Island such a special place to visitors year after year.

Anne of Green Gables Facts

Did you know that since becoming a children’s classic, Anne of Green Gables has been translated into at least 37 languages?

Anne of Green Gables Experience Providers

Site of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish Home (Macneill homestead)

Operated by the Macneill family, descendants of L.M. Montgomery. Read the plaques, enjoy the...

Avonlea Village

Best place to eat on PEI! Piatto Pizzeria, La Rose Bistro, Samuel's Coffee House, Boom Burger, MOO...

Anne of Green Gables Store

Located in the heart of downtown Charlottetown, we offer a wide selection of all things “Anne” and...

Matthew's Carriage Rides

Enjoy a peaceful carriage ride by the Lake of Shining Waters. With "Matthew" as your guide and...

Anne & Gilbert, The Musical

Hit musical about Anne of Green Gables in love.

Painting Montgomery's Island

Create daring seascapes & landscapes with only the three colours (ruby, emerald & sapphire) that L.M...

Anne of Green Gables Chocolates

Anne’s playful and precocious personality has inspired many products at ANNE Chocolates. Our...

Anne of Green Gables Museum

The Anne of Green Gables Museum at the beautiful Campbell Homestead, is a museum dedicated to the...

Bideford Parsonage Museum – LM Mongomery Window into Island Life

Bideford Parsonage Museum is a hidden gem and must-visit destination for LM Montgomery enthusiasts...

Book Your Tickets Today!

Anne and Gilbert - The Musical

Anne & Gilbert - the Musical is performed in Charlottetown at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall.

Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™

Canada's longest-running musical plays on the main stage of the Charlottetown Festival again in 2024.

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Shore Excursion Details

Ultimate anne of green gables experience, charlottetown, prince edward island.

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• 4 hrs Estimate Duration

View rolling farmlands, stunning seascapes, tiny villages and bustling harbors along Blue Heron Drive as you get ready to meet Anne of Green Gables and actual descendants of Lucy Maud Montgomery. First stop is Silver Bush and the Anne of Green Gables Museum, here you’ll tour the museum, explore the beautiful grounds with many flower beds and gardens and share some Raspberry cordial with Anne herself!

Next, it's off to Cavendish, the old farm site that inspired L. M. Montgomery's first novel, Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. Highlighting some of the finest attractions on Prince Edward Island's breathtaking north shore, this is definitely the ultimate Anne experience.

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Check out the, activity attributes, excursion type:.

Scenic & City Tours

Activity level:.

• 3 Challenging

Vacation Packages

All things anne.

Starting from $2270/Family

Come enjoy beautiful Prince Edward Island through the story of Anne of Green Gables! Enjoy a five night stay at The Gables of PEI in a King Villa and explore a countryside straight out of PEI’s most beloved story.

Explore the site that inspired L.M. Montgomery’s tale by visiting the Green Gables Heritage Place. While you’re there, don’t forget to travel through the Haunted Woods and Lovers Lane! It’s an experience you cannot miss.

Ask us how you can upgrade your package to include a 30 minute carriage ride with Matthew as your guide!

Package includes:

• Five night stay in a beautiful Standard King Villa
• Four tickets to see Anne of Green Gables – The Musical
• Entrance for four to Green Gables Heritage Place
• A box of decadent Anne Chocolates
• Four bottles of raspberry cordial

Package available June 22 – August 31st. Fees and taxes are not included.

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Other Packages

UNLIMITED Cavendish Beach Tour

The Ocean Package – PEI’s Premier Golf Package!

Swing Into Spring

PEI Romantic Getaway

Golf Cavendish Trail Package

Fun in the Sun Family Package

Family Fun with Anne

All Things Cavendish Beach

A Bosom Buddies Getaway

The Ultimate Anne of Green Gables Private Tour

• Bottled water
• Entrance fees to the National Park
• Green Gables entrance fee (under 16 - free, 17 - 64 - $8.50, over 64 - 7.00.
• Lucy Maude Montgomery 5 USD
• Anne of Green Gables Museum 7 USD
• Entry/Admission - Anne of Green Gables Museum
• Entry/Admission - Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace
• Entry/Admission - Green Gables
• Port Charlottetown, 1 Weymouth St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8W1, Canada Will meet guests' at door 4 inside the port building
• Driver will be holding a sign with guests name, as well as the vehicle having signage.
• Port Charlottetown, 1 Weymouth St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8W1, Canada
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Green Gables
• Anne of Green Gables Museum
• Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Port Charlottetown Or, you can also get picked up See departure details
• 1 Cavendish Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 2 Province House National Historic Site Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 3 Anne of Green Gables Museum Stop: 60 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 4 French River Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 5 Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace Stop: 10 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 6 Green Gables Stop: 60 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 7 North Rustico Harbour Stop: 45 minutes See details
• 8 Charlottetown Stop: 50 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Charlottetown

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Ultimate Anne of Green Gables Private Tour provided by Tours By Don

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Top 7 Anne of Green Gables Locations to Experience on PEI

During a road trip through Canada, we visited Prince Edward Island specifically because I loved reading the Anne of Green Gables books! It’s a beautiful island that is worth exploring even if you’re not an Anne fan, but if you are, these are the top Anne of Green Gables locations you need to check out when you visit!

Top 7 Anne of Green Gables locations on PEI

Can you visit PEI without visiting Anne of Green Gables locations? You definitely shouldn’t because it’s one of the top things to do on PEI! And if you’re an Anne of Green Gables fangirl like I am, you’ll really love it. But there are lots of other things you can do on PEI if you want to experience more of the island (which I recommend, of course), and I have a have a blog post on the top things to do on PEI just for you.

Anne of Green Gables Museum

There are a few different places you can visit for the Anne experience, and the Anne of Green Gables Museum was probably my favorite. It’s at the home of L.M. Montgomery’s aunt and uncle, where Montgomery lived for a time and where she was married. And the land that it’s on is just beautiful!

It looks like it hasn’t changed since the 1800s, and you can see artifacts from Montgomery’s life, like the organ that was played at her wedding, and artifacts that she wrote about in her books, including Anne’s Enchanted Bookcase, the Crazy Patchwork Quilt, and the Blue Chest from The Story Girl.

This is the spot where Montgomery got married, and the guide said that they actually do still have weddings here today! So if you’re a huge Anne of Green Gables fan, you could have your wedding at the museum 🙂

The property that the house is on is absolutely beautiful! There are rolling hills, barns, and horses, and you can even go for a carriage ride. They also have a great gift shop with Anne of Green Gables gifts but also some cool locally made items, and I definitely gave them a lot of business 🙂

This is also where you can see the real Lake of Shining Waters that inspired Montgomery (and the carriage ride goes around it). If you look up the Lake of Shining Waters on PEI, you’ll see a different lake that was named after Montgomery’s Lake of Shining Waters so it isn’t the original. My husband went to check it out and there is an admission fee and it’s not as scenic as the one at the museum. So I just recommend seeing the real Lake of Shining Waters at the museum!

Green Gables Heritage Place

The Green Gables Heritage Place is the location that inspired the location of Green Gables. It was the house of Montgomery’s relatives, and while she never lived there, she visited frequently and it inspired a lot of the Anne of Green Gables locations that she wrote about. Lover’s Lane and the Haunted Wood are also on this property, and you can explore them!

Probably because this is the “real” Green Gables, it was a lot busier than the Museum was and there were a lot of people in and around the house. So just plan accordingly if you want any photos of Green Gables without people walking in front!

The Heritage Place also has a museum about Montgomery’s life on PEI, and it was helpful to see a timeline of everything after visiting the Museum. It also had a pretty big gift shop, so I recommend checking that out on your way out 😉

After you tour the house, you can walk through the Haunted Wood and Lover’s Lane! It was a beautiful (and shaded, thank goodness) walk, and while the house was really busy, the path was pretty quiet.

L.M. Montgomery’s birthplace

Montgomery’s birthplace wasn’t open when I stopped by, but you can tour it! Some things in the home are replicas, but there are a lot of artifacts from her life and her family that you can see.

Explore Avonlea Village

The town of Cavendish was where Montgomery lived and inspired the locations in Anne of Green Gables, but she named it Avonlea in the books. So Avonlea Village was named for Anne of Green Gables, and it’s a little village with historic buildings (including the school that Montgomery taught in) that have been turned into restaurants and shops. So while it’s not super authentic to Anne or Montgomery, it’s a cute place to walk around, and I recommend getting some chocolates and ice cream while you’re there! We also got raspberry cordial slushies from the chocolate shop, which were delicious 🙂

Other Places to Experience Anne of Green Gables

Two places I didn’t make it to are Montgomery’s grave site and Anne of Green Gables: The Musical . The musical is a huge production at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, and I think we just missed it by a day or two! It’s been put on annually for decades, and they’re actually changing it to biannually after 2024. So if you want to see it, make sure you plan your trip accordingly and get tickets well in advance!

Explore Charlottetown

So now for some things that are more indirectly tied to Anne of Green Gables but were mentioned in the books! Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, and it’s such a beautiful historic city and mentioned a few times in Anne of Green Gables. And Montgomery did attend the Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, which you can check out. We did a little driving tour around the historic areas to see everything.

I couldn’t get over all the pretty houses everywhere! We spent an afternoon driving and walking around Charlottetown, and there’s a lot you can see there. My favorite spot was Victoria Park with the beautiful views of the water, so I definitely recommend visiting there if the weather is nice.

St. Dunstan’s Basilica

Drive around the countryside

One of the reasons I wanted to visit PEI is because the scenery sounds so picturesque in the Anne of Green Gables books. And it really does live up to the hype! I loved just driving around PEI and seeing the historic farms and rolling hills and quaint, colorful houses. You can really get an idea of how Montgomery was inspired to create such romantic names for everything in the books.

And we went in June when lupins were blooming everywhere and I was OBSESSED! (I even planted lupins in my garden this year because I loved them so much!)

There are a few scenic overlooks that you can pull over at to get some photos of the beautiful views!

So those are the top Anne of Green Gables locations I recommend seeing! We did all of this within two days, so it can definitely be done in a short trip (but I would have loved to have stayed longer). And if you’re really short on time, Charlottetown is the only thing that isn’t really close to the rest of the Anne of Green Gables locations, so you could skip that and do everything else within a day. If you have been to PEI, which spot was your favorite? 🙂

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Best 'Anne of Green Gables' Destinations to Visit on Prince Edward Island

We’re willing to bet that one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of PEI is Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved character, Anne of Green Gables . She has captured the hearts of readers worldwide, and her red braids and straw hat are an iconic PEI symbol. If you want to immerse yourself in the magical world of Anne, here’s our list of her must-see spots in the province.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Anne of Green Gables – The Musical

Head to the Confederation Centre of the Arts for the stage production of the famous book. You’ll laugh, cry, and completely fall in love with the show, which has been running for 53 seasons straight.

Fans of the Anne of Green Gables movie will love a visit to the Kensington Train Station , which is the station featured in the film. Take some photos and then explore the sweet little community of Kensington.

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Avonlea Village

Step back in time with a trip to Avonlea Village . Named after the fictitious town in which Anne lived, Avonlea features replicas of many of the book’s houses and shops. It also holds the original schoolhouse in which Lucy Maud Montgomery taught, the Minister’s residence, and the 1872 Historic Long River Church. It goes without saying that Avonlea Village is very touristy, and you might find more shops and restaurants than anything, but it’s still a worthwhile spot to check out!

The Anne of Green Gables Museum

Open May through October, the Anne of Green Gables Museum celebrates the life and work of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. You’ll get to see many of her belongings as well as pieces and places she wrote about, like the Lake of Shining Waters and Anne’s Enchanted Bookcase. They also offer tours, carriage rides, and exhibits.

Green Gables Heritage Place

To really immerse yourself in the world of Anne of Green Gables, you need to make a trip to Green Gables Heritage Place . Here, you’ll discover the original green-gabled farmhouse, which has been carefully restored and opened to the public.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Birthplace

Visit the author’s birthplace overlooking New London Harbour, which today holds a number of her personal items including her wedding dress, scrapbooks, and poems.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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Best of PEI Tour

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Experience the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island - on this 4 hour small-group tour featuring the famous Anne of Green Gables Heritage Site and lush gardens of PEI Preserve Co, take in the beautiful scenic views at Dalvay and Cavendish Cliffs overlooks, and enjoy a narrated drive passing multiple sites of interest such as; St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Province House, Confederation Center of the Arts, Government House, UPEI, and Queen Street.

Green Gables Heritage Place

Inspiration for the setting of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.

Prince Edward Island Preserve Company

Riverside eatery offering fruit preserves, specialty foods, tea, and spice blends.

What's Included

• Local Tour guide - fully narrated tour experience
• Small group tour (max 6 guests)
• Complimentary hotel pick up and drop off in Downtown Prince Edward Island
• Transportation in one of our vans
• All attraction admission fees included
• Skip the ticket line entry - avoid large crowds and wait times
• Take in beautiful sceneries from multiple outlooks; Dalvay and Cavendish Cliffs.
• Enjoy the beautiful gardens of the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co.
• Explore the home of Anne of Green Gables and the area that inspired the famous novel

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Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown

City highlights.

The Charlottetown City Highlights tour is the best way to see and learn about historic and modern-day Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island. Our guides bring you fun and informative content as you explore the city. Among other places, you’ll see historic Province House, Great George National Historic Street, the Lieutenant Governor’s House, beautiful Victoria Park along the water, and the University of Prince Edward Island.

Island drive &

Anne of green gables.

This tour features some of the most picturesque Island landscapes, from rolling farmland and seaside villages to the renowned Cavendish Beach. This tour takes you to all-things-Island, with plenty of opportunities to stop and gather some stunning photos along the way. Tour Green Gables House: this old farm site was the inspirational setting for  L.M. Montgomery’s first novel, Anne of Green Gables published in 1908. This four hour tour is available on select dates throughout the summer.  

Our daily guided tours cover well-known and loved Island highlights. Choices include a one-hour City Highlights, a four-hour Island Drive or a five-hour South Shore option. Choose the best tour for you and ride along with us!

EXPLORE DAILY TOURS +

These tours easily fit into the schedule of visitors arriving to Prince Edward Island by cruise ship, and help travellers maximize their short time here by seeing the top destinations in an organized and efficient way.  All aboard!

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Adventure your way

Our private tours for up to ten people give you the option of enjoying a carefully curated route highlighting the very best of PEI based on your group’s interests. You create your own tour! Let us know what you want and we and our experienced driver/guide can make it happen!

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The adventure is yours with Prince Edward Tours

Prince Edward Tours has proudly operated for over 30 years as the premier sightseeing tour operator on Prince Edward Island.

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Recommended on TripAdvisor as one of the top tour companies in Prince Edward Island & Voted PEI’s #1 Sightseeing Tour Bus Operator

Our calendar makes it easy to find the right tour for you, at the right time.

You can customize your tour to be your own adventure.

We have carefully curated cultural experiences into all our tours to help you connect with the real Prince Edward Island.

We’re Island owned & operated and our expert local guides promise a 100% authentic Island experience.

Best Canada and New England cruise excursions

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The cruise season in Canada and New England may be brief — most ships visit between July and October — yet tour opportunities for everything from historical immersion to outdoor adventure abound. The best Canada and New England cruise excursions are as varied as the states and provinces you’ll visit.

Options include Revolutionary War landmarks in Boston, whale watches in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy, “Anne of Green Gables” lore on Prince Edward Island and atmospheric old towns in French-speaking Quebec. And, of course, you’ll find plenty of scenic drives, walks and boat trips to admire the gorgeous fall foliage from late September to late October.

Whether you prefer vibrant cities, charming coastal hamlets or unspoiled natural landscapes, New England and Canada cruises offer access to all three. If your tour does not include snacks, make sure to save time to taste the region’s iconic treats — lobster rolls, clam chowder and all things maple. No matter which tour you choose, remember to dress for changeable weather and wear comfortable but sturdy shoes.

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Here are the best Canada and New England cruise excursions to introduce you to all the region has to offer.

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• $$ Moderate ($70-$140)
• $$$ Expensive ($140-$200)
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Newport, Rhode Island

Grand mansions and newport highlights tour.

The excesses of the Gilded Age live on in Newport’s magnificent landmark mansions, which were “summer cottages” built by the Astors, Vanderbilts, Morgans and other titans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Book a tour to step inside one of these impressive homes.

Most tours include a panoramic bus ride through the scenic Ocean Drive historic district, where sights include the Tennis Hall of Fame and Trinity Church. Next, along Bellevue Avenue, you’ll admire elegant mansions and the Gothic-style St. Mary’s Church, where John and Jacqueline Kennedy married in 1953.

You’ll finish your tour with a visit to a historic mansion. Examples include The Elms, modeled after an 18th-century French chateau and built in 1901, and Rosecliff, designed by architect Stanford White and completed in 1902.

Important to know: Most mansion excursions last two and a half hours and combine easy sightseeing by bus with a walking tour of a mansion. Many mansion tours are self-guided and require you to download the Newport Mansions app to your smartphone and listen to the audio tour with earbuds.

Related: The best cruises to Canada and New England

Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers

If you prefer to sightsee by foot and love oceanfront vistas, a Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers excursion will put you center stage. You can admire Narragansett Bay on one side and the famed mansions of Newport on the other.

While the entire Cliff Walk spans 3.5 miles along the scenic coastline, this guided excursion typically covers just 1.25 miles as you pass the backyards of some of Bellevue Avenue’s most celebrated mansions. The walk ends with a tour of The Breakers, an Italian Renaissance palazzo built in 1895 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It features 70 rooms, 27 fireplaces and a central Great Hall with a 50-foot ceiling.

Important to know: Most Cliff Walk and The Breakers excursions last three hours. The Cliff Walk is flat and paved in this section, but comfortable footwear is a must since this tour involves more than two hours of walking and standing.

Boston, Massachusetts

Freedom trail walking tour.

Do you love American history? Will you be cruising with school-age kids? A port call in Boston offers a chance to learn about major historic events, such as when the colonies battled for independence from England almost 250 years ago.

A guided walking tour along the city’s famed Freedom Trail lets you discover 16 historical sites. These include Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, the Old South Meeting House (where a gathering sparked the Boston Tea Party in 1773) and the Old North Church. The latter is where Paul Revere placed two lanterns to signal that the British were approaching by sea during his midnight ride on April 18, 1775.

Important to know: Freedom Trail walking tours generally last three and a half hours and cover a distance of 2 to 2.5 miles at a moderate pace. The walk generally ends near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, so you might have time to explore on your own before returning to your ship.

Related: The best time for a Canada and New England cruise

Fenway Park and Boston highlights tour

Love ’em or hate ’em, the Boston Red Sox play in one of baseball’s most celebrated stadiums: Fenway Park. Book this popular New England cruise excursion, and you’ll find yourself among some of the sport’s most dedicated fans. All will be eager to step inside the oldest stadium in the major leagues, built in 1912.

You’ll see the dugouts, the press box, the manually operated scoreboard, Pesky’s Pole in right field and the 37-foot-tall left-field wall known as the Green Monster. On your way to and from Fenway, you’ll also take in some of Boston’s top historic sites from inside your bus with guided commentary.

Important to know: Family-friendly Fenway Park and Boston highlights tours are generally three and a half hours and involve some walking within the stadium. Tours do not include an actual game, and some areas may be off limits due to activity within the stadium.

Related: An insider’s guide to Boston’s top 16 attractions

Portland, Maine

Portland highlights and lighthouse tour.

Aside from its lobster, Maine is perhaps best known for the lighthouses that dot its rugged coastline. This sightseeing tour showcases a picturesque landmark that has long protected sailors from meeting a tragic end, along with several popular Portland neighborhoods.

After enjoying a bus tour through downtown Portland — home to Victorian houses and a modern Arts District — you’ll drive along the scenic coast to Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse. Sitting in the onetime military outpost of Fort Williams, the Instagram-worthy landmark dates to 1791 and features beautiful grounds; there’s also a museum in the lighthouse keeper’s quarters.

Important to know: These scenic tours are generally two hours, and much of that time is spent on the bus. The museum entrance fee ($2) is not always included in the tour cost.

Kennebunkport

Price: $$-$$$

Exploring Kennebunkport is a popular daytrip from Portland. Cruise lines offer several shore excursions to this charming seaside village, perhaps best known as the summer residence of former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush.

Shorter excursions focus on the town’s 18th- and 19th-century sea captains’ mansions and offer free time to explore independently. They may also include a scenic sailing (the best way to have a look at the Bush compound at Walker’s Point).

Longer tours combine bus sightseeing with a scenic cruise, a clam chowder and lobster roll lunch, and free time to browse Kennebunkport’s shops and galleries.

Important to know: Kennebunkport is approximately a 45-minute drive from Portland, and excursions range from three to seven hours. If you plan to shop, ask the shore excursion desk how much free time will be allotted.

Related: Canada and New England cruise packing list: What to pack for every season

Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia national park.

Your cruise line is likely to offer a variety of excursions that explore Acadia National Park, the coastal preserve known for its 3,478 miles of shoreline and the 360-degree panoramic views from atop 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain.

The easiest excursions involve sightseeing from a bus (or an executive minicoach on a small-group tour) and generally cover the 27-mile Loop Road and/or coastal highlights. The most strenuous involve hikes or bike rides. Another option is an excursion that combines a Loop Tour in Acadia with an authentic lobster bake lunch.

Important to know: Acadia National Park tours range from two to four hours and the visibility from atop Cadillac Mountain depends on weather conditions. Additionally, the park regulates the number of buses allowed to stop atop the mountain, so in September and October (foliage season) tour buses are not always allowed there.

Kayaking in Frenchman Bay

Active, outdoors-loving cruisers can opt to paddle the waters surrounding Mount Desert Island, considered one of the top sea kayaking spots on the East Coast.

Local outfitters provide stable tandem (two-person) kayaks; you’ll be instructed on how to perfect a fluid stroke and glide past the scenic coastline off of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Keep your eyes open for local residents, such as harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles.

Important to know: Kayaking tours typically last two and a half to three hours and are considered a strenuous excursion. Anyone in good physical condition (upper body strength is key) can participate, and beginners are welcome. You’ll hear instructions from a professional guide and get a dry bag.

Related: 5 best fall foliage cruises in New England, Canada and beyond

Saint John, New Brunswick

Whale watching by zodiac on the bay of fundy.

From June to October, the Bay of Fundy is home to hundreds of finback and minke whales; humpbacks arrive in late summer. So, a port call here offers an opportunity to view these magnificent creatures as they feed and play.

The Zodiacs (some tours also use larger vessels or catamarans) depart from Saint Andrews, about 75 minutes from Saint John. You have a 90% or greater chance of spotting whales as you zip around the bay for two hours. You might also see seals, porpoises and eagles. Most tours allow you free time to explore the picturesque seaside town of Saint Andrews, and some include a snack or lunch — typically seafood chowder.

Important to know: Whale watching by Zodiac tours are generally six or seven hours long, and the Zodiacs do have fixed chairs (some with shock absorption). This makes them suitable for most adults without major back or mobility issues and older children (generally ages 9 and above).

Reversing Falls, St Martins sea caves and the Bay of Fundy

Fallsview Park’s dynamic reversing rapids are a must-see when visiting Saint John. Your cruise line will likely offer a variety of Bay of Fundy tours, but look for one that combines a visit to the park with a drive to the small town of Saint Martins.

The Reversing Rapids is what happens when the Saint John River meets the strong and dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy. The exchange of water flowing into the bay at low tide and back from the bay at high tide creates a series of rapids and whirlpools.

The highlight in Saint Martins is the Sea Caves, dramatic formations carved into the red-hued cliffs by the tides. You’ll walk along the pebble-strewn beach — and even into the cave entrances if your visit is at low tide — and afterward enjoy a hearty bowl of seafood chowder. Saint Martins is also home to several covered bridges and gift shops. Before returning to your ship, you’ll visit the circa-1876 Old City Market in Saint John.

Important to know: Saint Martins is about 70 minutes from Saint John and tours generally last five to six hours. The sights you’ll see are dependent on the daily tide schedules and the weather (fog is not uncommon). While this is a moderate activity, some walking is involved, especially to reach the sea caves from the rocky beach.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Peggy’s cove.

Peggy’s Cove, a coastal village dating back to 1811, has inspired numerous painters and photographers. It’s also a popular Canadian cruise excursion destination.

Your ship will likely offer several different excursions here, from a scenic coastal drive and tour to a longer option that allows time to savor a delicious lobster lunch and explore the town’s shops and galleries on your own. A highlight is the circa-1914 lighthouse set atop an impressive rocky outcropping. Back in Halifax, some tours also do a drive-by of Province House, where the Nova Scotia House of Assembly has gathered every year since 1819.

Important to know: Excursions to Peggy’s Cove range from three to seven hours. The drive from Halifax is about an hour each way, which means shorter tours offer very little time to actually explore the town.

Halifax Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus tour

Prefer to sightsee at your own pace? If so, book a tour that lets you utilize Halifax’s hop-on, hop-off vintage double-decker buses to explore the sights on its 90-minute loop.

The bus will take you to the Public Gardens, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the fashionable North End shopping district and the Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where 121 passengers who perished on the Titanic in April 1912 are laid to rest. Some cruise lines also add extras, such as fast-pass access to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic — home to some Titanic memorabilia — and Citadel Hill National Historic Site — a star-shaped fortress constructed in 1856.

Important to know: Buses run every 30 minutes, so plan your stays at the various sights carefully to avoid wasting precious port time.

Related: Best cruise destinations for every type of traveler

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Cape breton island.

Nova Scotia’s rich Scottish-Gaelic history and culture come to life during a visit to Cape Breton Island. The area is in eastern Nova Scotia and is encircled by a roadway called the Cabot Trail.

Tours from Sydney, the island’s largest city, vary by cruise line. Still, highlights include the Bras d‘Or Lakes region, which is home to Highland Village — a cultural center and living history museum dedicated to early Gaelic settlement in Nova Scotia. You’ll also visit Baddeck village, the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell, and can visit a museum that showcases his life and inventions.

Explore Baddeck’s shops and cafes on foot; then make a final stop at Seal Island for a photo-op atop Kelly’s Mountain overlooking Saint Ann’s Bay.

Important to know: Canada cruise excursions to Cape Breton last between four and seven hours, with a one-hour drive each way from and to the port in Sydney. A fair amount of walking is required, especially in Highland Village. Longer tours typically include lunch.

Fortress of Louisbourg

History buffs with a penchant for live reenactments can enjoy a guided excursion to the Fortress of Louisbourg, North America’s largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town.

The original fortress was built from 1720 to 1740 and once ranked as France’s most important military and trade center on the continent. The entire 12-acre complex, now a Canadian National Historic Site, is home to more than 50 period buildings. A wide range of characters dressed in mid-18th-century garb offer historical context as they reenact everyday life from almost 300 years ago.

Important to know:   The Fortress of Louisbourg is about 45 minutes away from Sydney. Excursions less than four hours may not offer enough time (just 30 to 45 minutes) to explore the complex independently after the guided tour ends. This excursion involves a significant amount of walking.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Anne of green gables.

There are many reasons to visit Prince Edward Island, including its beach-fringed national parks and fresh-from-the-sea cuisine. But perhaps the biggest tourist draw, especially for literary enthusiasts, is Anne of Green Gables — the character created by PEI native Lucy Maud Montgomery in her series of books for young readers.

Feisty Anne, with her red pigtails and straw bonnet, remains beloved more than a century after her literary debut. Most cruise lines offer a variety of excursions to the place that inspired Montgomery, a farm estate now known as Green Gables Heritage Place. In addition to a museum that chronicles Montgomery’s life and literary works, this Canada National Historic Site encompasses the farm and surrounding woodlands that inspired the author.

Important to know: Tours are generally four to seven hours. If you’re a tried-and-true Anne fan, ensure the tour you book allows enough time to explore both the museum and grounds at Green Gables Heritage Place, about 40 minutes from Charlottetown. If your port call is long enough, you might also be able to book separate tickets for “Anne & Gilbert, The Musical,” staged in Charlottetown from late May to early October.

Charlottetown culinary tour

Charlottetown is an atmospheric spot to take a foodie walking tour and sample a variety of local specialties. On the menu: oysters, mussels, lobster rolls, french fries made with local PEI potatoes, craft beer and more. Tip: If you’re not completely full, stop at Cows to sample the local ice cream — and buy a bag of Cow Chips (chocolate-covered potato chips) to savor later.

Important to know: Foodie tours generally last about three hours and require you to walk about two miles.

Quebec City, Quebec

A stroll through old town.

You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back hundreds of years and across the Atlantic to France as you explore the photogenic streets of Quebec City’s Old Town with your guide.

Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, this UNESCO World Heritage Site charms visitors. Highlights include Lower Town’s Place Royale, the city’s first settlement, and Le Quartier Petit-Champlain, its first shopping street.

In Upper Town, you’ll explore sites that include the Place d’Armes, Dufferin Terrace and Place de l’Hotel de Ville, all while being mesmerized by the towering Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. On some tours, you’ll head inside this landmark hotel — constructed in 1893 and inspired by the castles of France — for afternoon tea and pastries. Other strolls conclude with a wine tasting.

Important to know: These walking tours are generally about three hours across hilly and cobblestoned streets.

Montmorency Falls

Just 20 minutes from Quebec City in the rural Island of Orleans, known for its photogenic villages, Montmorency Falls cascades 270 feet down a cliff face into the Saint Lawrence River. The drop is one and a half times that of Niagara Falls.

Some tours here visit the base of the falls for a photo op, while others include a tram ride to the top for spectacular close-up views from a suspension bridge. Some Montmorency excursions also combine a visit to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, a late-19th-century basilica considered one of the top Catholic shrines in North America. Others stop at a sugar shack where you can sample maple candy and other treats.

Important to know: Tours to Montmorency Falls are typically three to four hours long.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Old Montreal walking tour

Montreal, the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, is also home to an atmospheric cobblestoned Old Town. This must-see neighborhood is known as Vieux-Montreal and dates to the city’s founding in 1642.

Here, you’ll find the landmark Place d’Armes and the neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica (its interior is awash in heavenly blue). There’s also the Place Jacques-Cartier, lined with cafes. The adjacent Old Port, which stretches along the Saint Lawrence River, is a vibrant mix of historic and modern buildings.

Some Old Montreal walking excursions combine top sites with a culinary tour that can include tastes of everything from French pate and cheese to smoked meats and Portuguese natas (puff pastry).

Important to know: Walking tours of Old Montreal are usually two and a half to three hours in length, with most of that time spent on your feet.

Montreal highlights city tour

If walking tours aren’t your thing, you can also get a great overview of Montreal via a bus excursion that visits many of the city’s architecturally dynamic neighborhoods.

Notable spots include Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica, the city’s modern downtown business district, leafy 500-acre Mount Royal Park, Golden Square Mile with its historic Victorian and Renaissance homes, and the east side with its iconic Olympic Stadium.

Important to know: City tours by bus generally last three hours and are mostly panoramic, meaning you’ll spend as much as two-thirds of your time on the bus. There might be three or four stops for photos and a quick visit to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.