Birthplace of Canada: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Charlottetown

4.5 (28 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

28 reviews

4.5

Birthplace of Canada: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Charlottetown — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Birthplace of Canada: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Charlottetown, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Charlottetown isn't just Prince Edward Island's capital — it's where Canada itself was born. This self-guided audio tour starts right at Port Charlottetown and walks you through the rooms and streets where the 1864 Confederation talks took shape, GPS-triggered so the narration finds you automatically at every stop.

Highlights:

Step inside Province House National Historic Site, where the 1864 Confederation Conference began.
Hear the history behind St. Dunstan's Basilica and St. Peter's Cathedral.
Wander past Beaconsfield Historic House and the Irish Settlers Memorial.
Browse Founders' Food Hall & Market and the Culinary Institute of Canada.
Finish at the harbour front by Peakes Quay Marina.

Narrated by a seventh-generation Islander, the tour goes at your own pace — pause, restart, or pick it back up later. No set start time, no group to keep up with: perfect if you're working around a cruise ship schedule or just want Charlottetown on your own terms.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A front row seat to the history of how Charlottetown became the birthplace of Canada
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
Included: Access to VoiceMap's app on IOS or Android with flexibility to enjoy the tour at your own pace.
Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Food/Drink
Not included: No ENTRY tickets for any paid attractions
Not included: transportation

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Welcome to Charlottetown, the charming capital city of Prince Edward Island! On this walking tour through Downtown, you’ll explore the historical and cultural treasures that make this city so special.
Stop 2

Passing by

Our 75-minute walk starts and ends at Port Charlottetown, you'll hear how Prince Edward Island was discovered by Europeans, and then handed over to British landlords. You’ll find out how the islanders gained their independence, tiptoed on the brink of bankruptcy, and what eventually convinced them to join the Confederation.
Stop 3

Passing by

On this tour, you'll pass by the Founders Food Hall and Market and hear about it while you walk.
St. Dunstan's Basilica

Passing by

Along the way, I’ll show you St Dunstan’s Basilica, one of only 26 basilicas in Canada, and one of the most visible landmarks in the city.
Confederation Centre of the Arts

Passing by

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to explore the Confederation Center of the Arts, a cultural center dedicated to Canadian visual and performing arts, where productions of Anne of Green Gables (the world’s longest continuous-running musical) were held annually until the pandemic hit
Province House National Historic Site

Passing by

You’ll also see the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, Province House National Historic Site, one of the oldest functioning parliamentary buildings in the world.
Charlottetown City Hall

Passing by

You'll have an opportunity to take in Charlottetown City Hall and hear its history while you walk.
Stop 8

Passing by

Take in a few of the city’s hidden quirks, including a canon planted in the sidewalk, and statues of Eckhart, the mouse from David Weale’s best seller The True Meaning of Crumbfest. You'll see him outside the St James Presbyterian Church
Stop 9

Passing by

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to visit the largest and the smallest churches on the island, St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral and All Souls Chapel.
Stop 10

Passing by

See St Peter's Cathedral, and hear its history while you walk.
Government House

Passing by

See Government House and hear its history while you walk.
Beaconsfield Historic House

Passing by

After taking in the Beaconfield Historic House, you'll discover how the PEI Railway became one of the world’s most crooked rail beds with a third of its total line made up of curves
Stop 13

Passing by

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to find out about the last public execution in the province in Connaught Square, where convict George Dowie was hung three times before being declared dead
Stop 14

Passing by

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to stroll past COWS ice-cream parlor, Lobster on the Wharf restaurant, and the Culinary Institute of Canada, where you can discover local cuisine
Stop 15

Passing by

As you take in Downtown Charlottetown, you’ll have a chance to hear about the ghosts who foretold the tragedy of the burning phantom ship, and an exiled Irish God who lurks in the rocks near the Irish Settlers Monument
Stop 16

Passing by

As you wander through Charlottetown Marina, Peakes Quay, and down the vibrant pedestrian street, Victoria Row, you’ll learn all about the city’s founding, and Canada’s early history.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Before arrival, please install our mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

Before arrival, please install our mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

2. Create an account

3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note: You won't be guided through any museums or other attractions mentioned en route. If you choose to enter and visit such places, you'll need to pay for it independently of this tour.