Green Gables Guide: Where to Go and What to See in PEI

Green Gables & Beyond: An Anne of Green Gables Journey Across Prince Edward Island

There’s a place on Canada’s east coast where fiction and reality blend so seamlessly, it’s hard to tell where the page ends and the real world begins. That place is Prince Edward Island, and its soul is forever entwined with the story of a spirited red-haired orphan named Anne Shirley.

At the heart of it all lies Green Gables Heritage Place, a lovingly preserved farmhouse nestled in the seaside village of Cavendish. With white clapboard walls and forest-green gables, it’s as if the book’s cover has come to life. But Anne’s world is more than just one house—it’s an entire island shaped by the imagination of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the woman who turned PEI’s pastoral charm into literary magic.

🌿Green Gables: A Real-Life Storybook & the Woman Behind the Words

Stepping onto the grounds of Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, feels like stepping into the pages of a beloved book. With its white clapboard siding, iconic forest green gables, and surrounding meadows straight out of a watercolor painting, it’s easy to see why this quaint farmhouse became the heart of Anne of Green Gables—and why it continues to capture hearts around the world.

But behind this idyllic setting stands a woman whose imagination transformed a simple rural home into an international symbol of hope, wit, and wonder: Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Born in 1874 in Clifton (now New London), just a short drive from Cavendish, Montgomery was raised by her grandparents in a deeply rural and conservative setting. Yet, she possessed a mind filled with vivid characters, poetic landscapes, and a longing for creative expression. PEI's rugged coastlines, pastoral fields, and mysterious woods weren’t just scenery to her—they were kindling for a brilliant literary fire.

In 1908, Montgomery published Anne of Green Gables, a novel she initially struggled to sell. But once released, it quickly became a runaway success, bringing the feisty, red-headed orphan Anne Shirley—and her misadventures in Avonlea—to the global stage. Montgomery’s evocative descriptions of the island’s landscapes weren’t just literary flourishes; they were intimate reflections of her own childhood playgrounds.

Green Gables, in particular, was inspired by the home of Montgomery’s cousins, the MacNeills, which still stands today as the centerpiece of the national historic site. Although Montgomery never lived there, she often visited, and it served as the perfect muse for Anne’s fictional home with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Every detail, from the raspberry cordial mishap in the kitchen to the poetic strolls down Lover’s Lane, is rooted in real places and real emotions.

Today, the site is lovingly preserved and elevated as a literary landmark. Visitors can explore Anne’s room, peek into Montgomery’s handwritten manuscripts in the visitor center, and walk the exact wooded paths that inspired some of the most memorable scenes in the book. It’s not just a museum—it’s a living tribute to a woman who gave voice to rural girlhood and made PEI’s landscapes famous around the world.

Montgomery once wrote, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” After visiting Green Gables in any season, you’ll understand exactly what she meant.

🏡 Green Gables Heritage Place: Step Into the Story

Located within Prince Edward Island National Park, Green Gables Heritage Place is where Anne’s fictional life began—and where readers have been flocking for generations. The site is based on the farmhouse owned by Montgomery’s cousins, the MacNeills, and was immortalized in her 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables.

Wander through Anne’s carefully recreated bedroom (yes, puffed sleeves included), explore the cozy kitchen where raspberry cordial mishaps unfolded, and soak in the quiet magic of Lover’s Lane and the Haunted Wood—real trails that Montgomery knew and loved.

Inside the interpretive center, explore exhibits filled with original manuscripts, handwritten journals, family heirlooms, and vintage photos that offer a glimpse into Montgomery’s creative genius.

In summer, costumed interpreters bring the story to life with character performances and family-friendly programming. It's not just a museum—it’s a portal into Anne’s world.

🗺️ The Complete Anne of Green Gables Itinerary Across PEI

📍 Cavendish: The Heart of Avonlea

Your Anne adventure starts here:

• Green Gables Heritage Place: The crown jewel of the Anne experience.
• Site of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home: Walk the grounds where she grew up, just steps from Green Gables.
• Cavendish United Church: Montgomery played the organ here from 1903–1911. It also hosted her funeral in 1942.
• Cavendish Cemetery: Visit Montgomery’s final resting place—beautifully marked and surrounded by flowers.
• Montgomery Park: A peaceful picnic spot with a bronze statue of the author and interpretive panels.
• Avonlea Village: A recreated 19th-century village with artisan shops, food vendors, and the Anne of Green Gables Store, where you can even get a signed book from George Campbell, a Montgomery relative.

🏠 New London: Where It All Began

Visit the Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace, the modest home where the author was born. Inside, you’ll find her wedding dress, family keepsakes, and a rich collection of memorabilia that sets the stage for the rest of your journey.

🌅 Park Corner: Silver Bush & The Lake of Shining Waters

Head to the Anne of Green Gables Museum at the Campbell Homestead—known to Montgomery fans as Silver Bush. This romantic estate inspired many of her novels. Don’t miss Matthew’s Carriage Ride, which takes you past the real Lake of Shining Waters, another setting pulled from life into fiction.

Nearby, the Montgomery Inn at Ingleside—Montgomery’s grandfather’s former home—remains a tribute to her story Anne of Ingleside. The inn still operates today, so visitors are welcome to enjoy the grounds respectfully.

🍁 Lower Bedeque: The Schoolhouse Years

Take a detour to the Lower Bedeque School, where Montgomery briefly taught in the late 1890s. This humble building provides insight into her early adult life and her Loyalist heritage.

🎀 Borden-Carleton: Dress-Up & Ice Cream Fun

In Gateway Village, bring the story to life by dressing up as Anne or one of her friends. This interactive spot is perfect for families—and no trip would be complete without a scoop of Cow’s Ice Cream, which Anne herself would’ve called simply scrumptious.

🍫 Charlottetown: Souvenirs, Stage & Raspberry Cordial

Back in the island’s capital, immerse yourself in Anne’s legacy:

• Anne of Green Gables Store & Chocolates: Perfect for souvenirs and sweet treats.
• Raspberry Cordial: Try Anne’s favorite drink at select cafés around the city.
• Charlottetown Festival: See Anne & Gilbert: The Musical or catch the legendary Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ when it returns in 2026.

🕍 Bideford: A Hidden Literary Gem

Make time to visit the Bideford Parsonage Museum, where 19-year-old Montgomery lived while teaching. The home’s cozy, preserved interiors showcase some of her earliest writing and offer a deeper look at her formative years.

🌟 Take the Full Literary Trail

For a fully immersive experience, follow The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery – A Literary Tour, a self-guided route that ties all of these special places together. It’s the ultimate tribute to an author whose vision continues to inspire wanderers and dreamers across generations.

💫 Closing the Book, But Not the Journey

Prince Edward Island is more than just the backdrop of a classic novel—it’s a storybook come to life. From the ivy-framed windows of Green Gables to the shores of the Lake of Shining Waters, every corner of this island whispers the spirit of Anne Shirley and the brilliance of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

So lace up your boots, bring your imagination, and let PEI sweep you into a world where kindred spirits roam, every trail tells a tale, and beauty lies around every bend.