5 great P.E.I. road trips

Bit by the travel bug this weekend? Here are a few easy roads trips you can easily enjoy when P.E.I. is your home base.

Shopping in Halifax

drive time: 3.5 hours from Charlottetown

You'll want to stay overnight if you're heading to the Halifax-Dartmouth area. The good news is you will likely be able to book a hotel room, as hockey tournament season is over and it's not yet high season for tourism. Note that many shops will be closed on the holiday Monday.

You'll likely want to check out the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth as well as Dartmouth Crossing by car. Another day, park in downtown Halifax — grab brunch and shop at the Farmers' Market and walk the recently-developed waterfront boardwalk, where you can rent a Segway or bicycle. Vintage shops also abound, some in the city's North End including an army surplus, and others downtown including Dress in Time on Spring Garden Road and Urban Cottage on Granville Street. There are dozens of restaurants and several breweries within walking distance downtown at every price point and menu, from vegan fare to the ubiquitous fish and chips.

If you need a hit of culture after the hedonism, go to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront where can see pieces of the actual Titanic — the ship sank just off the Nova Scotia coast — or take the kids to the hands-on science Discovery Centre downtown.

Shopping in Moncton

drive time: 2 hours from Charlottetown

You can definitely make a day trip out of a shopping excursion to Moncton.

The main attraction, arguably, is the Champlain Mall in Dieppe, which features dozens of chain stores and boasts that it's the largest single-building shopping centre in Atlantic Canada by floor space.

A 10-minute drive up the road you'll find the Trinity Power Centre, and the mecca to many that is Costco. Moncton also has the closest Marshall's, which is like a slightly upscale version of Winners, as well as a Pier 1.

A recently-opened Cabela's in an attraction for those who enjoy shopping for hunting, fishing, camping and any outdoor gear.

Park downtown and enjoy a stroll around local shops on Main Street.

If you enjoy thrifting, stop by Guy's Frenchy's in Shediac, N.B., on the way.

Camping at Fundy National Park, N.B.

drive time: 2 hours 45 minutes from Charlottetown

Fundy National Park, which is near the village of Alma, N.B., opened Friday with three different campgrounds, including backcountry camping.

Too chilly for tenting, in your opinion? Fundy has 30 of Parks Canada's mini-cabins, called oTENTiks, where you can "glamp" as you bask in the warmth from a propane heater. The cabins also offer a solar-powered light, beds and a floor.

Breathtaking views and some of the region's best hiking trails can be found in Fundy.

Fossil hunting at Joggins, N.S.

drive time: just over 2 hours

The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Joggins, Nova Scotia, is surprisingly close, and this time of year there's admission to the on-site museum and guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Joggins is the place to gather fossils that have tumbled from the constantly-eroding cliffs. It's regarded as the best record of life in the Coal Age 300 million years ago — and fossilized prehistoric poop is a hit with kids! The rules have changed in recent years, so note: you are no longer allowed to take fossils home with you.

P.E.I. staycation

drive time: varies

Of course, the P.E.I. government would prefer that you stay — and spend your tax dollars — here on the Island. Even this early in the season, there's lots ot see and do. Many cottage operations are actually open this time of year and some offer great off-season discounts.

You could tour some of P.E.I.'s breweries/distilleries. If you head east, visit several in one trip, including both Rossignol Winery and Newman Estate Winery in Murray River, Myriad View distillery in Rollo Bay and the Prince Edward Distillery in Hermanville, which is also home to a windmill farm. Please don't forget your designated driver.

Visit the Dunes Gallery in Brackley Beach, and the P.E.I. Preserve Company in New Glasgow before the busy tourist season hits, and while you're in the area take a walk on the beach or the trails in the National Park.

Take a drive along the shore and take some photos of P.E.I.'s many beautiful lighthouses. Check out this map: https://www.tourismpei.com/lighthouse-lovers-tour

The May Run Music Festival is on all weekend in venues across the Island — a great opportunity to take in some local music of any genre.

If you've never watched live harness racing, give it a whirl at Red Shores' Charlottetown Saturday night or the Summerside Raceway Monday afternoon.

If you're more about automobiles than animals, the Oyster Bed Speedway offers stock car racing Monday afternoon.

Whatever you choose to see and do, have a happy and safe Victoria Day weekend!