Green Gables Heritage Place is the setting for the beloved 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by author Lucy Maud Montgomery. It’s the story about the adventures of an 11-year-old orphan girl, Anne Shirley, living in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. She was mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings; Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, whom originally intending to adopt a boy to help them on their farm.
The original green-gabled farmhouse has been carefully restored over the years to reflect the era, including the furnishings in the rooms. This house was owned by the cousins that L.M. Montgomery visited as a child. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home is located nearby and is part of a site called L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site.
Green Gables Heritage Place, PEI
Green Gables Heritage Place is located in Prince Edward Island National Park near sandy beaches and farmland on the north shore of Prince Edward Island in Cavendish. In 1937, Green Gables became part of Prince Edward Island National Park and her relatives stayed at the house for another nine years.
1. Things to do at Green Gables Heritage Place
There is plenty to see and do with the family while visiting the Green Gables Heritage Place including:
- Touring of the farmhouse where guides are on hand to answer questions.
- Guided tours during July and August.
- Meeting Anne herself, portrayed by an actress wearing red braids and her “bosom friend” Diana Barry, the girl living next door.
- A short presentation on the history of the site and its connections to Lucy Maud Montgomery.
- 2 outdoor trails lead you into the surrounding woodlands.
- Regular demonstrations evoke farm life more than a century ago such as learning to make ice cream, take part is potato sack races or take in some great music and even try them out yourself.
- Following along with Anne’s favourite teacher, Miss Stacy, on one of her most famous field days.
- Sitting alongside an old time Cavendish resident as they share stories from L.M. Montgomery’s famous Anne of Green Gables.
- Exploring exhibits on the cultural history of late 19th century Cavendish.
- Dressing up in Victorian clothing and posing for a photo!
- Enjoying a picnic with Anne
- and many more
The site is open from May to October and only 40 kilometres from PEI’s capital, Charlottetown. July to August are the most popular months to visit and the busiest times are between 11am and 3pm. If you like to avoid the crowds, consider coming outside these hours.
2. Trails
At Green Gables, they have two trails for you to explore: the Haunted Wood Trail and the Balsam Hollow Trail, which begins as Lover’s Lane. Interpretive signage are located along the trails that highlight the inspirational sources for Montgomery’s writing.
Balsam Hollow Trail
Length: 0.8 km return
Difficulty: Easy
This trail begins with Lover’s Lane and wanders through woodlands and follows a brook.
Haunted Wood Trail
Length: 0.9 km return
Difficulty: Easy
This wooded area served as the inspiration for the Haunted Wood that appeared in the book Anne of Green Gables. It passes near the Cavendish Cemetery, resting place of L.M. Montgomery, and connects to the site of L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home (separate entry fee or combination pass required).
3. Hours of operations
Full site open daily May 1 to October 31 from 9 AM to 5 PM.
4. Fees
You can purchase:
- a yearly pass from Parks Canada Discovery Pass with unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places.
- a single-location pass with unlimited entry to your favourite park
- daily admission pass to Green Gables:
| Adult | $ 7.80 | |
| Senior | $ 6.55 | |
| Youth 17 and under | free in 2018 |
5. Map
Download your own copy of their detailed map.
6. Parking
Free parking is available in the parking lot.
7. Gift Shop
The Green Gables Gift Shop is offers a varied selection of souvenirs, crafts, books and mementoes of your visit.
8.Butter Churn Cafe
The Butter Churn Cafe offers a varied selection of hot and soft drinks, baked goods, Island-made ice cream, and more. Enjoy a raspberry cordial or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, a raspberry cordial float!
9. More for the Kids
Parks Canada Xplorers is a new program featuring exploration activities for children 6 to 11 years old and their families.
When you arrive at Green Gables Heritage Place, please ask our staff at the Visitor Centre for an Xplorers’ booklet filled with fun activities that will guide your children’s discovery of the site. When they complete the requested number of activities they will be recognized as an official Xplorer with a certificate and a special souvenir!
The activities vary from one location to another, and so does the souvenir. This way children will enjoy discovering national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas and they can collect a souvenir from each location they visit.
10. Geocaching at Green Gables
They have hidden four geocaches for you to find and make your experience even more enjoyable!
1. Green Gables Heritage Place
N 46° 29.376 W 063° 22.574
Clue: Medium size evergreen
2. Balsam Hollow Trail
N 46° 29.097 W 063° 22.894
Clue: Below where one would ascend
3. Haunted Woods Trail
N 46° 29.260 W 063° 22.767
Clue: Below one of the big pine trees just past the golf course
4. National Treasure
N 46° 29.376 W 063° 22.574
Clue: Tall double stump, ground level
For more information on Green Gables Heritage Place you can visit their website, and connect with Parks Canada on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages!
Disclaimer: I received a yearly pass from Parks Canada to write this review. The views I share are my own.
Been to something similar like this before, lots of history
It’s so cool to see the historic places where I watched on TV as a kid
So amazing! It has a been dream of mine since I was a young kid watching Anne of Green Gables to visit PEI and Green Gables. Maybe one day.. Thank you for sharing! I love it.
My pleasure and it was a dream of mine too!
I visited Anne of Green Gables years ago when I visited my sister in PEI
I was there few years ago, lovely place. Their Haunted Wood Trail gives strange feelings when walking!!
I can imagine it would at night:)
I’m so close living in Nova Scotia, I’m going to try and get there this summer.
Hoping you do! So much to see and do in PEI!