When we first heard that the Sommo Festival in Cavendish was being moved to September, our first response, like many of our readers was, ‘But Prince Edwards Island closed after Labour Day.” The Island is not known for being a Fall destination so, we thought we would head over to the Island a few days early to see what the Island had to offer on our road trip to the Sommo Festival and boy were we surprised. Like the festival itself, the Island always delivers.
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So, we loaded up the SUV in Halifax, set the navigation system to Sommo, and headed on our way to the birthplace of Confederation, Prince Edward Island, to find some must-visit places to eat, play, and stay before, during, and after Sommo this September.
The first leg of our road trip was from Halifax to Borden-Carleton, a small but beautiful town at the foot of the Confederation Bridge. The town was built around the ferry service, which was a vital part of the Island’s economy. The construction and subsequent opening of the Confederation Bridge in 1997 linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick marked the beginning of a new era for Borden-Carleton and for Prince Edward Island making the province much more accessible for goods and tourists to get to the island and vice versa residents and Island goods to get to the mainland.
Borden-Carleton has been a stopping place for as long as I can remember, for us to gas up or take a break, as we drove to one of the many winter hockey tournaments on the Island or in more recent days when we are our way to Cavendish for a music festival. But this was the first time we took the time to look around and we are glad that we did because the town is amazing with lots to offer and not just a place to top-up your fuel and stretch your legs.
Other than being an amazing place for epic pictures of the Confederation Bridge, located in the heart of Gateway Village just off the bridge in Borden-Carleton, is a must-stop for anyone coming to the Island, called Lone Oak Brewing Company, a locally owned and operated brewery. The Lone Oak Brewing features a spacious outdoor patio, welcoming taproom, and restaurant. This and every location offer a retail outlet stocked with loads of Lone Oak merchandise and their amazing craft beers and vodka seltzers to-go so you can enjoy them once you reach your destination.
There is also an in-house golf simulator that offers a unique experience for both locals and visitors. Guests can enjoy golf indoors in a virtually simulated golf environment and play any golf course in the world while enjoying the amazing food, beverages, and service from the Lone Oak taproom making it a unique experience for locals and visitors to the Island.
For a lot of the breweries and distilleries we visit the craft beverages are the headliners of the experience, however, like the Sommo Festival, local island products and cuisine are spotlighted. Their taproom kitchen offers a rotating seasonal menu with weekly features that showcase the best of PEI’s culinary offerings with high-quality food, and friendly service in a fast-casual setting. Their nachos, with the house sauce and roasted chicken club, are both next-level culinary experiences, and though simple dishes are the best that we have ever eaten.
So, whether you’re arriving on the island or seeking a great meal paired with quality craft beer, Lone Oak Brewery and Taproom is the perfect stop, but if you miss it, you are in luck because there are three more locations throughout the island, each with their own unique menu and culinary offerings, so check them all out as you tour the island.
With our stomachs full and a 6-pack or two of Lone Oak Light and Raspberry Vodka Seltzer in the Chilly Moose cooler we were back on the road to Sommo.
Our next stop was a quick 20-minute drive up the PE-10 South toward Victoria. In the late 1800’s the Victora was prosperous with three wharves and many thriving businesses. Because of its sheltered harbour and strategic location, Victoria became an important seaport with a significant amount of trade with Europe, the West Indies, and other East Coast ports.
A wide variety of products including potatoes, cattle, grain, and eggs, were shipped by schooner from Victoria until the early 1900’s. In the days of the steamboats, Victoria was a regular stop for ferries, in particular the SS Harland, dropping off visitors from Charlottetown and places further away, to spend a day or two relaxing in the beautiful ‘village by the sea.’ While today the schooners, steamboats, and ferries are long gone, visitors still are coming to take in the breathtaking coastal scenery, beautiful sand beaches, and local restaurants, shops, and inns of this seaside paradise.
After exploring Victoria by the Sea, we headed East PE-116 to the Trans-Canada Hwy/PE-1 for another 20-minute drive to North River located just outside the City of Charlottetown. We will be honest, we set the navigation system for the North River Causeway because we all wanted a Cows Ice Cream and knew that was the closest of the six island locations on the Island. If you have never had a Cows Ice Cream, well you don’t know what you are missing. If you have, then you know if was worth the drive.
Since its creation in 1983, the Cows brand has been using the same old-fashioned ingredients in the production of its delicious ice cream and other premium dairy products. My go-to favorite is usually Gooey Mooey, a burnt sugar ice cream (vanilla ice cream mixed with English toffee), English toffee marble, caramel cups, and chocolate flakes. However, this time I just had to try the Cowconut Cream Pie, a coconut cream pie ice cream with graham cracker crumbs, which tasted like a coconut cream pie in a waffle cone.
After a quick tour of the facility, we bumped into Kyle Powers and Sam Bowness of the Charlottetown, Islanders of the QMJHL who were enjoying a Cows ice cream of their own but were happy to take a picture with Chilly. They may or may not have tried to convert him into an Islanders fan, but he’s a die-hard Halifax Mooseheads fan, after all, he is a moose, and you have to go with the home team.
Also located among the many other shops and restaurants at the North River Causeway is the Lone Oak Brewpub, so we wanted to check it out to see if it was as equally as impressive as the Lone Oak Brewery we had visited earlier in the day. No shock it was! This full-service restaurant/brewpub offers the same delicious locally produced craft beer as the brewery, with its own location-specific menu of high-quality pub food in a cozy, modern atmosphere. Pus being located conveniently on the North River Causeway makes it easily accessible from Cornwall, West Royalty, and Downtown Charlottetown.
In addition to the amazing drinks, food, and friendly service, you can enjoy stunning water views from our riverside patio, complete with custom fire pit tables that create an unbeatable ambiance. Inside the restaurant features three 75″ TVs, a cozy fireplace, and a 30-foot bar with comfortable and private seating options, including booths and dividers, so you’ll feel right at home. Plus, in the evening on the weekend, they have live music indoors and outdoors on the patio, weather permitting. So, whether you’re in Charlottetown for business or pleasure, if you’re looking for a casual meal, a night out, or to catch the game with friends, the Lone Oak Brewpub is the perfect spot.
Now that we finished our ice cream it was time to get back on the road and navigate a few more of the island’s rotaries and head East on Canada Hwy/PE-1 for about 25 minutes towards Alexandra with a quick stop in Stratford at the beautiful Fox Meadow Golf Course on a quest to now visit all the Lone Oak Brewing locations on the Island.
Located at the stunning Fox Meadow Golf Course in Stratford, is Lone Oak Fox Meadow a full-service, year-round restaurant, and event centre offering a location unique menu of high-end pub food and locally produced beverages, all served in a comfortable, modern atmosphere as you enjoy breathtaking views of the golf course and Charlottetown Harbour from our dining areas.
To say that Lone Oak Fox Meadow is stunning, would be an understatement. The restaurant features seating for 70 guests indoors and an additional 80 on the spacious second-level patio. With 40 full-height windows, the views from Lone Oak Fox Meadow are some of the best in Canada. Whether you’re seated inside or enjoying the fresh air on the patio, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas.
Relax at their impressive 25-foot bar, where you can savor our selection of locally crafted beverages while enjoying the view. Sports enthusiasts can catch the latest games on one of their four 65-inch TVs, making Lone Oak Fox Meadow the perfect spot for both dining and entertainment, either after around or golf or just heading out for date night and looking for exquisite food, beautiful scenery, and a welcoming atmosphere to share with your partner.
Looking to come to the island for a golf getaway, well The Birches Cottages has 8 cottages, centrally located on 8.5 acres in the rural community of Alexandra, just 10 minutes from Charlottetown and 6 minutes from Fox Meadow Golf Course in Strafford.
If golfing is not your thing, The Birches Cottages are only 1 kilometre from Tea Hill Beach on the South Shore of beautiful Prince Edward Island plus the incredible water views from their cozy comfortable cottages are the perfect place to enjoy peaceful sunsets. For those going to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Sommo Festival this is also a great option as it is only 45 minutes away from Cavendish.
Next, we were off to Souris, about an hour from Alexandra heading East on PE-3 and then North on PE-4. Greeting visitors as they cross the causeway into Souris from the West, is Souris Beach Gateway Park. Souris is a friendly seaside town with small shops, and beach that is well known as a great source for discovering sea glass, clam digging, and swimming in the summer.
Once you enter the town, you will be enamored with the 19th century buildings and Souris’ Historic Lighthouse which was built in 1880 and stands almost 50 feet above the cliff on Knight Point overlooking the town of Souris.
You can discover the panoramic seascape and history of the Harbour and Town of Souris by climbing 45 steps to the lantern room and the outer platform. The Northumberland Strait, the Souris Harbour, and, on a clear day, the Cape Breton Highlands can be seen.
The heart of Souris is the waterfront where a thriving fishing industry invites visitors to get in the action with several different types of fishing tours, from fly fishing to experiencing deep-sea fishing with one of the local captains to strapping in for a once-in-a-lifetime thrill and experience of hooking a giant bluefin tuna. For those looking for a little less adventure on or off the water, Birdwatching is also a popular pastime for wildlife enthusiasts, and it is common to spot blue herons, eagles, or osprey.
Without a doubt, one of the top attractions in the Souris area is Basin Head Provincial Park located just East of the town. The park features a fisheries museum and miles of the best white sandy beaches on the Island.
From the historic lighthouse that overlooks the town, to the amazing beaches and activities, Souris draws you in and even though it was a little out of the way on our road trip to Sommo, it was a must-visit for us anytime that we are on the Island.
Continuing our journey, we headed to the East point of the Island on PE-16 for about half an hour along the shore until we found a little piece of PEI paradise called All Points East Campground. This tranquil, family-owned, operated, and focused campground nestled between the shores of North Lake and the Atlantic is Prince Edward Island’s most Eastern campground. Other than an amazing view and beach access, their washroom facilities, including hot showers, are available all season long and are included with your camping fee. The laundry room also acts as a give-and-take library if you are looking to get some reading in as you enjoy a little downtime. Their beautiful in-ground pool is open from late June until mid-September, and it is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. Plus, the campground is also close to numerous beautiful beaches (two within walking distance), restaurants, and loads of adventure exploring all that Eastern PEI has to offer and a must-stay for anyone looking to camp in Eastern PEI.
Back on the road again, heading West on PE-16 for about a half hour until we came upon St. Peters Bay known for having one of the most beautiful views on the island, and a cultural and historical richness that did not disappoint, as this area of PEI is beautiful in so many ways. The area is rooted in the many cultures that have existed on Prince Edward Island from the first Aboriginal peoples, the Mi’kmaq, to the French and Acadian Settlers, and Scottish, Irish, and English immigrants. Just outside of St. Peter, you will find a stunning protected dunes area at Greenwich National Park, which we highly recommend you check out when in the area.
Anywhere along St. Peters Bay, you can watch the sunset, as the sky passes through various shades of pink and red, with the reflections in the water enhancing all the colour. You can see the lines of buoys, running for miles up the bay, growing the world-famous Prince Edward Island mussels, or watch the herons walk along the shore, silently waiting for their next meal to swim past.
Also nestled on the banks of St. Peters Bay, is an 18-acre patch of paradise called the Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort, which is Prince Edward Island’s first Nordic spa. Discover pure relaxation in their serene spa grounds, where breathtaking island views and thermal therapy come together for a perfect retreat.
Spoil yourself with a Weekday Wellness as we did and stay in one of their fully renovated cottages overlooking the spa grounds and St. Peters Bay. After enjoying a day of thermal therapy wake to coffee in the fresh Bay air on your deck and ease yourself into the Mysa experience knowing that everything you need for the perfect relaxing getaway is mere steps away including an on-site restaurant, just for spa guests. We highly recommend you experience the culinary offering of their on-site restaurant. All dishes are prepared individually to each guest’s preference and dietary needs and prepared fresh with locally sourced seafood, meats, and poultry as well as produce from their very own on-site greenhouse. The service and staff are absolutely amazing and the whole Mysa experience is not something that you will not soon forget. If we were not on the road to Sommo, we would have stayed longer!
We also found another gem on our way back from Greenwich, Prince Edward Island National Park called The Golden Dory, which we never expected to be open in September, but we are happy it was. We will be honest from the PE-313 this place did not look like much at the end of a long red dirt driveway, but the parking lot was full of cars and patio was full of customers, so we decided to check them out for dinner, and we were happy we did.
This elevated fish shack truly delivered and everyone on the team loved it, and to be honest, can’t stop talking about it. From their signature Dune Burger to their delicious fish and chips, tacos, and deep-fried clams everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the staff was friendly, and the service was amazing. They also have a wonderful view of St. Peter’s Bay making this the perfect outdoor spot for eating a delicious fresh meal, while chatting with locals and visitors, about their day. The food at The Golden Dory is worth the drive from anywhere on the island and this is going to be a must-stop any time that we are on the island that is for sure.
With our bellies full it was time to finish our road trip with an hour drive on the Veteran’s Memorial Hwy/PE-2 heading West for the first day of the Sommo Festival, with a quick pitstop in Hunter River to check out Chestnut Lane Bed & Breakfast which is a 4.5-star Bed & Breakfast. Chestnut Lane Bed & Breakfast offers quests elegantly appointed rooms with luxurious ensuite private baths, and the option of a separate two-bedroom fully equipped apartment with a private entrance perfect for those looking for a place to stay for either the Cavendish Beach Music Festival or the Sommo Festival, unfortunately, for us, this must-stay location was booked, which was not surprising given that they are just minutes from many of the Island’s major attractions and beaches.
We were excited to pull into The Avonlea Village and continue our celebration of Song, Food, Fun, and Sociables in Cavendish and to kick off two amazing days of Sommo Festival with our interview with Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter and (s)alt-pop powerhouse Maggie Andrew.
After that, we explored the amazing festival grounds and what this celebration of music, food, and drink had to offer, and as always Ben and his amazing team did not disappoint. The Sommo Festival spotlights PEI products and culinary delights, with dish creations by some of the best in the culinary industry, plus showcases musical acts from all different types of genres to entertain festival goers. This year’s Sommo included Vermont folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, who headlined Friday night along with Maren Morris and Half Moon Run, and Grammy-winning rock group Greta Van Fleet, headlining the Colliding Tides main stage Saturday with The Beaches and Talk along with many other up-and-coming artists getting to share the main stage and the Sandbar Stages. In only its second year Sommo has established itself as a staple event on the island with fans following the event into September and looking forward to 2025 and the third installment of Sommo.
Sommo also provides a tremendous economic spin-off as restaurants and accommodations were able to stretch out their seasons not only in Cavendish but throughout Prince Edward Island, which is great for everyone in the tourism and hospitality industries.
You might be asking, did we get to visit all the Lone Oak locations as well had planned, well conveniently for us our last location, the Lone Oak Beer Garden, which is a premier restaurant-style beer garden located in the heart of Avonlea Village in Cavendish was open because of the Sommo Festival. The Beer Garden stays true to the Lone Oak brand with a unique location menu and a welcoming and friendly staff, ample seating options, including 10 cozy interior bar seats, a large patio under a covered pergola, accommodating over 60 seats, and propane heaters for your comfort when the days or nights get a little chilly, plus an additional 40 seats are arranged around custom fire pit tables, providing a unique dining experience.
All we can say is see you next year at Sommo!
by Ryan Myson