Lucy Maud Montgomery and Prince Edward Island

UPDATED MAY 19, 2026

Explore Prince Edward Island Through the Eyes of L. M. Montgomery

There is perhaps no better way to experience the beauty, charm, and spirit of Prince Edward Island than through the world of Lucy Maud Montgomery. From quiet woodland trails and red clay roads to rolling coastal landscapes and storybook villages, the island that inspired one of Canada’s most beloved authors still feels wonderfully alive today.

For fans of Anne of Green Gables — and even those simply discovering Montgomery for the first time — the L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour offers a meaningful way to connect with both the author and the island she loved so deeply.

Why the L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour Is a Must on Prince Edward Island

The L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour is the perfect way to explore Prince Edward Island through Montgomery’s eyes, from her early childhood into adulthood. The tour weaves together the landscapes, homes, churches, walking trails, and communities that shaped her life and inspired her timeless stories.

Whether you spend a few hours in Cavendish or several days exploring the island, the experience offers a deeper appreciation for Montgomery’s writing and the enduring beauty that influenced her imagination.

Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables

When you mention Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables immediately comes to mind, and for good reason. This beloved novel not only launched Montgomery's career but also endeared the spirited red-haired orphan and her cherished Prince Edward Island to readers worldwide.

First published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables became an instant bestseller. However, few know that the manuscript was initially written in 1905 and rejected by several publishers, spending a couple of years tucked away in a hat box. Thankfully, Montgomery retrieved it in 1907, and the Page Company of Boston published it the following year. Montgomery went on to write 20 more novels, all but one set on Prince Edward Island. In addition to her novels, she was a prolific writer of short stories, poems, journals, and letters, providing rich insight into her life and creative inspiration.

Photo Credit: Hiroko Suzuki for PEI Tourism

Celebrating L. M. Montgomery’s Legacy on Prince Edward Island

In 2024, Prince Edward Island celebrated the 150th birthday of L. M. Montgomery with special exhibits, performances, and events honouring her enduring legacy. I experienced the celebration firsthand while exploring the island on the L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour. Just days before my visit, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a special commemorative $1 coin celebrating Montgomery’s milestone anniversary — a meaningful keepsake for both collectors and literary fans.

Montgomery Park

A wonderful place to begin the L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour is Montgomery Park in Cavendish. Here you’ll find A Glimpse of Beauty, a bronze sculpture designed by Grace Curtis and sculpted by Nathan Scott, depicting Montgomery during the years she was inspired to write Anne of Green Gables. The sculpture beautifully captures what Montgomery described as “the Flash” — a sudden moment of creative inspiration sparked by nature’s beauty.

While exploring the park, keep an eye out for hidden cats tucked throughout the displays, a playful tribute to Montgomery’s well-known love of cats.

From the park, a short walking path leads directly to Montgomery’s Cavendish home.

L. M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home

Welcome to the hallowed grounds of L. M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home, also known as the Macneil Homestead. Designated as a Canadian Historic Site, this property invites you to walk the paths and imagine young Maud beside you, guiding the way. Hear her whispers in the wind, envision her view from her bedroom window, and sit under the apple tree where she once did.

Montgomery lived here for 37 years with her maternal grandparents, Alexander and Lucy Macneill, from the age of 21 months until her grandmother's passing in 1911. It's easy to draw parallels to Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables. The kitchen, still intact, also served as a community post office, where Maud worked and wrote several of her novels.

The Macneil Homestead

At the homestead, Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Kilmeny of the Orchard, and The Story Girl, along with countless poems and short stories.

During my visit, I met David Macneill tending the gardens. He proudly shared that Montgomery’s grandparents were his great-great-grandparents. In the 1980s, his parents carefully restored the property to honour Montgomery’s legacy, and that care is still evident today.

Be sure to visit the bookstore here to browse books and to view artifacts from the original homestead and Cavendish Post Office.

Maud’s Photo Rambles

One of the highlights of the Montgomery 150 celebrations I thoroughly enjoyed was Maud’s Photo Rambles with photographer Ian Carter. As we walked from Montgomery Park to the homestead, Ian shared stories, photographs, and fascinating insight into Montgomery’s passion for photography.

Learning about her love of capturing landscapes and everyday moments made me feel even more connected to her creative spirit — perhaps even “kindred spirits.”

Cavendish Post Office

The Cavendish Post Office offers a fascinating look at Montgomery’s life as assistant postmaster and traces the journey of her manuscripts through the postal system. It was here that Montgomery discreetly mailed the manuscript of Anne of Green Gables — changing literary history forever.

Resting Place of L. M. Montgomery, Cavendish Cemetary

Exploring Montgomery’s Inspiring Places

Many of Montgomery’s most inspiring locations are clustered close together in Cavendish.

The popular Cavendish Walking Tour includes:

Montgomery Park
L. M. Montgomery’s Cavendish Home
Cavendish United Church
Cavendish Post Office
Cavendish Cemetery
Haunted Wood
Lover’s Lane
Green Gables Heritage Place

Depending on how long you linger, the self-guided walking tour typically takes between three and five hours.

I spent four days exploring Montgomery-related sites across Prince Edward Island and still felt there was more to discover. For those seeking a detailed historic perspective, more information is available on the LM Montgomery Literary Tour website. Read about the self-guided experiences and download the map to plan your personal itinerary. Enjoy my photographic journey, then make a list of your must-see points of interest.

Haunted Wood Trail

Fans of Anne of Green Gables will instantly recognize the Haunted Wood Trail, the spruce grove Anne and Diana imagined to be deliciously spooky. Today, the peaceful forest trail still feels wonderfully atmospheric as it winds toward Green Gables Heritage Place.

Lover’s Lane

Lover’s Lane remains one of the most enchanting corners of Green Gables. Framed by towering trees, birdsong, and a gentle brook, the trail once connected the farmyard to the pastures and became one of Montgomery’s favourite places for solitude and inspiration.

Green Gables Heritage Place

Green Gables Heritage Place commemorates the farmhouse and surrounding landscape that inspired Anne of Green Gables. Visitors can explore the historic home, gardens, walking trails, visitor centre, gift shop, and Cordial Café.

During the summer months, interpretive activities and costumed characters bring Anne Shirley’s world vividly to life.

One-Day L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour

The One-Day L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour recommendation involves combining the Cavendish Walking Tour along with driving to the following sites:

Cavendish Shore
L.M. Montgomery Birthplace
Anne of Green Gables Museum & Lake of Shining Waters
Senator Donald Montgomery House/The Inn at Ingleside

L. M. Montgomery Birthplace

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in this house on November 30, 1874, the daughter of Hugh John Montgomery and Clara Macneill Montgomery. However less than two years later Clara died of tuberculosis and Maud’s father abandoned her, so she moved to live with her grandparents at the Macneill homestead in Cavendish. Visit the bedroom where Maud was born and view a replica of her wedding dress. Also find scrapbooks on display depicting her personal life as a student at Prince of Wales College and her years as a writer and teacher.

The Anne of Green Gables Museum

Silver Bush, as the Campbell family farm is now called, is where L.M. Montgomery’s Campbell cousins lived and where she visited throughout her life. Montgomery was married to the Rev. Ewan Macdonald in the parlour on July 5, 1911. She referred to this home as the “Wonder Castle of her childhood,” and several of her novels: The Story Girl (1911), Pat of Silver Bush (1933), and Mistress Pat (1935) were set here. Enjoy viewing Anne's enchanted bookcase, the organ on which her wedding march was played, the crazy quilt and the blue chest from The Story Girl and other artifacts written about along with personal memorabilia. Stroll the grounds and the Barry’s Pond aka the Lake of Shining Waters from Anne of Green Gables.

Senator Donald Montgomery House/Inn at Ingleside

The Multi-Day L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour

The Multi-Day L. M. Montgomery Tour offers a range of options based on your schedule and preferences. Make your choices from the Inspiring Places, featuring the 16 locations most closely associated with L.M. Montgomery’s life and writing inspirations. For additional tour opportunities, explore the Related Experiences; which include other captivating places. The following are some that I toured and highly recommend.

The Bideford Parsonage Museum

The Bideford Parsonage Museum is a delightful destination on the L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour. At 19 years of age, on July 28, 1894, after graduating from Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, L.M. Montgomery boarded here with the local Methodist minister, Mr. Estey and his family, when she came to teach at Bideford #6 School. The historic home near Tyne Valley has been carefully restored to accurately reflect life in a rural homestead during the late 19th century. Tour the home with a knowledgeable guide and take a moment to gaze at the island view Maud enjoyed through her bedroom window.

Julia Purcell Art Studio

Julia Purcell is an artist that has a great passion for the writings of L. M. Montgomery. She teaches islanders and visitors alike to appreciate the island Montgomery describes in hues of emerald, ruby & sapphire through the joy of watercolour and also cyanotype, an early form of photography, practiced by Montgomery which produces stunning white images on a Prussian blue background. Learn more about Julia’s classes and her original work in her Clyde River gallery.

Anne & Gilbert The Musical

Anne & Gilbert The Musical delivers a performance which is equal parts high energy ensemble numbers, and heartfelt ballads with heaps of humour sprinkled in. It is staged in an intimate setting at Holland College with an orchestra of three that has a surprisingly full sound. My friend Julie and I loved every minute and highly recommend everyone who loves L. M. Montgomery’s Anne novels to see this stage production.

Confederation Centre Art Gallery’s permanent collection includes some fifteen of Montgomery’s original manuscripts, *Anne of Green Gables* among them; in addition, the Centre preserves and maintains other Montgomery artifacts such as her scrapbooks and wedding dress and shoes.

Courtesy of: *Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™* (2024) at Confederation Centre of the Arts. Photo by Louise Vessey.

Anne of Green Gables The Musical

Experience the magic of Anne of Green Gables The Musical in the Confederation of the Arts Centre in Charlottetown. It premiered in 1965 and is the longest running musical theatre production in the world. With a 28-member company and a 14-member live orchestra, this classic show delivers on all levels. Watch the beloved characters of Avonlea come to life through excellent singing and stellar dance numbers. This long-standing musical is full of heart and resonates deeply with the audience. The whole cast delivers a Broadway-caliber production in a BIG WAY! Don’t miss this high-energy, humorous island favourite!

L. M. Montgomery Scavenger Hunt

There’s so much fun to be had. Get out and learn more using the L.M Montgomery Scavenger Hunt. Download a copy and explore the L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour on Prince Edward Island.

Philippa & Fred, Anne & Gilbert - The Musical

Anne of Green Gables Store, Charlottetown

Shinng Waters Country Inn aka Rachel Lynde’s House

Dalvay By-the-Sea

Fans of Road to Avonlea and the 1990s Anne of Green Gables movies by Sullivan Entertainment Inc. will recognize Dalvay By-the-Sea as the iconic White Sands Hotel. Dalvay was first featured in the Anne of Green Gables movies, where Anne (Megan Follows) attends a recital at the White Sands Hotel and famously loses her paper sheets all over the dunes with the hotel in the background. Having lunch at Dalvay By-the-Sea was a lovely conclusion to my L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour.

Stay in the Heart of Anne’s World

During my visit, I stayed at Kindred Spirits Inn & Cottages, conveniently located beside the famous Green Gables House in Cavendish. I highly recommend staying at this Inn or booking one of their cottages, as I did with my friend Julie.

Our cozy cottage featured two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living space, and deck, making it the perfect home base for exploring Montgomery’s inspiring places. Just minutes away, Cavendish Beach offers stunning coastal views, rolling waves, and scenic cliffside trails once walked by Montgomery herself.

Step Into the Storybook World of Prince Edward Island

Whether you’re a lifelong Anne Shirley fan or discovering L. M. Montgomery for the first time, Prince Edward Island offers a journey filled with literary history, breathtaking scenery, and timeless charm.

From the Haunted Wood and Lover’s Lane to quiet seaside villages and red sand beaches, the island continues to inspire visitors just as it inspired one of Canada’s most beloved authors.

This is where fiction meets the unforgettable beauty of real life, and where every visitor finds a bit of kindred spirit magic.

This article was sponsored by L. M. Montgomery Literary Tour, Cavendish Beach & Central Coastal PEI; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!